Xicar New HC Squared

Last night I was looking for an easy smoke before dinner.  And, being on the road, didn’t have a lot of choices.  Luckily, I found the new Xicar HC².  This cigar comes from a company known for its accessories, and the cigar is a fine stick.

The entire Habano² line is box pressed, making a nice presentation.   The cigar felt good in my fingers , clipped well, and lit without a problem.  It produced nice smoke.

When I look at the construction of a cigar, I focus on draw, burn, and ash.  Does the cigar draw well or seem plugged?  Is it burning evenly, without needing to be relit?  And, how does it hold an ash?  This stick passed all three tests without  a problem.  The draw was even and free.  When I puffed I got the right amount of smoke and I didn’t feel as though I was sucking the last sip of a milkshake.  It burned mostly evenly and the ash held nicely.

This is a fuller bodied, but not overwhelming cigar.  I would rate it as a ‘lunch’ smoke.  After being lit, It had a nice woodsy taste that had hints of spiciness.  The spice for me was more cinnamon, not pepper.  As the stick progressed, the spice remained with an added nuttiness.  Toward the end of the cigar, the nuttiness receded and it had a somewhat stronger finish.   I enjoyed this smoke but felt it would have been better after a meal than before.

This cigar was just introduced at the recent industry trade show and most retailers won’t be getting them for a few weeks.  They are expected to sell in around the $6 range.  At that price it’s a nice smoke.  If you have the opportunity, give one a try.