HVC Vieja Cosecha No.2

Into its third year, HVC Cigars released its second special limited release, the Vieja Cosecha No.2. The first iteration, the Vieja Cosecha No.1, was shown off at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show and Convention and was a 6 x 52 toro. This year’s version, which debuted at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show and Convention, is a little more unique shape in a 6 1/2 x 56 figurado.

Each version used AGANORSA tobaccos that have been aged for five years, with the No.1 using tobacco from 2009 while the No.2 uses tobacco from 2010.

• HVC Vieja Cosecha No.1 (6 x 52) — August 2015 — 200 Boxes of 20 Cigars (4,000 Total Cigars) — $9.60 (Boxes of 20, $192)
• HVC Vieja Cosecha No.2 (6 1/2 x 56) — August 2016 — 200 Boxes of 20 Cigars (4,000 Total Cigars) — $10.40 (Boxes of 10, $208)

• Cigar Reviewed: HVC Vieja Cosecha No.2
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo 98
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 6 1/2 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 56
• Vitola: Figurado
• MSRP: $10.40 (Boxes of 20, $208)
• Date Released: Aug. 27, 2015
• Number of Cigars Released: 200 Boxes of 20 Cigars (4,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

While the Vieja Cosecha No.2 doesn’t have a gaudy big first impression, it does have a nice overall look to it, but once you pick it up the medium brown wrapper does have a luxuriously soft, supple feel to it. There is just a little give to the cigar when squeeze, while a light barnyard aroma of damp leather, earth and hay comes off the wrapper. The cold draw has notes of cinnamon, pepper, graham cracker and some light vegetal notes.

Starting into the first third, pepper, espresso, a little salt, cedar and a touch of earth start things out. The draw is good, right in the middle of ideal. There is plenty of smoke produced with each draw, but it isn’t overly much and dies down to a trickle fairly quickly afterwards. The burn is mostly even starting out, though a little help is needed to even it up around the foot’s bulge. As the cigar settles in, the pepper is reduced slightly, while the espresso, salt, cedar and earth continue. A light spice note has also appeared, lending itself to the mix nicely.

Moving into the second third, the pepper continues to move closer to the background, while the spice moves more towards the forefront. Espresso and a new note of cocoa appears, giving a nice mocha flavor in the background as well. Salty earth is mostly gone, though the cedar does still remain. Since the help around the foot, the burn has kept itself nicely even, with dense ash holding on well to over an inch.

The final third sees a reemergence of the pepper, coming back to the front quite quickly and boldly. Spice continues much the same, with espresso, light cocoa, and cedar coming in towards the end. The burn had a small section lag behind, but it ends up correcting itself without intervention from my lighter. Though the pepper has come back quite strongly, the cigar continues to be smooth and flavorful without any change all the way into the final inch.

Final Notes

• Vieja Cosecha translates to old crop.
• HVC stands for Havana City, which is where brand owner Reinier Lorenzo is from.
• I love a good figuardo. The size means you’re in for a long, relaxing smoke while the tapered end isn’t too cumbersome.
• Seeing the evolution of the HVC Cigar’s booth at the trade show each year has been neat. It started out quite simple at Lorenzo’s first show in 2013, with a bit of an upgrade in 2014, while 2015 saw a nice booth right on a major walkway – also right next to a massage chair booth, which I imagine wasn’t the worst thing to have to deal with.
• Cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
• Final smoking time averaged right around two hours.
• Site sponsors Lone Star State Cigar Co. (972.424.7272)

  & STOGIES World Class Cigars have the Vieja Cosecha No.2 in stock.