Wrapper: Habano 2000
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican Corojo, HVA, Piloto
Vitola: 5 ½ x 46
Strength: Medium+
Purchase Link: HSC Hugo
HSC HUGO REVIEW – DOM
Summary: The cap is off to the side beret-style. Cinnamon candy up front brings spicy sweetness while charcoal reminds me that it's almost grilling season. The punchiness in the first few puffs quickly reduces to green pepper. After an inch, this magician gets its sleeves ripped off; all that remains is a very linear smoke.
Halfway through, I taste the smell of pencil shavings (I have never consumed for supposed fiber benefits). Faint floral notes at the finish make this a non-offensive cigar that simply lacks complexity for me.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Studying in a library
Pairing Suggestion: Margarita
Perceived Strength: Mild
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
HSC HUGO REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought notes of cedar, light roast coffee, leather, lemon, bread, and cream.
The burn needed a few corrections, but otherwise construction was on point.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Creamy cedar sticks
Pairing Suggestion: Pumpkin spice latte
Perceived Strength: Medium-
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
HSC HUGO REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Fresh herbs on the retro for the intro.
Hay, walnut, and honey up until midway but I got a funky aftertaste to follow; I think the hay overshadowed any other note for the rest of the cigar for me. Lots of smoke output and relighting.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: The little engine that could
Pairing Suggestion: Cold brew with a side of baily’s
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
HSC HUGO REVIEW – TED
Summary: Interesting cold draw on this cigar, tastes like a long pull of iced tea. First flavors in this cigar are a dry mixture of mild wood, caramel, a vegetal note reminding me of parsley, tea leaves and a sprinkle of baking spice flavors. I’m also tasting a long finish I can only describe as green bell pepper. Strange. Also, 1/3 through and water is a must.
Things are taking a good turn in the middle. The profile is less drying on the palate. I’m tasting a much creamier mixture of mild coffee and caramel with some wood notes close behind. Toast, and a cereal grain flavor join in as well. There is a slight mineral aspect to the whole thing but it’s not offensive. Now I’m tasting some more tea leaves and maybe a hint of floral flavor as well.
Last part of this cigar is carrying heavy notes of grains and toast and nuts in the final section. There’s definitely wood flavors mixed in but they’re completely buried. A touch of bitterness is creeping in so this gets a light purge. Still, the profile is creamy and bold and pretty dang enjoyable.
This would be a good cigar any time of the day. I’m mildly put off by the vegetal notes, the slight mineral flavor and the bitterness in the finish, but some folks are really gonna dig this.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Finding a good book in one of those community library boxes
Pairing Suggestion: Ice cold Stella
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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