Xikar, being known as one of the best cigar accessories manufacturers in the world, dipped their proverbial toes in the cigar making world by introducing a line of cigars in 2008, named “Defiance”.   Jesus Fuego (best known for blending cigars for Rocky Patel, Plasencia, and his own line, JFuego), was called upon to blend and roll the cigars for Xikar.  The Defiance line was also created to assist the fight for cigar smoker rights by giving 5% of all sale proceeds to cigar rights coalitions across the United States.  The release of the Defiance line was only the first in a series of cigars planned to be released by the collaboration between Jesus Fuego and Xikar.

Enter the HC line of cigars.  This line of cigars was again blended by Jesus Fuego and is rolled in Nestor Plasencia’s Tabacos de Oriente factory in Honduras and Segovia Cigars factory in Nicaragua.  The line comes in three different wrappers and blends: Connecticut Shade (mild), Criollo (medium) and Habano Colorado (medium to full-bodied).  Both the Connecticut Shade and Criollo lines come in a 5×50 Robusto, 6×52 Belicoso, 6×46 Lonsdale and 6.5×52 Toro sizes, and the Habano Colorado includes all previously mentioned sizes and adds the 7×48 Churchill and 4.5×44 Petit Corona.  Prices range from $8.25 for the Toro to $9.25 for the Belicoso, on average. 

For this review I chose the Habano Colorado Lonsdale.  The wrapper on this cigar line is a Habano Colorado grown in the Jalapa Valley, the binder is Esteli, and the filler is a combination of Costa Rican, Jalapa and Honduras tobaccos.  Smelling the foot of the cigar gives hints of cedar and dark chocolate.  The cigar itself is very well rolled, and glimmers with its natural oils.  Upon the light, notes of spice, cedar and semi-sweet chocolate were noticed, with a light Brazilian coffee finish.  The burn of the cigar was very even and continued burning very evenly throughout the entire cigar.  Once past the first 1/3 of the cigar, the complexity kicked up a notch and provided background notes of French vanilla and light cinnamon.  The spice continued throughout the second 1/3 and translated heavily at the last 1/3.  Peppery notes were dominant at the end of the smoke, but were tamed a bit with background notes of dark chocolate and Columbian dark-roast coffee. 

The flavors of this cigar are immense and delicious, but they do not overpower the palate.  This is not a cigar that you need a turkey dinner with all the trimmings in the belly to maintain your consciousness through.  This is a great first-of-day smoke or a wonderful way to close out an evening with.  Beverage pairings for this cigar range from a good amber ale to a nice bold Cabernet, and is complemented nicely with a single-malt scotch or Irish whiskey. 

As an additional note, the original line of Defiance cigars can no longer be found on the shelves in their original banding, although they do still exist.  They are now the HC Criollo line.  This is the identical blend to the Defiance line, so for fans of the original line, don’t fret!  Run out to your local tobacconist and purchase the HC line of Xikar cigars today.  You will not be disappointed!

-Doug