Wrapper : Habano2000
Binder : Honduran, Nicaraguan, Sumatran
Filler : Honduran, Nicaraguan, Sumatran
Source : Given as sample from local Xikar rep

This week I have a cigar that was kindly given to me by my local Xikar rep, David Spirt, which is the Xikar HC Habano². This cigar comes in four sizes, Robusto (5×50), Belicoso (6×54), Toro (6.5×52) and Grande (6×60) with each size being box pressed. These were released at IPCPR 2012. I reviewed the original three Xikar HC cigars also.

Pre-Light

Taking a gander at this Xikar HC Habano² robusto and it has a beautiful box press on it with zero flaws. Wrapper gives a barnyard scent with the foot giving off a bit of a sweetness. Cold draw hit me with spice.

Without further ado, cut, light, smoke.

First Half

First words for this Xikar HC Habano² when I first smoked it were “holy shit, wow”. It really surprised me by having a good bit of peppery spice up front that just blasted through with tons of flavor. A bit of leather was intermingled but nothing else in the first few puffs. Definite medium body right off the bat. After about a half inch the spice settles down and lets a sweeter taste through with the leather. Spice is hanging tough with the leather right there with it and that small bit of sweetness sneaking in here and there. This cigar really surprises me by the amount of flavor and the power. Definitely going to hit the full body range by halfway but it doesn’t feel overpowering.

Second Half

Heading into the second half of this Xikar HC Habano² with the spice and leather in the front and a sweetness that binds everything together. I would consider this a full bodied smoke at this point with a definite full flavor going on. Flavors are coming together nicely with the sweetness becoming more involved and melding the flavors together nicely. Leather, spice and sweetness with a bit of nutty flavor coming through every now and again. Finished on a full body note with the nutty flavor a little stronger but never overtaking the spice and leather. Sweetness is still there but seems to bind everything together more than smacking you in the face.

Wrap-Up

Would I buy it again? Yes. Very good smoke but with it being a medium to full bodied I would not be smoking it all the time. I loved the amount of flavor. This cigar really surprised me compared to the original Xikar smokes. I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you give it a try.