The original HVC Edicion Especial 2015 was in the round and discontinued in 2024. The HVC Edicion Especial 2015 returns for the 10th Anniversary of HVC which refers to Havana, Cuba the birthplace of company owner, Reinier Lorenzo.
The initial release sees 5 sizes; one of which is a limited edition. Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46, $9 MSRP), Short Robusto (4.5 x 52, $9.50), Toro (6 x 54, $10.60), El Grandote (6 x 60, $12.60) will serve as the four regular production lines in a 20 count box. The limited edition Especiales (6.5 x 48, $10) is available as a 10 count box.
Cigar Review: HVC Edicion Especial 2015
Size: 6.5 x 48 (Especiales)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos HV
Release Date: July 2025
Production: Limited Size (1,000 Boxes)
Box Size: 10
The Cigar: The dark San Andres wrapper doesn’t have a lot of oils present and it feels coarse under the fingers. If one was to nitpick the cap could be placed a little better. The band is an upgrade over the original release with colors of garnet & gold and a large secondary band denoting the 10th year anniversary that is a bit gaudy. In the hand the cigar is firm with no voids of tobacco and a nice weight.
The Taste: The cold draw serves up notes of oats, leather and a touch of mocha. Resting the cigar between my lips as I type this out a black pepper note begins to develop as well. The aroma off the foot is warm tobacco which to me is reminiscent of of a cigar factory. Once the cigar is toasted and lit leather notes are quickly joined by mocha.
As we smoke the first third leather which started off as the dominant note quickly pulls back as mocha sweetness begins to take hold. As the complete the first inch some wisps of vanilla begin to emerge along with a developing pepper note. The retrohale sees some caramel sweetness with added black pepper that does not overpower.
Moving into the second third dark chocolate begins to emerge while leather and earth become the dominant note. As we cross the halfway point notes of cafe con leche begin to emerge and grow in intensity but fail to overtake the strong leather component that serves as the dominant base note. As the second third comes to a close a touch of salt emerges as the perceived strength kicks it up a notch.
The final third continues with notes of leather as the dominant note with espresso that lingers on the finish. Any sweetness of the first two thirds is a distant memory. There is a subtle spice on the palate that is amplified on the retrohale to round things out.
Conclusion: If you have smoked the Edicion Especial 2015 in the round the blend while tweaked some has a completely different flavor profile and is much stronger than I remember it. While the cigar is full in strength it is medium in body which the flavor of the cigar being subtle outside of the leather notes which are dominant. It’s a good cigar and its worthy of a 5 pack, but the 10 count box of the limited Especiales size at $100 is a no brainer that would probably do well with some aging
Score: 88
Price: $10.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
