Xikar, known world-wide for their cigar accessories, specifically their cutters, launched a line of cigars in 2008 called the HC Series. In July of 2010 we had the pleasure of reviewing the Habano Colorado Belicoso, and today we go back to the well with the latest addition to the HC Series, the Habano2 (squared), released earlier this year at the 2012 IPCPR (International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers) trade show.

Cigar Stats: The Habano2 blended by A.J. Fernadez at Tabacalera Fernandez, consists of a Honduran and Nicaraguan filler and an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, surrounded by an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper. The new HC Series is offered in four sizes, all box-pressed – Robusto (5×50, $6.75), Toro (6.5×52, $7.75), Belicoso (6×54, $8), and Grande (6×60, $8.50). We sampled the Robusto.

Appearance: The Habano2 wrapper is light-to-medium brown and slightly mottled, with moderate-sized veins and a decent pack.

The Smoke: The start of the The Habano2 consists of spice and wood but as the burn progresses the spice mellows and leather, what seems like nutmeg, and some mineral/metallic notes join the party. The remainder of the Habano2 brings the leather component to the forefront with some earthiness on the side. The burn never needs correcting and the ash is rock solid.

Verdict: The HC Series Habano2 is not only Xikar’s latest release, but also our favorite. The construction, balance and complexity were all top notch. For more information about the HC Series Habano2 or the entire line of Xikar cigars, visit hc.xikar.com/cigars.