Xikar HC Colorado Habano Toro

This is a new cigar from the famed accessory maker, it replaces the Defiance cigar (I would recommend getting some Defiance cigars if you can still find them, they were excellent). This cigar presents well with a Colorado Habano wrapper that does not have the typical reddish hue that I expect, but is more of a deep chocolate brown. There are some prominent veins in the wrapper and the roll seems a bit loose. The pre light aroma is of dark fruit, I sense black cherry. The pre light draw is a bit tight, which runs counter to the looseness of the roll, and is a bit confusing when it shows notes of spice, fruit and some sort of weird chemical/solvent undertone.

The cigar opens with notes of black cherry and spice, there is a bit of a clean tobacco flavor in the mix, but there is a definite chemical underpinning to the profile that is bothersome. The draw is a bit tight, but I am not having any real issues. The burn is even and produces a nice gray ash, that is firm.

The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile that has notes of dark fruit and floral sweetness. The chemical, almost medicinal, undertone is still in the profile and it is nearly enough to make me put the smoke down. The draw is still tight, but the burn is excellent. I perservere against my better judgement at this point.

The middle third of the cigar picks up some clean tobacco notes with hints of dark fruit and some more layers of floral essences. The chemical flavors have faded some and the profile is gaining some positive points, but still lacking in depth and complexity. The draw has opened up perceptibly and the result is more smoke, but the same flavors that lack depth. The burn is still above average at this point.

The final third of the cigar spirals out of control. The profile shows notes of charred wood and paper. The profile takes on a an acrid, acidic overtone and the chemical flavors are in my face. The draw has completely opened up allowing me to partake in the foul and malodorous experience in full effect. The burn is still performing well.

The finish is short, bitter, charred and acidic.

Appearance- 86 an above average looking cigar
Taste- 74 saved somewhat by the middle third
Construction- 84 early draw issues were a small problem
Strength- 70 too difficult to discern within the sub par profile
Overall- 78.5 they should have saved the tobacco for sacrifice in the next hurricane