HC Maduro Cigar Construction

You read that correctly: Xikar, the powerhouse of cigar accessories, also makes cigars! The Xikar HC Maduro comes draped in an oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The wrapper leaf is a dark cocoa brown color with a hint of a rusty tinge to it with only a few veins and a bit of tooth. The length of the seven-inch stick is firm and well-rolled with no soft spots. The cap is thin but nicely mounted and cuts cleanly with my punch cutter.

Flavor & Cold Draw

The pre-light aroma is thick with scents of cocoa, dark roast coffee, and black cherries. The cold draw is tight but gives off gentle flavors of yeasty bread and white pepper. Once lit, the initial flavors are dark and earthy with notes of leather, smoked hickory, and a bit of black pepper. A gentle creaminess develops in the second third along with a bit of sweetness. The cigar finishes with more leather and wood notes.

Burn & Smoking Characteristics

The draw on the Xikar HC Maduro Cigar is too tight for my taste but still produces ample smoke. The strong, compact ash is a dark grey color and grows to just over an inch before the first drop and continues this pattern for the rest of the smoke. The burn is slow and even, with a total smoking time of seventy-two minutes.

Conclusion

The Xikar HC Maduro is a nice after dinner stick. It has a rich, complex flavor that will appeal to many different pallets. The burn is beautiful but the draw could use some work. At under three bucks a stick, it makes a great everyday smoke. I was pleasantly surprised that Xikar’s obvious skills in the accessories world transferred over to the cigar world.

Have you tried any of the Xikar cigars? Do they pass muster or should they stick to making cigar accessories?