My Weekend Cigar Review: HVC Pan Caliente Connecticut
A Spicy Smoke in Connecticut Clothing
It seems that the release of HVC Pan Caliente Connecticut line, hit with little fanfare. But word about them seems to be catching on. For those who’d like to know, literally translated from Spanish, pan caliente is “hot bread,” but it’s used as the word for “hot cakes”—as in “These cigars are selling like hot cakes!”
The blend, which follows the earlier Pan Caliente with its tanner Criollo '98 wrapper, uses a silky and evenly blonde Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over a core of Nicaraguan fillers. The flavor profile is not only milder but the retail price is designed attract plenty of Connecticut fans seeking an affordable everyday smoke. Presented in bundles of 25 cigars, Pan Caliente Connecticut is rolled in Robusto, Corona Extra, and Churchill sizes.
Cigar Details: Pan Caliente Connecticut Robusto
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas - Honduras
Size: 5x50
Strength: Mild
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Flavor profile: Medium bodied with toasty, sweet, and spicy notes
Presentation: Bundle of 25 cigars
Pan Caliente Connecticut Robusto Cigar Review
This Robusto was well built and had one of the cleanest Connecticut wrappers. Totally even in color, practically zero veins, plus, I couldn’t find the spiral seams. The triple seam cap was textbook, and the orange band pops well against the blonde wrapper.
The prelight flavor tasted a bit grassy, not in a “young tobacco” way, but it was somewhere between hay and wheat. The cigar lit evenly and the first few puffs issued a thick and creamy smoke with a black pepper finish.
For the first half inch the smoke was mild and creamy with a spicy finish. I couldn’t get a handle on any leading flavors until a note of toasted bread showed up.
By the first inch the flavors begin to raise their heads. The toasted bread note developed into an toasted oatbread flavor. Subtler hints of nuts, a vanilla-like sweetness, and graham cracker followed. The smoke was light and airy at times while early retrohales were peppery.
By the halfway mark, the flavors seemed to be peaking including an increase in graham cracker and vanilla. Retrohales were less peppery and more leathery. Moving past the sweet spot, earth and spice entered the mix, while the finish was now less spicy.
In the last two inches, the top flavors remained alive as more earth and spice pushed through, and that’s all she wrote until I left it at about one-and-a-half inches.
Was the Pan Caliente Connecticut Robusto Weekend Worthy?
One of the aesthetics I liked about this Robusto was that its appearance reminded me of some similar-looking Cuban cigars. Although it took a while for them to show up, I liked the top flavors of oatbread toast, graham cracker and the sweeter notes. For the most part, the spicier flavors were on the lighter side but they were certainly present. I thought: A spicy smoke in Connecticut clothing…hmmm, yet the pepper never got in the way of enjoying the cigar; if anything, it complemented it because the blend was very well-balanced.
The Pan Caliente Connecticut Robusto is certainly ripe for every day or as a yard gar. And considering prices these days, it’s hard to beat. If you like Connecticut-Nicaraguan blends like Drew Estate Factory Selects or Flor de Oliva Gold, this hot cake should also do it for you.
Please Note: Gary’s review was based on his experience and that your mileage may vary.