By: Lindsay Heller
To quote the Cuban hip-hop group Orishas, "Hay un son que se oye en la Habana," which essentially means, "There's a rhythm that's unique to Havana." If you wonder how that's translated to cigar-making, then look no further than Reinier Lorenzo and HVC Cigars. HVC stands for Havana City—Lorenzo's hometown—and his blends are named for people or places which left indelible impressions on this young man's character.
In 2008 he left Cuba for Miami, only to relocate to Wisconsin for work shortly thereafter. A year later Reinier took his first trip to Nicaragua, and that's where the love affair began. He visited his sister who works for AGANORSA, and after a tour of the farm and operations, Reinier recounted, "The intricacies of the curation process of tobacco really impacted me. Coming from Havana, I felt that I owe it to the American market to bring the flavor of my city to [the] USA." When asked about his relationship with Eduardo Fernandez and the AGANORSA team, he doesn't hesitate to call them family. "They have allowed me to express myself on my blends. I have the freedom to select the finest leaves on any production," which personally sounds like every cigar-maker's dream.
Part of HVC's mission is to preserve old Cuban tradition, which is no easy feat. After a series of questions, he told me, "Whenever I create a blend, I want to evoke a conversation piece where each brand takes you into a different story." Reinier and I have similar preferences for classical vitolas, as they too are indicative of Cuban tradition. In a coy tone he says that every cigar he makes must pass his "number one test," meaning would he smoke it every day. With a wink and a nod, he adds, "I don't like big cigars."
Reinier makes sure I'm aware that his penchant for working hard was instilled in him by family. He spent years both working his previous day job in Wisconsin and building clientele for HVC, using his vacation time to check on production in Nicaragua, or visit brick-and-mortar retailers. HVC was established in 2011, and he worked two full-time jobs until 2015, only then deciding to make cigars his focus. Lorenzo relocates again to Miami, and dedicates 100% of his energy to his company. "HVC is like my baby. I am very proud of it and always want to show it off. I try to make it all about the brand itself, and creating lasting, personable relationships with my retailers. It is interesting how many people know about the brand but don't know me."
At CIGAR.com, we chose three specific blends: HVC Cerro, Pan Caliente, and Edición Especial 2015. Cerro is Lorenzo's second release, named for El Cerro—Havana's oldest neighborhood—and where he grew up. HVC Cerro (Natural) is a medium-bodied puro with a Corojo 99 wrapper and three-year-aged fillers from Jalapa and Estelí. Offered in four sizes, the flavor profile comes full circle starting and ending with cedar and pepper, but in between there is sugar, tart citrus, floral, and creamy chocolate. Intensely complex with an even burn, Cerro is an ideal choice for those who don't want imposing strength, but don't embrace boredom, either.
Pan Caliente is an interesting name, as in English it directly translates to "hot bread," but here it's a more tongue-in-cheek way of saying something "sells like hot cakes." Call it confidence or foreshadowing, but its success is what propelled him to make the leap into the business full-time. Available in three sizes, a handsome Criollo 98 wrapper envelops this puro and its smooth, savory-sweet flavor profile and aroma are intoxicating. Hay, anise, roasted peanuts, dark chocolate, earth, sweet maple, oak, pepper, and espresso grounds are all part of the package.
Finally there's Edición Especial 2015, which despite its name, is not a limited edition at all. The binder and fillers are sourced from two exclusive AGANORSA farms aged a minimum of four years, and the near-veinless San Andrés Maduro wrapper completes this full-bodied experience across three vitolas. Smoked mesquite, pepper, cocoa, earth, and bright, bitter orange notes weave throughout: in essence, this cigar is like a marriage of Mexican mole and Cuban mojo, and unlike anything I've ever tried before.
"It is not only manufacturing the cigar, but also crafting a story that brings about the excitement of Havana City," states Reinier Lorenzo. It's fair to say this Cuban raconteur is only in the early stages of a cigar autobiography, and I personally cannot wait for the remaining chapters.
