Vitola: Petite Corona- 5” x 42 ring gauge
- $12.99
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Very early in 2018, I reviewed the Highclere Castle by Foundation Cigar Company…and by early, I mean that review was posted on January 2. It went on to be my Cigar of the Year for 2018 and I have told anyone who would listen (and some who wouldn’t) that it is the best Connecticut Shade-wrapped cigar to come on the market in at least the last half decade. What does Nick Melillo do for a follow-up? The Highclere Castle Victorian.
HC Victorian was blended as a tribute to the most popular cigar styles of the Victorian era, the time when cigars were first imported into England. It uses a high-priming Habano Ecuador wrapper that I’ve heard described as “Oscuro,” along with a Brazilian Mata Fina binder, and Nicaraguan corojo and criollo fillers from Estelí, Jalapa and Ometepe. On paper, at least, the filler and binder blend is very similar to that used on the original Highclere Castle, now referred to as “Highclere Castle Edwardian.”
I have smoked several of this blend before this review sample, in both Petite Corona and Robusto sizes. I purchased them all Burns Tobacconist where I work. If you can’t find HC Victorian locally, Leaf Enthusiast sponsor, Small Batch Cigar, has them available.
Prelight
I like the box with the red lid in place of the blue on the original release. It’s a clear distinction and looks great. I’m not convinced the band design is any better in red and gold than it was in white and gold, but at least the type is more easily readable now.
The wrapper leaf of the HC Victorian was French Roast brown with a nice oily gloss to it and a mix of earthy and cedary aromas, with a touch of cocoa powder. The foot was richly earthy with some sweeter chocolate notes mixed in.
After clipping, the cold draw was good and tasted of milk chocolate and medium-roast coffee, with a cedar background note.
Flavor
Highclere Castle Victorian starts off with a peppery full-bodied blast of flavor. The mix was dark chocolate, red pepper, and earth, with lesser notes of roasted nuts. The retrohale added cinnamon and cedar notes, along with more nuttiness.
By the time I got to the second third, I was almost lost in an incredibly satisfying smoking experience characterized by exquisite balance of sweet and savory notes—chocolate, cedar, and an almost grilled meat note. There was still plenty of cinnamon spice and a little red pepper on the finish.
In the last third, the Highclere Castle Victorian had a resurgence of cinnamon notes, along with hints of milk chocolate, earth and cedar.
Construction
I had a great draw, very even burn line and solid ash.
Value
Like the original Highclere Castle, this is not an inexpensive cigar. Also like the original, it is completely worth the price.
Conclusions
A friend of mine said, “This might just be the best regular line cigar I’ve had this year.” I tend to agree. The Highclere Castle Victorian is rich, complete, and medium-to-full in body. It was wonderfully flavorful from end to end, leaving me wanting more…and making me very happy that we would soon receive the regular Corona size because this Petite Corona is just not enough of a good thing for most times when I want to enjoy a cigar. The Robusto is also very good, but this Petite Corona just exists on a higher plane. Truly fantastic…delicious even!
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 10/10
