HVC Havana City Seleccion No.1 Habano

HVC Selección No. 1 Natural (Habano)

The HVC Selección No. 1 Natural represents a significant milestone for HVC Cigars, as it was among the first releases from Reinier Lorenzo’s own factory, Fabrica de Tabacos HVC S.A., which opened in 2022. Released in 2023 as a companion to the original Selección No. 1 Maduro, this Habano-wrapped offering delivers a refined smoking experience with remarkable construction and balanced flavors.

Blend Profile

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano ’92
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos HVC S.A.

Each size comes packaged in distinctive yellow 20-count boxes that pay homage to Lorenzo’s Cuban heritage, contrasting with the green boxes used for the Maduro version.

Flavor Profile

The HVC Selección No. 1 Natural offers a complex and well-balanced smoking experience featuring:

• Rich natural tobacco as the dominant flavor
• Cedar and earth notes throughout
• Subtle fruit sweetness
• Mixed pepper that increases in intensity as the cigar progresses
• A slight bitter component in the final third that adds complexity without disrupting the balance

The retro-hale delivers an enjoyable combination of fruit and cedar notes that enhances the overall experience.

Strength and Body

While not quite as bold as its Maduro counterpart, the Selección No. 1 Natural still delivers medium to full strength and medium to full-bodied flavors. The strength and body balance each other perfectly throughout the smoke, with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

Construction

The construction of the Selección No. 1 Natural is excellent, featuring:

• A straight burn line requiring minimal touch-ups
• Firm, light gray ash
• Ideal burn rate and temperature
• A draw with just the right amount of resistance
• Good smoke production

This exceptional construction showcases the high-quality manufacturing standards at Lorenzo’s new factory.

The HVC Selección No. 1 Natural has been praised for delivering even better flavors than the Maduro version, with a more balanced profile. While it’s recommended for experienced cigar enthusiasts due to its strength, it remains approachable enough for adventurous novices looking to explore fuller-bodied cigars.