HVC Limited Edition La Rosa 520 Rare of Rare Belicoso

Back in February, yes, February, my wife and I attended the TPE (Tobacco Plus Expo) trade show. As usual, we stopped by the HVC booth to visit Reinier Lorenzo. He informed us that he had a new cigar coming in March, the most limited blend he had ever released. Rolled at the El Titan de Bronze factory in Miami, he produced a 6×52 Belicoso called the HVC La Rosa 520, dubbed the Rare of Rare Sumatra. Using a dark Sumatra wrapper isn’t normally what Reinier does; however, he is no stranger to trying new things. This is not the first time the La Rosa line has made an appearance. The first rendition of it was in 2015; its make up very different, sporting a Corojo 99 wrapper.

Named after Lorenzo’s original address in Cuba, he says the cigar that bares the La Rosa name is very dear to his heart, and the tobaccos used in the blend are meant to bring his memories to life, reminding him of San Luis and San Juan y Martinez, in Cuba’s Pinar del Río. This year’s Sumatra bears a different look on the La Rosa. The wrapper leaf is veiny, textured, and dark in contrast to the original light Corojo. In addition, the blend uses Dominican in the filler as well as Medio Tiempo tobacco.

Make no mistake; there is no exaggeration in the title Rare of Rare. Only 500 boxes of 10 were produced of this beautiful Sumatra. Held up in production, the HVC La Rosa 520 has just now made it to the shelves, or should I say, just in time for Christmas. This is not a cigar to miss if you are a fan of HVC and Reinier’s blending style. Available now in short supply, this Rare of Rare Sumatra is here for s short time and offers the flavor, and depth one has come to expect from HVC cigars while being balanced and elegant.