In the ever-evolving world of premium cigars, where history and heritage often dominate brand stories, Reinier Lorenzo has carved out a distinct space with HVC Cigars—short for Havana City Cigars. In just a little more than a decade, HVC has matured from an extremely small boutique upstart with its cigars made at another factory to a company that now owns its own factory in Estelí, Nicaragua producing close to a million cigars per year. At the heart of the company’s growth is Lorenzo’s deep Cuban roots, unwavering commitment to quality, and a bold vision for crafting cigars that capture the soul of Havana for the modern world.
From Havana to the Heart of Nicaraguan Tobacco
It might surprise some that the 40-year-old Lorenzo, born in Camaguey, Cuba, and raised in Havana, originally had plans that were completely different from working in the cigar industry. He wanted to be a doctor, and worked as a veterinarian while attending medical school. Ultimately, he had an opportunity to join his family in the United States in 2008 and he moved to Wisconsin to work for a genetics company. On a visit to Miami, he stopped by his sister’s workplace, Aganorsa Leaf, then known as Casa Fernandez Cigars, and met the company’s founder and owner, Eduardo Fernandez. While Lorenzo never previously dreamed of working in the cigar business, he and Fernandez shared memories of cigar culture in their native Cuba. Ultimately, Fernandez invited Lorenzo to visit his tobacco fields and cigar factory in Nicaragua. Perhaps there was a latent affinity for tobacco and cigars hidden deep inside Lorenzo’s psyche, because after he traveled to Nicaragua and saw the cigar factory and tobacco fields and experienced cigar culture first hand, his career goals changed direction. Instead of pursuing medicine, Lorenzo wanted to be a part of the cigar business. Cuba’s prodigal son had indeed begun the journey home.
“I noticed that Eduardo’s factory made its own cigars but also crafted cigars for other companies,” Lorenzo recalls. “I saw an opportunity to create a boutique brand that would honor the spirit and flavor of Cuba, but use the best tobaccos from Nicaragua. When I asked Eduardo if he would make cigars for me, he was more than happy to teach me about blending cigars and make them for me.”
It took a little more than two years for Lorenzo to learn the craft of blending premium cigars and home in on a blend with the flavor and strength he was looking for to launch Havana City Cigars, a company named for the city where Lorenzo grew up. He made frequent trips from Wisconsin to Estelí, trying a lot of different tobaccos. Eventually he found the exact blend he wanted to use to introduce HVC to the American cigar market.
“I learned early on to blend cigars that I like and don’t chase the market,” Lorenzo says. “Making cigars is deeply personal for me. In a way, they tell a story about who I am and what I like. I want to share that part of me with other people and, thankfully, they have liked what I like. As HVC continues to grow, I never want to lose sight of making cigars that have a little bit of my personality in them while respecting Cuban traditions.”
The Philosophy: Old Soul, New World
HVC’s core philosophy is elegantly simple: Combine the richness of Cuban tradition with the strength and complexity of Nicaraguan tobacco. The company’s slogan—“Our flavor is unique”—is more than marketing. It’s a compass. Lorenzo draws inspiration from the classic Cuban vitolas, blending styles and flavor progressions. But unlike many companies that try to replicate Cuban cigars, HVC strives to evoke their essence while creating something original.
“I don’t want to copy Cuba,” Lorenzo says. “I want to honor it.”
That approach has won HVC a loyal following among connoisseurs and casual smokers alike. From its initial release, Seleccion No. 1, to its newest cigars, La Rosa 520 10th Anniversary and Edición Especial 2015 10th Year Anniversary, the company’s cigars are known for their balance, medium-to-full-bodied profiles and precise construction. Lorenzo takes a hands-on approach to blending, often spending weeks in Estelí, working side-by-side with rollers and tobacco sorters to ensure every blend meets his exacting standards.
“I don’t like to come out with too many brands but mainly focus on the quality and consistency of the brands that I already produce,” Lorenzo explains. “I think a cigar company can get lost if it’s constantly creating new brands to chase the market. Even after 13 years HVC has only 16 different cigars. When I’m thinking about releasing a new cigar, it’s got to have something about it that excites or inspires me, whether that be a new tobacco or a name that pops into my head. It’s got to tell a little more of the Reinier Lorenzo and HVC story for me to consider making a new brand.”
Lorenzo’s slow-growth approach seems to be paying off quite nicely. From that initial Seleccion No. 1, HVC’s brand portfolio has steadily expanded, blending innovation with tradition while focusing on high-quality craftsmanship. From its regularly produced cigars, such as its best-selling Hotcakes series, which includes the original Maduro and a Connecticut-wrapped Golden Line, to Pan Caliente and HVC 500th Anniversary to its treasured limited editions cigars, such as Black Friday, Lorenzo’s ethos has built a brand with the reputation for consistency and craftsmanship…and great tasting cigars.
So much so that in 2021, a major turning point arrived: Lorenzo opened his own factory in Estelí. This move signaled his commitment to deeper vertical integration and more creative control over production. While he still collaborates with Aganorsa Leaf and buys tobacco from the company, having his own facility allows him more opportunities to experiment, refine and oversee every part of the cigar-making process.
“We have more control of production than ever before,” Lorenzo says. “And that’s very important for our future as we continue to look to grow organically. As more people learn about HVC, they are more likely to try our cigars and I’m fairly sure they’re going to like them. Operating out of our own factory allows us to manage that growth and keep it steady where we want it.”
A Look Ahead
As HVC matures, so does Lorenzo’s vision. With the new factory, increased distribution, and a steadily growing fan base, the brand is poised for its next stage of evolution. But Lorenzo remains grounded. He’s heavily involved in the factory, averaging a week to 10 days in Estelí per month, guaranteeing his cigars’ consistency; and he averages two weeks a month visiting retailers across the country to spread HVC’s message to more people.
“I don’t want to be the biggest,” Lorenzo often says. “I want to be the best we can be. I feel like I owe that to the people who spend their hard-earned money on an HVC cigar.”
That ethos resonates deeply in the boutique cigar community. In an industry where rapid growth can dilute quality, Lorenzo is taking the opposite approach—deepening control, doubling down on his roots, and focusing on cigars that tell a story.
Lorenzo didn’t inherit a cigar empire. He’s building one from a dream—infused with the essence of Havana, powered by Nicaraguan soil and climate, and guided by a relentless passion for quality. Today, HVC Cigars stand as a testament to what happens when tradition meets innovation, and when a man’s vision becomes reality.
– Photos courtesy of HVC Cigars. Story by Stephen A. Ross.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 2, 2025. To receive a copy of this magazine, you must be a current PCA member. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.