Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2014 LC550 by Crowned Heads (robusto)

I bought a couple of these cigars at their 2014 release.  I had smoked one in the shop that day, and I put the other one away to let it settle for awhile, and today seemed like a great day for Round 2. 

I've had a handful of cigars produced by Crowned Heads.  None of them have been crazy awesome, but they've all been good, and none so far have been a bad experience.  This particular line was made in limited amounts, specifically, 1,000 boxes of 24 for each vitola.  So....  this cigar is one of 24,000 made in the robusto size.  The Las Calaveras theme refers to "skulls" which reference the Mexican holiday, Dia de Los Muertos or "Day of the Dead."  It is essentially a holiday which celebrates loved ones who have passed away.  Future editions are supposed to be forthcoming, with different blends for each release.  These cigars were made in the My Father factory. 

The weather is gorgeous, so I've got my tunes, my coffee, some good company, and an hour or two to kill.  I opted to use a straight cut and a torch to get things started.

1/3: The initial taste is slightly sour, but not in a negative way.  It makes me think of citrus.  My black coffee goes well with it.  There are prominent veins visible, and the wrapper has an oily, leathery appearance with some varying shades of brown.  It's certainly an attractive looking stick.  I pick up notes of spice and pepper, before it drifts into a mellower flavor and strength.  From this point on, I'm getting more leather and cream.

2/3: This cigar is very smooth, which is in contrast to the off-the-shelf experience last year when I smoked the first of the two I bought at the time of release.  It was decent then, but the cigar has really improved with age.  The burn line has been decent, with the one exception of a flap that quickly disappeared when I touched it with a flame.

3/3: I nubbed this baby.  Good to the very last draw.  

 

Size: 5 x 50

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler:  Nicaragua

Four Kicks by Crowned Heads (robusto)

I'm a little late getting this post up, but better late than never!

I've been wanting to smoke this cigar for some time now, yet I kept finding others to smoke first.  This is a boutique cigar label that had generated some buzz several months back.  It was early in the day, so I decided to pair my cigar with black coffee.  I used a V cut, and my usual method of lighting with a torch. 

On the light, some mild pepper to get me started off.

1/3: The first flavor that I recognize easily is wood.  An inch or so into it, and I've got a little bit of irritation on the back of my throat.  Medium strength cigar, I think.

2/3: The volume of smoke has been pretty decent.  The cigar is mellow and enjoyable.  Although the flavors don't exactly jive with the Curivari smokes, for some reason this cigar reminds me of them.  Maybe it's because there was some hype ahead of trying it for myself, but like the Curivari, it's nothing all that special to me.  I'd smoke more, but doubt I'd ever be saying to myself, "Damn!  I sure have a taste for a Four Kicks!"  Anyways.....on with my notes.

3/3: The strength has increased slightly - no big surprise here.  Not a lot of flavor variation in this one.  In the final third, there's a hint of charred flavor.

This smoke was decent.  Just decent.  It didn't wow me, but I was a little surprised to see that it took me nearly 1.5 hours to smoke. 



Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua