Crowned Heads Four Kicks Review

[Laynard]

Cigar: Crowned Heads Four Kicks Seleccion No. 5
Size: Panatela, 6.5”x44
MSRP: $7.70
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Origin: Dominican Republic



Prelight: Although this cigar is manufactured in the Dominican Republic, the fillers are Nicaraguan and the wrapper is Ecuadorian. I purchased this cigar from our friends at CBid, and it took a bit of a beating in shipping, and I’ve been resting it for some months where some more damage occurred. The tissue-thin wrapper is torn at the foot and another few small tears are located halfway to the band. However, it seems well constructed and will hopefully be OK to smoke. The wrapper has a pungent floral aroma to it, and the foot has a dry wood smell that is quite faint. I use a punch and discover that the cap is quite thick, but once I get through it, the draw is right where I like it and the cold draw taste is a mild cedar.



1/3: The cigar lights easily and evenly, despite the cracked foot. The first few puffs are a delectable creamy cedar. Then, a few puffs in, my nose is assaulted by a peppery retrohale I was not expecting. The added pepper does pair well with the wood and cream notes in the cigar, I was just taken by surprise. My fiancée remarks that the cigar smells good, which is always a good sign. A bit of leather backs up the flavors in the first third.



2/3: The second third sees an increase in nuts and leather, as the black pepper calms down quite a bit. The cigar has been burning great regardless of the wrapper tears. I do notice that the draw seems to be getting tighter, so I clip the already punched cap. The next puff is incredibly sour, so I purge and let it cool down for a bit. After the cool-down, the flavors are back and delicious – Cedar, cream, nuts, and leather.



3/3: The final third sees another wrapper split, but as is par for this cigar, it doesn’t affect the burn at all. The leather and cream notes fade in this section, leaving mostly a dry cedar flavor that lasts to the nub.

Overall: This is a really good cigar. If I was you, I’d pick up a fiver and try them every two months to see how this cigar does in the short term, as I think nearing the one year mark will be perfect for the flavors. Just be gentle with it, so the wrapper doesn’t end up looking like this one…not that it really matters. The stick burned like a champ. Also, be sure to smoke this one slowly, and you'll get some amazingly creamy notes.

[UncleFesterESQ]

Thanks for another great review!