Crowned Heads Mason Dixon South Review

[Laynard]

Cigar: Crowned Heads The Mason-Dixon Project South
Size: Toro, 6.0”x52
MSRP: $9.85
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Origin: Nicaragua



Prelight: The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper satiny and oily, but has some wrinkles and visible seams. However, the constructions seems to be done well, as there are no soft spots and the foot is clean enough to allow the cigar to stand upright, while the triple-cap seems expertly applied. The wrapper smells sweet and creamy and the foot is potent with a powdered cocoa aroma. After using a punch, the draw seems a little on the loose side of my personal preference. The cold draw has wood and chocolate notes to it, with maybe – just maybe – a hint of dried fruit.



1/3: The cigar starts out with a fistful of pepper and other spices. It is all I can taste for an inch or so. There seems to be an underlying cedar trying to creep in as well as some nuts, but I am well into the first third before I can truly distinguish them. There also is a faint sweetness that is added by the end of the first third.



2/3: The spices have faded significantly and cedar is now the dominant flavor. The sweetness reminds me of salted caramel and there is a creaminess to the cigar as well, creating a nice balance. The ash has been falling every inch or so, threatening to make a mess of my jeans. By the time I am ready to transition to the final third, I notice some notes of hay along with the cedar, sweetness, and hint of baking spices.



3/3: The final third is an amalgam of cedar, hay and some sweet cream. Nuts come back strong towards the nub, and the burn has stayed fairly cool and straight for the hour and forty-five minutes I’ve been smoking this cigar.

Overall: Not amazing, but a good cigar. The flavor evolution was logical, balanced, and subtle. However, I found the profile to be kind of typical – not something I was hoping for, considering this is considered an Edicion Limitada. The construction was excellent though, so high marks in that category. I do think this cigar would be good for a day on the links, or at the ol’ swimming hole though.

[barry2guys]

I enjoy the North much more.. Have you smoked that one yet?

[Laynard]

I enjoy the North much more.. Have you smoked that one yet?

Not yet. I'll have to track one down and give it a shot. Thanks.

[Big Bull]

I too liked the North better. A lot of limited runs from Crowned Heads this year.