Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is medium brown with a bit of a red hue to it. There are also a few darker spots mixed in. There are a couple of slightly raised veins but the seams are pretty much invisible. The head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. The band is the traditional design for this line but the 2017 iteration is primarily black with some orange along with gold borders. The aroma from the wrapper is a chicken coop funkiness while the foot provides a mix of hay and leather. The pre-light draw brings a mix of leather and cardboard along with a decent spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2017 LC46 has a bronze like, fairly hearty Colorado Red wrapper shade. Veins are well pressed, seams are tight, bunch and roll is uniform and the parejo head is wrapped in a thick triple cap. Nosing the wrapper gives rich cedar and smokey wood. Aromas from the foot provide namely a light black pepper and cedar. Cold draw gives cedar and hay.

First Third

The profile begins with a mix of dark wood, cream and black pepper. At a quarter inch in, the pepper settles down some as the dark wood and cream intermingle up front. The retrohale is a similar profile although the black pepper is what’s up front. At three quarters of an inch in, some earthiness joins in while the cream drops back a bit. At an inch and a quarter, a slight sweetness enters which enhances the profile of dark wood, earthiness, cream and pepper. As the third comes to a close, the sweetness and cream disappear as the dark wood and earthiness are up front with some black pepper remaining in the background. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

First Third

The first third gives medium bodied and strength flavors of heavy cream, baking spices and a hint of cardboard/paper. Retrohaling brings an introduction of substantial spice in the form of black pepper and nuts. The finish is comprised of lingering baking spices and subtle black pepper on the rear palate.

Second Third

As the second third begins, dark wood and earthiness are at equal levels while the black pepper is now very faint. At a half inch in, the earthiness becomes fairly dry and this is also exhibited on the retrohale while that is all that is presented there. As the third comes to a close, the earthiness is a bit less drying and the wood has lost the darkness and is a bit behind the earthiness. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Second Third

The second third’s flavor profile has all the flavors melding more cohesively, at the same time creating a stronger experience (medium-full strength). The cream note is less heavy and at the same time melds better with the baking spices. Gritty earth and a dry red pepper heat is also mixed in, creating a bigger board of flavors. Body maintains medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the slightly dry earthiness remains slightly ahead of the general wood note. At a half inch in, the wood comes back even with the earthiness and a slight sweetness returns to the profile. The retrohale is now providing a toasted wood note. This is the profile the cigar finishes with. The strength in this third remained at the slightly above medium level.

Final Third

The last third continues to give a medium-full strength and medium bodied profile. The cigar is now more spice and heat forward allowing the dry red pepper heat and black pepper to shine more. Other notes such as baking spices, cardboard/paper and cream are still there but more as secondary flavors.

Burn

The burn was slightly wavy the entire way but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience. The ash held on through each third, so about an inch and three quarter increments.

Burn

Burn was perfect. Straight burn, tight ashes and a cool burn.

Draw

The draw had the perfect amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The flavor profile started out with a nice mix of flavors, but heading into the second third was wood and earth dominant and remained that way through the end. Fans of Crowned Heads and Las Calaveras will find a familiar profile here and with that will probably enjoy this cigar. For me, I found it a bit lacking in complexity and overall flavor enjoyment. There are previous years of this line that I would prefer to smoke and with that said would just recommend trying one to see where it fits with your profile.

Draw

The ideal balance between air flow and resistance. Perfect.

Overall

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2017 shows a heavier spice and grittier profile. The first and second third’s flavor delivery was quite tasty especially with the cream, baking spices and red pepper heat pairings. Unfortunately, the last third fell apart as the spice and heat levels drowned out the more nuanced notes of cream and nuts. I’ll be interested to see how this cigar does with further age, as I don’t think it is quite prime time yet.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.00

Cost/Point

$1.62

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.82

Cost/Point

$1.43

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2017 LC46