The Good Stuff:

Each and every year since 2014 The Crowned Heads have released the “Las Calaveras” which is a cigar created to pay tribute to those who are close to us which we have lost and each year has been special to me as I lost so many great people in my life over the past few years. If you want to catch up, you can reach each of my reviews on each different release below:

• Las Calaveras 2014
• Las Calaveras 2015
• Las Calaveras 2016
• Las Calaveras 2017
• Las Calaveras 2018
• Las Calaveras 2019
• Las Calaveras 2020
• Las Calaveras 2021
• Las Calaveras 2022
• Las Calaveras 2023
• Las Calaveras 2024

Manufactured at the My Father Cigar factory in Nicaragua this year’s blend features a Mexican San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan Binder and Fillers.

“What’s unique about this year’s Las Calaveras release,” commented Crowned Heads President, Jon Huber, “is that not only are we utilizing a San Andres cover leaf, but it’s a color grade that most people would not immediately associate with San Andres (Mexico) wrapper. We selected a mid-priming wrapper, which resulted in a lighter Colorado color to the cigar as opposed to the more commonly seen darker maduro shades of Mexican San Andres wrappers used. This particular wrapper really compliments the blend and allows for the coffee, espresso, and toffee notes to come to the surface that can typically get lost under the pepper and earth profile that the darker, higher priming wrappers yield.”

Crowned Heads Press Release

The cigar is released in four sizes: LC 52 (5 x 52), LC 54 (6 x 54), LC 56 (5 x 56), and the Petit Lancero ( 6 /12 x 40). Each comes packaged in boxes of 24 except the Petit Lancero which only comes in the special 4 count sampler boxes we have come to expect each year. The cigars range between $14.25 and $16.25 per cigar.

• Size: 5 x 52
• Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Medium
• Price: $14.25

Prelight:

The Las Calaveras 2025 starts with a very deep, dark, consistent brown wrapper. The wrapper’s texture is very toothy and gritty with very little oils coating it. The wrapper feels very thick and dense while the cigar is packed nicely as a whole. The wrapper is laid perfectly over itself. There are a few milder veins in the wrapper tobacco as it leads up to the cigar’s round, double wrapped cap. The cigar is then polished off with the standard Las Calaveras band and crest we have come to expect. This year’s color palate is green, white and gold. The cap cut clean and the cold draw produces notes of tart cherry, spice, natural tobacco, and lots of musk.

First third:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2025 starts out with a pretty potent black pepper punch that tingled for a few seconds before fading away. Once the pepper faded the cigar’s profile was lead with a very bold dark chocolate over a tart raisin, earthy musk, and cedar. There is also some great cinnamon appearances every few puffs. The draw is absolutely perfect. Each puff kicks out a massive cloud of thick white smoke which fades pretty quickly as the cigar releases a ton of stationary smoke while it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is razor thing and dead even leaving behind a trail of tightly compacted white ash that held on for about an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Las Calaveras 2025 and the dark chocolate is still completely dominating the experience back by loads of woodsy, earthy musk, a great spice, raisin, and cinnamon. The tartness has dropped complexly out. The retrohale really brings the spice to the front of the taste. The cigar is still burning like a champ and I close out the second third with no nicotine kick at all.

Finish:

The final third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2025 is much the same as the second, which isn’t a bad thing. Loads of earthy woods and musk over massive waves of dark chocolate, backed by cinnamon, spice, and a mild raisin. The cigar burned flawlessly. I never once had to reach for my torch to touch up or relight the cigar. It took an hour and a half to smoke it down to the nub. There was no harshness, no extended heat, and no harshness or sap. I close out the cigar with almost no nicotine kick at all.

Overview:

The 2025 blend of the Las Calaveras isn’t as sweet nor as nuanced as some of the other blends. It’s much more earthy and woodsy full of natural flavors I found incredibly satisfying. The change in pace as also appreciated. The cigar burned flawlessly from start to finish. The price point is a bit on the higher side, however justified considering the enjoyment of the experience. As with all the Las Calaveras lines I just wish it wasn’t so limited. Grab them while you can.

The post The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2025 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Each and every year since 2014 The Crowned Heads have released the “Las Calaveras” which is a cigar created to pay tribute to those who are close to us which we have lost and each year has been special to me as I lost so many great people in my life over the past few years. If you want to catch up, you can reach each of my reviews on each different release below:

• Las Calaveras 2014
• Las Calaveras 2015
• Las Calaveras 2016
• Las Calaveras 2017
• Las Calaveras 2018
• Las Calaveras 2019
• Las Calaveras 2020
• Las Calaveras 2021
• Las Calaveras 2022
• Las Calaveras 2023

Manufactured at the My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua, this year’s blend features an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over, Nicaraguan binder and fillers grown by the Garcia family. The 2024 edition comes in four sizes: LC48 (6 x 48), LC52 (5 x 52), LC54 (6 x 54), and the Belicoso Fino ( 5 1/2 x 52) which only comes in the 4 cigar sampler. Only 39,000 of each format is being produced with the exception of the Belicoso Fino which only 3,000 will be produced. I purchased mine over from our friends at Small Batch Cigar.

• Size: 5 1/2 x 52
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Full
• Price: $14.25

Prelight:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2024 starts out with a brilliantly dark brown wrapper. The color is mostly consistent however the cap of the cigar carries a shade lighter than the foot. The wrapper’s texture is gritty and toothy with a whole mess of oils coating it. The wrapper feels very dense and hard while the cigar is packed well. The foot is a bit softer than the rest of the cigar which is pretty normal. The wrapper is laid seamlessly over itself while it displays some larger veining running through the cigar’s body leading up to its pointy, belicoso-style cap. The 2024 carries the same band we’ve found on all previously releases only this version’s is black, white, and an awesome pink. There is also the added gold “Crowned Heads” foot band on the 2024 version as well.

The wrapper on the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2024 gives off bold raisin and musk aromas while the foot of the cigar is more earthy and very floral. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces strong notes of sweet raisin, wood, and musk.

First Third:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2024 starts out with a huge cayenne pepper blast I wasn’t expected. It left both my lips and tongue burning for a few seconds. After the first few draws the pepper faded allowing the cigar to release notes of sweet raisin and molasses over herbal notes that remind me of black tea, oak, and earthiness with an awesome musky aftertaste. The draw was a bit tight at the start but opened right up after a few minutes. Out of the 3 I smoked (different sizes) this was the only one that started off tight, and to be fair it only lasted a few minutes so I am harping on nothing really. Moving on! The burn line was dead even and razor thin leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of white and light gray ash which held on for almost an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Some really bold dark chocolate notes really started to take over the flavor profile in the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2024 backed by raisin and musky wood with lighter notes of that herbal black tea. The sweetness has dropped out at this point and has been replaced by a pretty sharp spice. The retrohale it very spice forward and I don’t find myself doing it too often. I close out the second third with a minor little nicotine kick.

Finish:

Into the final third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2024 and both the body and the strength have really ramped up. The flavor profile is now bold dark chocolate and musk over spice and cedar while that herbal tea is still hanging on. The sweetness has completed dropped out. The strength is now full in the “Full” arena. I wasn’t expecting such a drastic change in body and strength but I also very much enjoy it. The cigar burned perfectly form start to finish. Never once did I have to reach for my torch to touchup or relight the cigar. The cigar burned very slow. It took me almost 2 hours to smoke it down to the nub and I experienced no harshness, no extended heat, and a good amount of nicotine.

Overview:

Every year I look forward to the Las Calaveras release. Not only to remember those we lost, but also, they are usually damn good cigars and the 2024 version is no exception. It’s been one of the more memorable Las Calaveras releases to date. Complex, full body, and full flavor. While it might be a touch more powerful than something a novice cigar smoker would enjoy, us vets love it. I usually grab a box of these to keep on hand and slowly smoke throughout the years and I will absolutely be grabbing more of these.

The post The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2024 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Each and every year since 2014 The Crowned Heads have released the “Las Calaveras” which is a cigar created to pay tribute to those who are close to us which we have lost and each year has been special to me as I lost so many great people in my life over the past few years. If you want to catch up, you can reach each of my reviews on each different release below:

• Las Calaveras 2014
• Las Calaveras 2015
• Las Calaveras 2016
• Las Calaveras 2017
• Las Calaveras 2018
• Las Calaveras 2019
• Las Calaveras 2020
• Las Calaveras 2021
• Las Calaveras 2022

Manufactured at the My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua, this year’s blend features a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. This is only the second time in Las Calaveras history that the blend utilizes a Broadleaf wrapper. The binder and filler are both from Nicaragua. The cigar is offered in four sizes: LC50 (5 x 50), LC52 (6 x 52), LC54 (5 5/8 x 54) and the Belicoso Fino (5 1/2 x 52) which is the first time the Las Calaveras is offered in this format. Each of the first three sizes come in boxes of 24 with 1,500 boxes being released. The Belicoso Fino is only offered as part of a 4ct sampler featuring one of each size, with 3,000 samplers being released. The cigar ranges between $12.95 and $14.95. I purchased mine over from the good guys at Fox Cigar.

• Size: 6 x 52
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Medium
• Price: $13.95

Prelight:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 starts out with a beautiful dark brown wrapper. And we are talking about a serious dark brown, almost black in some areas with splotches of lighter brown in others. The wrapper’s texture is extremely toothy and gritty with a small amount of oils coating it. The wrapper feels very, very hard and dense while the cigar as a whole is quite heavy and filled with tobacco. There are a few softer areas around the foot of the cigar, but nothing concerning. The wrapper is laid nicely over itself showcasing some natural veining and webbing in the tobacco leaf as it leads up to a round, double-wrapped cap. As always the blend is polished off with the standard Las Calaveras band with its crest embossed in the front. This year’s color choice is orange. The cigar also carries a gold foot band with the Crowned Heads logo embossed on it.

The wrapper on the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 gives off strong raisin and spice aromas while the foot of the cigar is more natural tobacco mixed with pepper. The cap took a bit of effort to cut, likely due to how thick the wrapper leaf is. The cold draw produces notes of raisin, pepper, spice, and earthiness.

First Third:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 starts out with a nice little black pepper punch which fades immediately after the first few draws allowing the cigar to release huge notes of raisin and black cherry over musky oak, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and a really awesome vanilla bean flavor that sticks around on the aftertaste. The draw is perfect as each puff kicks out a good amount of thick, white smoke which dissipates quickly while the cigar releases only a minor amount of stationary smoke while it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is super sharp and dead even leaving behind an absolutely beautiful trail of tightly compacted white ash which held on for an inch before falling into my ahstray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 and this cigar is just pouring on the flavors. More raising and black cherry which have been a force without fading out backed by dark chocolate, spice, and musky oak. The retrohale interestingly enough brings out a ton of sharp pepper that I don’t really pick up in the standard experience. I close out the second third with no nicotine kick, while the cigar is burning like a dream.

Finish:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 finishes just as it starts with loads of raisin and black cherry over musky oak, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and a bit of leather and earthiness. There wasn’t a ton of changeups in this experience and there didn’t need to be. It took me almost two hours to smoke this slow -burning cigar down to the nub. There was no harshness, no extended heat and absolutely no burn issues. The cigar burned flawlessly from start to finish while leaving me with only a light little nicotine kick.

Overview:

I have always been a fan of all the Las Calaveras releases and it’s an annual tradition for me. Both for what the cigar represents and how great they usually are. I am happy to report that this has probably been one of, it not my favorite Las Calaveras blend to date. I feel like I have said that before, and if I have it only shows how great Jon Huber is as coming up with new blends that always evolve. This release is extremely complex with a flavor profile that absolutely fits my personal preference. It burned great for start to finish and still falls in a price that affordable enough to keep quite a few on hand. Its box worthy for sure, while you can still get them.

The post Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Each and every year since 2014 The Crowned Heads have released the “Las Calaveras” which is a cigar created to pay tribute to those who are close to us which we have lost and each year has been special to me as I lost so many great people in my life over the past few years. If you want to catch up, you can reach each of my reviews on each different release below:

• Las Calaveras 2014
• Las Calaveras 2015
• Las Calaveras 2016
• Las Calaveras 2017
• Las Calaveras 2018
• Las Calaveras 2019
• Las Calaveras 2020
• Las Calaveras 2021

Manufactured in the My Father S.A. factory in Nicaragua the 2022 version of the Las Calaveras features a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The cigar comes in four sizes: LC46 (5 3/4 x 46), LC 52 (5 x 52), LC54 (6 1/2 x 54), and the Petit Lancero (7 x 40). Each comes packaged in boxes of 24 with the exception of the Petit Lancero which only comes in a sampler pack featuring all four formats. The 2022 Las Calaveras runs between $11.95 and $12.95. I purchased mine over from our friends at Neptune Cigars.

• Size: 5 3/4 x 46
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Medium/Full
• Strength: Medium/Full
• Price: $11.95
• Pairing: Bottle Logic Concentrated Solution (Imperial Stout 15% ABV)

Prelight:

The 2022 Crowned Heads Las Calaveras starts out with a rich, dark brown wrapper which is pretty splotchy in colors showcasing spots of orange and medium brown. The wrapper’s texture is very toothy and very oily. It’s feels pretty thin as it’s laid seamlessly over itself. There are a few medium-sized veins running through the cigar’s long slender body leading up to it’s round, triple-wrapped cap. The cigar carries the same band design as it it always had only this time the Las Calaveras crest is embossed over a light blue band. There is also a secondary gold foot band with “The Crowned Heads” logo across the front.

The wrapper on the 2022 Las Calaveras gives off a very nutty mixture of aromas while the foot of the cigar is more earthy with lots of tobacco and spice. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces notes of pecan, honey, musk, and natural tobacco.

First Third:

The Crowned Heads 2022 Las Calaveras starts out with a very nice, subtle blast of black pepper. Once the pepper faded the cigar is allowed to release heavy cedar and pecan flavors over honey, musk, with some really light clove and citrus hiding in there. The draw is slightly tight on this one, but manageable. I smoked a handful of these and they all smoked great so no marks taken there. The burn line is dead even and super sharp leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of white ash which held on for almost an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of The Crowned Heads 2022 Las Calaveras and the honey, cedar, and pecan are just pouring on the flavors backed by lighter notes of orange, spice, musk and caramel. The clove has completely dropped out at this point. The draw has also opened up and the cigar is now smoking like a dream. The retrohale brings out more of the spice and even a little bit of lingering pepper. I close out the second third with no signs of nicotine at all.

Finish:

A really nice caramel flavor has really started to take hold of the flavor profile in the 2022 Crowned Heads Las Calaveras into the final third. The honey, cedar, and pecan are still the main focused while notes of spice and musk reside in the background. It took me almost two hours to smoke this cigar down to the nub. I experienced no harshness, nor any extended heat. The final inch of the cigar really ramped up in body while the cigar only left me with a very nice, little nicotine kick.

Overview:

I felt like this was a departure from the flavor profile I’ve grown to expect from the Las Calaveras line over the years. While I really enjoy these releases, I also welcomed this change in pace and really enjoyed this particular release. Instead of being more spice-forward and full-bodied the 2022 La Calaveras carried a very different, yet complex profile packing flavors that I absolutely loved. This is a “regular rotation while they are available” cigar for sure and I aim to pick up quite a few more before they disappear from shelves.

Pairing:

Concentrated Solution from Bottle Logic Brewing in California is an aged imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels, maple syrup barrels, and vanilla barrels before being finished on walnuts and more maple syrup. The outcome is a 15% ABV beer that leads with a ton of smooth sweetness, vanilla, loads of maple, honey, caramel, and walnut with a very heavy and sticky mouthfeel before finishing with even more vanilla and maple syrup, honey and walnuts with a chocolatey aftertaste. The beer is extremely smooth and easy to drink for what it is. The sweetness is balanced just right and isn’t the focus of the flavor profile. I paired this with my 2022 Crowned Heads Las Calaveras cause of the strong pecan, honey, caramel and sweetness I found within the cigar’s flavor profile and it resulted in a very happy marriage.

The post The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2022 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

With that out of the way, lets get rocking!

#10 – Drew Estate Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat

This cigar actually reminded me much more of a No.9 than a rat, and that’s likely why I enjoyed it so much. The flavor profile was spot-on with what I look for in a cigar, the burn and construction were perfect, and the burn was so slow it really allowed me to get more comfortable with the cigar. All in all this is a near-perfect cigar if it wasn’t for the availability which I really hope expands more in the near future as I’d love to keep this in my daily rotation.

Read the Full Review here

#9 – The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2020

This year’s Las Calaveras release simply put, is fantastic. It seems a bit of a departure in flavor from previous releases as the flavors seemed more on the sweet/chocolatey side vs more organic tobacco flavors. The construction is flawless, and the price point as always, is very affordable. This was one of the better cigars I had this year, but I still don’t believe it competes with last year’s release as far as the flavor profile goes which is strictly subjective. I even smoked them back to back to make sure my bias against how much I enjoyed last year’s wasn’t leading my decision and I still choose last year’s release over this one. I can’t stress this enough, that doesn’t mean this cigar isn’t on par by any stretch, it certainly is.

Read the Full Review here

#8 – Tatuaje Escasos N

To me the Cazadores line always had this nice sweetness to it, but the Escasos is a much more dry experience in a very special way. The cigar is complex, and the flavors are very enjoyable. While the blend is similar in some aspects to the Cazadores, the experience is not. This blend actually seems like they took a more Cuban spin on the Cazadores line, which may be why it’s been circulated more in Europe as they tend to smoke more Cubans that us Americans do. Either way, its a great, special cigar and I can’t wait to get my hands on more.

Read the Full Review here

#7 – The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial

It’s no surprise that I absolutely loved this cigar. The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial falls right in line with the rest of the portfolio. The cigar absolutely delivered on both taste, complexity, and overall smoking experience. It’s very likely that this one will fall in my top 10 cigar list as its one of the best cigars I have smoked all year.

Read the Full Review here

#6 – Tatuaje Karloff

The Boris was one of my absolute favorite Tatuaje cigars released to date. While the memory is distant, reviewing my notes and what still exists up in my brain this cigar feels very similar, only with a bit more body to it. Taking the Boris out of the equation, the Karloff is an incredible experience. The flavors are incredible, well balanced, and just complex enough to keep me on my toes. On the subjective side those flavors really appeased my personal palate, especially the sweetness the cigar offered. The experience was perfect with not snags at all, and the price is well worth it. The only gripe, as you’d guess it, is the availability. That just means I gotta throw in a little more effort to pick up more of these before they are gone.

Read the Full Review here

#5 – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Brûlée Blue

It goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. And any Connecticut-wrapped cigar that can product enough flavor to be paired with a bold pastry stout without being overpowered by the beer demands attention. The flavors were incredible and a great change of pace for cigars I’ve smoked recently. They were complex enough, yet smooth and balanced. This is really a cigar for all occasions and something I would like to get quite a few more of before they are gone.

Read the Full Review here

#4 – RoMa Craft Tobac Baka Jengi

I am a big fan of RoMa Craft’s cigars and there is no hiding that. While I smoked quite a few Baka last year, I never got around to reviewing them. I just kept smoking them thinking “It’s ok, you can just grab more when you’re ready to review them”, and then suddenly they were gone. Not making the same mistake with the Jengi I am glad to finally give my thoughts on this cigar. Plain and simple, I absolutely loved it. The whole Full-Body, Medium-Strength combination is my preference and this flavor profile is incredible. Its complex, yet easy to pick apart. The chocolate and oak flavors really appease my personal profile. All while delivering a flawless smoking experience. The only gripe I have is the availability, but that just means I need to buy more up front and make them last right? Box-worthy for sure.

Read the Full Review here

#3 – Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Robusto

The Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf has been flying off shelves, with good reason, its a fantastic cigar. I have always been a fan of the brand and thier newest releases have just been on a whole new level. The flavor profile for the Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf is complex, and really showcases the superior quality tobacco in which the company uses. The price is VERY affordable and in my opinion much lower than what I’d drop on a cigar like this. Lets just hope they start coming in more regularly so I can stock up and keep them on hand for my regular rotation.

Read the Full Review here

#2 – Fonseca by My Father Robusto

I’ve been on pins and needles awaiting the moment I could get my hands on these cigars. Quesada has been a favorite brand of mine for as long as I can remember, and My Father, I mean, who doesn’t love them? How did it go? Well, in short, it was absolutely amazing. The flavor profile is incredible and right up my alley, the smoking experience was flawless and the price is way below what I feel like I’d be comfortable paying for such a fantastic cigar. This is box worthy for sure, and a strong contender for my top 10 cigars of the year as it sits currently.

Read the Full Review here

#1 – Illusione Cigares Prive PCA 2020 Exclusive

This Cigares Prive is a pretty big departure from the Illusione cigars I have smoked lately, yet somehow still feels similar. The flavor profile is very complex, and extremely impressive as it suits my personal palate extremely well. The cigar burned like a dream from start to finish, and the price is something I would pay time and time again for this cigar resulting in a perfect mixture. My only gripe is the availability. This just means I’ll need to buy quite a few more as a Christmas present for myself before these are gone.

Read the Full Review here

Thanks for sticking it out with us this year. I hope each and everyone one of you have an amazing holiday and a much better 2021!

The post Top 10 Cigars of 2020 – Tony Casas Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Each and every year since 2014 The Crowned Heads have released the “Las Calaveras” which is a cigar created to pay tribute to those who are close to us which we have lost and each year has been special to me as I lost so many great people in my life over the past few years. If you want to catch up, you can reach each of my reviews on each different release below:

• Las Calaveras 2014
• Las Calaveras 2015
• Las Calaveras 2016
• Las Calaveras 2017
• Las Calaveras 2018
• Las Calaveras 2019

The year the Las Calaveras blend features a Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. As with the rest of the previous releases the 2020 Las Calaveras is produced at the My Father Cigars S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua and comes in four vitolas: LC48 (5 1/2 x 48), LC 52 (5 x 52), LC56 (6 x 56), and the torpedo (6 1/8 x 52). Each of the first three sizes come packaged in boxes of 24 ranging between $10.95 and $12.95 a stick while the Torpedo is only available in a 4-count sampler which features each of the 3 main sizes as well as the torpedo for $49.95. I purchased mine over from our great friends at Fox Cigar Bar who have them in stock now and offer free shipping, no minimum.

• Size: 5 1/2 x 48
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Medium/Full
• Price: $10.95
• Pairing: Bottle Logic Fundamental Observation (Imperial Stout 13.55% ABV)

Prelight:

The 2020 Las Calaveras starts out with a chocolatey brown wrapper that is semi-consistent in color with only a few lighter brown areas splotched throughout the leaf. The wrapper’s texture is extremely firm and dense with a good amount of tooth and grit as well as a ton of oils that transfer onto the tips of my fingers as I inspect the cigar. The Calaveras feels very firm and tightly compacted as the wrapper is laid seamlessly over itself leading up to the cigar’s round, triple-wrapped cap. The cigar is then polished off with the standard “Las Calaveras” band and crest only this year they chose a brilliant purple color which makes it stand out a bit from the rest of the releases. The new purple band is accompanied by a gold foot band with the “Crowned Heads” logo embossed across the front.

The wrapper on the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2020 gives off a ton of rich cedar and sweet brown sugar aromas while the foot of the cigar is much more spice focused with bold notes of natural tobacco. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces some great cedar, brown sugar, coffee and natural tobacco flavors.

First Third:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2020 starts off with a pretty potent cayenne pepper bang which left my tongue and lips tingling for quite some time. After the first few draws the pepper began to wear off and I was left with bold notes of dark chocolate, brown sugar, blackberry soft spice and musk. The draw is a tiny bit on the tight side from the start, but as I progressed into the first inch it began to open up. The burning has some very slight waves while remaining very thin as it leaves behind a trail of tightly compacted light and medium gray ash which held on for almost an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2020 the dark chocolate has really began to take over the flavor profile backed by bold musk, light spice and blackberry along with some soft brown sugar notes. Pairing this with such a sweet beer with vanilla it really added this creamy texture to the cigar that I didn’t get the first few times I smoked it when I paired it with water or iced tea. The retrohale brings out a ton of the spice that is very faint in the standard experience. The has been no touchups, or relights as the cigar has been burning flawlessly. I close out the second third with only a very minor nicotine hit.

Finish:

Into the final third of the Las Calaveras 2020 and the flavors remain much of the same from the second third. The chocolate is leading the charge backed by musk, spice, and soft brown sugar. While the blackberry has dropped out of the experience there is a nice chamomile tea flavor that has crept its way in. The cigar started in the full-flavor full-body arena but has balanced out to a more full-medium/full experience towards the end. It took me almost 2 hours to take this cigar down to the nub and I really appreciated being able to sit back and enjoy a great smoke and beer after a long hiatus. I experienced no harshness nor extended heat and never once had to touchup or relight the cigar.

Overview:

This year’s Las Calaveras release simply put, is fantastic. It seems a bit of a departure in flavor from previous releases as the flavors seemed more on the sweet/chocolatey side vs more organic tobacco flavors. The construction is flawless, and the price point as always, is very affordable. This was one of the better cigars I had this year, but I still don’t believe it competes with last year’s release as far as the flavor profile goes which is strictly subjective. I even smoked them back to back to make sure my bias against how much I enjoyed last year’s wasn’t leading my decision and I still choose last year’s release over this one. I can’t stress this enough, that doesn’t mean this cigar isn’t on par by any stretch, it certainly is.

Pairing:

This week’s paring is one of my all-time favorite beers, Bottle Logic’s Fundamental Observation. Brewed at the Bottle Logic brewery in Anaheim, California Fundamental Observation is a bourbon barrel aged Imperial stout aged with Madagascar vanilla beans. The beer starts off with a whole mess of sweet vanilla, milk chocolate, caramel and malt with a very heavy mouthfeel before finishing sticky-sweet with more vanilla and milk chocolate over light toffee. Its easy to see why I paired this beer with the Las Calaveras 2020 as the flavor matched up extremely well and the more pronounced sweetness in the beer really brought the sweet character out of the cigar.

The post The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2020 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Each year the Crowned Heads releases their “Las Calveras” series. A series of cigars inspired by the Mexican “Day of the Dead” holiday which celebrates those we have lost. Each year I pick these up and smoke them in honor of my friends and family, especially my father who I think of as I enjoy the cigar and silently thank them for everything they have done for me. You can check out our reviews of each blend since their inception in 2014 here:

• Las Calaveras 2014
• Las Calaveras 2015
• Las Calaveras 2016
• Las Calaveras 2017

As always, the cigar is being produced at the My Father Factory in Nicaragua. This particular blend features a fitting Mexican San Andres wrapper over a Nicaraguan Filler and Binder. The 2018 Las Calaveras is offered in four sizes: the LC46 ( 5 5/8 x 46), LC50 (5 x 50), LC54 (6 x 54), and the last one, which is exclusive to the four count sampler in my pictures (5 1/2 x 56). Outside of the sampler exclusive each come packaged in boxes of 24 running between $9.95 and $11.95 per stick. I purchased mine over from our great friends at Fox Cigar Bar in Gilbert, Arizona.

Size: 5 5/8 x 46
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Body: Full
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $9.95
Pairing: Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Northwoods Stout 2017 (Imperial Stout 12.6%)

Prelight:

The Las Calaveras 2018 starts out with a very consistent, deep, dark brown wrapper. The wrapper’s texture is very toothy and gritty with only a slight amount of oils. The wrapper feels very hard, and dense while the cigar itself feels nicely packed with no soft spots what so ever. The wrapper is laid seamlessly over itself with only the smallest of veins running their course through the cigar’s slender body leading up to a perfectly round triple cap. The cigar is the polished off with the traditional Las Calaveras band we have all come to expect only this one had quite the color departure from the previous palettes with a lime green base under white, gold, and red embossed ink. 

The wrapper on the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018 gives off a very nice sweet spice, cinnamon, and and oak aroma while the foot of the cigar  carries the same spice and cinnamon over a more natural tobacco base. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw follows up the aromas quite nicely with more cinnamon, spice, gingerbread and oak. 

First Third:

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018 starts off with a nice little black pepper burst which quickly fades away as the flavor profile transcends into a very sweet mixture of cinnamon, spice, nutmeg, cedar, almond, musk and notes of natural tobacco/earthiness on the back. The draw is absolutely brilliant. Each puff kicks out a great amount of thick, white smoke which hangs around for quite some time before dissipating while the cigar releases only a small amount of thin, white smoke as it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is razor thin and dead even leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of thick, white ash which held on for an inch before falling into my ashtray. 

Second Third:

As I enter the second third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018 the musk flavor is leading the show backed by the cinnamon, spice, and sweetness with light hints of almond, nutmeg and floral flavors. I don’t think I could have found a more appropriate pairing for this cigar. The retrohale brings out a bit more of the spice and even a bit of the pepper that I have lost since the start of the experience. The cigar is still burning like a dream and I close out the second third with only a very light nicotine kick.

Finish:

Into the final third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018 and the cigar is burning like a dream. The flavor profile is still heavy on the musk and spice with lots of cedar and almond backed by sweetness, floral flavors, cinnamon, and even some light vanilla that the beer is really helping to bring out. It took me an hour and forty five minutes to take this cigar down to the nub and I loved every minute of it. I experienced no harshness, no extended heat, and quite frankly the cigar performed as perfect as it could have.

Overview:

Without hesitation it’s easy to say the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018 is a fantastic cigar. I have been a big fan of Mexican San Andres wrapped cigars and this is a perfect example as to what the tobacco has to offer. Deep flavors, consistent burning, and wonderful presentation. The cigar is complex, balanced, flavorful, and won’t knock you on your ass. Need I say more?

Pairing:

Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Northwoods Stout is a variant of the famous beer brewed with blueberry juice and almond extract. The imperial stout comes in at a whopping 12.6% ABV and can be purchased on Black Friday each year. The beer leads with heavy sweetness, roasted malt, blueberry, almond, bourbon, booze, sticky toffee, and chocolate with a very heavy mouthfeel before finishing even sweeter with a ton of bourbon, booze, vanilla, almond, and a blueberry aftertaste. I am not a blueberry fan at all but the flavor is so well balanced that I absolutely love the way it pumps body in an already bold beer. The almond is killer and I LOVE it. The flavors obviously mashed up perfect with the almond, cedar, musk, spice and sweetness in the Las Calaveras. This beer can really overpower some of the boldest of cigars but the Las Calaveras really had enough body that it complimented the beer flawlessly. 

The post The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

#10 – L’Atelier Cote d’Or 2017

Overview: I’ve had a run of great cigars as of late and The L’Atlelier Cote d’Or only adds to that list. The cigar is bold, complex, well balanced, and just all around fantastic. I love it when you can find such a complex, full-bodied cigar that doesn’t kick your ass with strength. It burned flawlessly, and slow, with a larger format which was great. It’s a bit pricey, but considering some of the tobaccos needed to create this blend I feel it’s justified and can easily drop the coin on it, and will. Since its so limited I would easily say this is a box-worthy cigar, while they are still available.

Read Full Review Here

#9 – Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition

Overview: Its no secret that I have been a longtime fan of Willy Herrera’s blends, and in all honesty I think the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is right up towards the top of my favorite cigars that he has made. The flavors are solid, meticulous, complex, and so well balanced without hitting you in the face. That’s something I have always been able to appreciate with his blends and why he fits right in and Drew Estate. The Pappy Van Winkle is an exclusive, limited, and expensive cigar which fits right in with the Pappy branding. In all honesty, I think this cigar is worth the coin. I dropped so much money on the La Palina Goldies and I can easily see myself buying a box of the Traditions as well. If you find them, buy them. They won’t be around for very long. Again, hit Fox Cigar bar for yours. They should be releasing soon.

Read Full Review Here

#8 – Hit and Run by Matt Booth and Robert Caldwell

Overview: Without hesitation I can easily say The Hit and Run is one of the better cigars I have smoked all year. While keeping a mild temperament this cigar almost hit the full mark in body and that’s not something you encounter everyday. It’s as complex as it needs to be, without having to put too much thought into what you’re smoking. It kept me on my toes and never once had me asking for more. The price point is where you would expect it to be, and the limited availability makes it a hot commodity which will sell out very fast. So again, get yours from Fox Cigar Bar while you can.

Read Full Review Here

#7 – Foundation Cigar Company Güegüense The Wise Man Maduro

Overview: The Wise Man Maduro is a the perfect example of a classic Maduro done right. Smooth, balanced, not too complex, and just solid all around. Foundation Cigar Company has been kicking out some great cigars and I don’t see them stopping anytime soon. While this cigar would easily find its way into my regular rotation I can’t say I would enjoy it more than I enjoyed the original version which will always hold it’s place in my regular rotation. But this is a box worthy cigar for sure, especially if you’re a Maduro fan.

Read Full Review Here

#6 – The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2017

Overview: I am a huge fan of the Las Calaveras line, and a bigger fan of the Crowned Heads. How did The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2017 compare? It may be a bit early to say it as I only smoked through a handful, but this may be my favorite Calaveras release yet. It’s bold, flavorful, complex, well balanced and won’t kick your ass. That’s exactly what I personally look for in a cigar. The flavor profile was stellar and the price point is exactly where it should be. With a large release these won’t be too hard to find either which is a great thing cause it looks like I will be picking up quite a few more.

Read Full Review Here

#5 – Tatuaje TAA Exclusive 2017

Overview: The 2012 and 2014 have been my favorite TAA releases from Tatuaje to date, and I am glad they brought them back. It’s hard to compare the 2014 to the 2017 as its been some time since I smoked one, but what I can tell you is that I absolutely loved the damn cigar. The flavor profile really got me going, while the cigar was bold, and not overpowered by strength. The size is perfect and I love soft box-press cigars. The price is a bit steep, but its something I’d gladly pay time and time again especially since it’s supporting the TAA who do so much for the industry.

Read Full Review Here

#4 – Drew Estate Undercrown Sun Grown

Overview: First of all, I have to state that the Undercrown Sun Grown that I smoked prior to this one had no burn issues whatsoever, and since I have rarely, if ever, had any construction or burn problems with any of the many Undercrowns that I have had over the years, I have to consider this one an anomaly (coincidentally, I also thought the first one had a bit more kick to it, but perhaps that’s just where my head was at).  Once I burned past the short tunnel, the cigar picked right up where it left off, although it probably shortened my smoking time by a good five to ten minutes.  Even with the issue, I still enjoyed the heck out of the stick, as it presented great full flavors, good complexity, and otherwise solid construction and burn, and I was kind of bummed out when it came to an end, wanting the experience to last a little longer.  The price is, in my opinion, spot-on, if not more than fair, and I will certainly be smoking more of this cigar.  I definitely recommend it.

Read Full Review Here

#3 – Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour

Overview: I have really enjoyed the trend of more full-bodied cigars coming out of the Davidoff factory and the Late Hour tops that list. What a fantastic cigar that kept true to the Davidoff palate. The cigar is complex, yet easy smoking sticking true to it’s roots. Its rather expensive, but it’s Davidoff so that’s expected. This is a great cigar for those full-bodied smokers out there who have stayed away from Davidoff due to it being too mild for them. I would say this would have a place in my regular rotation but I just can’t do that with a $20 cigar. But this is something I’d spring for when I want something special especially around the holiday season when I’m drinking more stouts.

Read Full Review Here

#2 – Black Label Trading Company Santa Muerte

Overview: As I type of this recap Jawbreaker’s “Accident Prone” comes on my Spotify making for one of the best, relaxing Sundays I have had for a long time. Plus, Im on vacation all week, so I guess this is kind of kicking it off on a good note. Anyways, the Black Label Trading Company Santa Muerte is one of the best damn cigars I have had all year, and there have been some great ones. That being said, this isn’t the typical cigar you see released by Black Label. Usually their cigars punch me in the face, kick me in the chest, then beat me when I’m down with both crazy bold flavor and strenght. This is a different cigar. It’s flavorful, complex, yet creamy and down to earth. There isn’t much strength, and it doesn’t need it. This is probably my favorite, if not one of my top cigars the company has released. It’s box worthy for sure and I’ll be seeking more out. Thanks again Jason!

Read Full Review Here

#1 – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka Nacatamale

Overview: Hands down in my humble opinion the Muestra de Saka Nacatamale is my favorite cigar released from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to date. Its meaty, its complex, its bold, and the flavor profile is something that I personally love. The price is a bit steep but in this case you get what you pay for and thats a cigar that delivers. These are limited, and the box count is small enough that even with the higher price this is something I will try to have stocked in my humidor for as long as I can.

Read Full Review Here

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The Good Stuff:

2016 marks the 3rd release for the Crowned Head’s Las Calaveras. You can read my review of the 2014 here, and 2015 here. The blend was created to celebrate those who we have lost and each year I think back to those close to me, who are no longer with us. Each year the blend changes. This year the Las Calaveras features a Grade A Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. As with the last releases the Las Calaveras is being produced at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The cigar is released in four sizes: LC50 (5 x 50), LC46 (6 x 46), LC54 (5 1/2 x 54), as well as a sampler exclusive Piramides (6 1/8 x 52). With the exception of the Piramides all cigars comes packaged in boxes of 24 with a total of 4,500 boxes released. There are also 2,000 sampler packs which include the 3 standard release sizes, and the already mentioned Piramides. The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras run between $9.25 and $11.25 a stick. Since these are so limited, and successful in the past, expect them to sell out very quickly, if they haven’t already. I picked up a bunch from out good friends at Smoke Inn.

Size: 6 x 46
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Body: Full
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $9.25
Pairing: Firestone Walker Anniversary Ale XX (American Strong Ale 13% ABV)

Prelight:

The Crowned Heads 2016 Las Calaveras starts out with a gorgeous, incredibly consistent milky-brown wrapper. This is a much darker wrapper than we saw last year. The texture of the wrapper is very toothy and gritty while it sheens brightly due to the large amount of oil coating the leaf. The wrapper is laid over itself seamlessly while there are only a few smaller veins running through the cigar’s body. The wrapper feels very thick and very hard while the cigar itself is incredibly firm and tightly packed. The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras is polished off with a round, double cap and the same band we have seen on the Las Calaveras releases in the past, only with the 2016 changed.

The wrapper on the Las Calaveras gives off a good amount of sharp cedar, espresso, and spice while the foot of the cigar carries a good amount of pepper and natural tobacco aromas. The cap cut like butter using my Xikar double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces a really spicey, pepper-filled flavor profile with a decent amount of cocoa.

First Third:

Surprisingly the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras doesn’t start out with as much pepper as I was expecting. Instead I am greeted with some bold espresso and spice, vanilla, maple, cedar and musk. The Connecticut Broadleaf leaves behind a nice little tartness on the aftertaste as well. Despite being very tightly packed the draw is very fluid, and easy. Each little puff kicks out the perfect amount of very thick, white smoke while the cigar smokes like a chimney as it rests in my ashtray. The burnline is razor thin, and dead even leaving behind a perfectly compacted trail of light gray ash which held on for an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

The flavors in the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2016 have really started to balance out and cream together into the second third. While the body remains in the upper medium/full area the leading flavor is now a bold spice and strong vanilla backed by musk, cedar, espresso, and cocoa. The retrohale brings forward a lot of the pepper that I didn’t get at the start of the experience along with a really deep cedar. The burnline is still absolutely perfect while I close out the second third with absolutely nothing in the nicotine department.

Finish:

The flavors have really started to ramp up in the final third of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2016. The spice and vanilla are still leading the charge, with the cedar, musk, espresso, cocoa, and a bit of berry backing them up. The body is now dead center in what I would consider the full department. It took me 2 hours to smoke this cigar down to the nub and I thought every second was incredible. I experienced no harshness, no extended heat, and in fact this cigar finished off surprisingly smooth and creamy. I close out the cigar with almost no nicotine kick.

Overview:

Every year the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras is on my list of “must haves”, along with many other cigar smokers. Every year, it delivers. I especially enjoyed this years blend as I am a bit of Connecticut Broadleaf fan boy. The 2016 Las Calaveras is complex and bold without being overpowered by strength and hype. It also makes for a beautiful pairing cigar as it can easily keep up with even the more fullest of bodied beers. As we look down towards the end of the year I need to start making decisions on my favorite cigars of 2016, and the Las Calaveras is in the running for sure. While I picked up quite a few, I am on a hunt to find even more before they completely disappear from store shelves.

Pairing:

Brewed at the Firestone Walker brewery in California, the Anniversary Ale XX is a combination of 5 of Firestone Walker’s rarest, bourbon barrel releases. The blend includes the Parabola, Stickee Monkee, Velvet Merkin, Bravo, and Helldorado. The Anniversary Ale XX leads with a really bold sweetness, chocolate, vanilla, malt, espresso, apple and a good amount of bourbon booziness with a very light mouthfeel before finishing crips with more apple, espresso, bourbon, a good amount of spice, and honey. This is a crazy complex beer that’s much easier to drink than I was anticipating. I find it crazy how often mixing a bunch of different beers actually just works. This is a perfect example of that. It’s also a perfect example of a beer that you probably shouldn’t pair with most cigars as it could easily overpower almost any profile in a cigar. Luckily enough, the Las Calaveras easily holds it’s own and even adds a bunch of spice to the beer’s profile. This was an absolutely killer pairing and I’m glad I picked up quite a few of these beers.

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