Crowned Heads first got a maduro line extension this years IPCPR Trade Show. The company will show off Four Kicks Maduro, which replaces the Ecuadorian habano wrapper found on the original blend with a Connecticut habano version. Underneath, the Nicaraguan binder and fillers remain the same.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
It will be offered in four sizes- Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) — $8.95 (Boxes of 24, $214.80), Robusto (5 x 50) — $9.60 (Boxes of 24, $230.40), Sublime (6 x 54) — $10.40 (Boxes of 24, $249.60), Robusto Extra (5 1/2 x 56) — $10.65 (Boxes of 24, $253.44)
The Four Kicks Maduro is made at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.’s Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. factory in the Dominican Republic, which produces about half of the company’s lines, including the original Four Kicks.
This isn’t to be confused with the Four Kicks Belt Buckle, a private label line made for Famous Smoke Shop that uses a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. Shipping was delayed nationwide from August 2017 to October 2017.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.
Blender: Jon Huber and E.P. Carrillo
Number of reviewers: 5 – John I. (John I.) Ryan H.(Ryan H.) John A.(John A.) Eric (smalls29) Dave W. (mdwest)
Price: $8.95
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: October 2017
Contributed by: Crowned Heads
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“This has an interesting shape in that it is not perfectly round. It has bumps and irregularities that give it the appearance of a hand rolled cigar. It has a nice dark chocolate wrapper.” –Eric (smalls29)
Aroma: 90
“I love a cigar with a nice baking spice aroma. This cigar brings those familiar scents in spades. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Initial draws on lighting are pretty potent. Bright dry pepper is right up front. Nice greasy and chewy smoke that is rapidly coating the palette. 15 minutes, and nearly an inch in there is a rich woodiness developing that I don’t think I’ve ever experienced. It isn’t thin, dry and cedary, or big, rounded and oaky which is how I generally experience “wood” flavors. This is more big, dry and oaky. Whatever it is, I approve. Oh, and now the molasses is starting to flow. Burn line is a little wavy, but the ash is holding really firm nearing the 1/3 mark.” –John I. (John I.)
“Has a cayanne spice and a very thick dense smoke. A not so sweet graham cracker and earth. Its rough starting out but nearing the end of the first third it blosums into something a little more special” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“OK, so the ash is still super tight and I’ve just decided to ride it as far as I can. Gotta shower and I’m way overdue to vacuum my study anyway….. and there it falls to the floor. Best laid plans and all. The good news is that the flavor is still on point. There’s a very earthy, mineral complexity going on, that, like the wood flavor in the first third, is like nothing I’ve experienced before. Potency is building as well. This is not for the timid. I may be in love. ” –John I. (John I.)
“Saltiness continues as biscuity sweet caramel anice flavors join in. Grassy notes developed toward the end. ” –John A. (John A.)
“Moving into the finale and still liking this cigar a ton. Kind of reminds me of Camachos from years ago when they were making really impressive and powerful cigars. This is similar but a little more sophisticated in its flavor profile. Rather than super pronounced basic core flavors there is a lot of subtext here. This guy’s not just talking loudly, he has something to say.The strength has mostly leveled off rather than becoming more potent toward the end. I’d expected some possible issues with harshness, but this is still crazy enjoyable. Flavor wise there is still a lot of dryness, but with super duper espresso and earthy notes playing together nicely. Oh, wow! And Chocolately sweetness too. Joy!” –John I. (John I.)
“It has lightend further but is still medium to full. Its all earthy coffee and i feel this is how the last third will continue.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 88
“The draw is slightly tight, but is absolutely manageable and needs no work to get the cigar to smoke properly. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Burn: 91
“The cigar had nice even combustion from beginning to end, and burned relatively cool and evenly. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Construction: 91
“Very good performance was experienced overall which resulted from solid construction I am sure. No complaints here at all. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“Ok, so this is my new favorite cigar. ” –John I. (John I.)
“It wasnt exstreamly complex but was very enjoyable. Would pair wonderfully with a good scotch i feel it is strong enough to complement a nice couple fingers of glennfidich 10” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Over all of this Cigar was good but not spectacular in any mention. I would definitely pair this is Cigar with something sweet to drink or eat as you get a lots of black pepper and semi bitterness throughout the smoke. It also burned quite quickly, 40 minutes in fact, even though I took my time smoking it. ” –John A. (John A.)
“Regardless of the decline in flavor, I found this to be a nice cigar. The licorice was a nice beginning with hints of coffee. It did transition as time went on to a mocha flavored coffee to just a cup of bitter coffee. This is not a bad thing in my book except r the extreme bitterness at the end. This cigar would pair nicely with a stout ale or a strong espresso.” –Eric (smalls29)
“While a pretty simple stick with no transitions or changes detected from beginning to end, this was still a really good smoke with plenty of flavor provided, a great flavor profile, and no maintenance required. I’d happily smoke this one again and recommend it to a friend. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Crowned Heads | Four Kicks Maduro Robusto
Overall Score – 89 – Good
Blind Cigar Review: Crowned Heads | Four Kicks Maduro Robusto
Summary
"While a pretty simple stick with no transitions or changes detected from beginning to end, this was still a really good smoke with plenty of flavor provided, a great flavor profile, and no maintenance required. I'd happily smoke this one again and recommend it to a friend. " -Dave W. (mdwest)
