Crowned Heads has announced that their annual Hawaii-exclusive cigar, Paniolo Especiale, will make its return on October 7 at a special VIP Dinner Event hosted by Marvin Chang and R. Field Wine Co. in Honolulu Hawaii.
The Paniolo Especiale 2023 is a 5 1/2 x 52 robusto extra cigar, rolled at TacaNicsa in
Esteli, Nicaragua. This factory also makes Mil Días, Juarez, and Blood Medicine for Crowned Heads. The blend for the Paniolo Especiale uses a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Ecuadorian Habano binder, and filler tobaccos from three different regions of Nicaragua (Jalapa, Condega, and Ometepe).
As with previous releases, the cigars will be packaged in 1 0-count boxes, with a total
production limited to 500 boxes (5,000 total cigars), and will carry a suggested retail price of
$11.50 per cigar.
The Paniolo 2023 is a banger-full stop. I asked Eradio (Pichardo) and TacaNicsa for a ‘high-octane' Broadleaf blend, and they delivered in spades. The cigar opens ‘big' and just goes from there; there's no let-up with this cigar, and I think fans of heavier, medium-to-full bodied smokes are in for a treat. That being said, what impressed me the most with this blend is that despite its intensity, the cigar retains balance and complexity. It's got the expected pepper, leather, and earth, but it also has a subtle sweetness from the Jalapa (viso) in the filler; it's definitely not a one-note composition.
Crowned Heads co-founder, Jon Huber
For the event details and ticket information, please contact Marvin Chang via email at
machang@foodland.com. Seating is limited.