Today I offer a review of the second in the series of the Crowned Heads Coroneta line. The line was introduced this year and is based on two different blends, each manufactured at two different factories.
- Coroneta Habano is produced at Nicaraguan American Cigars, S.A (NACSA) in Esteli, Nicaragua,
- Coroneta Maduro is made at Casa Carrillo in Santiago, Dominican Republic
In the press release about this project, Crowned Heads co-founder, Jon Huber commented:
“The concept of simultaneously introducing one brand in two expressions from two different houses is something entirely first-time for us. The Habano version from NACSA was actually final and production ready back in the Spring of 2022, but we decided to hold it back. Ultimately, we felt so strongly about the Coroneta brand that we tapped the ‘Godfather of Boutique Cigars,’ aka Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, to partner with us on developing the maduro version. I think the Coroneta brand achieves what we excel at, which is, seamlessly blending tradition and history with premium modernity.
For this review, I sampled 3 of the Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano Earl Robustos which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie press. I reviewed the Maduro version back in June which you can read about here.
The Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano has blend described by the company as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian (Habano)
- Binder – Nicaragua
- Filler – Nicaragua (Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa)
The Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano is expressed in a 3 different vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Earl (5″ x 52) – MSRP $12.95
- Duke (5 1/2″ x 54) – MSRP $13.95
- Baron (6″ x 56) – MSRP $14.95
Coroneta Habano is manufactured under the supervision of Raul Disla (NACSA).
The vitola names were derived from the various crowns of British heraldry worn by the lower ranks of nobility in the 16th century. The Coroneta bands are adorned with the same strawberry leaf that was featured on those crowns.
Pre-Light Examination
The Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano is cloaked in a medium brown lightly marbled wrapper that has a gentle toothiness and a mild sheen. The cigar is firmly packed from head to foot. A well applied double cap finishes the construction.
Like the maduro version, three bands adorn the cigar. The primary band uses red, bronze, and white colors and displays a strawberry leaf in the center and the name Coroneta on the left. Just below, a thin white and gold secondary band declares this as the Habano. A final footer band is applied that declares this as a Crowned Heads Product.
Running the cigar along the nose I picked up fresh baking spice notes along the barrel while the foot offered touch of floral and nut.
I used my CigarMedics Guillotina De Saka cutter to slice the cap straight and proceeded to give it some cold draws that I found to be spot on with restriction while offering butter and pepper notes that pleased the palate.
Using my Xikar fan flame lighter, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of pepper spice on the palate with a fruit essence on the nose. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs offer a pleasant pepper spice note on the palate with a fruit essence on the nose
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Creamy notes wrap the fruit after a 1/2 inch of burn
- Smoke volume is full with a chewy thick texture
- Rich cedar notes round out the initial profile
- Moving though the first third an enticing cocoa powder note tantalizes the taste buds
- A slight wave in the burn develops but does not require a touch-up
- Natural tobacco sweetness grows in the second third with a mild spice and nut introduction
- Ash fell revealing a decent burn cone
- The blend really comes together in the second half offering an increased nut and cream profile
- Spice notes increase moving into the final with a hint of berry
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Final Analysis
The Crowned Heads Coroneta Habano Earl journey begins with a delightful peppery spice on the palate, complemented by a subtle fruit aroma that graces the nose. As the cigar burns through the first half inch, creamy notes embrace the fruitiness, enriching the flavor profile. The smoke is voluminous and thick, with a nice chewy texture. Rich cedar undertones round out the initial phase, creating a robust start. As the cigar progresses through the first third, a tantalizing cocoa powder note emerges, stimulating the taste buds. Although a slight waviness in the burn appears, it remains stable without needing a touch-up. The natural sweetness of the tobacco intensifies in the second third, joined by mild hints of spice and nut. In the second half, the blend truly harmonizes, with enhanced notes of nut and cream defining the profile. As the cigar nears its end, spice notes become more prominent, with a subtle hint of berry adding a final touch of complexity. One should also note that the ash dropped once through the experience. This is certainly worth a box buy. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave in burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasant and Consistent across Multiple Samples
