Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro Cigar Review

As we dig deeper into  the new releases for this year I would like to introduce you to the latest in the Crowned Heads Four Kicks line. Introduced at this years IPCPR the latest addition to the line is known as the Four Kicks Maduro. The original Four Kicks was released in late 2011 and got some resounding reviews. It was the inaugural blend for the new company founded by Jon Huber, who before then, was Director of Lifestyle Marketing for C.A.O. cigars.  The name Four Kicks is a nod to the Kings of Leon’s song of the same name. Based  out of Nashville, Crowned Heads makes it a habit to name their cigars with music references.

Well 6 years is a long time in this business, especially for boutique lines, and the Crowned Heads Cigar company is steaming right along. In fact they have released a number of enticing blends since and even a few different Four Kicks blends including two Mule Kick Limited Editions and even one they made exclusively for Famous Smoke known as the Four Kicks Black Belt Buckle.

Now they have added a full production maduro blend to the line. The blend of the new Four Kicks Maduro is described as:

• Wrapper – Connecticut Habano Maduro
• Binder – Nicaraguan
• Filler – Nicaraguan

It should be noted that the fillers and binders are the same as the original and Jon Huber has once again reached out to Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.’s Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. factory in the Dominican Republic, which is the same factory that produces the original  Four Kicks.

The Four Kicks Maduro is available in four vitolas and come packaged in 24-count red and gold cabinet boxes.

• Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) MSRP $8.95
• Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $9.60
• Sublime (6 x 54) MSRP $10.40
• Robusto Extra (5 1/2 x 56 MSRP $10.65

For this review I sampled the Four Kicks Maduro Robusto which I received from the company, for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.

The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro

Pre-Light Examination

There is no hiding that this is a Connecticut Habano cigar with its dark blotchy wrapper and rugged look with noticeable veins. I will point out once gain that veins are not bad and neither is blotched and rugged – it is the look of the leaf! The packing is tight and solid throughout.

The band on the Four Kicks Maduro is the same as the original  except that it uses a black and gold motif instead of the original red and gold.

Running the Four Kicks Maduro along the nasals I picked up a fruit and nut aroma off the foot and musty notes along the barrel. Yea, this has been aging for a while. Looking at the foot you can notice a real contrast in the color of the leaf in the filler and the wrapper.

Once the cap  is sliced, the lightly restricted cold draw graced the palate with notes of nut, pepper, and earth. I decided to date this a little more as I got to know it, rolling it around, and tasting the pepper notes grow on the lips and tongue.

With a delightful start to the journey it was time to move to the full experience as I warmed the foot with the soft flame of a lit cedar spill.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Mild pepper burn on the retro-hale to start
• Full volume of creamy smoke
• Pepper grows through the early puffs
• Salt and pepper ash develops
• Pepper eventually slides to the background
• Nut moves forward along with a citrus and a hint of earth
• The ash is excellent and well-formed resting on a pristine burn line
• Citrus is much akin to an IPA with that bitter grapefruit flavor
• Some dry leather notes tango with the citrus
• Nice oiling on wrapper
• A delicate sweetness enters near the midway toning down the citrus – like putting sugar on your morning grapefruit
• A hint of peppermint shows in the aroma
• Mint finds its way onto the palate creating more of a mouth-watering experience just past the halfway point
• Ash finally fell entering the final third with a well centered burn cone
• Dry cocoa powder takes over with an increased black pepper entering the final third
• Subtle almond and cherry notes entice the palate at the end
• There is a lingering nut flavor on my palate even after I am done smoking
• Medium Strength
• Total  Smoking Time was one hour and 15 minutes.

Overall, the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro is a welcome addition to the company’s portfolio of fine cigars. it is one of those cigars I can say is worth the price and can be enjoyed by both experienced and newbies alike. I have smoked two of these so far. The second one I paired with a rich Malbec wine which worked well. The second one was gifted to  me by my friend Pete Hernandez (SmokinPete305) who is a killer cigar rep here in Florida.