Crowned Heads Luminosa Cigar Review – Let it Shine!!

Back in 2016, The Crowned Heads Cigar Company released a new cigar to the market in a what was a soft launch so that it would be in commerce in case the FDA passed regulations that did not exempt premium cigars. That cigar was the LUMINOSA and the strategy was spot on as the FDA did pass regulations that did not exempt premium cigars. Later in the year they released more to the market and at this years IPCPR they presented the new brand to the full market.

In a discussion with Halfwheel, Crowned Heads co-founder Jon Huber stated:

“LUMINOSA fills a void that was lacking in the Crowned Heads portfolio of blends,..An easily approachable smoke—something mild (if I’m allowed to say that word post August 8) to medium in body, that can be enjoyed both with a morning coffee as well as with an after dinner dessert.”

Other than the wrapper, which is an Ecuadorian Connecticut , the rest of the blend is non-disclosed. I suppose you could say Jon Huber is quite bright in his strategy and the name LUMINOSA is Apropos.  Like other blends in the Crowned Heads portfolio, the company turned to Tabacalera La Alianza S.A owned by Ernesto Perez-Carrilo Jr. for the manufacturing.

The Crowned Heads LUMINOSA is available in 4 vitolas and is priced in the mid  $7 to $8 range:

• Petit Corona (4.5 x 44)
• Robusto (5 x 50)
• Toro (6 x 52)
• Churchill (7 x 48)

For this review I sampled the LUMINOSA Toro which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.

Pre-Light Examination

The LUMINOSA has a medium to dark brown and heavily mottled wrapper with a decent sheen. Yes, this is a well aged Ecuadorian Connecticut. It is finished with a well applied triple cap and adorned with a bright orange, gold and brown band with the word LUMINOSA  emblazoned in the center.

Running the Crowned Heads LUMINOSA across the nasals I detected a sweet spicy and fermented leaf barrel and notes of fruit, earth, and nut off the foot. I cut it with a double blade cutter and the cold draw was just lightly restricted and offered notes of pepper and dried raisin. This is a terrific cigar to start even before I ignited it. I decided to roll it around some mare savoring the flavors and enjoying the moment.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Initial burst of pepper on first light
• Spice aroma
• Woody cedar and maple notes enter after an inch of burn
• Ash is salt and pepper resting on a medium char line
• Slight flake to the ash
• Sweetness starts to build near the end if the first third
• Floral aroma develops
• Ash fell after 2 solid inches revealing a well centered and flat burn cone
• Spice builds with a light nut background
• Oils develop on wrapper mid second third
• Dry cocoa,  vanilla, and fruit enter
• Almond note spikes near the end of second third
• Ash is amazing
• Vanilla sweetness continues into final
• Smoked down to the nub
• Solid Medium Strength
• Total Smoking Time was just over one hour

Overall, the Crowned Heads LUMINOSA is just as Jon Huber described – a perfect start of the day or late evening after desert smoke. The ash and burn was outstanding and the flavor profile was very delectable from pre-light down to the nub. I certainly recommend the LUMINOSA to all regardless of your cigar smoking experience. Pair this with a sweet coffee or an evening cordial.