Vitola: LC48- 5.5” x 48 ring gauge
- $12.49
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
It was getting close…I was running out of new material that was easily accessible to review here on these pages. I had thought about ordering some cigars online, but it’s hard to try one or two that way, then order more for review, so I always hesitate. The dam seems to be breaking with COVID-delayed regular releases and limited editions and IPCPR/PCA new releases starting to finally hit store shelves. One of the most looked-forward-to every year is Crowned Heads’ annual Edición Limitada, Las Calaveras. It hit my local shop the week after Independence Day.
As with every year since 2014, Las Calaveras is made at the My Father Cigar factory in Nicaragua, blended by the Garcia family, and consists of Nicaraguan filler and binder (with no more specifics on varietals). The wrapper this year is an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro leaf. There are four sizes each year, although they tend to be different year-to-year. LC48 (the subject of this review), LC52, and LC56 are available in 24-count boxes, while the Torpedo is only available as part of a sampler that includes one each of the other 3 sticks.
Las Calaveras is intended to pay homage to loved ones who have passed away in the previous year and is a way to celebrate their lives. I’m dedicating this review to a friend and co-worker who died earlier this year. I met Jon Walker when I started working full-time for Burns Tobacconist, splitting my time between the two stores. He normally worked Friday and Saturday evenings Downtown, but his full-time gig was at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department in their Downtown jail. He retired from that job in January and was really starting to enjoy a different pace of life when he was unexpectedly taken. A lot of us who work (or worked) or shop at Burns Downtown miss Jon and continue to pray for his wife and son as they adjust to life without him.
This is the second time I’ve smoked this blend. I bought both of my samples at Burns Tobacconist in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Prelight
Each year of Las Calaveras has a different color motif for band and box. I didn’t honestly see the boxes, but the bands are purple with white font and gold trim. It looks very regal. The secondary band at the foot identifies the company that makes it for the uninitiated.
The wrapper leaf was a fairly even mild chocolate brown color with a fair amount of oiliness to it. Giving it a sniff, I picked up earth, popcorn, and wood notes. The foot was barnyardy with a touch of sweet chocolate.
After clipping, I got a good prelight draw that had flavors of coffee, berry sweetness, and cocoa powder.
Flavor
I fired up the Las Calaveras 2020 as I took up a seat on my front porch on an uncharacteristic July day. The last week has been quite hot and humid, but suddenly, it’s overcast and about 75 degrees with a light breeze. I immediately noted semi-sweet chocolate notes, dry cedar, and bell pepper notes on the palate, along with some black and red pepper heat on the nose. The smoke was medium-plus in body with a nice, light finish that featured a coffee essence. As I made my way through the first third I noted a good amount of sweetness that was almost dark chocolate combined with black cherries.
The second third had the sweetness joined by fairly intense espresso notes and an increase in black pepper at the back of my throat. Cedar and cocoa powder were supporting notes at this point and the retrohale was peppery.
The final third had plenty of espresso bean and black pepper, while cocoa powder and a subtle sweetness continued to hang around in the background.
Construction
I had a very good draw with just the right amount of resistance, a very even burn line, and solid ash the entire way.
Value
This line has gone up in recent years and I’m not always convinced it’s worth it…but this year’s release definitely is.
Conclusions
My relationship with “Habano Oscuro-wrapped blends” from the My Father factory has been a bit spotty. Most of the time I find them muddy and indistinct in flavor…strong and full without much complexity. Not the case with the Las Calaveras EL 2020. This is a very fine, complex blend that was medium-to-full in body and strength with a very nice progression from end to end. With seven blends released in this line, I think this one definitely makes it into my top 3.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
