Las Calaveras is a limited edition, annual release by Crowned Heads that pays homage to those that have passed in the previous year by celebrating death rather than mourning it.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: LC50Robusto (5 x 50)
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Production: Limited (110,000)
Purchase Link: Las Calaveras 2017
Las Calaveras 2017 Review from Oregon
Summary: This stick was firmly packed and had a dark cocoa colored wrapper. It appeared to be well constructed as well and once I clipped the cap it had a perfect draw. The wrapper smelled like fresh cut grass and cocoa with cold draw notes of dry hay, cocoa and a hint of lemon zest.
There were some truly great flavors throughout the smoke. Baking chocolate, black pepper and some chili powder/cumin mix appeared early on. It produced an absolute ton of smoke and had a wasabi style heat in the retrohale. Further into the stick, caramel and a nice hickory smoke flavor combined very interestingly.
Midway through, the entire profile took on a creamy feel with pepper and heat dropping out of the mix. It became smooth and relaxing. Near the end, the nicotine level picked up considerably making this stick a solid medium strength event. I smoked this one up until the tips of my fingers couldn’t take the heat.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like this, you like multiple racks of ribs on the smoker.
Pairing Suggestion: I’d pair this with Ivan Drago. (A strong White Russian)
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Go fiver on this one...but save some money for the box order you’ll want later.
Las Calaveras 2017 Review from Wisconsin
Summary: Lots of nuts with cocoa and pepper greeted me off the bat on this cigar. Bread, nutmeg, and molasses joined in. In the first third, there was a very clear and distinctive licorice note that pulled me in.
Throughout, the cigar had a lot of umami going on. The mouthfeel and the finish both reminded me of French onion soup. I'm not doing this justice - it was delicious.
The second half of the cigar added meatiness, earth, and leather to the profile. Occasionally a mineral note popped up, but aside from that all of the flavors worked very well together to provide an excellent experience.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you're all about the umami, try this cigar.
Pairing Suggestion: I'm going to catch a lot of flak for this, but I'd LOVE to pair this cigar with a pumpkin spice latte. That flavor combination would be killer.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: A box of these.
Las Calaveras 2017 Review from California
Summary: Perfect draw. Starting out with a nice nuttiness. Coffee and cream notes and now I want a latte to pair with this stick. Tootsie roll? Ok the tootsie roll got more intense now which isn’t my favorite. Aaaaand back to the coffee and cream thankfully. There’s a super interesting sweetness now that I’m trying to place. Almost like bbq ribs. Ya that’s definitely it.
2nd third. One puff and it 180’d to bitter tootsie roll again and went out on me. After relighting, I’m tasting hot pretzel. What a rollercoaster. The BBQ ribs sweetness is back in action. I can’t figure out this cigar. It’s like trying to figure out any movie that deals with time travel. Flavors are going in and out and changing left and right.
Final third. Apple Laffy Taffy for a puff or two. Getting a tad bit rough near the end so I’m calling it with an inch and a half left.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you liked the film Looper, you’ll like this.
Pairing Suggestion: Pair with a cafe latte.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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