Vitola: Box-pressed Toro- 6” x 52 ring gauge
- Price $??
- Purchased from Burns Tobacconist
Background
From 2014 to 2019, Crowned Heads released an exclusive annual release for members of the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA): The Angel’s Anvil (also with the acronym TAA). For 2021, they elected to take a twist on the formula with “The Lost Angel.” It actually was originally supposed to debut in 2020, but the COVID pandemic messed everyone’s schedules up…that blend is indeed “lost” at this point, as it was supposed to come out of Tabacalera La Alianza, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s factory in the Dominican Republic. The 2021 blend is completely different and comes from Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua, the same place Crowned Heads gets Mil Días and Juarez made for them.
The Lost Angel 2021 uses Nicaraguan fillers, a Brazilian Mata Fina binder, and a Mexican San Andres wrapper leaf. It comes in boxes of 20 and is only available at TAA stores nationwide, of which there are about 80.
This is the second time I’ve smoked this blend and I bought both sticks at Burns Tobacconist in Chattanooga, TN.
Prelight
The band on these is a daunting black on black, with just some embossing and black foil to make the design stand out. Reminds me of the Spinal Tap album cover immortalized in the mockumentary or of Metallica’s “black album.” It’s very easy to miss details and it’s hard to tell exactly what you’re looking at. Once you know, it’s cool…I just wonder if an all-black band on a dark (not quite black) wrapper leaf is the best way to stand out in a crowded humidor.
Speaking of the wrapper, it was a dark chocolate brown with a moderately “fuzzy” feel under my fingertips and it left a little oily residue. It had an aroma that mixed anise, wood, and dark earth, while the foot was more or less straight-up earth with some sweetness coming in behind.
Once clipped, the cold draw seemed very good. I got notes of unsweetened cocoa powder, earth, herbs, and black pepper on the cold draw.
Flavor
Firing the the Lost Angel, I got the typical earth and cocoa powder notes that one might expect from Nicaraguan leaf, but also some bread and baking spice that is not quite as usual. There was a tiny bit of pepper spice on the finish and a little more on the nose, but the overwhelming weight of “spiciness” went to that baking spice note both on the palate and the nose.
It might be the power of suggestion from a friend of mine making similar comments, but I got gingerbread notes up front during the second third, with a slight sweetness coming into play. Earth and cocoa powder followed along with a little cinnamon heat.
The heat increased in the final third with full-force cinnamon spice overtaking the gingerbread notes. Earth and cocoa powder took a back seat and played more supporting roles.
Construction
I had a very good draw, even enough burn line, and solid ash.
Value
Very good and unique blend for a slightly higher than average price tag (but not out of line for a limited edition), so very good value.
Conclusions
The Lost Angel 2021 was unique in the Crowned Heads catalog, a delight, and a total surprise. How could one predict that you could get these flavors by combining Mexican wrapper with Brazilian binder and Nicaraguan fillers? Well, someone did and for that I am thankful. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the first one of these I smoked wasn’t really “ready for prime time.” It was “good” but not “great.” This is a blend that definitely benefits from a couple weeks at least of rest after traveling on the road to your local TAA retailer.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor:4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
