Vitola: Corona Gorda- 6” x 46 ring gauge
- MSRP $9.25
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
About 3 years ago, Crowned Heads began work with a third factory and blending team (after EP Carrillo and his Tabacalera Alianza, and Don Pepin Garcia and his My Father factory): Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua, along with Don Eradio Pichardo and Luciano Meirelles. The first release from this new collaboration was Juarez, CH’s first venture into “bargain-priced” cigars that was first available online-only before making it into B&M stores. The second release from this team is Mil Días, a blend that reportedly took about 1000 days from start to finish…thus the name.
This marks the first time Costa Rican and Peruvian leaf have been used in a Crowned Heads blend, as those leaves reside along with Nicaraguan filler, a Nicaraguan binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. They produced 4 sizes for general release (there is another limited edition size), each available in 20-count boxes. They shipped sometime in August or September and are available nationwide.
I have smoked several of these so far, in both this size and the Edmundo vitola. I bought them all at Burns Tobacconist in Chattanooga, TN. If your local B&M does not carry them, Leaf Enthusiast sponsor, Small Batch Cigar, does. I got background info about this blend from Cigar-Coop.
Prelight
Once again, Crowned Heads has taken the more traditional route for packaging, with a low-key hinged box that doesn’t get far away from traditional “wood” colors along with a band that is a simple white with a gold foil circle and red “m” (standing for “Mil Dias” as well as being the Roman numeral for 1000).
The wrapper was a medium-brown color, smooth and a bit oily. It held aromas of earth and cedar along with a touch of bell pepper. The foot had lighter earthiness and some citrus, along with a bit of sweet chocolate aroma.
After clipping the head, I had a very good draw that featured semi-sweet chocolate and citrus flavors, as well as hints off wood and earth.
Flavor
The Mil Días opened up with flavors of orange zest, hay, earth, and cedar. There was a tiny bit of black pepper heat on the palate and a short burst of red pepper on the nose, where I also picked up on citrus and wood notes. The blend started off on the milder side of medium in body and the further I burned into it the more citrus notes came through. Having smoked a couple Edmundos in the past week or so, I will say that flavor comes through much more prominently on this size.
The second third had more orange along with the introduction of some semi-sweet dark chocolate, while the earth and cedar faded into the background. There was a good low-level pepper spice keeping up on the finish.
As I got into the final third, the Mil Días served up cedar notes in more intensity again, with citrus and pepper holding steady while the chocolate notes faded a bit.
Construction
I had a great draw, very even burn line, and solid ash.
Value
Excellent cigar and fair, average price, so very good value.
Conclusions
Having tried both the Corona Gorda and Edmundo vitolas of Mil Días, I have to say that the Corona Gorda is definitely the standout in terms of flavor and complexity. I enjoyed this stick from end-to-end, finding it to be a great blend that is hard to beat in the Crowned Heads catalog. I might end up just buying a box of these when I get a chance.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
