Cigar Review: Las Calaveras (2016) by Crowned Heads

• Vitola: LC50 (Robusto)
• 5” x 50 ring gauge
• $10.99
• Purchased at Burns Tobacconist

Background

For their third annual Las Calaveras Limited Edition release, Crowned Heads decided to go Broadleaf…a decision I can get behind! Actually, it’s not the first time they’ve made that decision, what with the Tennessee Waltz, Yellow Rose, Paniolo Especiale, Mason Dixon 2014 North and Mason Dixon 2015 South all using Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper previously…and it’s worth noting that they released La Careme at this year’s trade show, also with a Broadleaf wrapper. I remember not that many years ago when I asked Jon Huber if he would ever do anything with Broadleaf and he smiled and said, “I don’t know…I think Ernesto uses all of it for himself!” That was before they started working with My Father as a second supplier, of course…most of those sticks I mentioned have come from the My Father factory…but some Broadleaf has found its way out of EPC’s works, too.

Anyway, so Broadleaf for the wrapper of this year’s celebration of the Day of the Dead…Las Calaveras 2016. Along with Nicaraguan filler and binder. And 3 vitolas…well, 4 if you count the Pyramid that is only available as part of the Las Calaveras Sampler pack. The LC50 (Robusto) and LC46 (Corona Gorda) are returning from last year’s release…with the LC54 (Short Toro Gordo?) is new.

I’ve tried them all…and the LC46 and LC50 at least a couple times each. I decided to do the review on the LC50 because it ended up being my favorite vitola. I bought the sticks at Burns Tobacconist and you can do the same on their website.

Prelight

The box art has remained essentially the same every year, just changing up color combinations. 2014 used green and red primarily, while 2015 used black, white and gold. The 2016 box uses a brown and peach combination and the cigar band is similar, although it made me think of the 2014 band when I first saw it. Even now, looking at both on my computer screen, I can see why…they both have a pale yellow background and use some red in the design…not in the same places, mind you, but it still made me think of that initial release.

The wrapper was the color of dark chocolate, with a little bit of darker and lighter striations throughout and the somewhat typical ugly keloid scar-looking veining and puckering in places. It felt oily under my fingertips and smelled like a mix of sweet earth and leather. The foot had a more solid earthiness with touches of hay and coffee in the mix. The cold draw was very good and mixed semi-sweet chocolate with coffee and earthy flavors, while leaving a spicy tingle on the lips.

Flavor

The Las Calaveras 2016 started with a strong, almost overwhelming black coffee note, followed by earth and a touch of wood. Somewhere after all those flavors had their say, there was a touch of sweetness, riding in a wave of cocoa powder, right before notes of red pepper left their burn on my lips and nose. The overpowering nature of the coffee flavor abated after 10 or 15 minutes, leaving a more pleasant mix of bean and leaf, with just enough sweetness to properly balance the affair.

In the second third, the Las Calaveras picked up a little more sweetness, although espresso and earth notes were still a heavy component of the flavor profile. A burning from pepper spice started to build on the back of my palate, while the retrohale was not nearly as peppery anymore…leaving more of a nutty, woody note on the nose.

In the last third, the flavors all came together with great balance, the sweet chocolate notes taking the lead, with earth and more bitter coffee notes coming in behind. Cedar was in the background with black pepper.

Construction

Every sample of these I’ve smoked has had very good construction, with a great draw, even-enough burn line (for a Broadleaf), and solid ash.

Value

It’s a great cigar! The price went up a tick this year, but pretty much everyone has increased prices lately, so that’s not so unusual…may have to recalibrate the “value” section of my brain to adjust for the new norm that the FDA regs will create.

Conclusions

I’ve frequently said that if you combine Nicaraguan filler and binder with Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, then make it in the My Father factory, I’m in. This Las Calaveras 2016 was no exception to that rule. It was medium-to-full in body for the most part, before hitting totally full near the end, and had a pleasing flavor and complexity for the entire ride. While I still might give the overall edge to last year’s Las Calaveras, this is truly a great entry in the series.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10