Crowned Heads CHC Serie E Cigar review by @CigarKurt
Today I am heading further into Boutique Cigars and I am excited to bring you the Crowned Heads CHC Serie E. If you know anything about Crowned Heads, then you know that most of their Cigars are inspired by a Music Artist or Song. This one is one of my favorites, because it is a tribute to one of my favorite Rock Bands while growing up. The “E” in the CHC E stands for “Eruption”. Meaning the famous Eruption guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen in 1978. Believe me, when I tell you that this Cigar fits perfectly with that guitar solo. The Rockstar that I am enjoying today is the 6.5 x 54 Sublime or Toro Vitola.
The Cigar was launched in 2021 and is currently produced in Nicaragua. The Wrapper is a beautiful Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro leaf. Oscuro, meaning dark and these leaves are usually from the first priming and grow at the top of the tobacco plant, which means they get the most sunlight.
The Cigar is currently produced in four Vitolas:
Petite Edmundo 4.3 x 52 Price: Box of 20 cigars retails for $220.00
5150 or Robusto Size 5.5 x 50 Price: Box of 20 Cigars retails for $230.00 (Interesting Note the 5150 number was used several times by Van Halen. It was named after Eddie Van Halen’s home studio, which is a California police code for a mentally disturbed person.)
Hermoso No. 2 6.1 x 48 Price: Box of 20 cigars retails for $225.00
Sublime or Toro 6.5 x 54 Price: Box of 20 cigars retails for $245.00
When I pick up this cigar I am greeted with a significant cigar that feels bigger than it actually is. The 54 ring gauge is one of my favorite sizes. As I inspect the cigar I am drawn to the beautiful, dark Oscuro wrapper. Its flawless construction reveals a very slight oily sheen in the afternoon sunlight. The Band is a striking red and black color accented with gold and white. The center of the band displays a Gold Crowned Heads Logo with gold medallions traveling around each side over the famous red, black and white guitar pattern that is synonymous with Van Halen.
Initial aromas from the wrapper and the foot are of Hay, Cedar and Spices that are waiting to transform.
Cold Draw
I precisely remove the cap with my favorite perfect cut, Cigar cutter which leaves me with the finest guillotine, straight cut every time. I immediately fall in love with the cold draw as my senses are greeted with a wonderful sweetness, berry notes, and orange peel.
1st Third
It has been said that the prelight routine for this cigar is equivalent to the Drums and Bass Guitar prior to the Electric Guitar starting with the solo. Other words, this cigar starts you right off with a bang, with a blast of white pepper coming out of the gate. It is followed closely by rich leather and cedar notes. Balancing everything out of the back end, you are greeted with smooth white bread notes, orange peel and a mixed berry sweetness. This mixed berry sweetness is just delicious and I am very intrigued. As far as strength on my flavor strength profile, I give it a 6 out of 10 as I start this Rock N Roll journey. The burn and construction of this cigar is something special.
2nd Third
As I move into the second third, I am greeted with a slight bump up in intensity to a 6.5 out of 10. The smooth white bread notes have moved up front with the white pepper and leather fighting for the lead. The slight orange peel notes are ever present and a new note of Oak enters the picture. A wonderful smoke so far that is complex and balanced.
Final Third
Right on cue and in concert with the Eruption Guitar Solo the cigar yet again increases in intensity to a 7 out of 10 and is reaching its crescendo as Eddie Van Halen Rocks on. The white pepper has moved to a spicy red pepper and leads the way and the Cigar has Erupted. It has skipped right over the black pepper and is finishing strong with the Oak and leather taking a back seat. My coveted Orange peel has dissipated or has now been drowned out.
Final Thoughts
This Cigar did not disappoint. I admire and appreciate how Crowned Heads matched the cigar to the Guitar Solo until it reaches the crescendo at the end. A wonderful, complex cigar that captivated me all the way down to the nub. My overall rating in my flavor strength profile is a solid medium plus at a 7 on a 1-10 scale. My overall rating is a 92 out of 100. Is this for the new Cigar smoker? I would say no. The increase in the final third in my opinion would be a little too strong. However, if you have some smoking time under your belt, this is an excellent cigar to move up to. Smoking time on this 6.5 x 54 was 1:25.
If you have enjoyed this review and would like to see the review of me smoking it, I invite you to head on over to YouTube @cigarkurt to see it and all my other reviews.
