Its hard to think of a cigar thats created as much buzz as Four Kicks by The Crowned Heads. Ever since Crowned Heads was formed by Huber, Conder, et al its been buzz after buzz. Posters, stickers, hats and samples sent to trusted bloggers. After Crowned Heads was announced further buzz was created when it was released that Crowned Heads would be collaborating with Ernesto Perez Carrillo on their initial line, Four Kicks. Four Kicks features a Ecuadorian grown Habano wrapper with the binder and filler from Nicaragua and rolled in the Dominican Republic. The line is made up of four sizes in a Robusto, Sublime, Piramide and the size I’m reviewing, the 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda. Did Crowned Heads produce a cigar worthy of all the buzz it has generated? Are the cigars as impressive as the marketing?
Video runs a little over 11:30 and I found the Four Kicks in the Corona Gorda and Robusto size to be beautiful. I had some issues with the Sublime and Piramid sizes that I explain in the video. But It should come as no surprise to anyone that when you bring a group of people together who have so much experience, passion, love for the leaf and who believe, above all else, that quality speaks louder than quantity, that together they would create anything short of a work of art. Four Kicks features a core woodsy flavor accompanied with a subtle sweetness that creates a Cubanesque experience. I don’t throw that word around a lot. In fact I can only think of another cigar that I use that term to describe it and thats the La Riqueza line. Like La Riqueza, it doesn’t have flashy packaging or a trending name. What Four Kicks does have is a smooth, balanced flavor profile that can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere at anytime. Simply put, Four Kicks is beautiful.
Good review Jerry.
I pretty much agree 100%.
I think this is a great Freshman effort by Jon and Mike (if you can call it that given their collective experience in the business).
I enjoyed all of the sizes, but like you I probably liked the Corona Gorda the most, with the Robusto a close second.
The filler blend is amazing. The wrapper seemed somewhat inert in the overall flavor profile. I peeled it back 2-3″ on one of the cigars I was smoking and didn’t get much of a change.
Ecuador Habano is one of those varietals that has a very broad spectrum of flavor and strength options depending on the tobacco you select. Its possible that more would have thrown the cigar off balance, but it seems like it would have yielded more flavor…and more flavor, for me, is what determines if a cigar gets bought again and again and again.
I’m also watching the launch strategy pretty closely. As you know, we considered a number of options when we launched with around 40k cigars earlier this year. 66 stores seems like alot. I wonder if it isn’t spreading the available inventory too thin.
These two things combined makes me wonder how the ‘comeback’ sales will turn out. I hope Four Kicks finds a following. Its definitely got potential to be a lot of people’s favorite/go-to smoke.
I wish Mike and Jon nothing but the best. Very impressed so far.
Skip
@chiefhava
I thought the marketing was genius as long as the cigar lived up to it and I think it did. Everyone was excited to try it and so far the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It looks like the Corona Gorda and Sublime sizes are the sizes of choice at least on Twitter.
Also….did anyone else feel like the Corona Gorda is actually a 48 ring gauge vs. a 46?
We make a 46 and the Four Kicks seemed a bit bigger. When I measured it, it actually was.
Just me?
Not that I mind, I actually really enjoyed the little bit extra.
Skip
I didn’t really notice anything being off from the size…the CG did feel pretty heavy though. Thanks for watching Skip and taking the time to leave a comment…or two.
I’ve smoked quite a few Robustos so far and one Corona Gorda (from the final releases) and so far…the Robusto is the best for me. I have some Sublimes headed my way; I really like those on the pre-release versions I had, but I’ll watch out for what you talked about regarding burn issues. Torpedos really aren’t my “go-to” size so I didn’t bother with Pyramids this time around, but I did hear a couple people at the shop Thursday night remarking about draw being a little tight.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who experienced an issue with the Piramid size. It was tough going. Sublime with the relights was frustrating but the flavors were there. I should’ve said that in the video.
Thanks for watching Dave and leaving a comment.
This cigar reminded me of a Fuente stick with its rustic aesthetic, and I suppose it fit my experience with some of the AF’s I’ve had. Very smokable, spicy, tasty, but not incredibly remarkable. I do have to say that I wasn’t paying complete attention to the flavors (conversation, etc.), but it had a great draw and I did enjoy it, so I will have another. I also wasn’t the only one there enjoying one! Lots of brand support by the Draper’s clientele.
Also, Jerry, lemme touch your audio up holmes, I was only getting it out of the left speaker.
Ha ha…thanks Tom. Yeah I don’t know why its not picking up both channels when I import. Worked fine for the Ernesto video and when I monitor it live I can hear it in both channels…weird.
No worries dude, just duplicate the one that you’ve got. There is no need to worry about there being multiple channels for this unless you mix the lav and boom mics, want to do some cool stereo imaging of sound effects, or for your voice to follow you if you happen to move left or right haha
The OSA Sol is a perfect example of how size can make a difference. I tried the toro and it was kind of musty and just “OK.” After seeing your review of the robusto, I tried it, and it was almost a different cigar.
I will definitely keep an eye out for this cigar! It sounds like something I’d like.
Yea the OSA robusto is very good, the rest are okay. Brick house for me tho doesnt do it in any vitola.
I love the ecuadorian habano tobacco- but I agree that it seems no two cigars with an EcHab wrapper taste the same. EPC and his short run ’11 is my favorite and if possible i will look for these too
Nice review Jerry. I gotta try the CG size.
Jerry,
Great review. How does the four kicks compare the EPC New Wave?
Thanks,
Jon
Hmmm…I don’t think you can compare them Jon. Kind of like comparing apples to oranges. Yeah both are fruit but…two different experiences but I tell you what; you can’t go wrong with either. It be a good day if you are able to smoke either. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment.
Nice job as always, Jerry. I just picked up some of these and I am about to head outside and torch one up!
mango
Awesome Jerry. I last used the term “Cubanesque” to describe the LaTraviata when I had my first during the pre-release period a couple years ago. That’s a good sign. Cant wait to get hold of some of these.
You “don’t think anyone’s going to bitch about it”?
I’m gonna bitch about it! How come they’re only making 30,000 of these?! 🙂
Thanks for the review, Jerry.
Jerry wonderful and honest review as always. I guess Huber and company didn’t appreciate the negative comments on some of the sizes. Thats the only thing I can think of why your review (the most indepth and honest that any of the other blogs did) isn’t listed on their Press part of the site:
http://crownedheads.com/press/
LOL…to be honest Vic I didn’t even notice.
I consider these very “cubanesque”- I finally got my hands on some and the plain gold/red band as well as the rustic appearance of the cigar in general reminds me some CC’s. Smoking it now I can’t help but find many similarities between this and a favorite Hoyo de Monterrey petite robusto as far as taste goes- even the darker ash reminds me of my trips to Germany! 😉