2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #19: Four Kicks Maduro Robusto Extra by Crowned Heads

“This was quite an impressive cigar from Crowned Heads. It excelled in the flavor department from start to finish. I found the flavors meshed extremely well with the intensity levels of both the strength and body. ”

Wrapper: Connecticut Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Robusto Extra: 5 1/2 x 56
Price: $10.65
Review: Four Kicks Maduro Robusto Extra by Crowned Heads (4/18/18)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company):1 (2018)

Coming in at #19 is the Four Kicks Maduro Robusto Extra. Released early in 2018, this is the long-awaited regular production maduro counterpart to Crowned Heads’ original line, Four Kicks.

The Four Kicks Maduro Robusto Extra is the second Crowned Heads cigar to land on the 2018 Countdown – joining the collaboration the Nashville-based company did with Altadis U.S.A. – the Montecristo Ciudad de Musica. Both of these cigars are produced out of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.’s Tabacalera La Alianza factory in the Dominican Republic.

The unusual part of this cigar is the wrapper. It’s a maduro from Connecticut, but its not a Connecticut Broadleaf. This is a dark Habano wrapper that is grown in the state of Connecticut. The Connecticut Habano Maduro wrapper is something we have seen from Perez-Carrillo Jr. on other releases – including the E.P. Carrillo Original Rebel Rebellious, E.P. Carrillo TAA Exclusive, Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick 2018, and the recently released Crowned Heads Headley Grange Black Lab LE 2018. The remainder of the blend is similar to the original Four Kicks featuring all Nicaraguan tobaccos.

The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro Robusto Extra delivers a mix of mocha (i..e. espresso + chocolate), earth, cedar, and black pepper. These are rich medium to full-bodied flavors countered by medium strength.

The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro Robusto Extra brings all of the great qualities one would expect with a maduro cigar, but there is something intangible about the way everything comes together with it. This is an outstanding release by Crowned Heads and it earns its spot on this year’s Countdown.