Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023 LC52

Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023 LC52

Today, we review the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada (EL) 2023 LC52.  Las Calaveras is an annual limited edition cigar that Crowned Heads has worked with the My Father Cigars factory to release. The series debuted in 2014 and has been a yearly release since. The EL 2023 release marked the tenth consecutive year Crowned Heads has released Las Calaveras – establishing it as one of the more robust annual limited edition series. The name “Las Calaveras” translates to “The Skulls,” a line that pays homage to those who have passed away over the past year. Instead of being a mournful symbol, it is intended to celebrate those lives and remember those who are no longer with us.

One significant note is that each year has highlighted a different blend and wrapper. Something fun about Las Calaveras is that the band has a slightly different color scheme each year.  Below is a list of each of the Las Calaveras releases, the wrapper varietal, and the band color (in parentheses)

On a side note, this cigar inspired Prime Time Jukebox’s annual Dedications Show. This is a concept that Dave Burck started on Cigar Jukebox, where our audience selects dedication songs to honor loved ones who have passed. Dave and I smoke this cigar each year as we host this show.

Let’s break down the Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023 LC52 without further ado and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023 LC52 | Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023 features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. This is the second time Crowned Heads has released Las Calaveras with a Broadleaf wrapper. You have to go back to 2016 for the last time Las Calaveras used Broadleaf.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.

Vitolas Offered

The Las Calaveras EL 2023 comes in four sizes. The Belicoso Fino is exclusive to a four-count sampler that features one of each size. The other sizes are packaged in 24-count boxes. A total of 1,500 boxes for each of the three sizes were produced. There were an additional 3,000 samplers produced. With the 24-count boxes, the cigars are arranged in three rows of eight cigars each. The number 8 is a symbol of infinity, as in everlasting life. The three rows represent the beginning, middle, and end of the cycle of life.

LC50: 5 x 50
LC52: 6 x 52
LC54: 5 5/8 x 54
Belicoso Fino: 5 1/2 x 52

Appearance

The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper of the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 had the color of a chocolate bar. On the surface of the wrapper, there was some oil. In addition, there was some mottling present on the surface. The wrapper had both visible veins and visible wrapper seams. At the same time, there was a pristine look to this wrapper.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

Before lighting up the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52, a straight cut was used to remove the cigar cap. After removing the cap, it was on to the pre-light draw experience. The cold draw delivered notes of mocha (a term I use to describe a fusion of chocolate and coffee notes), earth, and wood notes. Overall, this was a satisfactory pre-light draw experience. At this point, it was time to remove the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52’s footer band, toast up the cigar’s footer, and move on to the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 opened up with notes of mocha, dried fruit, and wood. Early on, the mocha and dried fruit notes moved to the forefront. The wood notes settled into the background and were gradually joined by some notes of black pepper. The retro-hale delivered extra layers of both the dried fruit and pepper notes.

As the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 moved through the second third, the coffee component of the mocha note became the dominant component – and remained in the forefront. Meanwhile, the pepper notes gradually increased while the dried fruit notes gradually decreased. At the same time, the wood notes remained grounded as a secondary note.

There wasn’t too much of a change in the final third. The coffee note remained the primary note. The pepper notes were not the most prominent of the secondary notes. There were still notes of wood and dried fruit in the background. This is how the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

The Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 needed multiple touch-ups to maintain a straight burn path and keep a relatively straight burn line. While the touch-ups did the trick, this cigar needed more touch-ups than I preferred. The ash of the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 was skewed toward the firmer side. This ash had a silver-gray color with some darker spots. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both maintained ideal levels.

Burn of the Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023 LC52

Draw

Overall, the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 draw performed quite well. This is a draw that had a touch of resistance to it. You will know this is ideal in my book if you read many of my assessments. At the same time, this was still a low-maintenance cigar from which to derive flavor.

Strength and Body

The Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 started out with medium strength and medium-bodied flavors. Both attributes would increase in intensity as the cigar experience progressed. By the end, the flavors crossed the threshold into medium to full-bodied territory. While the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52 delivered more strength than at the beginning, the strength level remained in the medium range until the cigar experience ended.

PACKAGING AND BANDING NOTES

I liked it when Crowned Heads started changing the band colors with the Las Calaveras EL 2017 release. Since that release, it’s been a lot of fun to guess what the color of the band would be. My gut always told me Crowned Heads would go with orange for 2023 (the tenth release of Las Calaveras) or 2024 (the 10th anniversary of Las Calaveras). I made this selection because orange is a color associated with Tennessee, where Crowned Heads is located.

Packaging of the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2023

Not only does the orange work quite well on the band, but I like how it comes out on the vista that is on the white-colored boxes. In addition, I liked the fact that Crowned Heads has added the footer bands.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

One thing I like about Crowned Heads is how it works with Connecticut Broadleaf. The company is making Broadleaf cigars at each of the factories it works with, Tabacalera La Alianza, NACSA, TacNicsa, and My Father (with the Las Calaveras EL 2023). This gives Crowned Heads great versatility in coming up with different blends. Regarding the Las Calaveras EL 2023 LC52, this was a good cigar that performed admirably regarding flavor. But I can’t put this at the top of the list compared to other Broadleafs. I also found this cigar seemed a little short compared to the other Las Calaveras Broadleaf cigar, the 2016 edition.

In the end, there still is enough going on for me to recommend this cigar to either the novice or experienced cigar enthusiast. This cigar will satisfy the Crowned Heads fan and the Las Calaveras fan. As for myself, I can see myself buying and smoking this cigar again. I also look forward to smoking the other sizes.

Summary

Key Flavors: Mocha (Chocolate, Coffee), Dried Fruit, Wood Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Minus
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last Third)
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Buy One
Score: 88

REFERENCES

News: Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2022 Announced
Price: $13.95
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: Crowned Heads

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted.