Blind Review: Las Calaveras EL 2020
Las Calaveras is a Crowned Heads limited edition line extension to their core line of cigars. The blend is an homage to the Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) which honors those who have passed the year previously. I’ve had the opportunity to sample much of the Las Calavaras line and enjoyed their spiciness and complexities. This year with their 2020 version they’ve once again created a cigar that separates itself well beyond the rest of the Crowned Heads portfolio.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: Las Calaveras EL 2020
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Size: 5” x 52 (Robusto)
Appearance & Construction
The Las Calaveras EL 2020 wears a dark, almost maduro wrapper with a long vein running almost all the way to the bottom of the cigar. Despite the leaf vein the cigar is silky to the touch and well packed with tobacco. The smell off of the foot has some barnyard and a bit of freshly tanned leather.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
As I straight cut the robusto the draw dry delivers mushroom, dry wood and a bit of roasted coffee. Using a long match I take flame to the Las Calaveras EL 2020 and immediately receive spice on the tongue with espresso, leather and nougat. There is ample smoke production from the fine draw and as the cigar progresses, some sweetness of vanilla bean and café au lait encapsulate the mouth with a long finish. Taking a retrohale, pepper and leather fill the sinuses with drying sensations. The Las Calaveras EL 2020 is in the medium bodied range.
The halfway point of the Las Calaveras EL 2020 begins with an intense coffee note interplaying with cedar and leather. The ash is white and flaky with a substantial burn line. With another retrohale the peppery spice comes on strong, with more espresso as the smoke is released. The strength picks up a bit and the lush tobacco resonates on my palate, though it quickly transitions right back into the more medium bodied style. After a bit more puffing, the leather returns up front with marzipan and cream on the finish which is a pleasant surprise.
As the cigar reaches the final third, the strength picks up into the medium to full range with pepper and some breadiness to it. Along with the change in profile there is more wood and hay coming through with cedar being the dominate flavor. With the smoke production increasing, the Las Calaveras EL 2020 brings forth earth and a sharp minerality with a medium finish.
At its end, the cigar provides shorter stints of flavors, with a slight bitterness coming through. As I take a final puff, the spice and hay lines my mouth and with a grassy note on the finish. A pleasing robusto to sample.
Conclusion
I’ve smoked the Las Calaveras line and enjoyed their richness in flavors as well as the concept behind the brand. The 2020 incarnation delivered spices, espresso, leather and cream throughout most of the cigar. The final third transitioned to a fuller bodied smoke which muted some of the flavors although was never offensive. The burn and construction on this cigar was excellent and made for a pleasant smoking experience when trying to identify flavors. The Las Calaveras EL 2020 is a solid robusto worth checking out especially if you’ve had others as you will appreciate the style this line delivers.