I usually like to smoke cigars while I am doing stuff around the house, or working on my own projects. Sometimes because it makes the task more enjoyable, other times it is because I can’t sit still long enough to just smoke. Oftentimes I smoke cigars that I know do not require a bunch of attention but are good cigars, or I use that time to burn through some less than stellar cigars I have on hand.
Then there are some activities or chores where I can smoke something special or new to me and enjoy the experience and give the cigar plenty of attention. Mowing the lawn is one of these activities and my lawn really needed to be mowed, but I also was really in the mood to smoke this cigar for review. So I decided to do a little less in depth style of review for these instances. I am dubbing these “Session” reviews, mimicking more informal music videos like the “Creek Sessions” or “Fireside Sessions”.
This afternoon I am smoking the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial Águiles LE 2021. The Four Kicks Capa Especial was released in 2020, but was one of the blends created in 2011 as a contender for Crowned Heads inaugural Four Kicks release. This unique size is similar to the discontinued Cuban Romeo y Julieta Águiles.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraugua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 ½ x 50 Figurado
Price: $10.95 MSRP
Release Date: June 2021
Company Website:
I am normally pretty indifferent about figurados but I really like the look of this cigar. I like the slight taper on both ends as opposed to longer, pointier tapers. The head is similar to the 109 style Cuban head, which I really like. The wrapper has some character and I love the look of the blue and gold band against the lighter brown wrapper. The cigar has nearly no scent and the cold draw is faint notes of sweet hay and pepper. This cigar starts out with a lot of smoke that is medium in flavor and body. I get some pepper, wood, and a bit of general sweetness. I had to do a quick touch up to get the taper burning evenly. About a half inch passed the taper, the flavors amp up to full with wood and spices on the palate, toast and pepper through the nose, and honey on the finish. These flavors are maintained through the first third. The draw is great, performance is pretty good, but needing a slight touchup as it wants to run a tad. Entering the second third the pepper has dropped out, but the other flavors remain. By halfway the smoke is full in body, coating the mouth with full flavors of honey with some wood on the back, complementing it very nicely. The retrohale at this point is some toast and spices. The performance and draw have been flawless through this third. Ending the second third the wood has taken the primary role with the honey now complimenting it. The retrohale has held onto the toast, but the spices have turned more towards a pepper note. The flavor and body are still full with no noticeable strength. Moving into the final third, the honey and wood are taking turns every few puffs, but they always seem to be in great balance. The toast has dropped out of the retrohale and it is just pepper. As the cigar hits the band, the smoke is beginning to burn out the palate a bit as the flavors have taken a turn to a charred wood and pepper, nearly losing all the sweetness. The burn got a little wonky in this section as well. Fortunately, this rough patch did not last long, but it did take away from the experience of this third a bit. The burn corrected itself just passed the band point and the char has subsided for the most part and allowed the honey notes to become present again. The cigar smoked for an hour and 20 minutes.
Overall I really enjoyed this cigar. It started off nicely with a profile I enjoy, but it wasn’t extraordinary or unique. That changed about a half inch after the taper. The depth of flavor and complexity in the profile really began to show and the balance of sweet and savory flavors were outstanding. Even when the primary flavor swapped between honey and wood, they seemed to always highlight each other without being overpowering. The final third was not as inspiring as the previous two thirds, but it did not taint the whole experience. I enjoy many of Crowned Heads offerings, and this cigar was like nothing I have had from them before. I have only had this Four Kicks Capa Especial in the Corona Gorda size, so maybe another size is similar, but then again, they may have just hit the mark on an LE being a unique experience. Either way - Great Job, I hope I can find more of these.
This particular cigar, I’m sure, is still available at some retailers if you look around, but if you want to try this blend in the core line of vitolas, check out Small Batch Cigars. Use code “Whiskey” to get 10% off your entire order. Plus, sign up and begin earning 5% back in rewards points with each purchase.
Feel free to reach out to me with questions, concerns, criticisms, or just to talk at @guitarsandcigarsfarm on Instagram, or via email.