Small Batch Cigar sent in the Cigar of the Month Package both the Las Calaveras 2024 and 2025. We reviewed the 2025 last week but we decided to use the 2024 as a redux review.
For me the ability to save cigars is non-existent. On my day off I can smoke up to 5 cigars and in the summer I am good for at least 2 on the other days. So the fact that I was able to smoke this cigar with a years worth of age on it provided a perfect opportunity for something we never do here at The Barrel Burner.
2024 saw two release from Crowned Heads with one called Decimo Aniversario which celebrated 10 years of the brand. The other the regular limited edition Las Calaveras by Crowned Heads is inspired by a zinc etching called Las Calaveras Catrina is meant to commemorate the memories of people who had died the year prior
Cigar Review: Las Calaveras 2024
Size: 6 x 54 (LC54 / Toro)
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Release Date: August 2024
Box Count: 24
The Cigar: The 2024 band features black, pink and green. Additionally the cigar features a gold and black Crowned Heads foot band. The Nicaragua Habano wrapper has a reddish brown hue to it with a slight brindling. In retrospect I love the pink on this band and it should be used more often. In the hand the cigar is light with a slightly under packed foot. The wrapper which has some brindling has a fair amount of oils some noteable veins.
The Taste: The cold draw of the cigar is earthy with a touch of damp cedar. The aroma from the foot sees an abundance of cedar anot not much else which. In comparison to a year ago it appears the cigar has lost a lot of the pre-light sweetness.
As we smoke into the first third of the Las Calaveras 2024 it’s incredibly smooth with cedar notes being dominant. In addition to the cedar the first third sees some lemon zest lingering on the finish. The retrohale adds some subtle mocha and an abundance of pepper to the mix.
The second third continues to see lemon zest though it is more muted than the first third. There is the occasional touch of mocha before sourdough bread begins to take hold. There is some cedar on this finish with retrohale showing some white pepper and a hint of cocoa.
The final third sees some coffee notes develop that are reminiscent of coffee nibs. Additional there is some gritty earthiness and cashews. As we remove the band coffee is dominant with a subtle saltiness. The long finish is leathery and lingers a little too long like a friend who can’t take a hint. But it’s enjoyable enough that you’ll invite them back.
Conclusion: The Las Calaveras 2024 I stated last year that it smoked bitter if you smoked it too fast. Thankfully that is not the case anymore but the cigar did lose some of its overall sweetness in both the prelight draw and the smoking experience. I was surprised to see that some of the lemon zest remained. We scored the original a 91 and I can make an argument some things got better (less bitter) and some things got worse (less complex). I’m going to drop the score by a point, though if any remain the next time I order from Small Batch I will probably grab a 5 pack.
Score: 90
Price: $15.95
You can buy these from Small Batch Cigar and if you use the coupon code BARRELBURNER you can save 10% off your order.
