Let's talk about the Crowned Heads CHC Serie E Sublime - a 6.5"x54 Toro that packs Nicaraguan firepower under its Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro cloak. Priced at $220.50 for 20 sticks, this Eddie Van Halen-inspired blend from Tabacalera Pichardo rolls out bold flavors while maintaining surprising smoothness. The sublime vitola feels substantial in hand with its oily wrapper and tight roll, though you'll want to take it slow - this medium-bodied smoke builds momentum like a guitar solo.
The initial puffs hit with black pepper spice that makes your tongue tingle, settling into roasted coffee bean flavors. Notice the dense white smoke output - enough to annoy your ceiling detector. Burn line stays razor-sharp, no touch-ups needed through this section.
At the halfway mark, the spice mellows into bittersweet cocoa territory. Leather and cedar notes emerge, supported by a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with dark roast coffee. Watch for nicotine creep - this Toro carries more punch than its "medium" rating suggests.
The last third brings espresso bitterness and dried fig sweetness in alternating waves. Tar buildup becomes noticeable around the nub - stop before it turns acrid. Retrohale reveals subtle cinnamon zing that lingers long after putting it down.
The Nicaraguan puro construction (except Ecuadorian wrapper) shows in its dense ash that holds over an inch. Draw resistance sits in the Goldilocks zone - not too loose, not plugged. Only gripe? The band glue sometimes tears the fragile Habano wrapper during removal. Pro tip: warm it with your palm first.
