Let's cut straight to this 4¾"x52 Robusto from Crowned Heads. Wrapped in oily Mexican San Andrés leaf, it's packing Nicaraguan/Dominican guts with a Sumatra binder. The creamy band featuring a crowned bull ain't just for show - this stick's got personality. At under $6 per cigar in 20-count boxes, it's punching way above its price class for medium-full smokers.
First Third: Immediate espresso grounds and black pepper smack. The San Andrés wrapper brings burnt caramel sweetness that cuts through the nicotine kick. Draws like a milkshake straw - almost too easy.
Middle Third: Transition to cedar and roasted nuts. Smoke output doubles - dense white clouds that'll choke your AC filter. Watch the burn line; mine needed one correction here despite the perfect roll.
Final Third: Mineral streak emerges - think licking a limestone wall. The nicotine builds quick. Last inch gets charred meat vibes. Not for the faint-hearted, but hey, that's why we smoke maduros.
This is Crowned Heads' answer to budget-conscious maduro lovers. While it lacks the refinement of their $15+ sticks, the Juarez OBS delivers consistent dark flavors and construction that shames many $10 cigars. Keep a soda handy - that San Andrés kick creeps up faster than Uber surge pricing.
