Crowned Heads Jericho Hill Review
Cigar: Crowned Heads Jericho Hill .44S
Size: Corona, 5.1”x44
MSRP: $7.95
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: San Andres
Origin: Nicaragua
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Prelight: This cigar has a dark, oily, and toothy wrapper that is… rustic, to put it nicely. There are lumps and seams, and it is as unrefined as the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. But, it smells delicious. Flowers and cedar are the big aromas I pick up, which are also present at the foot of the cigar, but in a heightened way. The cold draw is perfect and tastes mostly sweet and floral.
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1/3: The first few puffs have a classic Nicaraguan pepper and cedar combination, but quickly some sweet chocolate makes itself known. The pepper and cedar recede as a creaminess and leather joins the chocolate. I imagine this is what a peppered buttermilk, mixed with Swiss Miss and poured off a saddle would taste like. That may not be the most apt metaphor, because this cigar is much tastier than whatever you are imagining. As I come upon the second third, earth begins to emerge.
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2/3: The burn on this cigar is near perfect and the light grey ash is beautiful. The second third is mostly earth, as the cedar has left… the pepper is gone… and the chocolate is now just an aftertaste. Now, the sweetness comes from the leather flavor, matching the earthiness of the cigar beautifully.
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3/3: Another surprising change for such a short vitola, as an oakiness has taken over the profile. There is still a delicious earthiness and some faint chocolate, but a rich oak is most of what I can taste. Towards the nub I am pleasantly surprised again as cream returns. There is never a bitter moment as my burnt fingers finally lay down this cigar.
Overall: Excellent cigar. Perfect burn and the flavors are right up my alley. This may be my favorite Crowned Heads release. Yes, it looked like a forgotten mutt in a back alley, but this cur has the heart of the Queen Mum’s Corgis. If you haven’t tried this cigar yet, give it a go. And if you don’t like it, send the rest to me, and I’ll smoke them for you. No charge, of course.
