Cigar Review: Four Kicks by Crowned Heads Robusto

Get your kicks with these sticks...

Hailing from Jon Huber and his Nashville-based Crowned Heads cigar company, Four Kicks draws its name inspiration from “Four Kicks” by Kings of Leon, a song that walked in lockstep with Huber’s exit from CAO. See the full story, but first, dive in with me while we uncover the basics of Four Kicks’ flavors, smoking experience, and value for your hard-earned cigar cash.

Four Kicks Cigar Basics:

Draw: Very good.
Pre-light flavor: Somewhat woody.
Toasting & Light: Excellent. Tobacco took to the flame evenly. First puff was slightly sweet and earthy.
Base flavors: Mainly woody with a note of spice.
Retrohale: A little peppery, but not overpowering in the early stages, with very little change in the latter stages.
Aroma: Excellent. Has a slight caramel-like scent. Very appealing.
Burn / Ash Quality: The burn was clean and slow, exposing a more white than grey ash that was semi-firm in consistency. Going into the second half of the cigar, the ash firmed-up. At one point the ash hung-on for over an inch-and-a-half.
Balance of flavors: Excellent. Each puff was equally smooth and flavorful. Not much change at all, especially in the first act.
Consistency: One of the most consistent cigars I’ve smoked this year. The flavors hardly wavered, nor did the smoke ever become rough or acutely bitter.

Crowned Heads Four Kicks Robusto Details:

Size: Robusto (5” x 50)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

The Bottom Line:

Very well made all around. I could hardly find any flaws in this cigar. The flavors were not complex, but straightforward with a rich, woody character and a pleasing aroma. In the last couple of inches Four Kicks increased in strength, yet, surprisingly, the retrohale was less peppery in the final stage. Suffice it to say, it hit on all cylinders right down the line. The value here is well weighted toward the consumer. I’d recommend it to anyone with a little smoking experience under their belt buckle...