Cigar Geeks - Crowned Heads Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2024

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Crowned Heads Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2024
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Neal (ntanner)

88
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member ninfiction (Brian). The cigar provided for this round is the Crowned Heads Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2024.

'Blood Medicine' takes its name from a three-story building located on the corner of Broadway and 4th Avenue in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. That building was originally built as a three-floor pharmacy in 1872 before being converted into a hotel in 1892. While many legendary tales exist about the historic building, including legends of Civil War ghosts that still wander the halls, evidence of the original pharmacy still exists. On the walls, the painted words "Blood Medicine" still remain visible. Blood Medicine pays homage to the history of Crowned Heads' home city of Nashville with a unique smoking experience. The 2024 release of Blood Medicine is made at Eradio Pichardo's TacaNicsa factory (who also produced the 2022 version).

Crowned Heads Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2024

Brand:: Crowned Heads
Name:: Blood Medicine Limited Edition 2024
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 52
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Connecticut
Ecuador
Wrapper:: Ecuador
Habano
Color:: Colorado
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Toro
Notes:: https://halfwheel.com/crowned-heads-ships-blood-medicine-limited-edition-2024/438617/

This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

Nice enough looking cigar. Slight sheen to the wrapper, a few small vein lines, cap is well done and the wrapper has a nice milk chocolate like color to it.

The cannon is very solid feeling and looking at the foot it appears to be well packed. Takes a guillotine cut well and the draw feels spot on.

In removing the foot band I discovered a couple of breaks in the wrapper and a piece came off with the band. Shouldn't affect the smoke but irritating none the less. This is exactly why I don't like the foot bands. The upper band on the other hand is pretty cool with it's retro art.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

The burn was good, slightly wavy but never needed correction. It was a slow burn, smoke time was an hour and 20 minutes and even when I set it down for a few minutes it remained lit.

The ash was a light gray and solid and held to the 1 inch mark before it unexpectedly dropped into my lap.. I ashed before it could happen again through the remainder of the cigar.

Smoke volume was just average producing a decent amount with each puff but not large volumes

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

The draw on this cigar is on point with just the right amount of resistance. The cap is well applied and takes a guillotine cut very well

The wrapper on the cigar was nice looking with a slightly oily sheen and just a few small vein lines. The removal of the foot band revealed a split and a small piece came off with the band. That was the only issue until the last third when another small split showed itself.

Flavor and Aroma: 39 Points of 45 Possible

Initial notes of toasted malt, almond and a vanilla hint with a bit of spice in the retro. The finish is nice and sweet with a medium duration earthy tobacco aftertaste.

The second third is marked by a significant decline in the spiciness of the retro, bakers chocolate coming in with a espresso, almost mocha like and much less sweetness. Still quite enjoyable.

The last third is marked by a increase in the sweetness and a uptick in the spice. The mocha like flavor is still present and it's joined by the almond notes returning to the mix along with a wood note. This third is much earthier then the previous two but the balance is still good. The strength seems to have hit the low side of full but aside from the spicy tingle on my lips I wouldn't know it because of how smooth the smoke is.

Summary

Big thanks to Brian for sponsoring this. This was a solid smoke. Good burn and a decent profile with a nice balance. I wish they would have dropped the foot band as removing it caused a bit of wrapper damage but aside from that I found this cigar to be a enjoyable experience.