The Thunderkiss from Crowned Heads
Do you like White Zombie? I like White Zombie and the new Crowned Heads Thunderkiss is named after their classic Thunderkiss '65. That would be reason enough to try it, but this is quickly getting a rep as a stunner of a budget cigar, so let's see if it lives up to the hype and if the 🎶 demon warp is coming alive. 🎶
BRAND / CO: Crowned Heads
CIGAR: Thunderkiss
VITOLA: Robusto Grande - 5" x 54
STRENGTH: Medium
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano, Natural
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
ORIGIN: Nicaragua, D’Hatuey Tabacos S.A. (TacaNicsa - Tabacalera Pichardo)
APPEARANCE & CONSTRUCTION: Average
This Ecuadorian Habano has a nice medium brown color to it, making me think it's had a little more sun exposure or might be a higher priming leaf. It has a light sheen and some minor mottling. Adequate but nothing crazy. There's a lot of veins running down the shaft of the cigar but they're mostly thin. Seams are visible, but tight, with only a little edge lift around the veins and the cap is clean. The band is a bit of a letdown given the White Zombie inspiration. It's an eyeball with a lightning graphic. Basically, I expect the price tag to catch your eye before the cigar would on its own.
DRAW & BURN: Good / Great
The draw is just slightly open of perfect and the burn is a little uneven, but staying well controlled in the first third. The ash is a very light gray that's very tight with minor cracking. The ash holds to the halfway point and the burn line has flattened nicely. This is great construction for a value priced cigar, 🎶 yeah, roll'n like a supersonic. 🎶
FLAVOR PROFILE: Great
The Thunderkiss wastes no time opening with a mix of great flavors. Slight charred woody notes, earth, peanuts, coffee, leather, all following with a sweet citrusy bite. Not very creamy, but quite smooth and balanced to start, this is surprisingly pleasant. 🎶 The power of the blaster move me faster. 🎶
Getting into the second third, the woodiness starts to develop a bit of a salty, pretzel bread quality. Pepper starts to pick up and there's little bits of nutmeg and baking spice. There are some slight harsh and bitter notes coming in, but overall, the profile is still very smooth and well balanced. Peanut nuttiness, coffee and leather are still hanging tight. It's a little leather heavy to land perfectly with me, but the Thunderkiss is still punching above its weight with this blend.
With the final third, the coffee flavors are picking up, increasing some of the bitter notes. It’s losing some of the nuttiness, and picking up a little more charred oak flavor. Pepper has hit a proper medium, giving the tongue and back of the throat a nice tingle. A definite strong finish. 🎶 What's new pussycat? Can you dig the satisfaction? 🎶
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Great
Overall, this is a really nice and flavorful blend, especially for being a budget cigar. There’s not much in the way of transitions, but it’s balanced, flavorful and with just enough complexity to be quite engaging. If you're looking for a new, affordable option, especially to share or gift, this is a great choice. It's far better than the price would indicate and it would be insulting to think of this as a yardgar. So.... 🎶 Gimme that, gimme that now, now, now! 🎶
Purchase Singles or by the Box HERE
Reviewed by Sean McCloskey of The Collective