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Headley Grange Estupendos (Pre Release Sample)

Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza, SA
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 1/2 inches
Ring Gauge: 52
Release Date: September 2012*
MSRP: N/A

Headley Grange is the newest line to be added to the Crowned Heads portfolio, joining Four Kicks. Once again Jon Huber & Co have collaborated with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Jr, for the blend that is described as “big, bold, and gutsy”. The blend has taken inspiration from the Led Zeppelin song, “When the Levee Breaks,” which was recorded at Headley Grange in the U.K., a former poorhouse. The full story can be found on http://crownedheads.com/

The full line will be available in the following 5 sizes starting in the spring of 2013:
Hermoso No.4 5x 48
Eminentes 5 ¼x 44
Estupendos 5 ½ x 52
Corona Gordo 5 5/8 x 46
Dobles 6 1/8 x 50
*The Estupendos is a 1000 box “Teaser” Release for September 2012 but will be full production with the other vitolas in Spring 2013

The Headley Grange Estupendos is a large Robusto that sports a medium brown oily, almost marbled wrapper. There are some visible seams and veins present. The cigar has just the right amount of give when squeezed.

The pre lit aroma offers up sweet tobacco and floral notes that follow through on the cold draw along with a sweet tea like finish.

The first third starts off very woody with the sweet tea taste on the finish that I was picking up in the cold draw. The retrohale intensifies the sweetness along with just a hint of pepper. The draw is firm, and the mouth feel of the smoke is medium bodied and the strength is mild-medium.The burn line was a little wavy but has not required any touch ups to this point. The gorgeous white ash is still holding firm.

As we get into the second third, the flavors are mellow, with a nuttiness that adds to the flavor profile, giving it some depth. For a short moment I was picking up a very distinct ginger bread flavor, which came and went very quickly, lasting maybe 3 minutes. Licorice, cinnamon, and barnyard can be picked up on the retrohale, but it is not overpowering. The burn has now corrected itself. Strength and body of the smoke has picked up a notch as well to a solid medium. The ash has finally let go, but lasted almost halfway through the cigar.

During the final third of the Estupendo, the weight has picked up considerably. The strength is now a medium plus with a thick, rich, and creamy vanilla, which really enhances the profile. There is also a spice component along with eucalyptus that lingers on the palette, which follows through on the retrohale with more barnyard and a more intense vanilla.

Final thoughts: The Headley Grange has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year. People could not wait to get their hands on just a single stick. I must say while it was a good cigar, it was a bit of a let down for me. Medium in strength, but started off mild, the Headley Grange took a long time to get going. For me, it was at its best towards the end of the second third into the last. The flavors for the most part were very subtle and would come and go. When I was able to pick up some of the subtle nuances they were great and very unique. The overall sweet aftertaste that the cigar had from the beginning was very pleasing, and the ginger bread that came through in the second half was amazing, but it was short lived. I’m hoping that further age will really bring out all of these flavors. I will definitely be smoking a lot more once they are released. For now, I’m still on the fence with this one. I loved the flavors that I was getting out of the cigar, but I didn’t get enough of it.

Final Smoking Time: 1hour 15 minutes

Score: 87

Reviewed by Ian Goldbaum, follow him on twitter @MrFrancophileNY …Rate this review.