AshMap
Overview
The Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads is a study in controlled power and precision blending—a cigar that has quietly defined the boutique revolution since its 2012 debut. Conceived as a tribute to the resilient spirit of New Orleans and named after a Tom Petty lyric, this corona vitola distills the line’s core identity into a compact, 5.5 x 46 format that rewards close attention. Produced at Tabacalera William Ventura’s HATSA facility in Estelí, Nicaragua, the cigar marries an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in a striking Colorado shade—medium-dark tan with reddish-brown notes and a subtle silky sheen—with a binder from Jalapa and a filler blend that draws from both Jalapa and Estelí. The result is a medium-full cigar (4/5) that never tips into aggression, yet delivers a layered, evolving profile that commands respect from the first draw to the final inch. The opening third is a study in balance: rich cedar, toasted almond, and a bright pop of dried cherry on the retrohale, all cushioned by a creamy texture and a trailing whisper of white pepper. As the cigar progresses, the center third transitions into earthy leather, dark caramel, and roasted coffee bean, with the sweetness receding into a supporting role while persistent nuttiness and a faint cocoa powder note emerge. The final third raises the stakes with intensifying espresso, dried herbs, and a subtle dark chocolate bitterness, yet the finish remains long and satisfying—earthy, leathery, and tinged with lingering spice on the lips. Construction is impeccable: the burn line is razor-sharp, the draw offers a slightly firm but ideal resistance for the corona format, and the ash holds in dense grey-white pillars beyond the one-inch mark. Four Kicks is one of the landmark boutique releases of the 2010s—Crowned Heads built its reputation on this blend, and the corona vitola arguably captures the sweetest spot in the line, concentrating the wrapper’s character without dilution. At a price point of $10–$13 per cigar, it represents a premium everyday smoke that proves value and complexity are not mutually exclusive. This is a cigar for the aficionado who understands that format matters as much as blend, and that a 45-to-55-minute smoke can be as rewarding as a two-hour journey. Whether paired with a bourbon like Elijah Craig Small Batch, a Garnacha-based red wine, or a medium-roast Colombian pour-over, the Four Kicks Corona offers a masterclass in how restraint and intention create lasting satisfaction.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Jalapa and Estelí blend) |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua (produced at Tabacalera William Ventura / HATSA facility under Crowned Heads) |
| Vitola / Shape | Corona |
| Size | 5.5 x 46 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $10–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobacco aged prior to rolling; no extended post-roll box aging formally noted |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The corona opens with rich cedar, toasted almond, and a bright pop of dried cherry on the retrohale. There is a creamy texture from the outset with mild white pepper on the finish — very inviting and well-balanced from the first draw.
Second Third
The center third transitions into earthy leather, dark caramel, and roasted coffee bean. The sweetness mellows and integrates beautifully, with a persistent nuttiness and a whisper of cocoa powder developing on the palate.
Final Third
The final third brings the strength up a notch with intensifying espresso, dried herbs, and a subtle dark chocolate bitterness. Leather and earth dominate without harshness, and the finish is long and satisfying with lingering spice on the lips.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent — burn line is razor-sharp with minimal touch-ups required, draw is slightly firm but well within ideal resistance for a corona vitola, and ash holds firmly in dense grey-white pillars past the one-inch mark.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Bourbon with moderate sweetness and oak — Elijah Craig Small Batch or Buffalo Trace are ideal; the caramel and vanilla notes mirror the cigar's mid-palate sweetness
Wine
Garnacha or Côtes du Rhône with dark berry fruit and earthy backbone — a Château Rayas-style wine would be exceptional
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast single-origin Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened cortado to echo the almond and roasted coffee notes
Who Should Smoke This?
This cigar is for the experienced smoker who appreciates a well-structured, medium-full profile that evolves gracefully across three distinct acts. It rewards those who take time to savor transitions—the shift from cedar and cherry to leather and caramel, then into espresso and dark chocolate. Beginners with a tolerance for nicotine and a curiosity about Nicaraguan tobacco will also find it approachable, thanks to its creamy texture and balanced construction. The 45-to-55-minute smoke time makes it ideal for a midday break, a post-lunch ritual, or a relaxed evening on the porch—short enough for a weekday indulgence, complex enough to demand full attention. Aficionados who champion boutique craftsmanship and value-driven pricing will recognize it as a cornerstone of the modern cigar renaissance.
Bottom Line
The Four Kicks Corona is a masterclass in restraint and precision—a boutique benchmark that delivers layered complexity, flawless construction, and genuine character for under $15. If you believe format matters as much as blend, this is the cigar that proves the point.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Four Kicks cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads a strong cigar?
Rated medium-full (4/5), it offers a satisfying nicotine presence without being overpowering. The strength builds gradually, peaking in the final third with intensifying espresso and dark chocolate notes, but the creamy texture and balanced construction keep it accessible to experienced smokers who prefer a controlled, layered profile.
What does the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads taste like?
The flavor profile evolves through three distinct thirds: the first delivers rich cedar, toasted almond, dried cherry on the retrohale, and mild white pepper; the middle transitions into earthy leather, dark caramel, and roasted coffee bean with a whisper of cocoa powder; the final third intensifies with espresso, dried herbs, and subtle dark chocolate bitterness, anchored by leather and earth.
How long does the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 45 to 55 minutes. The corona vitola's 5.5 x 46 dimensions concentrate the blend's character while remaining short enough for a weekday ritual or midday break.
What is the best pairing for the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads?
A bourbon with moderate sweetness and oak, such as Elijah Craig Small Batch or Buffalo Trace, mirrors the cigar's caramel and vanilla mid-palate notes. For wine, a Garnacha or Côtes du Rhône with dark berry fruit and earthy backbone is ideal. Non-alcoholic options include a medium-roast single-origin Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened cortado to echo the almond and roasted coffee notes.
Is the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads good for beginners?
It is approachable for beginners who have some nicotine tolerance and an interest in Nicaraguan tobacco, thanks to its creamy texture and excellent balance. However, its medium-full strength and layered complexity are better appreciated by those with a developing palate. New smokers should smoke slowly and ensure they have eaten beforehand.
Where can I buy the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads?
The Four Kicks Corona is a core-line production cigar widely available at premium brick-and-mortar tobacconists, as well as through online retailers specializing in boutique and Crowned Heads products. Due to its popularity, checking multiple sources is advisable.
What is the price of the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads?
This cigar typically retails between $10 and $13 per stick, placing it firmly in the everyday premium tier—remarkable given the quality of construction and complexity of the blend.
Is the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads worth aging?
The tobacco is aged prior to rolling, and the blend is designed to be enjoyed fresh. While well-constructed cigars can evolve in a humidor, no extended post-roll box aging is formally noted. The corona format's concentrated flavors may soften with time, but the cigar is at its peak within the first year or two of purchase.
What wrapper does the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in a Colorado shade, which presents a medium-dark tan to reddish-brown color with a subtle silky texture. This wrapper contributes cedar, spice, and a creamy mouthfeel to the profile.
Where is the Four Kicks Corona by Crowned Heads made?
It is produced in Estelí, Nicaragua, at Tabacalera William Ventura (HATSA facility) under Crowned Heads. The blend was developed in collaboration with Pepin Garcia-trained rollers and uses Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from the Jalapa and Estelí regions.