AshMap
Overview
Jericho Hill by Crowned Heads is a brand that has never been about subtlety. Born in 2013 from a distinctly American muse—outlaw country music and the lyrical mythology of the Appalachian foothills—this is a cigar built for those who find romance in the raw, the unpolished, and the unapologetically bold. The Belicoso vitola, measuring 5.5 inches with a 54-ring gauge, is arguably the line’s most eloquent expression. It is a hand-rolled Nicaraguan puro-style blend produced at TABSA (Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.) in Estelí, Nicaragua, and it wears its heritage on its sleeve with a deliberately rugged, dark aesthetic. The Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper is a study in visual severity: a deep espresso brown verging on black, naturally oily, with a rustic, toothy texture that suggests the smoke within is anything but tame. Beneath that lies a binder from Jalapa and a filler trio sourced from Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega—three of Nicaragua’s most respected growing regions. The result is a cigar that commands a full-strength rating of 4/5, a profile that declares itself from the first puff and refuses to retreat. The opening third hits with authority: dark earth, charred oak, pungent black pepper, cocoa powder, and leather, all wrapped around a pronounced barnyard tang that speaks to aged Habano leaf. There is no polite introduction here. The retrohale is intense, peppery, and unmistakably full-throttle. By the second third, the blend reveals its true craftsmanship. The pepper recedes, allowing espresso, dark chocolate, and dried fig to step forward, joined by a subtle sweetness, cedar, roasted nuts, and a lingering mineral quality. This is the cigar’s contemplative heart—a moment of layered complexity that rewards a slow, deliberate cadence. The final third concentrates everything into a dense, savory finish: dark leather, tarry espresso, baking spice, and a returning pepper that lingers on the finish. Heat can intrude if the smoker rushes; discipline is not optional. Construction is consistently excellent, with a firm yet unobstructed draw, an even burn, and a dense salt-and-pepper ash that holds well past an inch. The belicoso taper adds nuance to the draw, particularly in the early portion, where the increased concentration amplifies the wrapper’s influence. Jericho Hill Belicoso is Crowned Heads at its most confident—a cigar that marries narrative resonance with serious tobacco. It belongs in the conversation alongside far more expensive full-bodied offerings, punching well above its $14–$18 price point. This is not a cigar for the faint of heart or the hurried palate. It is an unhurried evening session of 60 to 75 minutes, best approached with a settled palate and an appreciation for complexity without pretense. In the pantheon of modern Nicaraguan blends, it stands as a cult classic—raw, refined, and entirely its own.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro — Oscuro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Estelí, Jalapa, Condega) |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — produced at TABSA (Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.) |
| Vitola / Shape | Belicoso |
| Size | 5.5 x 54 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; specific aging duration not publicly disclosed by Crowned Heads |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The light-up delivers a bold wave of dark earth, charred oak, and pungent black pepper. Cocoa powder and leather emerge quickly alongside a pronounced barnyard note reminiscent of aged Habano leaf. The retrohale is peppery and intense, signaling this cigar's full-strength character from the outset.
Second Third
The middle section refines and deepens — the pepper backs off slightly, allowing espresso, dark chocolate, and dried fig to move forward. A subtle sweetness develops on the palate, offset by notes of cedar, roasted nuts, and a lingering mineral quality. The complexity here is the cigar's high point, with transitions that reward slow, deliberate smoking.
Final Third
The final third concentrates all the preceding flavors into a dense, bold finish. Dark leather, tarry espresso, and baking spice dominate, with the pepper returning on the finish. The sweetness from the second third fades into a long, savory, earthy aftertaste. Heat can creep in if smoked too fast — discipline is rewarded.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is generally excellent for a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro-style blend — the draw is firm but not restrictive, and the burn is even with a dense, salt-and-pepper ash that holds well past an inch. The belicoso taper adds nuance to the draw, particularly in the early portion of the smoke.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
High-rye bourbon with significant oak influence — Knob Creek Single Barrel or Wild Turkey Rare Breed complement the espresso and spice notes. A peated Scotch such as Lagavulin 16 is also a compelling match for the earthy, dark character.
Wine
An Argentine Malbec from Mendoza — Zuccardi Valle de Uco or Clos de los Siete — whose dark fruit and earthy tannins mirror the cigar's profile without overwhelming it.
Non-Alcoholic
A cold brew concentrate or French press Ethiopian Yirgacheffe — the bright acidity and dark chocolate notes create an ideal bridge to the cigar's cocoa and espresso elements.
Who Should Smoke This?
The Jericho Hill Belicoso is for the seasoned aficionado who craves a full-bodied experience without artifice. This cigar rewards those who have developed a palate for intensity—smokers who can navigate waves of dark earth, espresso, black pepper, and leather while appreciating the subtle sweetness and mineral complexity that emerge in the second third. It is not for beginners; its full strength and peppery retrohale will overwhelm the uninitiated. The ideal setting is an unhurried evening, perhaps with a high-rye bourbon or a peated Scotch, when you can dedicate 60 to 75 minutes to a deliberate, meditative smoke. This is a cigar for the connoisseur who values narrative depth and cultural resonance as much as tobacco craftsmanship, and who wants a smoke that demands—and rewards—full attention.
Bottom Line
Jericho Hill Belicoso is a masterclass in bold, unpretentious Nicaraguan blending—a full-throttle smoke that delivers remarkable complexity and depth for its price. It earns its place among the premium ranks through sheer force of character, rewarding patient smokers with a layered, evolving profile that never loses its edge. This is Crowned Heads at their very best.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jericho Hill Belicoso a strong cigar?
Yes. With a strength rating of 4 out of 5, Jericho Hill Belicoso is a full-bodied cigar. The intensity is present from the first puff, with pungent black pepper, dark earth, and charred oak dominating the early profile. It is best suited for experienced smokers who enjoy a robust, powerful smoke.
What does Jericho Hill Belicoso taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across three distinct thirds. The first third delivers dark earth, charred oak, pungent black pepper, cocoa powder, and leather. The second third refines into espresso, dark chocolate, dried fig, cedar, roasted nuts, and a subtle mineral quality. The final third concentrates into dark leather, tarry espresso, baking spice, and a return of black pepper on a long, savory finish.
How long does Jericho Hill Belicoso take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 60 to 75 minutes. The belicoso taper and firm draw encourage a slow, deliberate pace. Smoking too quickly can introduce heat and bitterness, so patient smoking is recommended to fully appreciate the complexity.
What is the best pairing for Jericho Hill Belicoso?
A high-rye bourbon with significant oak influence, such as Knob Creek Single Barrel or Wild Turkey Rare Breed, complements the espresso and spice notes. A peated Scotch like Lagavulin 16 is an excellent match for the earthy, dark character. For wine, an Argentine Malbec from Mendoza mirrors the dark fruit and earthy tannins. A non-alcoholic option is a cold brew concentrate or French press Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee.
Is Jericho Hill Belicoso good for beginners?
No. Jericho Hill Belicoso is a full-strength cigar with an intense, peppery profile that will likely overwhelm novice smokers. It is designed for experienced aficionados who have developed a palate for bold, complex Nicaraguans and who can handle a sustained nicotine kick.
Where can I buy Jericho Hill Belicoso?
Jericho Hill Belicoso is a limited annual release from Crowned Heads and is typically available through authorized premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. Because production is limited, availability can vary. Checking Crowned Heads’ official website or contacting your local tobacconist is recommended.
What is the price of Jericho Hill Belicoso?
The price ranges from $14 to $18 per cigar. It is typically sold in bundles of 20 and is considered a premium-tier cigar that offers exceptional value relative to its quality and complexity.
Is Jericho Hill Belicoso worth aging?
Yes, within reason. The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, but a period of 6 to 18 months of additional resting in a stable humidor can allow the pepper to mellow further and the sweeter notes (dried fig, chocolate) to integrate more deeply. Beyond two years, the profile may begin to flatten, so aging should be approached with intention rather than extended cellaring.
What wrapper does Jericho Hill Belicoso use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper. The leaf is dark—oscuro shade—ranging from deep espresso brown to nearly black, with a natural oily sheen and a slightly rustic, toothy texture. This wrapper contributes significant earth, pepper, and leather notes to the profile.
Where is Jericho Hill Belicoso made?
It is produced at the TABSA factory (Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.) in Estelí, Nicaragua. The binder is from Jalapa, and the fillers are sourced from the Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega regions of Nicaragua, making it a Nicaraguan puro-style blend.