Crowned Heads La Imperiosa Magicos (Full Box of 21 Cigars)
- Length: 135mm
- Gauge: 52
- Flavour: Medium to Full
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Hand Rolled Cigars
- Humidor Required
Crowned Heads La Imperiosa Magicos – Full Box of 21 Cigars Every now and again, a cigar comes along that proves rather more popular than its makers anticipated. The difficulty, of course, comes when they've told everybody it's a limited edition and suddenly find themselves being asked where on earth the next batch has got to.
That's more or less the story behind Crowned Heads La Imperiosa, a cigar with an interesting history and a rather handsome box to accompany it.
Back in 2014, the Nashville-based Crowned Heads released the first edition of Las Calaveras, a limited-production cigar made in collaboration with the García family at My Father Cigars in Nicaragua. It proved enormously popular, and when the original production run finished, there was considerable demand for its return.
Rather than simply reproduce the limited edition under its original name, Crowned Heads introduced the blend as La Imperiosa in 2015, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy it as part of the company's regular collection.
The name translates from Spanish as The Empress, and there's certainly something rather regal about the presentation.
The La Imperiosa Magicos measures 4½ inches with a 52 ring gauge, a compact, generously proportioned cigar that carries a good deal of tobacco in its relatively short frame.
Its dark Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper surrounds a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos. It's a rich, medium-to-full-strength combination, with flavours of dark chocolate, espresso, earth and black pepper, accompanied by cedar and a little natural sweetness.
The cigars are handmade at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, an establishment operated by the García family, whose considerable experience with Nicaraguan tobacco has helped establish some of the country's best-known modern cigar blends.
Now, I particularly like the way Crowned Heads has presented this full box of 21 Magicos cigars.
The wooden box is finished in black, with a broad turquoise stripe running around the exterior. Gold Crowned Heads lettering decorates the front, alongside the La Imperiosa name, cigar quantity and dimensions.
Lift the lid and you'll find a large gold La Imperiosa emblem against the black interior. The cigars sit neatly arranged beneath, each wearing an elaborate turquoise and gold band featuring the Crowned Heads insignia.
A decorative turquoise, black and gold presentation strip runs across the cigars, carrying the company's emblem and a few words about its approach to cigar making. It's an attractive arrangement, and the bright turquoise provides a striking contrast against the dark wrappers and black wood.
There's a pleasing sense of individuality about La Imperiosa. Crowned Heads could easily have chosen the familiar combination of burgundy and gold, but the turquoise gives the collection an unmistakable appearance. You'd have little trouble identifying one of these in a crowded humidor.
For anyone who appreciates the richer side of Nicaraguan tobacco, the Magicos offers an appealing combination of substantial flavour and compact dimensions. A full box of 21 is particularly attractive for enthusiasts who already know the blend and wish to keep a supply in the humidor.
