Mule Kick from Crowned Heads
Initial Thoughts
There is always a lot of buzz going around anytime a new Limited Edition is released. The Mule Kick by Crowned Heads is no different. Ever since this cigar was announced by the guys via Twitter the buzz has been going non stop. People asking when it’s going to hit stores, what’s different about it, everyone is wanting to know about this release.
Well yesterday November 20,2012 was the release date. These sticks went flying off the shelves. I was lucky enough to be able to snag 5 of them from my good buddies over at Big Star Cigar.
I know quantity is limited with these so that’s why I’m doing a sweet a giveaway, along with the two other releases from Crowned Heads down at the bottom!
So what’s the big deal about the Mule Kick? Well according to their website this cigar is a slight variation off of their initial release of the Four Kicks. They’ve pumped up the cigar by adding some ligero (stronger tobacco) and the wrapper is a bit darker than the original Ecuadorian Habano used on the Four Kicks. Ok, I already stated that above, so where does the name come from? Well apparently when EP Carrillo and Jon Huber where talking at the trade show this year. Ernie was talking about an exercise routine he had been doing. I found a pretty sweet video of some guys demonstrating this.
The story practically writes itself from there. How do you not name a cigar Mule Kick after that?
These cigars were very limited release, only 1000 boxes were distributed and there were only 10 cigars per box. So yeah, demand is high and quantity is low. I was ecstatic to be able to get my grubby hands on 5 of these guys! So now you know the backstory, I’m sure you’d like to hear more about the cigar right?
Looks
First off, the bands, dual bands, I love them! The original Four Kicks band is at the top and right below there is a black labeled band that says “Limited Edition 2012”. Nothing to flashy, but lets you know this isn’t the normal FK cigar. Next up, the size, 5 7/8″ x 52, none of the FK cigars are in this size, the length is in between the Corona Gorda and the Sublime. Next, just look at the wrapper. It’s a nice dark colorado brown wrapper. Darker than the normal FK cigar.
This wrapper looks excellent, very few visible veins running down it. The foot of this Mule Kick looks packed with tobacco. You can clearly see the binder leaves on the foot which is awesome. A nicely laid triple cap at the top, this is an excellent looking parejo cigar right here.
Function
When I first picked up the Mule Kick I didn’t notice how dense it was. Probably because there were 5 of them stuffed into my ziplock. When I took it out this morning to roll it between my fingers. I was amazed at how hefty this cigar felt. Not just in weight, but also in density. There wasn’t much give to it, which is fine, it just means it’s packed full of tobacco. If this cigar had been rolled by anyone of than the great EP Carrillo, I might have been fearful of a tough draw. I know Ernie’s got my back and wouldn’t pack a cigar this full and not allow it to draw.
So I nipped the head a couple of times with my capped back cutter to test the cold draw. It’s a little stiff for my liking pre draw, but I’m not too worried. I have a feeling once I light it up, it’ll begin to open. I take a couple of puffs and it begins to open and pull some air through. I think I’m ready to give this mule a ride!
Smoking
If you’ve ever read another review on this site, you already know how important a great draw is to me. It can make or a break a cigar. I have faith that this Mule Kick is going to be exceptional just like the Headley Grange is.
I make sure and properly toast the foot, I want this thing to burn as even as possible from start to finish. I’ve been smoking more in the daytime lately and to be honest it’s hard to see the flame of my lighter, first world problems I know. I just want you all to get the total experience here with me.
Once I start seeing some nice white ash from the foot I begin to start puffing. Wow, a good amount of smoke comes rolling off this cigar. The first few puffs are initially tight, but once it gets rolling, it opens up… Sounds familiar, didn’t I say that would happen above?… Yeah I thought so.
Holy smokes, the burn line on this thing is incredible. It has that signature Crowned Heads burn, and ash that all of their cigars produce. The nice tight lip curls, and the solid ash. I’m sure if you asked them they would give all the credit to EP Carrillo. The first third of this cigar was so delightful to smoke. I noticed myself holding this cigar like a precious newborn. I didn’t want to drop the ash before I get a picture. The first ash made it to almost 1 1/2″ before it fell off in the midst of me taking a picture… Note to self when I have a kid, not to take a picture while I’m holding it, or else I might drop it. I kid I kid.
Seriously, this Mule Kick is burning evenly all the way through and has a perfect burn line. The second ash held well over an inch, luckily I got a nice picture of that as proof! One thing I noticed that amazed me. Was the fact that when I was puffing on this cigar, if the burn ever got uneven, I would just sit it down and it corrected itself every time. That just blows my mind. Is there some sort of secret sauce in there to do that?
I burned this thing almost all the way down to the nub, I finally called it quits after almost 1:45 of smoking. Yeah, I enjoyed it for that long! Have I whet your palate enough yet to where you want to hear about the flavor?
Flavor
How about a nice Mule Kick to the face? This cigar brings the truckload of flavor. I was so relieved to have a flavorful cigar, I feel like everything I’ve been smoking recently has just been blah. I was beginning to worry that I had a sinus issue going on because I wasn’t experiencing much flavor and then this thing came in and woke up my senses.
Pre draw, I got a nice grassy aroma on the wrapper. Followed by some sweet molasses and dry cocoa on the foot. Mmm, cocoa, I can’t wait for my bourbon pecan pie tomorrow for Thanksgiving…Sorry fat kid moment.
The first third of this cigar brought out a good deal of spice to the back of my throat and some sweetness on my lips. The finish brought out some meatiness to it, like a spiced steak. What I love, is that it brought out all this flavor, but didn’t make my mouth over salivate and cause me to have to chug water! Thanks guys, I appreciate that.
The second third brought out some sweet nutty flavors. It was a nice transition from the sweetness of the first third and developed into something more complex in the second. This developed more into a roasted coffee flavor with a hint of cocoa at the end. Yeah, don’t believe me? Try it and see if you get the same thing, I’ll be waiting here to say I told you so.
The final third finished out with those subtle roasted coffee notes and the spice picked backed up and developed into a nice balanced flavor. Seriously, how do they do that? So much flavor balanced together, there are very few cigars that have offered this much complexity to me.
All of this flavor without being overly strong. I could classify this as a nice medium bodied cigar. Even with the extra ligero leaf, I didn’t feel a strong tobacco buzz. Just a great smoking experience.
Would I Buy It Again?
You bet your sweet ass I would, if I could find them.
Is It an Every Day Smoke?
If the supply was available, it would definitely be an option, all though you might get spoiled doing it.
Would I Buy a Box?
If you can find one. Maybe try eBay? Yes definitely get the whole box and share with your friends! 🙂
Conclusion
Another cigar release, another hit. What can you say about these guys. They know how to make some damn good cigars. I think I actually like the Mule Kick more than the original Four Kicks release. Maybe I’m a sucker for limited release stuff, but this is a fantastic cigar.
Contest
You mentioned something about giveaway? Yes, Yes I did, it’s similar to what we did before with the Headley Grange contest
Ok so here’s the deal. You have a chance to win a 3 pack from Crowned Heads that I have already purchased from my buddies over at Big Star Cigar.
You get:
1 – Mule Kick
1 – Four Kicks
1 – Headley Grange
and maybe some other stuff that I can find around here.
Ok ok ok, so how do you enter? Well it’s very simple, you can enter 5 different ways each with different point values.
- Subscribe to my email list (5 points)
- Leave a Comment Below (1 point)
- Share this post on Facebook (1 point)
- Retweet this post on Twitter (1 point)
- Share this post on Google+ (1 point)
Now each one of these ways counts as a separate entry for the contest. So if you have all 4 you can get your name into the contest 4 times! We have to be able to track your entry so if you’re using one of the social networks to enter you have to make sure and tag us so that we know you shared the post.
Subscribe to my email list here: (5 Entries)
Click On this Link and Fill out the Info
Facebook Instructions:(1 Entry)
1. Like Our Page Stogies On the Rocks
2. Share the link to this review on your own page and tag Stogies On the Rocks by using the @ symbol.
Win a 3 pack of Crowned Heads cigars from @Stogies On the Rocks Check it out! http://www.stogiesontherocks.com/cigar-review/mule-kick/
Twitter Instructions: (1 Entry)
1. Follow us on Twitter @stogiesotr_eric
2. Share this post on twitter and tag us.
Win a 3 pack of Crowned Heads cigars from @stogiesotr_eric go check it out! http://www.stogiesontherocks.com/cigar-review/mule-kick/
Google+ Instructions: (1 Entry)
1. Follow us on Google+ – Stogies on the Rocks
2. Share this post on Google+ and tag us using the + symbol
Win a 3 pack of Crowned Heads cigars from +Stogies On the Rocks! Check it out! http://www.stogiesontherocks.com/cigar-review/mule-kick/
Comment Instructions: (1 Entry)
1. Just leave a comment below on what you thought about the review. Make sure you use an email address that you want to be contacted at so we can get in touch with you if you win!
That’s It, Let the Games Begin!
Good luck to everyone and thanks for participating!
MattSRoss81
Awesome review, Eric – totally jealous of you! Can’t wait to try!
Eric Scism
Thanks Matty glad you liked it! I bet you like it, our tastes align fairly well for the most part!
Garry
Sweet Review!! I have had the Four Kicks but havent got my hands on the Mule Kick yet
Eric Scism
Thanks Garry! I think if you like the FK you’ll love this stick!
Eric Scism
It’s a great cigar! A nice variation from the Four Kicks though!
Cigar Surgeon
Appreciate the review Eric, as always. I really like the flavor wheel concept and contests are always fun!
007MI6
Definitely! I remember when he started the flavor wheel concept. It was great because I had just started smoking when I found this site. ANd the wheel helped immensely in my smoking enjoyment!
Eric Scism
Glad to hear it Jerad! I’m always here to help 🙂 … well sometimes!
Eric Scism
Who doesn’t love contests??? 🙂 Thanks for the compliments on the flavor wheel, I’mpretty proud of it!
Schwartz
Great review, as always. Sounds like a pretty enjoyable smoke and lots of Thanksgiving flavors rolled in to it.
Eric Scism
Well you know it is that time of the year, maybe I’m just brainwashed right now :0
Russ Page
Excellent review! Very excited to give these a try.
Eric Scism
Thanks Russ & thanks for the support on LnF! Hopefully you can track some down before they’re all gone
Thatrev
Wow, I would say that you love Crowned Heads, and I can’t blame you one bit. Thanks for the review!
Eric Scism
Haha I would agree with you. I’m toeing the line of being a Fanboi, but it’s hard not to when they put out great sticks. I’ve had very few sticks that blow me away like theirs do!
Eric Scism
Haha yeah you’re right. I don’t believe they’ve put out a bad stick. I smoke plenty of others and I just haven’t been impressed lately, but this one was a nice jolt to the senses!
007MI6
As always, love your reviews. Always feel like I know exactly what the experience was like. “Fat kid moment.” Ha ha ha, nice. Please send winnings to MI6, I will pick up next time I brief with M. 😉
Eric Scism
Haha you know me too well Jerad! I should exempt you since you won the last twitter contest 🙂 j/k Thanks for the support brother!
JohnG
Great review. Thanks. Loved both the Four Kicks and Headley Grange. Looking forward to trying the Mule Kick.
Eric Scism
Well hopefully you don’t have to resort to eBay to pick up some of these guys!
Nvizble
I totally bought into the hype when the Four Kicks was released. I was a little (very little) disappointed. It was OK, nothing special, and had burn issies on all 5 that I bought. The Headley Grange, however, is awesome…..just kicks butt. Well balanced, powerful, but not overwhelming, well constructed, etc. Now I cannot wait to get my hands on these!!!! I was planning to try to go see them in Nashville, that’s how psyched I was, but I got sidetracked with work. Every review I have seen has been great, and I. Must. Have. Some.!!
Eric Scism
Headley Grange is above and beyond most cigars that I’ve ever smoked. I loved the original FK, I never had any burn issues with them. That sucks you did, especially on 5 of them…
SaltyDog
I have been wanting to try cigars from Crowned Heads! Thanks for the review and awesome contest!
Eric Scism
Are they available where you’re at? If they are you should def go try a couple of them!
SaltyDog
Unfortunately, no. Stationed in England at the moment and the market is saturated with overtaxed Cubans — boohoo, I know. I will check them out on SmokeInn though!
Eric Scism
Oh yeah I bet Abe got a decent amount in on SI’s site!
David Randolph
Good read. Makes me want to get kicked by a mule.
Eric Scism
I think everyone should at least once in their lives 🙂
Jeff Duncan
Makes me really want to try one!
Eric Scism
Jeff, I’m glad it makes you want to try one! They are delicious! Are they available in your area?
Jeff Duncan
I have not seen them in the shop I frequent.
Ben J Plotsky
Sounds like a cigar I definitely want to try and get my hands on. The hunt is on!
Eric Scism
Hopefully you find some man! Peace be the journey, or something like that
chad
great review A+. would read again 🙂
are canadians allowed to enter the contest or better yet would you ship to canadians
Eric Scism
Canadians area always allowed to enter contests! I’ll ship up there if I have to 🙂
Robert Swanson
Sounds like a winner. I have had a couple of the Four Kicks, LOVE EM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric Scism
Which sizes of the FK did you have? I love the corona gorda
Willie Thompson
love to try the mule kick
Eric Scism
I wish everyone could try them!
Razer91
Great review, I can’t wait to try some.
Eric Scism
Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping in!
Steve Sullivan
Can’t wait to give these a try
Eric Scism
Steve, have you tried any of the other Crowned Heads cigars?
Jeremy Hensley
Great review. 1st time checking out the site. Thanks for the contest. I have had the privilege of smoking several Four Kicks and have really enjoyed the heck out of them. Been trying to find the Mule Kick online, but I don’t think it is going to happen. You may be the last resort. Keep up the great work and I’ll be checking out the site on a regular basis.
Eric Scism
Thanks Jeremy! I’m glad you found the site, make sure and subscribe to the RSS so you don’t miss anything 🙂 … Well you’re following me on twitter so I’m sure you’ll see it there as well 🙂
Joe Edmonston
Bought two boxes and have already smoked through 1/2 of one! Absolutely phenomenal cigar wish it wasn’t a limited edition!
Eric Scism
Man now that is dedication! Two boxes that’s awesome. Where’d you get them?
Joe Edmonston
Buckhead cigar here in Atlanta Big Mike is the man!
Eric Scism
Nice! I’ve heard great things about Buckhead!
jyow617
This a total fanboy review. As a fellow fanboy, I love it and can’t wait to smoke one! Thanks for the contest!
Eric Scism
Haha Jeremy always keeping me in line!
Joe Edmonston
This is cigar well worth the “hype” absolutely blown away by how balanced, well constructed Mule Kick is after smoking 5 of these I can’t get enough. Wish it was not a limited release!
Eric Scism
The boys at CH would love to hear this comment as well! Make sure and tag them on twitter @TheCrownedHeads!
Mike
Anything by Crowned Heads is a winner by me! Ernie has the Midas touch when it comes to blending!!!
Eric Scism
I couldn’t agree more with you Mike! Ernie is the Godfather for a reason.
Les Franson
Great review! Count me in on the giveaway!
Eric Scism
Haha you’re counted Les, your voice has been heard 🙂
numismaniac
Nice review, already got a box coming, thanks for the giveaway
Eric Scism
Dang! Where’d you get the box from?
Aaron
Another great review. Keep up the great work.
Eric Scism
Thanks for the kind words Aaron, and thanks for stopping by!
Gary Burgin
Great review!! Been looking forward to trying the mule kick.Just haven’t seen it at the local B&M.
Eric Scism
Thanks Gary! I’m not sure if there is a list of how many B&Ms got boxes. You might have to ask around. If there are any left I’m sure they are going quickly!
Mr Bill
I have a friend that got a box and is sending me 3… Loved the Four Kicks and Headley Grange so I can’t wait for the mail…
Marc
Great review…but now it’s killing me that I don’t have one in my hands yet! Honestly, not a surprise that CH has apparently hit another home run with this stick. Can’t wait to try it!
Dana Hamilton
Great review! I really like the graph of where everything lays out for flavors!!
Eric Scism
Thanks Dana I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my fave parts about the site!
Diana Llauget
I need to win this !
Justin
Another awesome review! Keep up the great work!
Eric Scism
Thanks for the compliment Justin! Glad you came by the site to check it out!
Jeremy Ellis
Nice review Sizm
Eric Scism
Thanks for constant support for the site Jman!
numismaniac
Shared on FB, thanks for the contest
Eric Scism
Thanks for sharing, and thanks for coming by the site!
Steve Swaim
Great review, got some Headley Grange sitting, can’t wait to try them, and the Mule Kick sounds like a winner too!
Eric Scism
Oh man I love Headley Grange!
Mark Cary
I’m with you on the Headley, Eric, they’ve got a winner with that line!!!
Mike Villa
Sounds like something I need to try soon. Local shop…here I come.
Eric Scism
Yeah man make sure and pick up a couple if there are any left 🙂
Trapper
as mentioned on Google+, I have had a few of the four kicks & enjoyed them very much, looking forward to the Mule Kicks!
Eric Scism
Hey I just saw you on G+ and twitter 🙂 thanks for stopping by and supporting the site!
Trapper
YW! Looking forward to catching up on more of your reviews!
Karl's Humidor
I’m new to this cigar, but appreciated your review. hoping to get a change to review it for my site.
Eric Scism
Karl, they’re a limited release so they’re kinda hard to find. I don’t have a store list of where they are available, but just ask around and someone should be able to help you track some down!
Karl's Humidor
Thanks for the tip. Will do.
Dbell
I bounced over to read your cold weather smoking tips and wondered what you thought about the mule kick, what do you know a contest, very nice, thank you
Rick Seeley
Have been looking for the four kicks but havent found em yet in South Dakota
Eric Scism
Rick hate to say it, but they are probably all gone now. There were only 10k manufactured and people bought them up like hot cakes!