This is one of those cigars that I’ve wanted to try for so long. I’d see it around, but for some reason I’d always go for something else in the moment. I finally decided it was time when I saw the 2023 Limited Edition in the Belicoso Fino Vitola. This cigar sends a few nods to classic Cuban design with the Limited Edition band looking a lot like the Habanos Edition Limitada bands. The vitola is also alluding to the legendary Bolivar Belicoso Fino. Crowned Heads has managed to do this with a lot of class and elegance. It comes off very much like an homage, and not like a ripoff, which is a hard line to walk. The Mil Dias ’23 LE has an Ecuadorian Habano Wrapper, Nicaraguan Binder, and Filler from Nicaragua, Peru, and Costa Rica.
First light gives notes of cappuccino, sweet cedar, tingly black pepper on the retro. There’s a bit of whipped cream sweetness in the background. Lighter pulls are showing orange and coffee notes. Pepper is backing down and I’m picking up on some cinnamon and mocha building up. The blend is really well done here. A good bit of earthy flavors with rounded out sweetness. The soft citrus and coffee note is one of my all time favorite flavor combos. Burn line is tight, but a bit wobbly, and I’m getting some really beautiful ash.
The main profile here is sweet cedar, oranges, white pepper, and some vanilla/cinnamon spice. There’s also some honey roasted nuts, and corn flakes in the background. The burn got a bit wobbly but always corrected. The big takeaway for me here is how cohesive the blend is, it’s really more than just the some of its parts.
As we get to the band I’m picking up on some molasses. The profile is mainly sweet wood, cinnamon/nutmeg, and a bready cake note almost a pie crust. The blend has been very consistent throughout the cigar but not linear. Construction has been great and even getting into the nub the flavors never got bent out of shape.
The Mil Dias delivered the goods as advertised. There was almost never one big flavor at the head of the pack, everything had it’s own place in the mix. The blend masterfully melded the flavors together into a unique expression. Construction and smoke output were also fantastic. I definitely have some work to do with the rest of the Mil Dias catalog, as I’d love to try this in a few different vitolas. I’m still seeing the LE ’23 boxes available online, and I’d highly recommend picking them up while you still can!
