La Vereda No. 50 Prelight
Crowned Heads was formed in 2011 by cigar industry legends, and former CAO executives John Huber and Mike Conder. While relatively new in the tobacco industry Crowned Heads is a “10 year overnight success” – at least according to John Huber himself. They have an impressive portfolio of brands with some notable ones being the Mil Dias, Las Calaveras, and La Careme lines.
The La Vereda was released in late 2023 as a new line under the Crowned Heads banner. The blend is 3+ year aged filler leaves from The Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, a Nicaraguan Jalapa Binder, and Nicaraguan Shade Grown Jalapa wrapper. The La Vereda is rolled in The Dominican Republic at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A under the supervision of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. The No. 50 is a Robusto at 5 3/8″ x 50.
This specific example has a very impressive looking wrapper with some visible tooth. The Vegueros-esqe band, and foot band are both very sharp looking. A punch cut shows a draw with a perfect level of resistance, and the notes on the cold draw are banana, and yeasty bread. I carefully lit this La Vereda with a double torch lighter.
La Vereda No. 50 First Third
This cigar is starting off strong. I’m picking up on toasted walnuts, milky coffee, bread, and butter on the palate. Banana, vanilla, cinnamon, and a touch of black pepper are the tones on the retrohale. The overall profile here is very reminiscent of banana bread, and I love banana bread. Smoke texture is thick and creamy, and output is just above medium. The ash and construction have been perfect. A truly fantastic start.
La Vereda No. 50 Second Third
In the second third the walnut tones have shifted into a sweeter almond note. There’s been a slow and steady ramp up of this marzipan sweetness. Almond croissant, and milky coffee are the main tones on the palate. The retrohale is showing cedar, vanilla, cappuccino and a touch of cinnamon. A few of the flavors have fallen off from the first third, but that almond croissant note is crystal clear. The profile is nutty, creamy, toasty, and sweet, especially with that almond croissant flavor leading the pack.
La Vereda No. 50 Final Third
The notes on the palate are toasted cedar, milky coffee, pastry dough, and toasted almonds. Vanilla, toasted brioche, and cinnamon on the retro. the palette is leaning toastier, and the marzipan almond sweetness has fallen off. Flavors are still good, but I’m definitely missing that sweetness from the last two thirds. The toasted almond, bread, and cedar notes are leading the pack. Past the band the flavors are very consistent with the almond and cedar at center stage. I put this one down with an inch left.
La Vereda No. 50 Conclusions
When I think of Crowned Heads I think of excellent construction, really well balanced flavor profiles, and sweet confectionary notes. The La Vereda has all of those in spades. From the banana bread notes in the first third, to the almond croissant tone in the second, and even in the slightly dryer final third this cigar was very impressive. If you’re a fan of sweeter sticks, and pastry notes the La Vereda is definitely for you. The initial reviews of this cigar were pretty divisive, and I think a lot of that was because the cigars hadn’t had appropriate time to rest. I let this one sit in the humidor for 6 months, and I think it played a pretty big part in the quality of experience I got out of it. I also noticed a lot of other reviewers lamenting about this cigar’s price point at $18, but I’d say given the quality of construction, and aged tobacco the price is more than justified. I’m a big fan of John Huber’s work, I think he embodies all that’s great about the modern cigar industry, and I’m really happy to say that the La Vereda is another excellent imprint under the Crowned Heads umbrella.
