At the 2021 PCA Trade Show Crowned Heads unveiled an exclusive cigar called Le Pâtissier. In 2022 the Le Pâtissier made a return as a regular production offering, though not in the original 6 ½ x 44 vitola. This cigar is related, in some ways, to the Le Carême line from Crowned Heads, in that they both reference French cuisine and they both utilize a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. However, the remainder of the blends are different and they both come from different factories in different countries. I never smoked the 2021 PCA exclusive Le Pâtissier, however, I was eager to try the line when I saw it became regular production.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Luciano Cigar Factory (Formerly Tabacalera Pichardo)*
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua & Costa Rica
Vitola: 4 ⅜ x 50 No. 50
Price: $10.50 MSRP
Link to Purchase: Guitars & Cigars Farm (Use Code “Review” to save 10%)
Release Date: August 2022
Company Website: www.crownedheads.com
*It was announced prior to this review that production of the Le Pâtissier line will be moved to the NACSA factory. This particular cigar, however, was made at LCF.
Expectations
From the blend and company I expect full flavor and body with mild-medium strength. I look for flavors of earth, decadent sweetness, bread, and maybe a bit of black pepper and coffee. Based on the factory I expect a lot of richness and heft to the flavor profile.
Prelight Characteristics
I absolutely love the band design of this cigar, especially against the darker wrapper. The wrapper is quite clean and has some nice oils. The cigar is fairly firm and dense. It smells of dark chocolate and raisins. The cold draw is like an American single malt followed by some milk chocolate. It’s a very interesting cold draw profile, and I enjoy it.
First Third
First light brings plenty of medium-full bodied, full flavored smoke that is toasty with some baking spices, sweet cedar, and earth. The retrohale has a lot of leather and oak with some brown sugar and spice. Quickly into the first third there’s some syrupy sweetness joining in. Approaching the end of the first third the draw has pivoted some to include some berry sweetness, oil, and oak, but the toast and baking spices remain. The performance has been perfect so far.
Second Third
The oily oak is picking up and showing some tannins. There’s still some sweetness, though it’s more of a dark fruit. The retrohale is creamy cherry, some black pepper, and a touch of cacao. Hitting halfway there’s some nice light brown sugar that’s worked its way in. The tannins have also faded. Closing out the second third the flavors are full and robust with earth, wood, dark fruit sweetness, and a touch of the brown sugar. The performance has remained flawless.
Final Third
Shortly into the final third the earth is coming up a bit. Much of the sweetness is fading out and there is some dry wood and spices taking its place. Midway into this third there’s a bit of coffee on the draw. Coming to an end there are no flavor changes to discuss and the performance remained flawless.
Overall Experience
Overall I thought this was a good cigar. The profile was dark and robust throughout, but not overly peppery and earthy. There was always a nice balance of earth, wood, and spices with differing types of sweetness. The cigar performed flawlessly throughout the one hour and 10 minute smoke time. I think this is certainly worth checking out if you like dark, robust flavors, but not overpowering profiles with too much earth and pepper. The cigar, in this vitola, was also perfect for a cool night like tonight, as I find more full, robust cigars to go well with colder weather and this No. 50 was a nice size this weather as well.
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