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Initial Thoughts
It’s time for the next limited edition from the fellas over at Crowned Heads. This time it’s the Las Calaveras 2015 edition! After the enormous success from last year’s release everyone knew that the 2015 release was going to be flying off of the shelves. Sure enough as soon as they announced they were taking orders they were sold out to retailers in less than a day. It actually was probably hours, but I couldn’t find the exact tweet that Mr. Huber sent out.
In case you missed it last year, the Las Calaveras is a tribute to anyone that you’ve lost in the last year. It’s a nice memorial smoke to have in place and sit back and think about lost loved ones. The exciting thing about this cigar is that it’s completely different from last year according to Huber. This year’s wrapper is a Ecuador Habano Rosado with both Nicaraguan filler & binder. The shapes are LC46 (one I’m reviewing), LC50 (also smoked) and the LC52. Let’s dive right in and see what’s going on with this Las Calaveras 2015!
Looks
For this review I smoked both the LC46 & the LC50. They both look great, all of the pictures are of the LC46 though. The packaging is exactly the same. The band has stayed fairly consistent with the 2014 release. The main difference is the background color. For this 2015 it has a cream colored background which I really like.
To me one of the coolest parts of the band are the initials included in the medallions. Each set of initials I assume is for someone lost in the last year that was close to the crew at Crowned Heads. This information hasn’t been released (that I know of), and I doubt it ever will be.
The Ecuador Habano Rosado wrapper looks fantastic on this cigar. Nice and dark brown no seams that I can find. Just silky and smooth and ready to burn!
Function
I used my trusty Xikar Xi cutter for the LC 46 and my Xikar Punch for the LC50. Both cigars had fantastic draws they burned flawlessly throughout. I was easily holding an inch and half ash the entire time. I always knocked it loose before it had a chance to fall on me though. The burn was incredibly even. I personally thought that the LC50 was the better smoking version of the cigar. It burned a little cooler and was overall more pleasurable.
I’m usually a Corona Gorda fan, but this Robusto really hit the right spot for me. So I was happy to see both sizes available. I’m not usually a fan of toros, so I stayed away from that size. I have no doubt that size would smoke well though. It seems that everything coming out of the My Father factories is smoking well these days.
Smoking
Flavor
Well if there is one thing that this Las Calaveras 2015 has, it’s spice! Right out of the gate I picked up a good dose of spice. To me it was very peppery, more akin to red pepper and spice instead of black pepper which I’ve noticed in a lot of My Father cigars. The next note I got was predominantly earthy and coffee notes. Some big coffee notes in fact. I noticed that when I let the retrohale slowly roll out of my nasal cavities it reminded me of a nice cup of my morning crack. There was also a subtle chocolate undertone that I picked up in the LC50 that I didn’t notice in the LC46. It was a nice palate softener. That smooth chocolate note gave a nice balance to the spice. Also, if you search deep enough I picked up a solid char and oaky note in there. When I paired the 2nd LC46 with bourbon that oaky note was even more apparent. At this point I think we’ve hit nearly every flavor on the wheel! Par for the course again for the guys from Nashville. A great balanced cigar that is unique to everything else in their portfolio.
Would I Buy It Again?
I would definitely buy the LC50 again, it was my favorite over the LC46.Is It an Every Day Smoke?
Would I Buy a Box?
Without a doubt!Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the Las Calaveras 2015?
Eric doesn’t peg it to a formal strength rating, but the flavor profile tells the story — it comes out swinging with a solid dose of red pepper spice from the first draw. It’s not a beginner smoke, but it’s not a face-melter either.
What are the flavor notes of the Las Calaveras 2015?
The Las Calaveras 2015 leads with red pepper spice, followed by earthy notes and big coffee flavors — especially noticeable on the retrohale. There’s also a subtle chocolate undertone (more apparent in the LC50) and a char and oaky note that opens up even more when paired with bourbon.
Where can I buy the Las Calaveras 2015?
This one’s tough — the 2015 edition sold out to retailers in less than a day when orders opened. Your best bet is checking with your local brick-and-mortar or any retailer who may have picked up allocation.
How much does the Las Calaveras 2015 cost?
Around $10 a stick, which Eric clearly thinks is money well spent — he’d buy a box without hesitation.
What bourbon pairs well with the Las Calaveras 2015?
Eric specifically smoked the LC46 with bourbon and noted the oaky character of the cigar got even more pronounced. He doesn’t name a specific bottle in the review, but something with oak-forward presence is the move.
Where to Buy Las Calaveras 2015
Average retail: ~$10 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$10/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$10/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the Las Calaveras 2015
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s bold oak and baking spice are a natural handshake with the red pepper heat and char notes Eric picked up throughout the smoke.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s dark chocolate and roasted character should play right into the coffee and subtle chocolate notes that define the Las Calaveras 2015’s mid-palate.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s softer vanilla and wood-forward profile could help balance the cigar’s spice without fighting it — exactly the kind of complement Eric found with the LC50’s chocolate undertone.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
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Conclusion
The first thing everyone is going to ask is how does it compare to the 2014. You have to remember that this cigar is completely different, it’s the same ‘brand’, but it’s a different cigar and therefore you have to judge it on it’s own merit. I definitely enjoyed this cigar and I would go back to the LC50 over and over again. So, if you like spice and some nice rich earthy coffee notes then by all means tee this one up and smoke it! But if you really loved the 2014 edition don’t come into smoking this cigar thinking it’s going to be the same. Judge it for it’s own and then see what you think! Because, I think it’s a fantastic cigar!
