ReviewsNicaraguan

Crowned Heads Four Kicks Robusto: The One That Started It

July 29, 2026

Last updated: July 29, 2026

Who should buy

Intermediate smokers stepping past mild cigars
Anyone wanting flawless daily construction near $9
Palates that prize balance over raw power

Who should skip

Smokers chasing big full-bodied strength
Those who want edge and drama over refinement
Beginners not yet ready for medium-full spice

The debut cigar that built a boutique brand

Four Kicks was Crowned Heads' first release in 2011, made at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's Tabacalera La Alianza and associated with the My Father family of factories - a boutique launch from former CAO executives that helped kick off the modern boutique era. The Robusto wears an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, and it reads medium to medium-full: cedar, pepper, cocoa and coffee in a clean, balanced package. I care most about how a blend holds its composure, and this one is a model of it.

The reason to own it is refinement at a fair price. The construction is genuinely excellent - an effortless draw, a razor-clean burn, a firm ash - and the flavors are distinct and well-integrated rather than muddy. At around nine dollars this is one of the great reliable daily smokes, the cigar you reach for when you want quality without a gamble.

The one fair debate is excitement. This is a superbly made, well-mannered cigar; some smokers want more edge and complexity for the money. I read that as a feature - it does refined-and-dependable better than almost anything at the price. If you want a richer, slightly stronger cousin from the same My Father stable, the San Cristobal Quintessence Robusto runs around ten and pushes harder. Cross-shopping fuller Nicaraguan power at similar money, the Oliva Serie V Robusto is more intense. And within the brand, the Jericho Hill offers a darker, stronger San Andres alternative. But for balance and construction, the Four Kicks is a benchmark.

Where it fits is the everyday-quality slot for someone who values a flawless smoke and clean, distinct flavor over raw power. It is confident enough for a seasoned palate and approachable enough for an improving intermediate stepping past mild cigars. This is a box-buy for a lot of people, and after smoking one it is easy to see why the brand grew from here. A safe, satisfying recommendation.

Pre-light & Cold Draw

Smooth, milk-coffee Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a light sheen, rolled clean and even without a vein out of place. This was Crowned Heads' debut in 2011, the cigar that launched a boutique brand built by ex-CAO people, and the care shows in the roll. My cold draw was perfect - cedar and a dry sweetness, just the right resistance. The whole thing felt precise in a way budget cigars rarely do. Around nine dollars, and it looks and feels like the work of people who cared about the details.

First Third

The first inch led with cedar and a bright black pepper, clean and well-defined rather than aggressive. This is a cigar that speaks clearly - each note distinct, nothing muddy. My draw delivered an easy, effortless volume of smoke, and the burn line went out sharp and true from the moment it caught. There is a composed, well-mannered quality to the opening that tells you this blend was fussed over. Medium-bodied to start, with room to build.

Second Third

The middle filled in beautifully - cocoa and coffee joining the cedar, a leathery depth underneath, the pepper settling into a supporting role. This is where the Four Kicks earns its reputation as a benchmark: it is balanced without being boring, layered without trying too hard. The burn stayed impeccable, the ash clinging in firm, clean segments before I knocked it. If I am honest, the pleasure here is as much about how effortlessly it smokes as about any single flavor.

Final Third

The last third built in spice and richness, a nutty warmth arriving late, the body edging up toward medium-full without ever getting heavy or harsh across about sixty-five minutes. My only real reflection is one others share: this is a superbly made, reliable cigar, and whether it is thrilling or merely excellent depends on what you want. I wanted a flawless everyday smoke with real character, and that is exactly what it gave me. No drama, all quality.

Pros

Excellent, effortless construction - clean burn, easy draw, firm ash
Balanced, distinct cedar-pepper-cocoa-coffee flavor
Reliable everyday quality around $9

Cons

Refined rather than thrilling - some want more edge for the money
Strength lands medium for most; big-body seekers may want more
Single-stick price varies by retailer

Frequently asked questions

Is the Four Kicks Robusto good for a beginner?

It sits at medium to medium-full, so it is a step up from mild cigars rather than a first smoke. If you have moved past Connecticut shades and want to taste real balance, it is an ideal next cigar. Just take it slow and let the cedar and cocoa come to you.

How does it compare to the San Cristobal Quintessence?

They come from the same My Father stable, but the Quintessence pushes harder and runs about a dollar more. The Four Kicks is the more composed of the two. I reach for the Four Kicks when I want refinement and the Quintessence when I want a little more punch.

Is it worth the roughly $9?

For me, yes. You are getting flawless construction and clean, distinct flavor at an everyday price. Few cigars near nine dollars smoke this reliably.

Will I find it too mild?

If you live on full-bodied Nicaraguans, the Four Kicks may read a touch reserved. It lands medium to medium-full and leans refined rather than forceful. I love it for exactly that, but strength seekers should look at the Oliva Serie V instead.

What should I pair it with?

I like it with black coffee in the afternoon, where the cedar and cocoa have room to breathe. A light-bodied pour works too. I would avoid heavy spirits that bury its clean notes.

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