Mule Kick with regular release Sublime for wrapper comparison
Size: 5 7/8x 52
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
MSRP: 8.95$ (USD)
Total Production: 5,000 (500 SLB
of 10 cigars)
Source: Local B&M; Purchased by reviewer
Following a wrapper crop that was slightly darker than the regular production of the Crowned Heads Four Kicks line; blender E.P. Carrillo and Owner Jon Huber decided that an amped up blend would fit the wrapper nicely. Named after an exercise that Ernesto enjoys, the Mule Kick is the first Limited Edition from the Four Kicks brand. The production is limited to 5,000 sticks and comes in 10 count slide top boxes. Interestingly the sample of the regular production that I used to compare wrapper shades wasn't too far off from the Mule Kick wrapper color.
The Four Kicks line-up (sans Robusto extra)
Construction: All of the samples I smoked where right out of the box and seemed to be slightly over-humidified (Ive found this to be the general consensus between those who have smoked the Mule Kick) I had slight burn problems on all samples, and I believe this is due to the humidification. Fast smoking caused the cigar to get slightly "mushy" and I had to slow down in order to keep it under control.
Pre-Light: Wrapper aroma is very faint with a touch of barnyard, and a mustiness on the foot. Draw is very open with little resistance, and has a heavy grassy note with a nice raisin sweetness. Im hesitant to say it, but I also got a slight "twag" as well prior to lighting.
1st 3rd: Flavor started grassy with a nice carmel sweetness; as it opens the flavor develops into a nice nuttiness, with "bright" tobacco flavor and a touch of chocolate. Retrohale is all nuts with a little grassy flavor. Interestingly I got little to no spice in the first third; mild-medium bodied.
2nd 3rd: Flavors really open up in the second third; Nice white pepper spice lays the foundation for a very pronounced Citrus flavor (was the "bright" flavor in the first third), with chocolate and nuts on the exhale. Retrohale is very spicy with a nice nutty flavor. Sweetness is still present, but undetectable with the spice as the predominate flavor; works to balance the profile. Spice brought everything together; medium-full.
Final 3rd: The latter end of this cigar really shined and solidified my feelings on the blend. Everything evened about and the flavors all played off one another; Spice, carmel, nuttiness, citrus, touch of floral and a dried fruit sweetness. Retrohale mirrors the palate flavor and rounds out the experience. Flavor changed with every puff and sat on the palate with a sweet spiciness.
Overall: This cigar was the first in a long time that really "wowed" me in every way. Although there where a few burn problems and construction issues, I believe that a few weeks in the humidor with fix them all. That being said there is a lot of potential for aging and further developing in flavor, both short term (weeks) and long term. Jon and Ernesto are creating some great cigars and Im looking forward to future releases from the pair. Buy them, as many as you can get; hold them and smoke them sparingly as they are not going to last very long in your humidor.
