Cigar Review: Crowned Heads Mason Dixion Project South Edition
Crowned Heads has been cranking out some truly astonishing cigars this year, with their limited edition cigars getting considerable attention and praise. 2014 has seen not only the release of their latest regular production stick, Jericho Hill, but has also bore witness to a few limited edition cigars, such as Las Calaveras, The Angel’s Anvil and now the Mason Dixon Project. The Mason Dixon Project, which is a colloquial term for the regional boarder between Northern and Southern regions of the US, features two cigars each boasting a different wrapper. The North Edition of the Mason Dixon Project features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, while the South Edition features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Available only in their respective regions, the cigars are an excellent example of the vital importance wrapper tobacco plays in the flavor of a cigar.
Pre-Light: From the onset, the South Edition has a very mild and subdued look. The tan Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper bequeaths onto the cigar an excellent appearance and an alluring contrast to the minimalistic black and gold band. The feel of the cigar is firm and uniform without feeling brittle. The draw test is ideal, pontificating mild and savory notes of cream and cedar with a delicate spice note.
1/3: Mason Dixon South Edition burns into the fairly mild and balanced flavors of the first third with ease and perfection leaving behind billowing clouds of smoke with notes of cream, cedar and pepper. While the profile is nearly identical to the pre-light notes right off the light, the flavors quickly undergo a metamorphosis maturing into fuller, medium bodied notes of cedar, leather and pepper, which are further accentuated by retro haling the cigar’s diaphanous smoke.
2/3: With the combusted gray ash of the South Edition continuing its molasses creep into the second third, the flavors of the cigar continue to evolve and delight, while never becoming overwhelming. The foregoing notes being to control the pace of the cigar’s profile, while the introductory note of cream gradually beings to make its elegant exit. The cigar, which up to this point had been a soft medium bodied experience, is gradually transitioning into its final act with rapacious notes of spice.
3/3: The final third of the South Edition sees the cigar’s predilection for bold flavors come to its logical conclusion with the spice and earthy notes of the Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos punctuating the end of a phenomenal cigar. The Mason Dixon South Edition is a cigar which can easily fit the niche of any aficionado looking for a flavorful medium bodied cigar with tons of complexity and accessibility. As mentioned before, the cigar is limited edition so be sure to pick up these delectable cigars soon at all 5 of our Hampton Roads locations, as well as online at emersonscigars.com.
