Crowned Heads Bear Run: Creekside’s Blood Medicine Exclusive

From Creekside Podcast Ep. 035: IT IS FINALLY HAPPENING! (Feat. Jon Huber of Crowned Heads), aired Nov 21, 2025. Recorded at Creekside Cigar Co. in Maineville, Ohio.

For episode 35 of the Creekside Podcast, we welcomed Jon Huber of Crowned Heads to talk about a project seven months in the making: Bear Run, a Creekside-exclusive cigar using Crowned Heads’ Blood Medicine blend. We also got into the story behind the name, the brand’s relationship-first approach, and a new value-priced cigar Huber was preparing to introduce. It’s a conversation about what makes a collaboration feel personal, and why a cigar’s blend, format, and price all matter.

What is the Bear Run cigar?

Bear Run is a limited-edition 5 1/2-by-48 cigar made with the original Blood Medicine blend. Huber described it as the blend’s familiar sweetness and complexity in a size he considers especially versatile. The name comes from the creek behind our shop: its actual name is Bear Run. After our crew learned that from Jake, the name felt like a natural fit for Creekside’s first exclusive cigar.

The idea began during the PCA trade show in April, when we asked Huber about collaborating. He initially made samples in the 5-by-48 size, and the group’s early reaction gave us confidence that the project had the right blend and format. On the podcast, the crew described the cigar as flavorful, sweet and creamy, with a little spice underneath. We also noted its steady burn and substantial smoke, while finding that its flavor built without becoming harsh or bitter.

Huber said the release totals 310 boxes, or 3,000 cigars. The announced plan was to make half the allocation available online and half in the shop on Black Friday, November 28, at 9 a.m. Bear Run is a limited Creekside exclusive, rather than a new size intended for general release.

Why did Creekside and Crowned Heads work together?

Huber said he had followed Creekside’s videos and appreciated the care we put into hospitality, presentation, education, and community. He described Creekside as a tobacconist that takes those details seriously, making the collaboration an easy yes when we brought it up.

We see a similar quality in Crowned Heads. The crew talked about personal gestures from the company, including handwritten notes, thoughtful support for the shop, and the way its representatives build relationships with retailers. Huber explained that personal notes have been part of his work from the start, whether welcoming a new account or thanking someone for a merchandise order. For him, it comes down to treating people the way he would want to be treated.

That shared emphasis on people is part of what made Bear Run more than a new cigar size. It grew from an ongoing relationship between a brand and a shop, with the place behind Creekside’s name becoming part of the cigar’s own identity.

What is Crowned Heads’ approach to limited releases?

Huber spoke candidly about the balance between limited releases and a brand’s regular lineup. New cigars give enthusiasts something different to look forward to, he said, but they also take attention away from the ongoing products. Crowned Heads has built some releases around seasonal projects and ideas that develop naturally, rather than chasing a new launch for its own sake.

He traced Mule Kick back to an early practical problem: Crowned Heads had a darker wrapper that did not fit Four Kicks, and a conversation with cigar maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo inspired the name. What began as a way to use that tobacco became a recurring release. Huber also discussed Blood Medicine’s path from an event-only cigar to wider availability after he chose to release it as a limited edition in 2024. He compared its quick sell-through to Las Calaveras, another Crowned Heads release with a following.

What is Thunderiss, and what makes it a value cigar?

Huber also introduced Thunderiss, a 5-by-54 long-filler cigar with a Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. He described it as a straightforward, enjoyable smoke for everyday settings—something for the golf course, a card game, or yard work—rather than a cigar that calls for a special occasion. The crew sampled it on the episode and praised its flavor and approachable character.

The announced suggested retail price was $6.75 per cigar, packaged in bundles of ten. Huber emphasized that it is a premium long-filler cigar, not a short-filler or sandwich-style product. The concept grew partly from retailer interest in an earlier bundled project, and he wanted this version to be available more broadly. For the crew, the appeal was simple: a flavorful cigar at a price that makes it easier to enjoy without overthinking the occasion.

Key takeaways

• Bear Run is a 5 1/2-by-48 Creekside-exclusive size of the original Blood Medicine blend.
• The cigar’s name comes from Bear Run, the creek behind our shop.
• Jon Huber connected the collaboration to shared values around hospitality and personal relationships.
• Thunderiss was presented as a 5-by-54 long-filler cigar with a $6.75 suggested retail price.

Cigars from this episode

• Crowned Heads Blood Medicine: The original blend used for the Creekside-exclusive Bear Run size; Huber described it as sweet and complex.
• Crowned Heads Bear Run: Limited Creekside exclusive in a 5 1/2-by-48 size; the crew praised its sweetness, creaminess, spice, and steady burn.
• Crowned Heads Thunderiss: Introduced as a 5-by-54 long-filler cigar with a Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler.
• Crowned Heads Tennessee Waltz: Mentioned alongside new sizes and discussed as a regular Crowned Heads blend.
• Crowned Heads Jericho Hill: The crew had smoked it during the visit and described it as tasting delicious.
• Crowned Heads Mil Días: Mentioned as one of the brand’s cigars associated with a medium-bodied, complex style.
• Crowned Heads Belgian Blue: Discussed as a recent limited release that had sold out.
• Crowned Heads B Positive: Named among the brand’s recent releases.
• Crowned Heads Las Calaveras: Huber compared Blood Medicine’s quick sell-through to this popular limited release.
• Crowned Heads Mule Kick: Huber explained that it began as a way to use a darker wrapper that did not suit Four Kicks.
• Crowned Heads Four Kicks: Discussed as the regular line whose wrapper specifications prompted the original Mule Kick project.
• Crowned Heads Paniolo: Huber recalled that its original 2015 version used the Tennessee Waltz blend in a 5 5/8-by-46 size.

Shop, smoke and listen with Creekside

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