In June of this year, it was announced that Espinosa Premium Cigars was releasing their 9th iteration of the company’s signature La Bomba Warhead. The La Bomba Warhead IX is a continuation of the limited-edition 601 La Bomba Warhead series the company began back in 2013.
This year iteration is a (6 x 56) perfecto vitola which the company designed to resemble an aerial bomb with pointed head and its wide tapered shaft. The blend is the same since the warhead VII and is described as Nicaraguan Puro. It should be notes that prior to the Warhead Vii, the wrapper was a Connecticut Broadleaf but now is a Nicaraguan Broadleaf.
The Espinosa La Bomba Warhead IX is packaged in 10-count boxes with an MSRP of $13.00/cigar. They are hand crafted at the A.J. Fernandez San Lotano Factory in Ocotál, Nicaragua
For this review, I purchased 2 of these from local brick and mortar – ExecutiveCigar Shop & Lounge, in Melbourne, FL.
Pre-Light Examination
The Espinosa La Bomba Warhead IX is a well-constructed perfecto, sporting a dark brown wrapper that has a light oily sheen, The wrapper has a mild toothiness to it and minimal veins. It is firm to the touch with no discernable soft spots.
A single band adorns the cigar using a colorful motif. It is designed to resemble the nose art on a World War II fighter and the bombs it carried. In fact, when you remove the band, it is die cut to look like such a bomb. More important is that the band is placed at the foot of the cigar. So, when you light this one up remember, it is the open tip you light and you cut the tapered point like a torpedo.
Running the Warhead IX along the nose, I detected a mildly pungent, barnyard aroma along the barrel. Of course there is no foot to sniff so we will leave it at that.
I sliced the cap much as I do torpedo, at a 45-degree angle, and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs. My palate was graced with notes of natural tobacco sweetness, earth, and a growing peppery spice.
Using my single flame torch, I ignited the tip of the Warhead IX and drew in the first puffs of pepper and sweetness to start the journey. Bombs away!! Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Pepper and contrasting natural sweetness start the journey
- Fruit notes enter early along with dark chocolate nuances to keep intrigue the senses
- A well-formed light grey ash develops on top of a thin and slightly jagged char line
- Flavors maintain through the first third
- Mild off burn develops but does not need a touch up
- The ash dropped in good chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- A pleasant walnut note enters midway through the burn
- Dark chocolate intensifies, deep in second third
- An added spice appears moving into the final third.
- Strength has slowly ratcheted up to full
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
While not overly complex, the Espinosa La Bomba Warhead IX journey commences with an interplay of zesty pepper and contrasting, delightful natural sweetness. The early stages introduce fruity notes that intermingle with nuanced hints of rich dark chocolate that stimulate the senses. Midway through the burn, a delightful walnut note makes its entrance, adding a layer of refinement to the profile.
Progressing into the second third, the dark chocolate elements grow more pronounced, creating a deep and indulgent sensation on the palate. As the cigar reaches its final third, spice permeates the profile that slightly enhances the complexity and brings the journey to a conclusion. This is worth grabbing a fiver of and letting some age some more. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Slightly Jagged Burn; (-1) Mild Off Burn but no Touch up
