Introduced at this year’s PCA Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV – the Espinosa Premium Cigars La Bomba Warhead X is the 10th incarnation of the acclaimed line from the company.
Hector Alfonso noted in a press release:
“It’s one of several new limited cigars we are releasing at the show, but I must admit that this one is special. It was our first limited release, and our fans just love this cigar. With the whole team pumped up for this release, I wanted to add a little wrinkle from the previous nine releases and decided on an oval shape toro.”
The Warhead X is packaged in a large wall-mountable, gold painted bomb, containing 10 cigars. Each cigar is expressed in a (6 x 55) Toro Oval vitola and the Nicaraguan Puro blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan Broadleaf
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The Warhead X (10) was blended by Espinosa Premium Cigars, and is hand crafted at the San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua.
This year’s run of the Warhead X was limited to 5,000 boxes. The Warhead X (10) has an MSRP of $16.00/cigar.
For this review, I sampled 3 of the Warhead X cigars. Two of which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press and one that I purchased locally.
Pre-Light Examination
The Espinosa Premium Cigars Warhead X is draped in a dark brown wrapper that exhibits some noticeable veins. The cigar is oval box pressed and feels firmly packed with just a minor give along the barrel. The wrapper has a slightly toothy feel and a matte vs shiny finish. A well applied cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar. Like others in the line, it is a footer band in the shape of an aerial bomb. Primarily gold in color, it declares this as the 601 La Bomba Warhead X in the center. The tail denotes that it is the 2024 Limited Edition along with Kilroy Was Here and Bombs Away.
I ran the barrel long the nose and noted a sweet woody note while the foot exuded barnyard and earthy notes.
Using my CigarMedics Guillotina De Saka cutter, I sliced the cap straight and proceeded to give it some cold draws that I found to be spot on with restriction and delivered a rather interesting, candied earth note.
Using my Xikar fan flame lighter, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs that treated the palate to notes of caramel and pepper to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Caramel and pepper notes start the journey
- A firm white ash develops on top of a thin char line
- Oaky notes add to the early profile
- Ash fell in a small chunk revealing a decent burn cone
- Toasted honey notes start to evolve offering a pleasant sweetness to the profile
- Moving into the second third there is an introduction of earthiness
- The honey is maintaining in the profile, balancing the blend nicely
- Light savory spice joins the mix deep in the second third
- The early oak seems to transform into a touch of nuttiness
- Dark cocoa notes accent the profile down to the nub
- Medium to Full in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The Espinosa Premium Cigars La Bomba Warhead X journey begins with rich balanced notes of caramel and pepper while oaky undertones emerge in the initial flavor profile. Pleasant, toasted honey notes begin to emerge, infusing the experience with a palate pleasing sweetness. As the smoke progresses into the second third, earthy nuances make their debut, complementing the honey that continues to balance the blend. A subtle savory spice joins the mix deeper in the second third, adding a layer of complexity. The initial oakiness gradually transforms into a hint of nuttiness, while dark cocoa notes come to the forefront, enriching the profile all the way down to the nub. This is worth a box buy – and look at the cool wall hanging you get too. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Ash Falls Often; (-1) Mild Wave in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasurable and Balanced experience across multiple samples
