The Warzone cigar is a collaborative effort between Espinosa Cigars and General Cigar Company. The name is a reference to the Ten Years’ War, 1868-1878, the first of three wars that eventually led to Cuba’s independence. This also marks the first time that Espinosa and General Cigar Co. have worked together.
Specifics
Warzone will be offered in two sizes: Robusto (5 1/2 x 52, $8.49) and Toro (6 x 52, $8.99). Both are sold in boxes of 20 and production is limited to 3,000 boxes. It is being produced at the La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí and is being sold by General Cigar Co. The cigars were released in November 2019.
The Warzone has a Cameroon wrapper, a Honduran Binder and a filler combination of Colombian and Nicaraguan tobaccos.
I received a Robusto vitola of this cigar in my Stogiebird subscription a few months back, so it’s got a little age to it.
The Experience
Appearance
The Cameroon wrapper had a Colorado shade of brown, a few prominent veins and barely visible seams. I picked up on spicy tobacco and leather from the wrapper. The triple cap is smoothly applied and the finished foot gives off a refreshing graham cracker aroma.
The cigar had an average weight for its class and was firm to the touch.
Pre-light
I gave the cap a straight cut and checked out the draw. The draw was Ok, maybe a little loose. I tasted mild, young tobacco flavors during the cold draw.
1st Third
There was a strong wasabi like flavor on the initial puffs while lighting the foot. Further in, there was a base flavor of spicy tobacco with hints of anise. The finish was long lasting. The retrohale was very strong right away.
2nd Third
That spicy sensation carried over to my lips. It was much the same on my palate but I was not complaining. There was a slight increase in the spice sensation during the retrohale.
Final Third
Finishing up, the retrohale had the same strength but was long lasting in my nostrils and sinuses. There was a sharp spice sensation on the tip of my tongue, while all of the other flavors started to settle in and meld together into a smoother variation of themselves.
Combustion
I did an excellent job of lighting this cigar. It burned sharp and even. I rate myself at a 100. The ash had a gray as with black striations and a thin, dark carbon ring. The ash was super tight and very compact, like you could still see the wrapper leaf, just in charred form. I let the ash go for an inch and a half to 2 inches. I could have let it go longer but, I had just cleaned my keyboard and didn’t want to start over.
The cigar produced a tremendous amount of full, dense, satisfying smoke.
[su_box title=”Summary” style=”soft” box_color=”#e1dddd”]I consider the Warzone to be a medium strength, medium to full bodied cigar. I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable, excellent smoke and I would certainly buy again if there are any left around.
Overall, I rate the Warzone a 95. [/su_box]
Have you tried the Warzone? Let me know in the comments below!