Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to: 1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) A re-assessment and re-score of a previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we provide an assessment rating and score for the La Bomba Maduro Warhead by Espinosa Cigars.  This was a cigar we did a pre-release review in July, 2013.

601 La Bomba Maduro Warhead

The 601 La Bomba Maduro Warhead is a limited edition cigar that was launched by Espinosa Cigars at the 2013 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas.  It marks not only the first new blend in the 601 line since EO Brands dissolved and company President Erik Espinosa launched Espinosa Cigars.  The Warhead has its roots from the 601 La Bomba Nicaraguan puro.  There are two differences with the Warhead: First, La Bomba’s Nicaraguan Habano wrapper is replaced by a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro; Secondly, the Warhead was rolled as a box-press. With the Warhead, I found these changes made a very good blend in La Bomba, a great blend. The cigars smoked were bought about a month ago and have been aging in the Cigar Coop humidor.

In addition to the Broadleaf wrapper, the binder and filler are Nicaraguan. According to Espinosa cigars the Warhead shares the same binder and filler as the core 601 La Bomba. The box-press is a 6 1/4 x 54 shape – which in my book is an ideal toro-sized box-press. Like the core 601 La Bomba line, there is a long pigtail fuse on the cap.

Flavor-wise, I found the Warhead to be similar to the pre-release, but with the flavors more developed. The flavors still had a mix of coffee, chocolate, pepper, earth, and citrus. Sometimes citrus can be on the acidic side, and this contributes to a young blend. On the pre-releases, this didn’t prove to be a huge problem. On these 4 month old retail cigars I smoked, the citrus did its job providing more in the way of sweetness. The construction remains consistently outstanding as the Warhead produces a stellar burn and draw.

The 601 La Bomba Maduro Warhead lives up to its reputation – a full strength, full-bodied line. From a strength perspective, it is a slight notch down from the original La Bomba. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that this cigar did not seem to lose its edge in strength or body.
This is an excellent cigar and in my book is one of the tops from the 601 line. Erik Espinosa has done a great job re-energizing the 601 line this year – and this cigar definitely helped contribute to this comeback. It’s a box worthy cigar in my book.

Click here for the pre-release assessment of the 601 La Bomba Maduro Warhead.

Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 93

Source:  The cigars for this Assessment Update were purchased from Outland Cigars in Charlotte, North Carolina.