“This is a boutique company that I think will be making a lot of noise over the next few months. In the case of the La Colmena Unico Especial, this is one special cigar… This is simply an outstanding cigar – and it’s one definitely worth taking notice.”

Coming in at #28 is the La Colmena Unico Especial by Warped Cigars.  The La Colmena line is one of four lines launched by Kyle Gellis’ Warped Cigars in 2014.  This entry gives Warped Cigars its first appearance on a Cigar of the Year countdown.  La Colmena is one of three lines being made at El Titan de Bronze in Little Havana, thus becoming the first entry on this countdown to come from the United States.

The Unico Especial is a slightly varied blend from the La Colmena line.  It is packaged in a limited edition cedar lined canister.  The Unico Especial a was only made available to those retailers that attended the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show.

This cigar is loaded with complexity. This cigar has notes of natural tobacco, pepper, herbal spice, cream, nut, and a subtle fruit note in the background. I found the first third to have notes of natural tobacco, cream, wood, and herbal spice. The second this seems to have more nut flavors. I found the other flavors to complement this profile perfectly. The flavors were medium to full and the strength was medium.

Warped Cigars has been one of the revelations of the 2014 Cigar Year, and the La Colmena Unico Especial represents a special cigar.  It’s a limited edition cigar and already its become a cigar many cigar enthusiasts are hunting down.

Click here for our detailed assessment of the La Colmena Unico Especial by Warped Cigars.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Ecuadorian DeFlorada
Binder: Dual Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Country of Origin: United States (El Titan de Bronze)

Vitolas Available

The La Colmena Unico Especial blend is available in one size –  a 5 x 48 belicoso

Recommended Vitola: Belicoso (5 x 48)

Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 93 (7/14/14)


For more information on our vision and criteria for the 2014 Cigar of the Year countdown, see our December 2014 Editor’s Corner.

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