Wrapper: Habano 2000
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican Corojo, HVA, Piloto
Size: 5.5 x 46 Corona Gorda
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $13.00
Rolled: October 2021
Date Released: 2022
Quantity Released: 499 boxes of 10

This review is from May 2023. It was part of my Top Cigars list from that year.
The cigar was developed as a joint venture between Kyle Gellis (Warped) and Small Batch Cigar.

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The cigar feels good in the hand…a solid construction of leaves. Wrapper aromas are dominated by caramel, creaminess, and milk chocolate…with a touch of spiciness.

The draw is just how l like it and therefore my unabashed plug for the PerfecDraw adjustment tool will lay dormant…for the moment.

Good start. I’m being smothered in smoke…the little engine that could.

First up are notes of pistachios, caramel, creaminess, black pepper, with buttered and toasted rye.

Strength is medium/full out of the gate.

SBC describes flavors as: Creamy Dulce de Leche, Pepper, Toasted Cedar, and Leather.

Immediate depth of character and a singular complexity are rarin’ to go. Nice.

Construction is optimal. The char line is a perfect hypotenuse. When the cigars were released, Andrew and I kept smoking them, but it was too early. These cigars need some respect and right out of the cello was not giving the cigar its props. I tasted serious blender’s intent and said I need to wait 2-3 months. Well, didn’t need that long for this cigar to be a big fat show off.

Oatmeal with brown sugar and cream, lemon citrus, caramel, vanilla ice cream, and a very peppery combo of both red and black peppers. I’m half an inch in…fill in your own dirty joke here.

The transitions shoot out of the circus cannon. The complexity sinks deep into my palate.

The creaminess and brown sugar excel. I cannot keep up with the flavor changes. The finish is all candy bar and beef jerky.

Man, what 6 weeks did for this cigar is uncanny. Should you choose to purchase these dwindling cigars, do not…I repeat…do not smoke one until you’ve waited at least 6 weeks or longer. A cigar is a terrible thing to waste.

Buttery notes coat my mouth. I take my coat off and I get a blast of Bananas Foster (Dark brown sugar, vanilla, rum, cinnamon, walnuts, bananas). This blend is going bat shit crazy on me.

The cigar is becoming a bona fide flavor bomb. Haven’t had one in this category for a while.

The strength remains at medium/full but at 1” burned, the cigar takes the high road and smooths out like a newly shaven bear.

SBC and Warped have outdone themselves. This is a kick ass blend. All of SBC’s Blender Series cigars have been excellent. I’ve reviewed most. But I believe this is my favorite blend because I love the way it walks. And it loves me like a rock.

The passion oozes from the cap to my mouth and down my shirt. Like a Crabalocker fishwife. Or yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog’s eye…I am the walrus, I am the walrus. I remain an idiot.

First sip of water and my face peels back over my head. I don’t mind free plastic surgery.

The char line is the Mona Lisa. The construction is the One World Trade Center. My writing is Jack and Jill.

Living and working in Chicago, starting in 2005, I regularly went up to the top of the Hancock Tower (94 floors) just for the rush. The elevator moves at the speed of sound and your ears pop like crazy. I swear you could see the curvature of the earth over Lake Michigan. Now, I see the curvature of my balding pate.

1-3/4” burned in 20 minutes. Nice slow burn. Time to turn off your mind, relax and float downstream. Let the blend do all the work while kicking back and shutting out the world. Ignore your wife flashing the credit card bill in your face.

Eggs Benedict ala Andrew. A first for me. Egg yolks, lemon, white pepper, and buttered crispy English muffin. The flavor profile changes with nearly every puff. I only take them every 3-4 minutes to allow my palate to relax and calm itself.

Another shift and the breakfast delight adds brown sugar, nuts, vanilla, and caramel.

What a difference from a month ago. It’s insane.

The complexity and depth of character are so intense that my man bra sees its straps tighten. Meanwhile, my loin cloth loosens.

Strength is full tilt.

I am just barely approaching the halfway point. It has been one sweet spot after another.

I don’t even want to guess what the second half will bring to the table.

I know what you’re thinking…SBC is a sponsor and I’m a shill. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kidding. Having a good relationship with a sponsor allows an opportunity for a reviewer to smoke a cigar that one might have missed or overlooked. I’ve smoked some real duds from sponsors and refused to review them. I realize I wear my hypocrisy on my sleeve. When a sponsor sings like an alto soprano, I’m glad I’m here to report it.

The two years since the cigars were rolled have played an integral part in the tobacco array melding together in what must be a very delightful surprise for Andrew and Kyle. They must be very pleased with themselves. I’m sure that Andrew will buy Kyle a new Bentley to show his appreciation.

Smaller cigars like this Corona Gorda are always my favorites. Robustos, Lonsdales, Lanceros, and Coronas always display the best times on the dance floor than the much bigger size varieties. Not to mention, the smaller sticks mature quicker.

Flavors do not change. All flavor points remain in the line-up. They morph into transition stages that become tobacco movers the way doubling up on a Fleet enema can bring sweet release.

The finish is pure decadence.

If you guys don’t try a fiver, at least, then you are missing out big time. Remember to let them rest.

My incessant rambling stops here. I have the Ronnie Earl station on Amazon Music playing once again. Time to remove my busy fingers from the keyboard, kick back and let the cigar do the talking.

This is one masterful and passionate example of cigar blending. I’m buying more. No shit. My desires are willing to take a beating from Charlotte.

I tip my yarmulke to Andrew Considine and Kyle Gellis. A true work of art for the senses.

Use promo code ‘katman’ for 10% off your purchase from Small Batch Cigar.

RATING: 96

The cigars have 3 years of box aging. They have 4 years of age after rolling. After promo codes, the cigars are only $11.70 each. And the fact that the original price has remained the same…well, kudos to SBC.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, HSC Hugo by Warped Cigars (SBC Exclusive) | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, katman, katman rekap, kyle gellis, phil kohn, warped cigars