The Black Honey from Warped Cigars was released in 2015 where it quickly sold out and became highly sought after by cigar collectors and cigar geeks alike. This year, Warped Cigars released the cigars in two stages. The first batch was released earlier this year, and the company held back on the rest to allow the cigars to get some extra aging. Today’s cigar review is from the second installment of the 2017 release and features the wrapper used on the El Oso line over the binder and fillers from the La Colmena line.
Cigar Review: Black Honey
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Oscuro
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 48
Size: Belicoso (Petit Belicoso)
The Look: Packaged in black foil packs with gold writing denoting Black Honey, the packaging on Black Honey isn’t really impressive, but you can’t smoke the packaging. Inside are 10 petit bellicoso cigars using the La Colmena band. The Habano Oscuro wrapper is loaded with oils and is toothy in appearance. It’s well rolled and firm to the touch with a packed foot that is slightly spongy as a cigar should be.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar from Kyle Gellis, serves up notes of cocoa and while this might sound cliche, there are hints of honey as well. The foot of the cigar contributes some cocoa, and in taking one more cold draw before lighting up, there is a touch of lemongrass. Upon toasting and lighting there is a subtle pepper that quick gives way to some brown sugar. The brown sugar holds on as the dominant note for a brief while before wood overtakes it. The oak like notes are complimented on the aroma while the cigar offers some white pepper on the retrohale.
In the second third of the cigar, there is some sweetness in the background that lingers onto the finish but never moves to the foreground. The cigar sees notes of oak continue with a wonderful aroma and around the halfway point some hay is introduced into the mix. There is some black pepper on the retrohale and it isn’t as in your face as the first third.
In the last third of the Black Honey the hay like notes become wheat and they become the focal point of the cigar with a touch of licorice. The aroma of the cigar remains heavy on oak, and the retrohale of the cigar sees pepper but its even more toned down then the first two thirds.
The Finish: The Black Honey from Warped Cigars was very different then what I expected in the sense it was stronger than anticipated. My experience with the brand was was more medium strength cigars, where this was full. It also reminded me of another cigar, and while I generally hate comparing one cigar to another, but in this case I need to. Almost from the first light this cigar reminded me of the original Tatuaje black in the ceramic jars. It was an enjoyable trip down memory lane and if this cigar ages anything like that one it will be epic.
Score: 93
Price: $16.99 / $148.99
Warped Black Honey
Warped Black Honey Foot
Warped Black Honey Burn
