Not the best picture, but this is the Warlock I had

I am a fan of Omar Ortez blended sticks.  I particularly love the Omar Ortez Puro Maduro.  This is a good value-priced stick that really packs a punch.   So when I found out Ortez was working on another creation for Altadis, I was particularly excited.  The name of this new stick was “The Warlock”.   The stick’s Gurkha-like name immediately did catch my attention and interest.   Ortez once again succeeds in delivering a great cigar in the value-priced premium cigar range ($6.00-$7.00).

First as always, let’s look at the composition and the sizes that are available for this stick:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cubano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan

The sizes that are available:
Churchill : 54 x 7″
Toro: 54 x 6″
Belicoso: 54 x 6″
Robusto: 54 x 4 3/4″
Corona: 44 x 5 1/2″

The Ecuadorian Cubano wrapper is beautiful on this stick.  My picture above does not do it justice, but the Altadis USA website has a better one.  Since I am a bigger ring-gauge cigar enthusiast, I immediately gravitated toward the Toro, I punched a hole into the cap, then toasted the foot and anxiously looked forward to a great cigar experience.

With a name like “Warlock”, I was expecting a powerhouse of a stick. While I wouldn’t categorize this as a powerhouse, this does provide a bit of a kick down the line as the smoke progresses.  The first 20 percent of the cigar started out most interesting.  The cigar had somewhat of a creamy start.  There were also some hints of coffee, wood, nuts, and cedar to start out.   The start was not overpowering – medium body, medium strength, but wonderful complexity.

Around 40 percent into the stick, the coffee flavors became the dominant tone.  To some extent, the coffee stones become more medium to full in body – almost delivering a syrup-like coffee taste.  There is some sweetness to this coffee taste.  The strength also progresses to more medium to full.  The sweetness levels off in the second half of the stick.  It is in that second half that the coffee tones continue to dominate, with the re-emergence of the nut tones that started out earlier.  The finish to the stick is soft, but it is cool.  It is not a harsh finish and one you can enjoy right to the nub.   I smoked the Toro in about 70 minutes and it was pleasant throughout.

A couple of touch-ups were needed on the burn, but overall I was pleased with the burn.   The draw was outstanding.  I did not have to work this hard at all.

Overall, this was an enjoyable stick.  The price point is right on the money, and this is an excellent everyday stick to have in your humidor.

Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Medium to Full
Assessment: Nice to Have