2023 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List) #16: 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII by Espinosa Cigars

#16 2023 Cigar of the Year: 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII by Espinosa Cigars

SPECIFICATIONS

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: San Lotano
Warhead VIII: 6 x 60
Price: $11.00

Sponsor: Yes
Samples Provided for Initial Review: No
Review: 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII by Espinosa Cigars (8/31/23)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 11 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

The Details

The #16 2023 Cigar of the Year is the 601 La Bomba Warhead VIII by Espinosa Cigars.

One of the most popular annual limited edition series of cigars to hit the market over the past decade has been the 601 La Bomba Warhead Series. This series has a great track record of success, landing seven different times. Warhead is an extension of the original 601 La Bomba line, but it replaces the Nicaraguan Habano wrapper with a Broadleaf wrapper. As the name Warhead suggests, it is intended to be a stronger and bolder cigar. Each installment of the Warhead has featured a different size with a tweaked blend adjusted to that size as well as a different set of artwork. Warhead made its debut in 2013 and, with a couple of exceptions, has maintained an annual release schedule. The eighth installment came out in 2022 – appropriately titled Warhead VIII. This introduced a 6 x 60 box-pressed vitola into the series.

Warhead VIII is a Nicaraguan puro featuring all Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar is finished with a Nicaraguan Broadleaf wrapper. Production for the Warhead VIII comes from AJ Fernandez’s San Lotano factory. It was blended by Espinosa’s Director of Operations, Hector Alfonso.

The Warhead VIII delivered notes of mocha (a fusion or complementing of coffee and chocolate notes), earth, citrus, herb, and pepper. Warhead is a powerhouse line, and the Warhead VII keeps to that reputation. Initially, the cigar starts out medium strength and medium to full-bodied. Both attributes are going to gradually increase. By the second half, the flavors are full-bodied, and the strength kicks in during the final third.

By landing the #16 Cigar of the Year, Espinosa Cigars has become the first company to place two cigars on the 2023 Countdown. It’s also the second cigar from the San Lotano factory. As for Espinosa, they have been on a Cigar Coop Countdown a record 11 times, all consecutive. If you are keeping score at home, this is the seventh cigar from Nicaragua to land on the Countdown.