Cigar Info
At last year’s IPCPR show, Casa Fernandez teamed up with Warped cigars again to reveal its latest project called Guardian of the Farm. The line is an homage to the American bulldogs that help guard the AGANORSA farms in Nicaragua. Each of the vitola names correspond to one of the dogs: Campeon (6 x 52 ), J.J. (5 1/4 x 50), and Apollo Seleccion de Warped (a 6 x 44 lonsdale). It’s a Nicaraguan puro that uses a corojo 99 wrapper from Jalapa, a corojo 99 binder and a filler blend of corojo 99 and criollo 98, sourced from the AGANORSA farms owned by Casa Fernández.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
This release is similar to the prvious years collaboration between the two brands in that each Kyle Gellis of Warped and Max Fernández of AGANORSA, pick a size for the cigar’s release. Guardian of the Farm is being released in two regular production sizes, Campeon (6 x 52, $8.74) and JJ (5 1/4 x 50, $8.50), as well as the limited edition Apollo Selección de Warped (6 x 44, $8).
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Lonsdale
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99 (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua Corojo 99
Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99, Criollo 98)
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Max Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 4 – Kent (Throck) John I. (John I.) Adam B. (Bushboy) John A. (John A.)
Price: $8.00
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: August 2016
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“Medium brown in color and medium sized veins throughout. If I had to guess, the intention of this is a double corona size. It is about 6 inches and the ring gauge is probably around 46. Closed foot adds a little character. Firm to the squeeze with no soft spots.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Aroma: 90
“Coffee, chocolate, nuts and cream dominate pre-light.” –John A. (John A.)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar started off nice and gentle. The flavors were a mixture of leather and tobacco with a subtle spicier tingle on the back of the tongue. It was a great introduction that caused me to want to keep puffing away.” –Kent (Throck)
“The first third starts off of leather and minerals. It then transitions into heavy spice and calms a bit down into sweet grass and tobacco flavors. Very powerful flavors in this third.” –John A. (John A.)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The flavors started melding together nicely, a touch of almonds was a beautiful addition and I really enjoyed this part of the cigar. There was a nice little nicotine kick as well.” –Kent (Throck)
“Very interesting transition of flavors from the first third to the second. Peppery spice picked up a little and is an interesting compliment to the toasted marshmallow, vanilla sweetness that has developed. All flavors are mixing nicely to this point. The burn has been slow and cool and the aroma, as I mentioned before, is very enjoyable. Extremely satisfied at this point and I am enjoying this cigar immensely.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Final Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The third was a continuation of the middle third. It was a great smoke.” –Kent (Throck)
“Peppery flavor from the second third has continued, but is not overwhelming. The sweet graham cracker has subsided and transformed to a toasted bread with a sweet finish. Very tasty. Let this one burn to the nub.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“This cigar had a nice, even draw that was consistent throughout. I enjoyed the right amount of tension while smoking.” –Kent (Throck)
Burn: 93
“Nice even burn throughout. Slightly ragged at some points, but either self corrected, or adjusted with a little blowing.” –John I. (John I.)
Construction: 93
“Expertly rolled. Very consistent feel throughout and no burn issues. Great smoke.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“I enjoyed this tame looking cigar. The flavors did not slap you in the face right away, but took you by your hand and slowly developed flavors that worked harmoniously together.” –Kent (Throck)
“I’m typically fine with full bodied, strong cigars at any point during the day, but this very medium bodied smoke was just fine early on a lazy Saturday. Probably not something I’d reach for after dinner, or at the end of the day, but definitely an enjoyable smoke with coffee in the morning, or on a relaxing afternoon.” –John I. (John I.)
“The flavor transition was fantastic. Peppery, sweet and toasted… all my favorites. I will definitely be buying more of these after the reveal. Very good cigar and I could see myself enjoying these at any time of the day. Each pull left me wanting to immediately take another. Had to pace myself a bit.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“This stick was not terribly complex, however it did provide a tasty and spicy profile for much of the duration. The burn required a bit of babysitting to ensure it did not go out. Over all it was a average smoke that was slightly enjoyable.” –John A. (John A.)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 63
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Reviewer
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Appearance
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Aroma
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1/3
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2/3
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3/3
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Draw
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Burn
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Constr.
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Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | 90 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 95 |
| John I. | 88 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 90 |
| Adam B. | 92 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 95 |
| John A. | 90 | 90 | 92 | 88 | 85 | 85 | 92 | 90 | 88 |
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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.