At last year’s IPCPR trade show, a new brand was shown off in the Warped booth. This new brand is a partnership between Warped’s Kyle Gellis and his brother Devin. The new brand is Edition one and their first release is Cloud Hopper. This is a regular production cigar initially released in two sizes: No. 53 (5 1/4 x 42) — $6.30 (Boxes of 50, $315), No. 485 (5 x 48) — $6.50 (Boxes of 50, $325).
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.
The cigar uses only AGANORSA tobacco and is made at Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. TABSA in Esteli. The name Cloud Hopper is a reference to how often Devin and his brother travel in the air. Distribution is limited and there is a wait list to carry it.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona
Length: 5 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. TABSA
Blender: Devin Gellis and Kyle Gellis
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) John A.(Bostoneo) Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Dave W. (mdwest) Matt (Mattehh)
Price: $6.30
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: August 2017
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“This cigar has a real nice look to it. Rich colors throughout the wrapper with a nice vitola. There was a slight raise in the wrapper on one seam, but nothing that looks like it will affect the experience.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Aroma: 88
“Scents of light leather, tobacco, and a minute amount of black pepper fill nose while flavors of sweet leather and malt hit the tongue. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Blind Cigar Review: Edition One | Cloud Hopper No. 53
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first third produces a nutty flavor profile with just a touch of pepper in the background. The smoke is silky smooth right from the first puff with no harshness to it at all. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“The cigar started out great. Leather was the forefront flavor with a sweet/aged tobacco. There was a slight breadiness. Retro was of a white pepper. The smoke was smooth and full.” –Matt (Mattehh)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
Blind Cigar Review: Edition One | Cloud Hopper No. 53
“The second third settles in quite nicely. The overall profile is rich with flavor and aroma. The creaminess is really finishing off the cigar. The almonds and hay are gaining momentum and leading the way. The aroma is heavy with thick smoke encompassing the area. A real great experience throughout the second third.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“A pretty noticeable flavor transition occurs about mid smoke. Now the profile is leathery, and the pepper that was detected on the finish in the first third is completely gone. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third got a little bumpy. Every now and then I was getting a harsh/bitter note, but still had a smoothness to it. The sweetness faded away. The roasted nuts became more of just a dry wood. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
“The final third closes out the overall experience with the same style as it started. Rich notes of almonds and hay finish off with a slight pepper on the back of the tongue. The wrapper chars slightly, but does not overwhelm the palate. Overall, a clean finish to this magnificent cigar.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Blind Cigar Review: Edition One | Cloud Hopper No. 53
“The burn of the cigar was very good and needed no corrections.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 89
“A very well constructed cigar with no performance problems other than the initial tight draw, which self corrected over time.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“I didn’t like this cigar. In the beginning it did have a little potential, everything just kept getting worse. Would not smoke this cigar again.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This stick started out OK but progressively got worse toward the second half to the end. I would not recommend this bitter mess to anyone unfortunately not even if it was free as it was a complete turn off completely. I had to retire the cigar early since it was almost unsmokable!” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“This cigar was a very good smoke during the day. I feel like it could have offered a little bit more, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only knock is that I will not sit back and remember smoking this cigar a few weeks from now. It just did not have any breakthrough moments to me. However, it was crisp and clean and offered a nice balance of flavors while I smoked it. Maybe a little rest and a nice beverage with it at night might bring out the lore of the cigar, but during the day it was simply a nice go to smoke to fill the void.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“This cigar produced an excellent smoking experience. Flavors were well balanced, and frequent changes in profile kept me interested from the first puff until the last one. This one is worthy of making a box purchase later. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“This cigar was great. I enjoyed all the flavors. The sweetness, roasted nuts, and the white pepper were all perfectly blended. I think it was a well balanced smoke. The draw and construction of the cigar were perfect. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Edition One | Cloud Hopper No. 53
Overall Score – 90 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Edition One | Cloud Hopper No. 53
Summary
"This cigar produced an excellent smoking experience. Flavors were well balanced, and frequent changes in profile kept me interested from the first puff until the last one. This one is worthy of making a box purchase later. " -Dave W. (mdwest)
