Warped Companion de Warped – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

At the end of 2021, Warped Cigars introduced the Companion de Warped. Crafted in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera La Isla, a factory established by Hostos Fernández Quesada in late 2020, the Companion de Warped, which follows the Chinchalle as the second Warped cigar produced at this factory, stands out for its 4 1/2 x 48 Rothschild size, a vitola selected for its ability to present the blend’s characteristics harmoniously.

Kyle Gellis, the mind behind Warped Cigars, opted for a blend that incorporates a Mexican San Andrés wrapper—a choice that had only been made once before by the brand, with the El Oso Mama. This wrapper is complemented by a Dominican binder and fillers from both the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, with a notable 80 percent of the filler originating from the Dominican Republic. This composition is designed to deliver a medium-plus body experience, with Gellis noting flavors of chocolate, black pepper, floral notes, earth, oak, and sugar.

The Companion de Warped was developed with the idea of it being an everyday cigar, inspired by the discovery of the San Andrés wrapper leaf during a sourcing trip in the Dominican Republic. This inspiration led to the creation of the cigar that aims to integrate seamlessly into a smoker’s daily routine, packaged in 25-count boxes with a single cigar MSRP of $12.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Rothschild
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera La iSLA
Blender: Kyle Gellis
Number of reviewers: 5 – Randy B. (randobush) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Alan (Eulogy) Quinn (quinnpins269) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $12.00
Age: 9 Months
Release Date: December 2021
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – Warped Companion de Warped

Appearance: 93

“I really like the look of this cigar. The seams are drum-tight, the body is firm to the touch, and the triple cap is perfectly applied with a flawless dark brown wrapper. There is little to dislike about this cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Aroma: 91

“With a quick sniff at the foot and down the barrel, I detect barnyard aromas slightly.
Like the horses and cows have definitely been in the pasture, but they didn’t make a big mess while they were there.” –Randy B. (randobush)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The first few puffs have a very sweet tobacco and stone fruit making a desert like profile. After a bit of anise, baking spice and mild black pepper start to appear really rounding out the profile.”-Alan (Eulogy)

“This cigar was an immediate flavor bomb. The first puff presented me with significant black pepper with a caramelized sugar undertone. Through the nose, the smoke is moderately sharp. Thankfully, it’s not so sharp as to cause tearing up. On the finish, the smoke has a lingering sweetness that reminds me of the top of a crusty crème brûlée.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The second third burns through with a consistent medium-bodied assortment of wood, heavy cream, and salt. Unfortunately, the ash falls all over me before I can get a glamour shot!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“The profile took an interesting shift into the second third of this cigar. The smoke took on a distinct leather texture to it. The smoky oak and coffee had also faded giving way to black pepper and a graphite mineral grit.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The white pepper picks up in the final third with a touch of cinnamon. Both sit heartily on the palate in between draws. Very nice! The retrohale is sensational with some buttered toast, baking spice, & black coffee. Strength has picked up to strong med-full. Very nice indeed.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Still very earthy with notes of loam, pencil lead, baking spice, stone fruit, and red pepper. It is pretty similar to the previous third but the flavors are bolder and really stick to the palate.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Impressions – Warped Companion de Warped

Draw: 92

“The draw on the sample was just about perfect from beginning to end. I had plenty of smoke, and the smoke remained very cool up until the final inch.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 96

“I experienced no issues at all in regard to the draw of this cigar. After the initial light-up, I opted to give one slight touchup because I lit it a little crooked. Other than that the cigar burned nearly razor-sharp.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 94

“The roller needs a raise for this cigar. It looked great with drum-tight seams, well-applied triple cap, and a solid body.  No complaints about this cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“This cigar provided me with a very familiar experience. It was very relaxing and enjoyable, with fantastic transitions in between thirds. Right in my wheelhouse, and I would definitely smoke again.
Do not mistake the size of the cigar for a quick light smoke, it is the full meal deal.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“This was a flavor bomb of a cigar. From the initial puffs peppery notes, through the final earthy flavor notes, I was entertained. This is a flavor profile that I would reach for again and often, and will recommend to my friends. Well done.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Loved this cigar. The start was a super rich desert profile and transitioned into a bold earthy experience. It was a super engaging cigar that kept me trying to figure out the flavors the entire time. The construction was perfect and the smoke was rich and creamy. I would smoke this again and look forward to picking up a box.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The bits of the profile I was able to pick up I did enjoy. But I found myself having to babysit the cigar to keep from overheating after each snug puff. It was an unlucky turn of events. But at the end of the day it is a true handmade product. For that reason, I would consider reaching for one of these again.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“A fine cigar if you didn’t plan on getting much flavor. While it did give off faint flavors of cream, wood, and salt, they simply vanished for most of the review, leaving me with a paper bag effect. I’d assume this might be a budget-line cigar, especially when paired with poor construction & draw. The one thing this cigar did well was burn and that’s about it!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 54

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Warped Companion de Warped – Blind Cigar Review