Warped La Colmena 10th Anniversary Prelight
Warped is a boutique cigar brand founded by Kyle Gellis in 2007. Warped is best known for collaborating with the El Titan de Bronze factory in Little Havana, Florida.
The La Colmena line was the second release by Warped after the El Oso. It debuted in 2014 and drew inspiration from custom Cuban rolls. The 10th Anniversary La Colmena measures 5 7/8″ x 50, Robusto Extra. Warped calls it the Amado No. 50. Kyle Gellis has been a bit vague about the details of the blend. However, it has an Ecuadorian Desflorada Wrapper over Ecuadorian Binder and filler leaves from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The Amado No .50 is blended stronger than the flagship Amado No. 44 with higher primings of tobacco used. Like the original, the Amado No. 50 is rolled at El Titan de Bronze, but production is limited to 2,000 boxes.
The La Colmena 10th Anniversary is a gorgeous cigar. The Ecuadorian Desflorada wrapper is smooth and beautifully rolled. As with the original No. 44, the pigtail cap and closed foot are an excellent touch. The aromas on the foot remind me of pastry dough and oak. The cold draw is perfect, which is surprising given the closed foot. The notes on the cold draw are sweet natural tobacco and a touch of pastry dough.
Warped La Colmena 10th Anniversary First Third
The La Colemna 10th Anniversary is starting just as expected. Smoke output is medium plus, with big sweet creamy notes off the light. I’m getting tea crackers, graham crackers, and a touch of honey sweetness on the palate. The retrohale shows milky coffee oak and a sprinkle of cinnamon with almost no pepper. The retrohale is remarkably smooth. The overall profile is very sweet, and creamy especially so on the retrohale. The tones on the palate serve to balance the sweetness with bready and toasty notes. Ash, burn and construction have been stellar so far.
Warped La Colmena 10th Anniversary Second Third
The second third is ramping up all the notes by a notch. Tea crackers, graham crackers, clove, and a touch of honey on the palate. The retrohale is all sweet creamy coffee, some oak, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Smoke output has stepped up to strong. Burn, ash, and construction are still spot on. I’m especially impressed by how cool the cigar stays even when puffing more often.
Warped La Colmena 10th Anniversary Final Third
The final third is an uptick in toasty flavors. The palate shows graham crackers, toasted bread, green bell pepper, and a touch of honey. I’m seeing slightly less sweet, but still very creamy coffee, lightly toasted oak, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Smoke output is back to medium plus. Burn and ash have been great, despite one example needing a relight before the band. Past the band, the flavors help up well. The sweetness fell off in favor of more toast and green bell pepper. I put this one down with about an inch left.
Warped La Colmena 10th Anniversary Conclusions
I was very impressed by the La Colmena 10th Anniversary. Like many others, I’m a fan of the original Amado No. 44, but the No. 50 edges it out. It’s both sweeter and richer than the original, and I much prefer it over the Black Honey. The cigar is gorgeous, and it’s extremely well-rolled. The MSRP is $26 which is steep but not crazy for a limited edition in today’s market. If you’re into creamy, sweet cigars or love Connecticuts I would dive right in.
