Warped Cigars was established by Kyle Gellis in 2007. Kyles’ father was an avid cigar smoker. His passion for cigars sparked early on by watching his father enjoy and critique each cigar. At age six, Kyle was already involved in cutting and lighting cigars for his father, watching the nuances of taste and quality. He absorbed all the knowledge, received an early education and carried it over to his later years. His first cigar at age eighteen further deepened his passion for cigars. While attending college at the University of Central Florida, Kyle frequented Little Havana in Miami to learn more about the art of cigar making. His quest for the perfect partner led him to El Titan de Bronze, the last remaining historic cigar factory on Calle Ocho. Today, Warped Cigars reflects Kyle’s vision, offering uniquely Cuban-inspired blends crafted to achieve a balanced sensory experience.
Kyle Gellis and Warped Cigars came up with a brilliant idea with the exclusive launch of Warped NEW DAY. After production, this special release was offered to twelve select retailers across the U.S. making it one of the most unique Warped releases to date. The process was entirely voted on by retailers themselves. Warped blended three distinct options, each featuring a completely different composition from filler to binder to wrapper. Without knowing any details of the blend, the twelve select retailers cast their votes based solely on taste experience and everything in between, ultimately selecting the final blend and size through a majority vote.
Once the decision was made, production began at Tabacalera La Isla in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The final blend features a rich Ecuadorian Sumatra Rosado wrapper expertly paired with Nicaraguan fillers and a Nicaraguan binder, delivering a profile that is as complex as it is refined. New Day is more than just a cigar, it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, passion and the artistry of the craft. Available exclusively at the lucky chosen twelve retailers.
Under the Lid:
From the moment I picked up the New Day Cigar, it had quality and character written all over it. The appearance of the wrapper had a reddish-brown hue and a marbling look throughout. Some toothiness and noticeable bumps were present signifying a rich and complex flavor profile. It also presented a slightly oily shiny glow that catches your eye when the light is angled just right. Several tortuous protruding veins were present running from top to bottom. I also noticed a two-tone colored variance of tobacco at the foot. I placed the cigar along my nose several times and I picked up notes of cedar and oak. I squeezed the cigar in different areas, the construction felt solid, and the tobacco seemed to be evenly distributed. The cold draw offered a hint of sweet molasses along with a cedar aroma note. I opted for a straight cut and prepared the cigar with precision ensuring for an optimal draw by toasting the foot with a single torch lighter. I took my time allowing the tobacco to warm evenly. As the flame was evenly distributed at the foot, a gentle aroma of toasted wood filled the air. It reminded me of the smell of burning oak wood pellets from my Traeger Grill. The smell was definitely setting the stage for the first few puffs.
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Rosado
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Release Date: December 19th, 2024
- Number of boxes: 1000 boxes due to the collaborative nature and exclusive retail distribution
- MSRP: BOX of 15 $ 221.25 SINGLE $ 14.75
Performance Notes
First Third:
The initial draw of the Warped New Day introduced minimal spice, accompanied by a pleasant sweetness reminiscent of a Mexican cinnamon sugar toasted Buñuelo. The minimal spice was tongue-tingling and added to a great palate experience. The flavor is well balanced, offering a smooth inviting start. A few more puffs and the forefront note of oak and earth became prominent and the sweetness of toasted cinnamon continues in the background. The draw is effortless, and the burn line remains spherical a testament of the cigar’s impeccable construction.
Second Third:
As I transitioned into the second third, the profile deepened, unveiling rich earthiness and pronounced oak notes. The spice softened into a subtle presence, enhancing rather than overpowering the core flavors. The retro-hale revealed cinnamon notes more prominently along with a touch of anise adding an elegant complexity to the smoking experience. Cedar notes were present given me a slightly aromatic flavor. The minimal spice of white pepper is introduced in the retro which pairs well with the cinnamon. A hint of the cedar and oak continue to linger in the background. The sweet molasses is detectable in the retro, almost like a subtle undertone of sweet burnt caramel with deep and slightly smokey characteristics. The woodiness marries well with the sweetness the tobacco brings. The construction continues to impress, with an even burn and a well-formed whitish, nonflaky ash.
Final Third:
As the final third approached, the complexity deepened beautifully. The white pepper was still present and now intertwined seamlessly with warm cinnamon and rich oak enhancing the woodsy core of the profile. The surprising yet welcomed touch of licorice emerged adding to the subtle sweetness that complemented the cigar’s refined character. The sweetness that Sumatra tobaccos bring truly shined in this stage delivering a natural sweetness that balanced the minimal spice beautifully. A touch of toasted almonds that did not last appeared late, bringing a creamy nuttiness that added to the cigar’s smoothness and well-rounded finish.
I ran into cracking of the wrapper on all three cigars I smoked on the final third. I might have been smoking too quickly causing the moisture to expand rapidly and causing it to crack. No touch ups were needed. For the size New Day represented and almost an hour in a half into it, I didn’t think I was smoking it too fast.
Core Flavors: Oak, Cedar, Earth, Cinnamon, Molasses, White Pepper,
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Complexity: Medium +
Smoking Experience:
Overall, the Warped New Day delivered a refined well-balanced smoking experience, marked by the beautiful evolution of flavors. The combination of cedar, oak, earthiness and sweet nuances created a sophisticated profile, while the excellent construction ensured a smooth enjoyable session from start to finish. What truly set New Day apart was the distinct flavor reminiscent of a sugar-cinnamon toasted Buñuelo – a comforting and nostalgic sweetness that made it an excellent choice for a morning smoke. With no overpowering spice, the profile remained enticing. What a brilliant idea Kyle Gelles came up with, giving the retailers a chance to participate and choose a blend that caters to consumers and whether you are an everyday smoker or a newcomer looking for a complex, yet approachable smoke, New Day by Warp is a worthy addition to any humidor, but only if you are one of the lucky ones to get a hold of one.
Purchase Recommendation: Five Pack if you get lucky only 1000 boxes of 15 produced
Cigars smoked for the Review: Three
Average Smoking Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
