Cigar Review: Espinosa 601 La Bomba Warhead: Independence Day

Cigar Name: 601 La Bomba Warhead: Independence Day

Brand: Espinosa

Vitola: 6x55 Box Pressed Toro

Origin: Nicaragua made at the AJ Fernandez San Lotano Factory

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Maduro Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Price: $18

Date Smoked: July 4th, 2025

Smoking Time: 90 minutes

Reviewer: Marty C

1. Taste 

Flavor Profile: (Describe the dominant flavors—e.g., earthy, spicy, sweet, creamy, woody, etc., and any shifts across thirds)

• First Third: Cigar opens with dark chocolate, coffee bean earthiness. It’s surprisingly smooth given the name and because I associate Espinosa with some spicier blends. There is a hint of spice in the background but it's subtle. The retrohale is smooth but with some mineral qualities.

• Second Third: Second third continues more of the same and then the sweetness moves to the forefront. The sweetness is reminiscent of chocolate bar with caramel and peanuts.

• Final Third: The final third transitions to a dark roast coffee as the sweetness subsides but remains in the background. The subtle background spice remains

Complexity: Notes remained fairly consistent. I enjoyed the sweetness in the middle third.

Strength: Medium-full

Aftertaste: A very subtle spice in the background with a chocolatey coffee taste that holds on.

Score: 32/40

2. Construction 

Quality: Wrapper has a kind of a rustic coarse feel but is smooth with no visible seams or stems lurking underneath.

Feel: The soft box press is firm yet supple as you would expect from this type of vitola.

Cut: Straight cut is easy and the cap holds its integrity.

Score: 20/20

3. Draw

Resistance: Draw was a little towards the loose side of perfect but very nice as I expect from a box press.

Smoke Volume: A moderate amount of smoke

Consistency: Draw remained consistent throughout

Notes: 

Score: 19/20

4. Appearance 

Visual Appeal: The cigar is a beautiful dark brown maduro and with the soft box press shape it looks like a chocolate bar.

Band Design: The band is a red white and blue footband with stars and stripes. It comes off easily and unrolls into the shape of a screaming bomb with the text 601 La Bomba Warhead Independence Day. A very nice looking band.

Overall Presentation: A really nice presentation. I liked the band design. I kind of wish it was not a foot band so I could look at it longer on the cigar, but being a footband let me remove it and admire it in all its red white and blue glory!

Score: 9/10

5. Burn 

Evenness: Burn was perfectly straight! Excellent the whole way through. 

Ash: Ash is white. A little flaky but comes off in 1 inch chunks.

Relights: No touchups at all!

Burn Time: 90 minutes

Score: 9/10

Overall Experience

Summary: I smoked this cigar while watching the Cubs play the Cardinals on the 4th of July. The Cubs were dropping bombs all day as they hit a Cubs record 8 home runs in one game. A perfect setting for this cigar. This cigar was delicious and smoother than I expected. With a name like La Bomba Warhead I guess I was expecting something spicier but I was surprised in a good way. The flavors melded well and it was very enjoyable.

Pairing Suggestions: An old fashioned or rootbeer would go well with this cigar.

Would You Smoke Again?: Yes but it's very limited and a lot of shops are sold out.

Total Score: 89/100

Final Thoughts: The Espinosa 601 La Bomba Warhead: Independence Day is a standout cigar that delivers a surprisingly smooth and flavorful experience, defying expectations set by its bold name. With a rich profile of dark chocolate, coffee, and caramel-like sweetness, it transitions seamlessly across thirds while maintaining a medium-full strength that’s approachable yet satisfying. The cigar’s impeccable construction, near-perfect draw, and flawless burn showcase Espinosa’s craftsmanship at its finest. Its striking maduro wrapper and patriotic footband add visual flair, perfectly complementing the festive July 4th smoking experience. Paired with the excitement of a record-breaking Cubs game, this cigar proved to be a memorable treat. While its limited availability may make it difficult to revisit, its delicious balance and quality make it a must-try for enthusiasts.