Warped Bits of Havana Selección de Capital 2024 is a limited production project that fuses the original Bits of Havana blend with a Mexican San Andres wrapper. Production is limited to just 500 los to ensure quality control that meets brand owner Kyle Gellis’ standards.
Kyle Gellis established Warped in 2007 and the brand that started to gain visibility and traction at Brick & Mortars until he launched DROP, a direct to consumer channel on his website. This business model was not well received by some brick & mortars leading stores to drop the brand. DROP still exists but is limited to just 4 brands at the time of this review inclusding the original Bits of Havana which is a Lancero featuring a Corojo ’99 wrapper.
Cigar Review: Bits of Havana Selección de Capital 2024
Size: 6 x 52 (Connoisseur)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua
Factory: Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A
Release Date: July 2024
Box Count: 25
The Look: Ugly. It’s like each turn of the wrapper has a different color as it is applied to the cigar. The box pressed cigar is extremely firm to the touch, though the foot of the cigar has a perfect amount of give. There primary black and white band looks like tribalesque and the secondary gold band has a cheap look it it. The side of the band denotes DROP so Kyle is still actively advertising his direct to consumer model. In the hand the cigar is light.
The Notes: The cold draw has some earth and an abundance of grass. The grass is matched on the aroma from the foot which a touch of earth. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is a nice flavor profile of red pepper and chocolate to start.
As we smoke the first third of the Warped Bits of Havana Selección de Capital 2024 notes of dark chocolate dominate the palate with some earth and a touch of generic coffee. The cigar doesn’t have a lot of balance and the flavors are generally muted. The retrohale has an abundance of pepper which has a sandpaper like quality to it.
The second third is uneventful as there isn’t a lot of flavor and the lack of balance makes the cigar seem a bit harsh at times especially on the retrohale. The palate sees some leather and coffee but it’s a stretch at best. The retrohale continues to serve up black pepper though it is less coarse then the first third.
The final third stays the course with leather and coffee. There is some gritty/sandy earth present that lingers on the palate with a touch of chocolate on the finish. The chocolate is reminiscent of the wafer on an ice cream sandwich. The retrohale is loaded with pepper that also lingers well after the cigar is put down.
Conclusion: There have been some really good cigars that have been part of the Warped portfolio, this is not one of them. It reminds me of the old Te Amo Maduro that has been long since discontinued. San Andres has led to a resurgence of Mexican tobacco that was “dirty” back in the day when they were a newsstand cigar. This is a throwback to those days. The marketing behind the cigar states, “500 boxes to meet Kyle’s standards” In actuality, I don’t think he would sell more than that.
Score: 81
Price: $12.50 (Before local and state taxes)
