Warped Isla del Cocodrilo is named after the nickname given to Cuba because some think it is resembles a crocodile. To be honest I never heard of the nickname when I was living in Miami.
After yesterday’s review of the Warped Bits of Havana 2024 we has a sour taste in our mouth and not just from the cigar. When I was first introduced to the brand, I really liked what Kyle Gellis was doing so I had to try another one of his newer brands.
I was sent this samples from our site sponsor and the band definite caught my eye with its Cuban feel. It’s made in the Dominican Republic at a smaller cigar factory called Tabacalera La Isla which is owned by Hostos Fernandez Quesada the nephew of Manuel “Manolo” Quesada.
Cigar Review: Warped Isla del Cocodrilo
Size: 6 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Ecuador Habano 2000 & Brazilian Arapiraca
Fillers: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera La Isla
Release Date: July 2024
Box Count: 15
The Cigar: It looks Cuban with the exception of the lack of a triple cap The band is stunning and the Habano wrapper from Habano is stunning as well despite one noteworthy vein. The gold, white and black band stand out on the Isla del Cocodrilo and in the hand the cigar is firm with no voids of tobacco, a well packed foot and a hefty weight.
The Taste: The cold draw is chewy with notes of nougat, raisins and a very subtle fig. The aroma off the foot is more nougat though much more faint and a touch of cocoa. Eager to light this up I take my time toasting the foot before pulling on the lit cigar for the first time.
As we smoke the first third the initial notes serve up a subtle cedar along side some butterscotch and raisins. The cigar taste is chewy just like on the cold draw. Smoking further into the first third a subtle floral develops with continued raisins and a touch of cashews. The retrohale has a subtle pepper and some added sweetness which lingers on the finish.
The second third develops some leather notes and dark toast. The sweetness of the first third hasn’t carried over to the second third. As we get to the half way point notes of oak take over the palate with nuance of cashews and a subtle citrus. The retrohale has almost no pepper and some vanilla creme with a touch of butterscotch that lingers on the finish.
Moving into the final third notes of leather are dominant with charred oak and a subtle vanilla creme. It’s a nice contrast of bitter and sweet that works well. Occasionally there is a floral component that cancels out the leather which keeps things interesting until the end. The retrohale has white pepper as we move past the band with cashews that linger on the finish.
Conclusion: If I had one knock on the cigar it would be the wrapper isn’t aged as long as I would like. This results in a thicker carbon line on the burn and a slightly uneven burn. I can only imagine how much higher it would have scored with an aged so I think these would be a candidate to age as well as smoke now. The cigar is one of the best I’ve had from Warped and reminds me of what attracted me to the brand when first discovered them. It medium-full in strength and the Isla del Cocodrilo has a Dominican feel to it, but it is also very Cubanesque in terms of flavor profile and appearance.
Score: 94
Price: $14.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
