Warped Lijio Rojo 2022 (SRWJun25)

[Çnote]

Now this is more like it! Cap'n and I have beaten up a couple Warped cigars for underperforming or not being on brand. Today's Cloud Hopper was fine, but this is much more in line with Warped 10 years ago when they earned the 'Cubanesque' moniker. 

Starts with a blast of mild for Nicaragua, flavors of bitter cocoa and baking spice, hesitation and sandpaper grit. I think this will be a great cigar down the road already. I found a cache at disco and got a 10er to try out before getting a cabinet. The 2018 and 2019 releases were very good, but the 2023 didn't show much future to me, or at least not at msrp++. These are showing much more promise already, but needed a few months to dry out from 72% for sure. Much more PLPC vibe getting an inch or so in. Sweet profile, dry finish, still sandpaper texture. Lots of legs. I'll call it an 89 today with lots of hope for a 92 with a more years of rest.

[Islandboy]

I guess it’s time to pull out a 2019 and see if anything’s changed...for the better. On a whim I bought a cab on release, largely due to my infatuation with the 109 shape. What a beautiful cigar, but damn those things turned out to be stupid strong, like blasts of pure pepper! I think I’ve smoked 2 at this point, chucking ‘em both halfway. Your post gives me hope for a transition to something a bit more palatable.

[Çnote]

7 minutes ago, Islandboy said:

I guess it’s time to pull out a 2019 and see if anything’s changed...for the better. On a whim I bought a cab on release, largely due to my infatuation with the 109 shape. What a beautiful cigar, but damn those things turned out to be stupid strong, like blasts of pure pepper! I think I’ve smoked 2 at this point, chucking ‘em both halfway. Your post gives me hope for a transition to something a bit more palatable.

They still whipped pretty hard in 2021, I smoked my last in 2023 and it was more pleasant but still punchy. Let me know, I'm crazy curious.