TX Duo Review - Warped Upper Realm

[Çnote]

@Capn_Jackson has smoked this repeatedly, so he tossed me one (two) as well. I do like Warped, but they have a lot going on between regular releases, DROP & cyclical LTOs. The price increases don't help either, but what hasn't gone up in the last few years? This particular limited item was shipped as 250/200ct, which certainly reduced the number of venues selling them. 

I did not take a picture...upon light up is get this huge pop of ¡interesting! that lingers for the entirety but never quite delivered. I kept my mouth open, waiting, but nothing happened. Marzipan, biscotti. Tending a touch bitter and rough. Getting to the 3rd3rd the spice bomb intensity detonates but the texture of smoke detracts from the richness. It's just not on, or at least this example. Or maybe it's in the +50% of Warped that I'm just not that into.

I had already committed to smoking this when Jackson texted that he already had his review written, but he had noticed a marked variation in samples so had provided 2. I guess I'm smoking another and I'll be sure to take pictures.

Perhaps you would favor us with your review, Jackson?

[Capn_Jackson]

Excited to put fire to this one. I’ve come to appreciate Warped as a brand recently, although there have been a few that bored me. Uoper Realm is a rarity... 250 boxes released… boxes of 200 cigars each! MSRP of each box was around $2,500 I think. This was sent to me by a trading partner earlier this year. The size is 5” x 48 rg, a Hermoso no.4, one of my favorite vitolas. Wrapper is a medium shade of brown with some oily splotches, visible but smooth veins. The aroma from the body and foot is something like dark cocoa, and hay. Cold draw, with maybe not enough resistance, gives me playful dark cherry, or maybe red wine, baking spices, and some mintiness that makes me think of hyssop plants. 

After toasting and lighting, peppered honey and sourdough toast come to my mind. Not too harsh, but hoping the pepper subsides quick. The next few puffs are still spicy, but there is a sweetness and a tangy citrus building behind it. Through the mouth, without retro, the pepper is not nearly as prominent, just showing a lovely palate of sourdough toast, dark cashew butter, and red fruits. More of that in the nose, and far less pepper, would make me a happy camper. 

Eventually, that pepper wash does die down to a nice bed of savory herbs, shortbread cookie, and popcorn. There’s a tannic note, something like the tang of red wine, but a little more herbal. At about three years old, I have the feeling this cigar could age for ten years, and retain a lot of good attributes. The finish is trying to be syrupy, but it’s short. Doesn’t linger very long.

About halfway through the first act, no more pepper, except possibly a twinge of smoky poblano which I’m enjoying. Buttered popcorn and Malört funk come to dominate as we segue into the second third. Some touch-ups required, as I’m getting quite a wonky burn.

Definitely more vegetal around the midpoint, something I quite like in a cigar, as long as it’s coupled with some darker notes. This doesn’t quite come across that way, though. It’s a little too vapid, as if it doesn’t understand what it’s trying to be. Underneath grassiness and honeysuckle there is a distinct warm prune note trying to shine through, but it just doesn’t cut enough. Oily, and herbal, but flaccid.

Strength has hit me as medium up to now, but might be boosting up toward medium-full.

The last third gets more darkness that I’ve been searching for, and rounds out with molasses, Cointreau, rich almond butter, and egg-y custard. The finish is still very short, and nothing really sticks. Some anise and herbal quality on top of everything. 

Going past the band, some nice coffee bean, slightly sweet cocoa, baking spices, and herbs. The nub lets loose with some flavor that seemed to be held back earlier on. Strength didn’t get so high as I thought it was going, staying just under med-full.

This one is an 86.

P.S., I’ve had a few of these now after writing this, and had different experiences. Might give this one a second review soon.

[Capn_Jackson]

@Çnote sounds like we had the same experience. Not in flavor, necessarily, but in quality.

[Çnote]

This is perfectly likable but the flavors seem all on mute. Similar experience to my 1st.