TX Duo Review - Warped GR88 OR?

[Çnote]

Reading @Capn_Jackson notes makes me feel like I'm wasting cigars. In order to ensure I actually smoke, I'll light things up when I drive. I'm in North Texas, everything is a PC away. Maybe I'm not paying enough attention while I drive. Maybe it's my note taking. Maybe it's that the cigar starts a thought and I'm just burning expensive incense.

Warped is often labeled 'Cubanesque.' If I remember correctly, Mr Gellis has said he smoked CC with his father in his formative years (the brand website sez his 1st cigar was an MC#2 at age 16) and a few of his bands have that 'mild flavor but full intensity' dichotomy Cuban hallmark, especially some of the selections he has had done at Titan de Bronce in Miami. Based on the website, regardless of quantities produced, the mother factory of Warped would be TdB. A few of his releases resemble classic CC packaging like Cloud Hopper and Lirio Rojo, and these specific cigars have certainly shown to age well. I think it all gets kinda muddled and the CC brush is too liberally applied. Often perhaps a little more refined than other NC, certainly ageable like CC, but often not very CC when approaching with a shotgun.  Warped used to be a reliable profile, but has expanded especially with the DROP and the Gellis distribution paths.

GR88 was released around the same time MrG turned 30. I mean why not? Farkas releases Viaje Birthday on the regular, Tatuaje banded cigars for Pete's 50th and last year released cigars rolled when he turned 50 just to be sure. 

These were spectacular when they came out, super mellow and flavorful, but still a 91+ on a good day. They did get a CA95 and #3COTY for what that's worth.

I'm pretty sure these are original releases. Jackson was so entranced he's thinking about putting a box down for 'later.' 

I actually started this driving across town during halftime of Cowboys-Eagles. Too much wind and certainly drawing much too hard for slow smoking. Still Cointreau cake, marzipan. Wisps of espresso. Whatever flawed flavors I found, I could attribute to a non patient environment. Tough math. 86?  I'm going to dig for another. I drove with an HUHC a few months ago and this feels similar, a fine cigar, but not one for the ages.