Cigar Extra: Espinosa Cigars 601 La Bomba

Originally published at Tiki Bar Online

Napalm (Robusto), 5” x 52 ring gauge 

This is the final cigar I got from Espinosa Cigars a few weeks ago in the sampler they sent out for review. I published full reviews on a couple things we hadn’t seen on the Tiki Bar before as well as a Cigar Extra on another stick. I thought I would “Extra” this revisit of the 601 La Bomba as well. This cigar was first produced at the My Father factory, but is currently being rolled at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona. It uses all Nicaraguan tobacco for the blend, including lots of Ligero and a Habano wrapper. The cap is finished in an inches-long fuse tail and novice smokers are specifically warned to steer clear. Recently Espinosa has been busy filling out this product line with a 7×70 vitola, as well as the upcoming Warhead Limited Edition of La Bomba, but I’m smoking a Robusto today.

The wrapper was very, very oily, reminding me in some ways of the first time I saw a 601 Red Label. That makes me wonder if they use the same Habano leaf to wrap both. It had an earthy, leathery aroma to it. The foot was earthy to the point of manurey with some woody notes as well. Dragging on the unlit cigar after clipping, I got a nice earth and cocoa powder flavor. Lighting up brought on strong cedar and natural tobacco flavors along with an underlying earthiness and a healthy amount of pepper spice…which I feel is pretty much expected in something that dares to call itself “The Bomb.”

So, in the end, this Robusto vitola isn’t quite the palate-obliterating experience you might expect from a cigar carrying such an explosive name, but I found it more enjoyable because of that. It was full-bodied and potent with nicotine strength (novices still no need to apply), but it was also very tasty, carrying through lots of cedar and earth flavors to the end.