Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988 (GR88)
Posted on June 15 2021
Vitola: 5.25x50 | Smoking Time: 59 min | Cigars Smoked: 5+ | Body: Medium | MSRP: $9
Wrapper/Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan puro
Kyle Gellis established Warped in 2007. The GR88 was created to commemorate Kyle’s birth year and tribute to his father who introduced him to cigars. It earned a 95 from Cigar Aficionado and a #3 spot in the 2019 top 25 list.
Visual Inspection: Very veiny wrapper with smooth texture, hard-to-spot seams, and matte finish. Sweet aroma of honey, vanilla, earth, and sawdust. Cold draw delivers honey sweetness, walnut, and light oak.
First Third: Charred oak immediately on the draw, brief unripe berry bitterness that fades quickly into smooth cream. Burns rough but self-corrects. Graham cracker and honey emerge toward the end of this third.
Second Third: Almond up front with cream and honey. Nutty hints, light pepper on the retrohale. Charred oak, mild dark chocolate, and toffee show up mid-third. Breakfast coffee appears toward the end — would pair beautifully with a cup.
Final Third: Dark chocolate hints ramp up slightly. Roasted almond arrives. Retrohale reveals baking spices. Cream, honey, and graham cracker remain consistent from beginning to end.
Final Thoughts: Very consistent flavors throughout with pleasant fleeting sub-notes adding dimension. The GR88 is always reliable — I haven’t heard a negative word from anyone I’ve passed them to. An exceptional Nicaraguan puro that holds its own well above its weight class.
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
What does GR88 stand for?
GR88 stands for Gran Reserva 1988 — a tribute to Kyle Gellis’s father, who introduced him to cigars. The 1988 refers to Kyle’s birth year, making this one of the most personal releases in the Warped portfolio.
Is the Warped GR88 good for everyday smoking?
Yes — at $9 with reliable construction and medium body, it’s an ideal everyday smoke. The reviewer praises its consistency over multiple cigars and calls it always reliable.
How does the GR88 compare to other Warped cigars?
The GR88 sits in the middle of the Warped range by strength. It’s a great starting point for new Warped smokers before exploring fuller lines like the Corto or Maestro del Tiempo.