A Journey Through the Smoke – Unraveling the Unique Story of Warped Cigars
Posted on June 30 2023
A Journey Through the Smoke – Unraveling the Unique Story of Warped Cigars
The universe of premium cigars boasts a variety of intriguing and delightful brands, each carrying its unique character, narrative, and heritage. Among them stands Warped Cigars – an innovative, dynamic, and forward-thinking brand with a resounding name in the world of hand-rolled cigars. Their journey through smoke has been an intriguing one, which we shall unravel in this piece.
Founded in 2008 by Kyle Gellis, Warped Cigars are the culmination of a dream fueled by a genuine passion for old-world craftsmanship and tobacco. As a brand, Warped seeks to fuse traditional cigar-making techniques with contemporary design and presentation.
Gellis, a young entrepreneur and aficionado, brings a unique perspective to the industry; he wasn't born into the industry. He came to love it through his personal experiences. His journey began very early on in life, as he fondly recalls picking out his father's cigars for him, cutting them, then listening to him explain flavors and profiles.
In his early twenties when he decided to turn his love for cigars into a profession. His quest to learn about the intricate processes involved in cigar making led him to the fertile soils of El Titan de Bronze, a small, family-operated factory in Little Havana, Miami, and later to Casa Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua.
One of the most distinguishing aspects of Warped Cigars is its tight grip on the traditional Cuban style of making cigars, often referred to as "entubado." This method involves rolling each tobacco leaf into a tube instead of folding it, which allows better airflow and more complex flavors. Warped has made many cigars at El Titan, highlighted by various small-batch productions of La Colmena, El Oso, and Don Reynaldo, a cigar paying homage to Kyle's father.
Gellis's collaboration with Casa Fernandez opened the gates to the world-renowned Aganorsa tobacco, which plays a significant role in the distinctive taste profile of Warped Cigars. Much of Warped's portfolio uses 100% Aganorsa tobacco, but in terms of collaboration, Futuro and Guardians of the Farm come to mind. This tobacco, grown in the fertile volcanic soils of Nicaragua, is known for its unique sweetness and complex flavors, which have found a global following among cigar enthusiasts.
Warped Cigars offers a wide range of unique and exciting blends. Among the crowd favorites is the "Sky Flower," a limited edition cigar known for its complexity and nuanced flavors of cream, cedar, and subtle floral notes. "La Hacienda" is another must-try, offering a medium-bodied smoke with a perfect balance of spice, fruit, and nuttiness.
While Warped is indeed about its cigars, it is also about an ethos, a lifestyle. This becomes particularly evident in the brand’s packaging and design aesthetics. The labels and packaging for Warped Cigars reflect a modern, minimalistic approach, bringing an element of freshness to the otherwise traditional industry. The design philosophy, combined with top-quality cigars, makes for a compelling package that appeals to both the young and the experienced aficionado. Packaging varies from boxes of 10 to cabinets of 50, like Lirio Rojo, a limited production holiday release, all the way up to whopping cabinets of 200.
The journey of Warped Cigars, from its inception to its well-deserved recognition in the industry, has been driven by a relentless pursuit of quality, authenticity, and innovation. By marrying old-world craftsmanship with a contemporary design philosophy, Warped has succeeded in carving a niche for itself in the dynamic landscape of the cigar industry.
As we conclude this journey through the smoke, it's safe to say that Warped Cigars is not just about creating premium cigars; it's about shaping experiences, stirring emotions, and creating moments of pleasure that will linger in your memory. And that's the kind of commitment to excellence that sets Warped apart.
- Luxury Cigar Club
*Note: Smoking can have serious health impacts. This article is intended for audiences of legal smoking age and does not promote or encourage smoking.*
1 comment
Great read love this kind of back story