La Bomba Warhead XII 6 1/2″ x 58

La Bomba is the full strength end of Erik Espinosa’s catalog, and Warhead is the limited edition that comes back with a new Roman numeral each time. This is the twelfth.

A dark Nicaraguan Broadleaf wrapper covers Nicaraguan binder and filler, full in body. Expect espresso, black pepper, earth and cedar. At 6 1/2 by 58, the gordo runs long and thick, which keeps the smoke cool while the blend stays heavy.

Broadleaf is grown for thickness rather than looks and takes a longer, hotter fermentation than most leaf survives, which is where the dark oil and the sweetness underneath the pepper come from. Warhead runs are made once and not repeated, so the numeral is the only way to tell them apart afterwards.

Pairs well with bourbon, espresso, or stout.