601 La Bomba Warhead Independence Day Limited Edition 2025 was announced in a press release on April 4th.
According to a press release, this limited-edition project was created exclusively as a promotional item to reward loyal customers and deepen engagement within the Espinosa brand. While it bears the iconic Warhead name, Independence Day is an entirely new blend, distinct from all previous Warhead releases.
Erik Espinosa, President of Espinosa Cigars stated in the press release, ”We wanted to create something not only special but different for our loyal customers. It’s a cigar that rewards loyalty and sparks curiosity.” Master Blender, Hectory Alfonso Sr. added, “This project allowed us to stretch the creative bounds of the Warhead line while honoring its identity”
It’s too bad this cigar didn’t contain a wick, but then for me it would be iconic on a personal level.
Cigar Review: Espinosa 601 La Bomba Warhead Independence Day LE 2025
Size: 6.5 x 55
Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua
Factory: San Lotano Factory
Release Date: June 2025
Production: Limited Edition
Box Size: 10
The Cigar: The Warhead Indepence Day is a dark evenly colored box pressed cigar with one noteworthy vein that sticks out like a cigar on a otherwise beautiful smoke that comes out of the AJ Fernandez factory where it was blended by Espinosa Cigars. While doesn’t have a lot of oils present there is a nice amount of tooth to it and a hefty weight The band is at the foot of the cigar in the shape of a warhead before we move it up to a more traditional spot for the photograph.
The Taste: The cold draw serves up an abundance of notes including nutmeg, fudge, molasses and barnyard elements. The foot of the cigar smells like manure which as I’ve noted before is the ultimate compliment and a touch of molasses that serves as an afterthought.
Once we toast and light the cigar there is an abundance of earth to start with a subtle raisin sweetness and a growing amount of oriental spices such as red chili peppers, star anise and cloves. Moving through this bold, slightly unbalanced first, earth remains the focal point with a leather finish that is enhanced on the retrohale where it is joined by red chilli peppers.
The second third sees the balance of the cigar smooth out with notes of perfectly seared steak, cocoa and pistachios. At times there is a subtle tangerine sweetness with pumpernickel bread like notes. The second third is by far the most complex part of the cigar. The retrohale continues with chilli pepper and leather with a touch of caramel at times.
Moving into the final third notes of leather become dominant with some continue char from a seared steak. As we remove our placement of the cigar band notes of wood emerge with occasional glimpses of pistachio nuts. While not as balanced as the second third the cigar shows off a bold complexity that has me wondering how these will age. The retrohale sees more chilli pepper and it adds to a long leathery finish.
Conclusion: The press release mentions loyalty and it’s amazing how there is very little loyalty in the cigar industry. I think in my 25 years in the industry there is only a small group of people that get the term. Erik Espinosa and Hector Alfonso Sr. are two of those people. There is a lot more I want to say, but let’s keep it about the cigar….
The Espinosa 601 La Bomba Warhead Independence Day LE 2025 is a little rough around the edges but big on flavor. While it is impossible to predict how a cigar will age I think these are worth buying a handful to smoke now and a box to sit on for a year. I hate to age cigars but the box artwork is something I would want to visibly display in my cabinet making it an easier decision.
Score: 91
Price: $18.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
You can find these at Small Batch Cigar and I would suggest the purchase of a box+4 pack. Use the coupon code BARRELBURNER and you can save 10% off your order.
