Warped Venture 1492 Gran Corona

Warped Venture 1492 Gran Corona

Kyle Gellis collaborates with Hostos Quesada at Tabacalera La iSLA to produce the Venture 1492, a Mexican San Andrés expression that showcases bold intensity in the classic gran corona format. This inaugural vitola marks Warped’s exploration into full-bodied territory, combining Dominican Cotuí binder with carefully selected Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers to create a profile that commands attention from first light.

• Mexican San Andrés wrapper delivers rich chocolate and licorice complexity
• Dominican Cotuí binder adds unique regional character rarely found in modern blends
• 5.5 x 48 gran corona format provides ideal balance between smoking time and flavor concentration
• Tabacalera La iSLA production ensures meticulous construction and quality control
• First vitola release with additional sizes planned for future expansion
• Medium-full strength satisfies experienced palates seeking robust profiles

The Venture 1492 represents Kyle Gellis’s continued partnership with the Quesada family, leveraging their Santiago facility’s expertise to craft a blend that diverges from Warped’s typically medium-bodied offerings. The Mexican San Andrés wrapper, sourced from the volcanic soils of Veracruz, presents a dark, toothy appearance with substantial oil content that signals the intensity within. This thick, rough-textured leaf contributes pronounced dark chocolate and black licorice notes that establish themselves immediately upon lighting, creating a foundation that remains consistent throughout the smoking experience.

Dominican Cotuí tobacco in the binder position adds regional specificity that distinguishes this blend from typical San Andrés expressions. The Cotuí region produces tobacco with distinctive earthy characteristics and natural sweetness that complements the wrapper’s intensity while providing structural integrity. Combined with the dual-origin filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican leaves, the result delivers layers of leather, burnt marshmallow, and coffee undertones that emerge progressively through each third. Red pepper flake appears on the retrohale, providing measured spice that enhances rather than overwhelms the core flavor profile.

Construction quality exemplifies Tabacalera La iSLA’s reputation for precision rolling. Each gran corona displays consistent pack density that ensures even combustion and steady smoke production. The draw resistance sits perfectly calibrated for the ring gauge, allowing full expression of the blend’s complex character without requiring excessive effort. White ash holds firmly for extended segments, indicating proper fermentation and quality leaf selection throughout the blend components. While the burn line may develop slight waves, it consistently self-corrects without intervention.

Summary

• Box Count: 25
• Region: Dominican Republic
• Strength: Medium-Full
• Binder: Dominican Cotuí
• Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
• Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan

What makes the Cotuí binder special in this blend?

Cotuí tobacco from the Dominican Republic adds regional earthiness and natural sweetness that bridges the intense San Andrés wrapper with the Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, creating unique flavor harmony.

How does this compare to other Warped releases?

The Venture 1492 represents Warped’s boldest profile to date, delivering medium-full intensity that contrasts with their typically medium-bodied portfolio while maintaining the brand’s signature construction quality.

What flavors dominate the smoking experience?

Dark chocolate and black licorice lead from the start, with leather, coffee, and burnt marshmallow emerging as secondary notes. Red pepper flake appears on the retrohale throughout.

Does this cigar benefit from aging?

While excellent fresh, several months of rest allows the bold San Andrés wrapper to marry more completely with the filler tobaccos, smoothing the profile while maintaining its robust character.

How long does the gran corona format smoke?

Expect 60 to 75 minutes of smoking time, making it ideal for extended relaxation sessions where you can fully appreciate the blend’s complexity.

What distinguishes Tabacalera La iSLA’s production?

The Santiago factory combines traditional Dominican craftsmanship with modern quality control under Hostos Quesada’s supervision, ensuring consistent construction across every Venture 1492.

Are additional vitolas planned for this blend?

Yes, Warped plans to expand the Venture 1492 line with additional sizes, though the gran corona remains the signature format that best expresses the blend’s intended profile.

What pairs well with this full-bodied profile?

The rich chocolate and coffee notes pair excellently with bourbon, aged rum, or espresso. The intensity also complements porter or stout beers for those preferring malt beverages.