In 2014, Warped Cigars brand owner, Kyle Gellis, introduced his El Oso (the bear) line of cigars with two vitolas: named Cub and PaPa. Since then, Gellis has remained diligent to his cigars and later that year released a line extension to El Oso called MaMa.
MaMa is similar to Cub and PaPa in that it is made up of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobacco, with an Ecuadorian binder. The real difference is the wrapper. Whereas Cub and PaPa have a Colorado-hued Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, the MaMa sports an almost oscuro-colored Mexican San Andrés wrapper leaf. This cigar is also produced at the El Titan de Bronze factory and, as with Cub and PaPa, is limited to a per day cigar production of 150.
SEE ALSO: Warped Cigars El Oso PaPa Cigar Review
Warped Cigars El Oso MaMa Breakdown
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
- Binder: Ecuador
- Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan
- Factory: El Titan de Bronze (Miami, USA)
- Production: Limited to 150 cigars per day
- Vitola: 7″ x 38 “MaMa” Lancero
- Price: $12.50
A pre-light tire kicking of the MaMa quickly illustrates the difference in wrapper between the earlier El Oso cigars and this one. Where the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is thin and smooth, the San Andrés is a much thicker and rustic looking leaf. This cigar reflects that difference. Shockingly, the seams of the cigar I’m smoking for this review are open in places and the triple cap is poorly made. Though, as I understand it, all El Oso cigars are rolled by level 9 rollers, this stick looks to be crafted by someone far less experienced. The aroma of the wrapper parallels the PaPa I previously reviewed–barnyard. The foot smell is also quite similar to PaPa with a mostly-sweet cocoa aroma.
The cigar starts off with a simple vanilla component, complimented by a nice, white pepper spice. It quickly transitions to the sweet side of the flavor palate with a very earthy, molasses flavor. And then, Dojo Nation, off we go! This cigar is complex, very complex. It seemed with virtually every puff I was encountering a different flavor profile. There is caramel, black cherry, coffee, cream, cinnamon; my notebook page was overrun with flavor notes. The El Oso MaMa is easily one of the most complex cigars I have ever smoked. There was a roasted meat component in the background that pretty much ran throughout the smoke – delicious, mouthwatering chaos on my palate. And it was marvelous.
The cigar slowly burned a very positive impression on me for well over an hour – it was excellent the whole way. The strength never surpassed medium and it burned generally even all the way to the nub.
Would I smoke this cigar again?
No doubt, no reservations, absolutely!
…Until next time, Dojo mojo, ya’ll!!
Short Link:
- Complexity and balance of flavors
- Clean on the palate
- Well over an hour of smoking pleasure
- Visually poor construction
- Fairly pricey
