Pioneer EX by ChiMolly - Cigar Reviews by HB Cigars

Holy ChiMolly. Every single time I see the name, I have to say it. Holy ChiMolly. I don't know why - it just doesn't feel right not to. Like how you can't eat a single Pringle or resist pressing the crosswalk button even though it clearly doesn't do anything. Some compulsions exist beyond rational explanation. And after smoking this stick? The exclamation feels justified. ChiMolly burst onto the scene in 2024 under founder Zhuofeng Weng, initially peddling handmade porcelain ashtrays before someone apparently told him "hey, maybe make the thing that goes IN the ashtray." The company operates under the slogan "It's all about texture," which sounds like marketing speak until you actually smoke one of their cigars and realize they weren't kidding. The Pioneer is their third release, following the Pangu and Dynasty lines, and it might be the best thing to come out of a company with Chinese characters on the band since fortune cookies started including lottery numbers.

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🔥 THE VITALS 🔥

Cigar: ChiMolly Pioneer EX (Robusto Extra)

Master Blender: Zhuofeng Weng

Size: 6" x 52 (Robusto Extra)

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: Mi Havana Factory, Estelí

Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan

Price: ~$16-18 MSRP

Release Date: April 2025

🚀 WE ARE LIT!

Draw: Effortless perfection

Burn: Even and consistent throughout

Smoke Output: Luxuriously thick plumes

Ash: Compact grey, holds with dignity

The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper presents in that gorgeous medium-dark coffee bean shade that photographs so well it should have its own agent. The dual-band presentation features purple and gold with Chinese characters that reportedly translate to something poetic about green ink and jade - the kind of thoughtful branding that makes American cigar companies naming things "BEAST MODE TORPEDO" look like they're trying too hard. Construction from Mi Havana is exceptional here, with tight seams and a cap that actually looks like someone cared about geometry. The secondary band sits three-quarters down the cigar in an unconventional position, which is either an artistic statement or someone at the factory decided to get creative on a Friday afternoon. Either way, I respect the commitment to being different.

🎢 FLAVOR JOURNEY

FIRST THIRD: The Velvet Introduction

sweet cream, espresso, dark chocolate, slight pepper

Sweet cream greets you immediately with the warmth of a grandmother who actually likes you, not just the one who gives you socks for Christmas. Espresso develops alongside it - not the bitter dregs from an office Keurig but the real stuff, the kind served by a barista who judges you for ordering anything with more than three syllables. Dark chocolate emerges next, rich and unapologetic, the sort that comes in bars with cacao percentages printed on them like SAT scores. A slight pepper whisper keeps things interesting without being aggressive, just enough spice to remind you this is still tobacco and not an artisanal dessert. The texture the company obsesses over? It's real. This smoke coats your palate like cashmere, assuming cashmere had flavor and you weren't a psychopath who eats fabric.

SECOND THIRD: The Silk Highway

cream, cacao, slight pepper

Cream continues to dominate, proving that ChiMolly's "texture" philosophy isn't just LinkedIn buzzwords made flesh. Or made smoke. You know what I mean. The cacao note shifts from dark chocolate toward something slightly earthier, more raw cacao powder than finished truffle, like you're watching the chocolate-making process in real time. The pepper remains present but polite, the kind of guest who knows how to make conversation without monopolizing the entire dinner party. There's a subtle sweetness threading through everything that prevents the earthier elements from taking over - it's balanced in a way that suggests Weng actually thought about this blend rather than just throwing priming grades at a dartboard. The smoke remains impossibly smooth, each draw feeling like you're inhaling something expensive.

FINAL THIRD: The Crematorium of Flavor

cream, espresso, pepper

Cream persists to the nub because apparently this cigar doesn't believe in third-act letdowns. Espresso reasserts itself with authority now, deeper and more intense, the caffeinated backbone that keeps the profile from floating away on its own smoothness. Pepper finally steps forward to claim its inheritance, building progressively but never overwhelming the established creaminess - think assertive rather than aggressive, like a middle manager who finally got promoted and now walks with purpose. The transitions throughout this cigar have been so seamless that you barely notice you've been smoking for over an hour. This is the kind of finale that makes you immediately want to buy a box rather than just admiring your good taste in singles.

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🏆 THE VERDICT:

S TIER

Flavor: S

Construction: A

Availability: B

Price: A+

Final Rating:

From the first draw to the last, this thing is unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. I don't throw S-tier ratings around like candy at a parade - this cigar earned every letter.

📊 BOTTOM LINE

ChiMolly came out of nowhere and started producing cigars that have no business being this good from a brand most people still can't pronounce correctly. The Pioneer EX delivers a masterclass in Connecticut Broadleaf execution, leveraging that wrapper's natural sweetness and earthy richness while the Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers provide depth without muddying the profile. At $16-18 per stick, the price-to-performance ratio enters genuinely absurd territory - this smokes like something that should cost twice as much and come with a waiting list and a condescending tobacconist. The B availability rating reflects the simple reality that ChiMolly is still building distribution and you might have to actually look for these rather than tripping over them at every B&M. Do the legwork. The company's obsession with texture translates into one of the smoothest smoking experiences I've had this year, and the flavor complexity proves that "smooth" doesn't have to mean "boring." Weng clearly knows what he's doing, and if this is what the Pioneer line delivers, I'm genuinely curious what happens when he really starts showing off.

TLDR: Holy ChiMolly indeed - this Connecticut Broadleaf beauty delivers S-tier cream, chocolate, and espresso in a package so smooth it should come with a warning label for your expectations.

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La Hacienda by Warped Cigars - Cigar Reviews by HB Cigars

Warped: the medium body kings. Not too light, not too strong. Their entire business model is doing it Goldilocks style, and honestly? In an industry where everyone's competing to see who can pack the most ligero into a 70 ring gauge monstrosity, there's something almost subversive about a company that just wants to make balanced cigars. Kyle Gellis founded Warped in 2009 while still a college student at UCF, which means he was blending premium cigars while his classmates were blending vodka with whatever mixer was on sale at Publix. The man's nickname came from his paintball days, which is the most aggressively 2000s origin story possible for a cigar brand. La Hacienda resurrects an old Cuban marca from the depths of history, because apparently bringing dead brands back to life is easier than coming up with new names. But is this stick any good?

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🔥 THE VITALS 🔥

Cigar: Warped La Hacienda

Master Blender: Kyle Gellis

Size: Multiple vitolas available (Gran Robusto 5 1/2" x 52, Superiores 5 5/8" x 46, Corona Gorda, First Growth 4" x 50)

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA/Casa Fernandez), Estelí

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo '99

Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo '99 & Criollo '98 (dual binder)

Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo '99 with Criollo '98

Price: ~$7-9 MSRP

Strength: Medium

🚀 WE ARE LIT!

Draw: Excellent with proper resistance

Burn: Mostly solid, occasional touch-ups needed

Smoke Output: Generous billowing clouds

Ash: Light grey, holds reasonably well

The reddish Corojo '99 wrapper has that characteristic oily sheen that makes photographers on Instagram lose their minds - you know the ones, shooting cigars on leather-bound books next to glasses of whiskey like they're auditioning for a stock photo agency. The construction reflects AGANORSA's reputation for quality, though some batches show the kind of minor burn irregularities that keep you engaged rather than just passively smoking. It's like the cigar wants you to pay attention. The single ornate black band keeps things minimal in that deliberately understated way that boutique brands love - no gold foil, no embossing, just confidence. The high-priming, heavily aged tobaccos from AGANORSA's farms deliver complexity without demanding a PhD in flavor identification.

🎢 FLAVOR JOURNEY

FIRST THIRD: The Introduction

Caramel announces itself immediately, not the artificial syrupy stuff from gas station coffee but the legitimate slow-cooked variety that requires actual patience to produce. Baking spices join the party - cinnamon, nutmeg, the kind of warmth that makes you understand why people put pumpkin spice in everything even though nobody asked. White pepper develops on the retrohale, providing just enough kick to remind you this is Nicaraguan tobacco and not a dessert course. There's an underlying citrus brightness that cuts through the sweetness, preventing the profile from becoming one-dimensional. The medium body sits exactly where Warped promises - accessible enough that you could hand this to someone who thinks they don't like cigars, complex enough that you won't get bored halfway through. Graham cracker emerges toward the end of the first third, adding a toasted quality that sets up the transitions to come.

SECOND THIRD: The Development

Cedar takes the lead as the caramel sweetness recedes to a supporting role, creating a woodier profile that would pair disgustingly well with bourbon if you're the type of person who plans these things instead of just grabbing whatever's open. Almonds and pistachios join the nut category, roasted and slightly salted, the kind of snack you'd find at an upscale bar that charges $18 for cocktails. Leather enters the equation - supple, broken-in, not the aggressive tannin-bomb that lesser cigars produce when they're trying too hard to be "bold." Coffee notes develop, more latte than espresso, maintaining that medium-body commitment Warped is known for. There's a dark cherry sweetness lurking in the background that keeps the earthier notes from dominating. The dual binder is earning its complexity paycheck here, layering flavors without making you work for them.

FINAL THIRD: The Conclusion

Earth and cedar anchor the profile as the cigar enters its final act, providing a foundation for the remaining sweetness to play against. The baking spices return with renewed vigor, particularly the cinnamon, which has evolved from subtle warmth to more defined presence. Espresso notes intensify, adding depth to what's becoming a more robust experience - the cigar's strength creeps toward medium-full without abandoning its balanced principles. Nutmeg and a hint of cocoa round out the finale, creating a finish that lingers pleasantly without overstaying its welcome. The cream that's been threading through the entire experience maintains its presence to the nub, acting as a palate soother against the building complexity. It's the kind of ending that makes you immediately think about when you'll smoke another one rather than just checking the box and moving on.

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🏆 THE VERDICT:

A- TIER

Flavor: A-

Construction: B+

Availability: A-

Price: B+

Final Rating:

The La Hacienda delivers on Warped's promise of Cuban-inspired balance in a Nicaraguan package, proving that medium-bodied doesn't mean medium-interesting.

📊 BOTTOM LINE

Kyle Gellis built his reputation on going against industry trends - when everyone else was making 60+ ring gauge flavor bombs, he was crafting traditional sizes with actual nuance. La Hacienda represents that philosophy perfectly: a cigar that doesn't need to punch you in the face to prove it has something to say. The AGANORSA tobaccos deliver the complexity you'd expect from Jalapa and Estelí's volcanic soils, while the Corojo '99 wrapper provides sweetness that doesn't feel manufactured. At $7-9 per stick, the value proposition is genuinely compelling for a boutique brand using premium aged tobacco. The B+ construction rating reflects occasional burn inconsistencies that some smokers report, though nothing catastrophic enough to derail the experience. The A- availability means you can actually find these in most well-stocked humidors without needing to join waiting lists or bribe your local tobacconist. This is an everyday cigar that smokes like it should cost more - the kind of stick you buy a box of and don't feel guilty about smoking two in one afternoon when the weather's nice and your schedule's clear.

TLDR: Warped's Goldilocks approach delivers a medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro that proves balance isn't boring - it's just confidence without the need to shout.

La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull - Cigar Reviews by HB Cigars

A cigar that's harder to find than a teenage boy looking for the g-spot. The Andalusian Bull isn't just a cigar - it's a white whale in tobacco form, the kind of smoke that transforms grown adults into obsessive creatures refreshing retailer websites at 3am like they're trying to score concert tickets to a band that broke up in 1997. When Cigar Aficionado crowned this thing #1 Cigar of the Year in 2016 with a 96-point rating, they essentially created a demand curve that would make an economics professor weep. The cigar was already scarce before that announcement because Litto Gomez, in his infinite wisdom, decided only TWO master rollers in the entire factory should be trusted to produce it. That's not a production strategy - that's performance art masquerading as supply chain management.

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🔥 THE VITALS 🔥

Cigar: La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull

Master Blender: Litto Gomez

Size: 6 1/2" x 64 Figurado (Salomon)

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Factory: Tabacalera La Flor S.A.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo (unique priming, first time used by LFD)

Binder: Dominican (Estancia La Flor de Palma)

Filler: Dominican Criollo '98 and Pelo d'Oro

Price: $27 MSRP (Used ro be $17, just saying)

Strength: Medium to Full

Production: Limited ongoing

🚀 WE ARE LIT!

Draw: Excellent once it opens up - the figurado shape requires patience

Burn: Generally solid, occasional touch-ups needed

Smoke Output: Ceiling-clinging clouds of Dominican excellence

Ash: Dense and durable, holding impressively despite the unusual shape

The Andalusian Bull announces itself visually before you even smell it - that mahogany Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper with its reddish-clay tinge sitting beneath emerald green and gold banding that takes its colors from the Andalusian flag. The font spelling out "andalusian bull" is based on Pablo Picasso's handwriting, because apparently Gomez decided regular typography wasn't pretentious enough for a cigar this legendary. The figurado shape flares from 54 ring gauge at the tapered cap to a whopping 64 at its widest, creating a smoking experience that evolves as the geometry changes. Construction is what you'd expect from LFD's best work - these aren't mass-produced by some assembly line of indifferent rollers. Two people on earth make this cigar, and they apparently take it personally.

🎢 FLAVOR JOURNEY

FIRST THIRD: The Gate Opens

Black pepper and leather charge out immediately like the namesake beast spotting a matador in an ill-fitting sequined jacket. Cedar enters the ring within the first few puffs, providing structure to what's becoming an increasingly complex profile. The Corojo wrapper delivers a subtle sweetness that plays against the savory leather notes, creating tension that keeps you engaged rather than just passively puffing. Hickory emerges with an almost smoky, bacon-adjacent quality that makes you wonder if Gomez somehow infused this thing with the essence of a Southern barbecue pit. Chocolate and earth join the party as the first third closes, with a creamy finish that acts as a palate reset between the bolder notes. The strength is building but measured - this bull knows how to pace itself.

SECOND THIRD: The Dance Intensifies

Saffron and cumin take over the spice duties, transforming the profile into something genuinely unique - these aren't your standard cigar spices, they're the kind of flavors that make you question whether you're smoking Dominican tobacco or eating at a Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant where the tasting menu costs more than your car payment. The black pepper recedes tactically while caramel rises above the earlier chocolate notes, providing unexpected sweetness. Leather and hickory maintain their presence in the background like session musicians who know when to let the lead singer shine. Orange sweetness teases on the retrohale, adding brightness to what could otherwise become one-dimensional richness. An earthy, almost mushroom-like quality adds funk without crossing into unpleasant territory. This is where the Andalusian Bull separates itself from pretenders.

FINAL THIRD: The Triumph

The black pepper returns with renewed aggression, hitting the tongue and palate with authority that announces the final act has begun. The saffron and cumin spice blend tones down, ceding ground to a creaminess and tangy smokiness that balances the pepper's intensity. Coffee emerges on the finish, dark roast quality that adds depth without bitterness. Cedar reasserts itself while nutty undertones develop, creating layers within layers. The strength has climbed to full by now, and there's a mineral quality that produces legitimate salivation - your mouth wants more even as your brain registers that you've been smoking this thing for two hours. The figurado's tapering ring gauge concentrates flavors as you approach the nub, rewarding your commitment with intensified complexity rather than the harshness lesser cigars deliver at the end.

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🏆 THE VERDICT:

A+ TIER

Flavor: A+

Construction: A-

Availability: D

Price: B+

Final Rating:

The Andalusian Bull earns its legendary status through sheer force of flavor complexity and the audacity to be this good while being this difficult to acquire.

📊 BOTTOM LINE

Litto Gomez created a cigar that has become the industry's most frustrating success story - a genuinely exceptional smoke that most enthusiasts will spend years trying to find rather than actually enjoying. The figurado shape isn't just aesthetic showmanship; it fundamentally changes how the cigar smokes, with the evolving ring gauge creating a dynamic experience that rewards the 2+ hour commitment this beast demands. At $27 MSRP the price would be reasonable if you could actually buy it at MSRP, which you can't, because the secondary market treats these things like they contain fragments of the True Cross. The A- construction rating reflects occasional burn inconsistencies that seem almost forgivable given that only two human beings are trusted to roll these things. The D availability is self-explanatory - you either know a guy who knows a guy, or you're refreshing websites like a desperate ex checking their former partner's Instagram. But when you finally get one? The Andalusian Bull delivers a complexity and evolution that justifies every frustrated search, every "out of stock" notification, every moment you spent wondering if this cigar was just hype. It's not hype. It's the real thing - assuming you can find it.

TLDR: Cigar Aficionado's 2016 #1 is harder to locate than your motivation on a Monday, but the saffron-cumin-leather-hickory complexity proves some legends actually deserve their reputation.