Atom: a 601 La Bomba Cigar Review

601 La Bomba Cigar Review: Atom

Cigar Name: 601 La Bomba Atom
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 5½”x 46
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler & Binder: Nicaraguan
Paired with: Coffee

Construction and Overall Appearance: The Habano wrapper is lustrous and even in hue. The cigar, itself, is well-packed, and I found no soft spots. It also has one of the neatest-looking triple caps; one leaf is twisted into what looks like a bomb fuse. (Even if you’re tempted, I would refrain from lighting it.)

Draw (airflow): Excellent.

Pre-light flavor (cold draw): Woody and leathery with a hint of cocoa.

Toasting & Light: Excellent.

First few puffs: Similar to the cold draw in flavor with a medium body that gets your immediate attention with a blast of pepper.

Retrohale: A real pepper blast.

Base flavors: Earth, wood, spice and pepper.

Aroma: Robust.

Burn / Ash Quality: Very good. Offers an even burn that reveals a relatively firm grey ash.

Balance of flavors: Excellent.

General Observations

Erik Espinosa told me this cigar was quite potent, so it’s not like I wasn’t warned. I could tell it was strong in nicotine, but it was also very smooth and flavorful which made the strength very stealth and the smoke was cooler than I expected. The flavors are mainly dark tobacco and wood with a good measure of earthiness, as peppery spice and a note of sweetness hang on the finish.

Summary

The 601 La Bomba Atom cigar lives up to its name more in flavor than power. Geared for the experienced smoker who has developed a taste for bold, spicy cigars, the smoke starts out in the medium range, yet by the mid-section, you’re getting the full effect of the ligeros in the blend. The base flavors remain consistent throughout, and an educated palate will appreciate the complexities lurking in the shadows as the cigar moves along its path.

I’m not a fan of peppery cigars, but due to its complexity and the unanticipated coolness of the smoke in this Cuban Corona, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. The 601 La Bomba Atom may not be for the cigar smoker who is not ready for prime time due to the headiness it can provoke, but if this sounds like your kind of cigar, it’s well worth adding to your humidor.

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