The Warped Corto X52 is a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro built entirely from Aganorsa-grown leaf, wrapped in a shade-grown Jalapa Corojo '99 leaf over a Corojo '99 binder and a filler core of Corojo '99 and Criollo '98. Rolled at TABSA in Esteli and finished in a firm 4 3/4 x 52 box press, it packs the depth of a much longer cigar into a short, dense format. Corto, Spanish for "short," debuted in 2015 as Kyle Gellis's first full-bodied short vitola, and the larger, stronger X52 joined the line in 2023.
The profile leads with black pepper and dense wood, backed by cedar, leather, and a rich vein of chocolate and caramel. Molasses sweetness and dark coffee roll through the middle, while earth anchors the finish and keeps the strength honest from start to end. It is a concentrated, layered smoke that rewards a slow pace.
This is a cigar for the experienced smoker who wants full flavor without a two-hour commitment, and it earned its stripes at No. 23 on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 of 2024 with a 92 rating. Pair it with black coffee in the morning or a pour of bourbon after dinner. If you like your short smokes with real power behind them, add the Corto X52 to your next order.
