I’ve heard it said that the difference between rare and obscure is that rare things are often sought after, while obscure things are just plain ignored. If the statement is true then the Arturo Fuente Anejo Cigar is both rare and obscure all at the same time. Some may argue that I may be way off base when I make this statement but I will try to explain my meaning as I review this cigar.
The Arturo Fuente Anejo Story –
As history has recorded back in September 1998, hurricane George brought destruction and devastation to the Dominican Republic. Along with the demolition of Arturo Fuente’s famous cigar rolling factory many of the Fuente’s tobacco plantations incurred tremendous crop damage. This resulted in a shortage of tobacco and most locally notably the wrapper leaf for their extra famous cigar, the Opus X. Face with the thoughts of limited production and reduced quality, the Fuente brothers set out to created a new cigar that was going to be of utmost quality and just as premium as that of their Opus line.
To start, the Anejo cigars uses a secret blend of filler tobacco that comes from the same recipe of their three most prominent lines of cigars: the Opus X, Don Carlos, and Hemingway vitolas . If that is not enough they then add to the mix a very hearty five year old aged Maduro Connecticut wrapper that has spent at least eight months of extra fermentation in wooden Cognac barrels. Aged even longer than other Fuente cigar lines the Anejo’s are only available two times a year for purchase, thus making them a very rare and sought after smoke.
Even with all the makings of a great cigar the Anejo is also obscure in its rare nature. Many time the cigar is passed over by aficionados for other premium blends. In the past few years the Anejo doesn’t seem to have the same drawing power as it enjoyed in the early 2000′s. Is that because cigar smokers pallet’s have change or the ratio of value vs. price has made this cigar out of reach of some consumers pocket- who’s to say? One thing I have noticed personally is that I have been able to find this smoke almost everywhere I go and in great supply.
Statistics –
Name: Anejo #55
Country: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera Fuente
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Maduro
Size: Torpedo
Ring Gauge: 55
Length: 6 Inches
Appearance –
One of the most eye-catching things about this cigar is the deep dark wrapper that seduces you into wanting to smoke this Habano’s. Even though most of the cigar is wrapped in a thin cedar sheath from the foot to the band this torpedo peeks out taunting you to enjoy its sweet Dominican flavor. As the cedar is removed the dark charcoal black wrapper is revealed and I was pleased with is smooth and prominently veined complexion.
Construction –
At first glance the cigar looked to be well-crafted but under closer examination the role was uneven and flared at the top. This was disappointing because Autero Fente is known for such high quality in their production. The cigar otherwise seamed ok and after I cut the smoke I soon forgot about the frayed head.
Burn –
With very little effort I was able to enjoy this cigar. The burn and draw was flawless. There was no over abundance of smoke but enough to be reminded from time to time that I was smoking. The aroma was pleasing and I forgot and inhaled the smoke a couple of times thinking that I was smoking a Cuban.
Flavor –
Most notably the Anjeo is packed with a refined flavor and does not scrimp on taste or nuance. Starting with a smooth liquorish flavor that works evenly into a boldness that is every bit as good as a well aged Opus X, the Anjeo has one of the best flavors of all the Fuente cigar line. While smoking through the cigar it develops it’s pepper quite nicely. Then by three quarters of the way in there comes a subtle boldness that has a thick molasses taste and is heavy on the pallet.
Finish –
The Anjeo is not overly powerful to the senses nor is it way to placid to the pallet. As smoke’s go it is a very, very premium cigar that I enjoyed thoroughly, but I still was wanting more flavor when I came to the end. All of the flavors developed well and the stogie was well-crafted, but I have come to expect a little more body in the cigars that I smoke.
When you smoke Anjeo #55 it is clear that your are smoking Dominican tobacco because of it’s milder complexion and that is why I believe that this cigar has become more obscure to the cigar smoking public than it is rare. Even though the production of this smoke is only twice a year most aficionados seam to forget the smooth richness and flavor of the five year old Maduro wrapper. The public seam to want a more of a spicier smoke and not a cigar that delivers on flavor but not on punch.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States.
