2005 Fuente Anejo Reserva 46 - 5.63 x 46

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro aged in Cognac barrels
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Cigar Notes: Anejo’s are a unique smoke and certainly one of the world's finest. Born in 1999 from an anticipated shortage of Opus wrapper after a hurricane, the Anejo has an Opus/Hemmingway blend core with a specially aged Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. After initial fermentation and aging, the wrapper receives an additional 6 months – 1 yr aging in used cognac barrels to impart a very distinctive flavor.

Storage: Aged at 63 – 65 RH and at 63 – 68 F; then 2 weeks at 70 RH, 65 – 68 F before smoking.

Construction: Oily walnut brown wrapper with a couple small veins. Rolled like a rock.

Prelight: Aroma of heavy cedar, fruit, and tobacco. Taste is sweet wood,c edar, and toasty tobacco with floral notes. Medium-loose draw.

Burn: Lit evenly, slightly meandering burn. Off-white ash.

Drink: Dow’s Boardroom Port.

Smoking Notes: The first puffs tasted like Harvey’s Bristol Cream: smooth, creamy, vanilla coffee notes with a slight aromatic flavor and a fruity finish. The smoke is thick, creamy and oily. By the ¼ point, the smoke turns very cedary (not surprising given the cedar wrap) and woody with nice overtones of vanilla and other sweet spices. Some mild black pepper notes mark the finish. By 1/3, the sweet, floral cognac notes begin to emerge. A quick sip of port brings out flavors of heavy cream, vanilla, sweet ripe fruit, oak, and rich tobacco. Half way, the cedar and sweet cognac floral notes kick it up a bit along with the black pepper spice on the finish. The cigar strengthened a bit in the last half with the tobacco and black pepper notes deepening further, but the cognac and sweet spice notes were still a bit light indicating the need for additional rest.

Overall Impression: Not quite a rounded or powerful as the 2004 release, these still need a bit more age. Still a solid B+. The port complimented nicely and brought out the classic Anejo sweet fruity flavors.