THE ARTURO FUENTE ANEJO Reserva No. 55 Extra Viejo Review

[Herf N Turf]

I had never heard of the Anejo, until I was trying to find a lot of Opus X that I could buy at MSRP. I fell into the unavoidable review stuff and the word, "Anejo", kept popping up.

"Opus X for the maduro lover."

"Aged in top secret cognac barrels."

"Opus filler and binder with a fine, broadleaf Maduro wrapper, rolled by only the top torcederos, then aged in ancient, saturated cognac barrels."

"One of the worlds rarest and finest cigars, mostly Opus X, but adds a 5-year-old Connecticut maduro wrapper aged in a cognac barrel."

Wow! How snooty does that pedigree sound? What kind of expectation level does that provoke?



This is a very well presented vitola; sqaure pressed with a very prolitarian band and only a red satin foot ribbon to hint at its place in the hierarchy of AF offerings. Pre-light was very pleasant, rendering notes of nut and a hint of cocoa. After the double guillatine clip, the draw was smooth and effortless. It took to the torch like an aticipated visit from a friend; the light, effortless and even. It had spent about four months in my "magic box" and shows some wonderful "blume", telling me 'tis ripe for the picking!
The first inch came with a rather concerning and unruly burn, but this evened out right at the inch mark. It transformed into a perfectly round, consistent ring.

First third



The first third of this stick was marked by notes of cocoa, cream, sweet conneticut maduro and walnuts. Slightly dry, it began to "moisten" on the palette when it neared the second third. Very nice, huge pillows of smoke and a perfectly smooth draw.

Second third



The coffee has begun. If Peete's made a "Double Tobacco Latte", this would be it, in smokable form. The cocoa has become more pronounced and the walnut notes have changed, delicately, into brazilnut. The draw is still effortless and it's getting really hard, not to hit this stick too hard. It's beginning to deliver everything one dreams about in a favorite. This is supposed to be a "full-bodied" smoke, but I am finding medium-to-full, but with tremendous complexity. It literally takes about 15 seconds of slowly blowing out a tug, in order to savor everything that's going on here. Creaminess still abounds and mellows and settles the other flavors. Walking away from the stick, nestled in my ashtray, reveals a very sweet, headturning aroma; nutty, chocolatty and creamy, with a hint of marshmellow.
According to other reviews, there is supposed to be an anis note here. If there is, I'm not getting it. There is however, a little spice beginning to form, but I don't find it liquorice. It tastes more like bitter-sweet chocolate to me, a good dark morsel from a knowing chocolatier.

Beginning of the end of the second third, and I'm getting some very refined leather, atop the other notes. The initial dryness has all but gone now and the flavor delivery has become mouth-watering. The leather best resembles the outer edge of a seared tenderloin.

Throughout this smoke, ash is analogous of cracked peppercorn; gray and black, with just a hint of bright silver. This reveals it's domincan heritage and it's consistent length, fine, hand work.

The Final Third



The last third of the AF Anejo Torp delivered the first hints of spice. Not as straight ahead as I had anticipated, however. The spice sort of "snuck" in, clouded by the other notes. Surprisingly, the sweet, creaminess of the wrapper continues. Giant, smokey pillows still abide, the draw, hasn't been compromised. The nuttiness has abated some; giving way to what it wants to be, cocoa, coffee and just a hint of earthy, walnut husk. This is starting to show signs of a great finisher!

I'm approaching the nub now. Suddenly, black walnut has stood up to be counted. It was the same walnut essence, which occured originally in the first third, but now it's somehow darker and a lot more roasted. Husky, with a definite "punch", yet not at all overpowering. "Delicate," still comes to mind. Everything is balanced and the delivery, consistent. I think I'm gonna nub this one!

The Nub



Sadly, getting the full experience of "nubbing" this fella, required a little touchup. That didn't impose any flavor compromise, but was, a bit if a hassle. It took only a little, deft torchwork to get Anejo back into form, and delivering what it seemed destined to give.... everything.... and in spades!

Final Thoughts

Guys, do yourselves a favor. Drop the 15 bucks for this stick, put it in your box for a few months and ponder it. Take it out on a special occasion and savor every single puff. It's well worth the price of admission and, just like a great movie, you will want to go back for another showing.

I give the THE ARTURO FUENTE ANEJO- Reserva No. 77 Extra Viejo, a 94/100. A, must try, smoke.

[doubled]

Very nice review, but it looks like a #77 shark to me instead of the 55, but I could be wrong.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by doubled

Very nice review, but it looks like a #77 shark to me instead of the 55, but I could be wrong.

Sorry for the bad camera angle. There's a chance it might be a shark, but I told my BM I wanted the torpedo. This is what he gave me, and stated that he doesnt stock the shark. I just felt lucky to get them.

[Blaylock]

Nice review!

I moved this to the review forum for ya.

[DBCcigar]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Sorry for the bad camera angle. There's a chance it might be a shark, but I told my BM I wanted the torpedo. This is what he gave me, and stated that he doesnt stock the shark. I just felt lucky to get them.

That is the Shark; the 55 is not box-pressed. The Shark is best Anejo in my opinion.

[Herf N Turf]

Thanks Blaylock and DB! I just took what my BM gave me, having said I prefer a torp!. If it's a shark, fine by me, but Ima teliin' y'all, it's a winner!

[sofaman]

Great review and its a 77 Shark!!!

[cruisin66stang]

This is definitely one of my top 10 smokes.

[big04deuce]

Thanks for sharing the review!

[azpostal]

Thanks for the great review and pics.

[roughrider]

Thanks for the review.

[SixPackSunday]

had one recently and loved it. have a 10'er in the mail my way as we speak!

[Phantom57]

The Anejo came about one year when AF thought they were going to run short of wrapper for the Opus, and they were looking for an alternative. Although I like the Anejo, AF is prone to gimmickry which I don't like, ie, flavored wrappers on the Anejo and Opus, and sweeteners on most their other high end cigars.

[AFandFLH]

For the money, I'll take a hemmingway classic, signiture, or Best seller any day, if those are too pricey, the 858's (green and red band) are a fine smoke too! Seems all AF's smoke best when smoked slowly to avoid hot smoke and tar on the end. For a full bodied medium flavor, I'll take a Fuente over a Cuban Cohiba any day!!

[mrreindeer]

Excellent review & pics, thanks so much.

I can't wait to try some of the ones I have restin' in the humi.