AF Anejo #50 Review

[SIZE=3]It’s a cold, grey, damp day here; seemed like the perfect weather for such a hefty smoke. This particular stick has been in a box with other Anejos for about a year, maybe a little less. Given the fact that the wrappers for the Anejo are aged one year in oak cognac barrels, I paired it with a large snifter of Hennessy VSOP Privilege Cognac.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]Pre-light: the wrapper is as oily as can be, dark, and although veiny it was fairly smooth. The construction was impeccable; this could have been in a photo shoot for a Fuente magazine ad. These things smell positively exquisite…like all the joy of the holiday season compressed into 5-1/4 inch robusto. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]Smoking: the #50 burned perfectly, even all the way around from start to finish, the ash staying on well past the 3-inch mark and needing a good flick to dislodge it. This thing billowed rich smoke throughout the experience; the smoke coming off the foot smelled like rare incense. The flavor was consistent, wavered little, changing primarily when I sipped the cognac: tons of “holiday” spices, including cloves, nutmeg, pungent cinnamon oil, and cardamom. Not a touch of anything creamy, or coffee-related. I also caught overtones of the cedar sleeve in which the stick came, as well as an ever so subtle, warming sandalwood. If I had to characterize the flavor of the #50 as something in particular, I’d say it reminded me most of warm spiced wine—tempered of course with peppery tobacco goodness. By the end I had a nice, warm buzz, and felt like a million bucks.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]Final thoughts: I couldn’t smoke this or any Anejo every day. They’re too overwhelming. In the best of all possible worlds, I’d live in a huge castle in Scotland, replete with dark chambers, high wood-braced ceilings, and a private library with a massive stone hearth. I’d hunker down into an impossibly plush high-back leather chair on a stormy winter night, face the roaring hearth, kick up my feet, and savor one of these right before heading to bed.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]btw: first set of nanners = new avatar [/SIZE]

An anejo and cognac. Sounds like a great combo. A very well described review!

Nice review.

Of course if you were a Scottish potentate you'd be drinking Scotch instead of fancy foreign brandy-wine. May I recommend Springbank (very nice), Laphroaig (lots of peat), Macallan (personal favorite).

Originally Posted by Airborne RU

Nice review.

Of course if you were a Scottish potentate you'd be drinking Scotch instead of fancy foreign brandy-wine. May I recommend Springbank (very nice), Laphroaig (lots of peat), Macallan (personal favorite).

The wished-for Scottish locale wasn't at all flippant; I'm descendant of the Kerr clan Thanks for those recommendations, as I've only dabbled a little with Scotches (had a few Macallan's, but not the others)...

Originally Posted by muziq

The wished-for Scottish locale wasn't at all flippant; I'm descendant of the Kerr clan...

"So well the Kerrs their left-hands ply
The dead and dying round them lie,
The castle gained, the battle won,
Revenge and slaughter are begun."
-- The Reprisal
Walter Laidlaw 1549

The Kerrs were notably left handed, or as the old people called it "cack fisted". Either of your ancestral homes, Cessford or Ferniehirst, would be ideal for your Scottish fantasy. I am by no means a Jethart man, but I know the area well. Cessford has the wild location, but has been badly maintained so is now a ruin. Ferniehirst has somwhat romantic peel tower architecture—just the place for my noble laird to organize a mosstroopers' herf.

Originally Posted by magicsmoke

"So well the Kerrs their left-hands ply
The dead and dying round them lie,
The castle gained, the battle won,
Revenge and slaughter are begun."
-- The Reprisal
Walter Laidlaw 1549

The Kerrs were notably left handed,

Right (heheh)! There are many southpaws in my family, and I'm ambidextrous myself...

Originally Posted by magicsmoke

Ferniehirst has somwhat romantic peel tower architecture—just the place for my noble laird to organize a mosstroopers' herf.

My late uncle, the family member most engaged in pursuing the family lore, visited and spoke of Ferniehurst. I'm up for a good Scotch and a herf if I should ever get over there...

Great review! That really made me want to go digging in the humi. As far as the scotch, I have to second the suggestion of Springbank. Springbank is one of only two remaining active distilleries in the Campbeltown region (the other being Glen Scotia). It is also the last family owned commercial distillery (the mitchell family), and it is one of only two distilleries not to chill-filter ANY of their products (the other being Bruichladdich). Springbank 10 (distillery bottling) starts out with a touch of fruit, transitions to a salty mid-palate, and ends with a touch of peat. Very nice stuff ... your scottish blood will love it.

Nice review... congrats on the nanners. I remember back when I was your age...

Originally Posted by olnumber7

Springbank is one of only two remaining active distilleries in the Campbeltown region...

"Oh! Campbeltown Loch, Ah wish ye were whisky!
Campbeltown Loch, Och Aye!
Campbeltown Loch, I wish ye were whisky!
Ah wid drink ye dry."

http://tinyurl.com/v5oo4

They don't write songs like that anymore... thank heavens! Please get drunk responsibly. I was once aboard the ferry approaching the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. There was evidence of a crash on the rocks of the small outcrop that guards the harbor entrance, and I asked a deckhand what had caused the damage. He said the ferry had run aground the previous week. I mused that would be the end of that captain's career. "Nae", he snorted, "that's himself up on the bridge!"

Nice review. You may have inspired me to fire one up tonight.

Originally Posted by muziq

[SIZE=3].....tobacco goodness. By the end I had a nice, warm buzz, and felt like a million bucks.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]....... I’d hunker down into an impossibly plush high-back leather chair on a stormy winter night, face the roaring hearth, kick up my feet, and savor one of these right before heading to bed.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]btw: first set of nanners = new avatar [/SIZE]

What a great description! I am definitely searching out this rare beauty to try for my own.

Originally Posted by magicsmoke

"So well the Kerrs their left-hands ply
The dead and dying round them lie,
The castle gained, the battle won,
Revenge and slaughter are begun."
-- The Reprisal
Walter Laidlaw 1549

The Kerrs were notably left handed, or as the old people called it "cack fisted". Either of your ancestral homes, Cessford or Ferniehirst, would be ideal for your Scottish fantasy. I am by no means a Jethart man, but I know the area well. Cessford has the wild location, but has been badly maintained so is now a ruin. Ferniehirst has somwhat romantic peel tower architecture—just the place for my noble laird to organize a mosstroopers' herf.

I read about a study a few years back about lefthandedness. Being a lefty is an advantage in hand-to-hand combat. Cultures that have a history of this, especially those with a more recent history, have a higher rate of leftihood.

It is a good review and congrats on your set of nanners. And while I'm not Scottish, I can vouch for a good drop of Scotch in the form of the following, and in order of their deliciousness:

Knochandu; Oban, McCallan (10 or 12 yr old). There a couple of others but their names escape me right now. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanks for the great review!! I picked up a couple of these today!!

RR