Viaje Full Moon 2016 – This year its a Viaje Collector’s Edition! – Just Arrived at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium just received the Viaje Full Moon 2016.  Since 2012, the Viaje Full Moon is an annual Halloween limited release from Viaje.  The Viaje Full Moon are Nicaraguan puros made at Raices Cubanas using 100% AGANORSA tobacco, including dark and toothy Nicarguan Corojo wrapper.

The Viaje Full Moon 2016 is now a Viaje Collector’s Edition!  The Viaje Full Moon Collector’s Edition 2016 is the fifth installment Viaje Collector’s Edition.  The Collector’s Edition series was introduced in 2012 and provides a special unique cigar size for those who like to collect Viaje cigars. The Collector’s Edition releases have been “one and done” – meaning once the cigars are gone, they are gone, and the vitola will be retired.

The Viaje Full Moon Collector’s Edition 2016 has a Viaje Collector’s Edition foot band and a pig-tail cap.  The old Full Moon jack-o-lantern boxes have been replaced for 2016 with special Viaje Collector’s Edition boxes.

Click any of the pictures below to browse the Viaje Full Moon 2016 or click here.

Click to browse Viaje Full Moon 2016 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Click to browse Viaje Full Moon 2016 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Arturo Fuente Anejo No 49 Review

Anejo No 49
Made by: Arturo Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 7 5/8 by 49

Another cigar by Fuente is up today, these are delicious cigars. Of course the blend does make a difference, but it reminds me of how golf works. Nice equipment is half the battle, and in this case the tobacco in use is very nice equipment. Lets get it started with an Arturo Fuente Anejo No 49 Review.

Prelight

The cedar wrap is really a nice addition to these cigars. That does mean this cigar scores nicely in aesthetics. A dark thick wrapper with a good amount of tooth. The cap is done very well, also there are very visible seams and medium to large sized veins. The pack is pretty firm with one noticeable soft spot. The foot is giving off an apple cinnamon spice that has an amazing smell. The cut was pretty good with a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw has a fair amount of resistance, and the notes are showing more mixed pepper and a sweetness that reminds me of brown sugar.

1/3

Leather and a mix of red and white pepper on the front, the center shows more of the white pepper. The finish also has similar notes of mixed pepper, red and white, alongside a light floral Jasmine. There seems to be some bitter cocoa in the background on the finish. Medium smoke thickness, high smoke production. Burn line is going pretty well, white flaky ash.

2/3

The white pepper spice on the front is delicious, there is a undertone of cedar now. Red pepper is more present on the center alongside light leather notes. And on the finish the floral Jasmine reappears with undertones of bitter cocoa. Really, the cigar has a wonderful profile. The burn time is going long as expected with a cigar of this size. Burn line is doing well, smoke thickness has increased slightly, smoke production is held constant at a high.

Medium to full body, low to medium strength. The cigar does seem to be picking up a little bit in terms of power. The burn line continues to be going great, smoke production is still high. Smoke thickness has dropped slightly, there is mix red and white pepper on the front now with a cedar and oak undertone. The center shows leather and bitter cocoa, with an undertone of red pepper that carries into the finish. The floral Jasmine is still hanging around but it’s much lower than it was in the first and start of the second third.

3/3

As I’m getting to the end of the cigar, the body really hasn’t changed from a medium to full. The strength is up to a medium, the burn line still going strong. The smoke production is still high and the smoke thickness has increased a little bit more. The woodsy note that was underneath on the front has come up and now a mix of cedar and oak are controlling that area of the profile. Then on the center next pepper red pepper and then white pepper or alongside leather. The floral Jasmine is pretty much gone at this point, and leather with bitter cocoa are controlling the finish.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes

Conclusion: 94

Great cigar, this absolutely deserves its reputation of being wonderful. The constitution was perfect, the notes were distinct and well blended. And the best part, the burn time was wonderful. If you’re a collector this is absolutely a box buy. If you’re a casual cigar smoker then having a fiver of these on hand is a great choice. They are wonderful, so if you come by them at your local shop do not hesitate because you won’t be disappointed.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old – Just Arrived!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has just received its shipment of the Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old.  It is available on its website here.

The Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old is a one-time limited edition release that was introduced at the 2016 IPCPR Convention and was sold out within hours. Only 1,000 boxes total containing 11 cigars each will be released.

Created by the master blenders of Altadis’ famous Grupo de Maestros, the Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old were rolled and according to Altadis, “placed out of sight in our cedar room to age for 11 long years”. That’s distinctly different than a cigar made with 11 year old tobacco. In this case, the tobaccos have been rolled into a finished cigar and the flavors and aromas are allowed to marry in an aging room for more than a decade.

The blend of the Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old is made up of a Havana 2000 wrapper from Honduras, Honduran Criollo ’99 binder and a filler combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan leaves. The cigars were originally produced in Honduras at Altadis’s Flor de Copan factory 11 years ago and come in only one vitola: a 5 3/4 x 48 Corona Gorda.

The Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old is said to be medium-bodied and offers a long finish highlighted by hints of dried fruit as well as smooth earth and woody notes. “The cigar is crafted by our very own, very patient, Grupo de Maestros who showed incredible restraint by placing them out of sight in our cedar room to age for 11 long years,” said an Altadis spokesperson in a press release. “This act of passion resulted in a work of art rolled in a rich mahogany wrapper with a perfectly balanced aroma profile. Each elegantly aged smoke leaves behind a long finish with hints of dried fruit and deliciously, smooth earth and woody notes—an exquisite experience designed to invite and delight adult cigar enthusiasts.”

Romeo y Julieta Reserve Rare 11 Years Old. 5 3/4″ x 48 Corona Gorda. Click picture to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium’s online store.

Arturo Fuente Work of Art Review

Work of Art
Made by: Arturo Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 4 7/8 by 60

This is the first of two cigars by Fuente that I will be visiting this week. In this Arturo Fuente Work of Art Review I will be looking for differences that this vitola brings out. I have visited two of the other vitolas in the Hemingway line, this is an interesting in between point. I am looking forward to a similar profile to the Short Story but hopefully this cigars burn time will be sufficient. The other cigar that I will be visiting this week is the Arturo Fuente Anejo No 49.

Prelight

A work of art is a great name for this cigar, in contrast with the Short Story this cigar’s cap is pointed rather than rounded off. The foot is made in the same figurado style as the Short Story though. The wrapper is not that pretty with several blemishes present, the veins are small to medium. and the seams are barely visible. The pack has a spongy give throughout. The foot is harder to get notes out of because of the shape, but it shows red and white pepper as well as cedar. The cut went well and there was just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw shows red pepper and barnyard. Lets get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Sharp cedar on the front with a very balanced mix of white and red pepper coming into play and carrying into the center. The finish has that pepper note carrying but there is also the appearance of light cashew and oak. So pretty good complexity, it took a little bit to open up. That is due to the shape of the foot, but once it did open up it developed quickly. Great smoke production and thickness. I could see light cream coming into the profile soon. Medium body and low to medium strength. The burn seems to be settling, it was quite chaotic during the initial transition to the main body of the cigar. You can see the tooth in the ash which is just a hint at the great smoke thickness of this cigar.

2/3

Cedar and a light floral jasmine on the front, this cigar seems to be burning as quickly as the Short Story but it is significantly more complex. The center shows more floral jasmine with the very balanced mix of white and red pepper. The finish calms back down to the light cashew and oak mix. The smoke production and thickness are holding, and while there is light cream it is being muffled by the other flavors present. Medium body and low to medium strength, the burn line is holding well. Overall, this has been a step up from the Short Story in flavor but not much of a difference in burn.

3/3

Leather and cream on the front, which is a big change. The center is still the balanced with and red pepper, the leather has carried into the center as well. The finish is a mix of oak and cashew with the red pepper hanging on through the end of the profile. So that was the biggest transition in the cigar, the floral note dropped off and was replaced by leather. Smoke production and thickness held strong, and the body got to a medium plus and the strength stayed at a low to medium. Really interesting finish.

Smoke Time: 50 minutes

Conclusion: 91

Yes, this was a step up from the Short Story. It was more balanced in terms of pepper notes and had a bit more complexity. I had to go back and read the last review on the Short Story because I had forgotten the specifics. I was surprised to see a good amount of similarity to the blends, but there were some important differences which raised this cigar above. I think having a fiver on hand is a good level for this cigar. It is something you could visit over and over, great cigar by Arturo Fuente.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Avo XO Intermezzo Tubo Review

XO Intermezzo Tubo
Made by: Avo
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 by 50

I have to say that the cigars that Avo puts out are usually very good releases. This cigar is a different vitola then the last XO I reviewed, I am excited to get to visit one of these again. Lets see what it has to offer with a Avo XO Intermezzo Tubo Review.

Prelight

The cap isn’t the best by any stretch, visible seams. Small to medium sized veins, and the pack is consistently firm. Very light tooth to the wrapper, the foot is giving off light white pepper, cedar, and cream. This is hinting at a lighter and more relaxing profile than the cigars that I have visited recently. Good cut, but there was a good amount of loose tobacco, the prelight draw shows similar notes as the foot. There is more of a mix of white and red pepper present as well as the addition of a light leather note. Lets get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Very easy to light, tons of smoke production and great smoke thickness off the start. The 50 ring gauge is just a very appropriate size, it is a nice aspect of this cigar. Cedar on the front with light cream underneath, the center has a light leather note clearing the profile. The finish has the mixed pepper note consisting of red and white pepper. The red pepper is up at the moment and is making for a nice creamy mouth feel with some bite. Medium body and low strength, great start to the cigar.

2/3

The burn line has been nearly razor sharp, the smoke production has fallen a bit. The smoke thickness is still up there, the body has risen to medium plus and the strength is at a low to medium. The red pepper has continued to control the pepper and it has come up a bit more. The cedar has fallen to become an under note on the front. The light cream and light leather have moved up in the profile. As the center comes on cream and red pepper control the profile. The white pepper is muffled by the bite of the red pepper. The balance is really good because of the cream at the end of the profile. The smoke thickness and that cream are really impacting the profile.

3/3

As I am getting to the nub the body is back at a medium and the strength is almost equal. The front is a well balanced mix of leather and cedar, the center is back to light cream. The finish is more tame with the pepper back to a mix of red and white pepper. There is a light leather on the finish as well. The burn line was wonderful throughout the cigar and the smoke production stayed at a medium. The smoke thickness was at a high though. Really a great offering from Avo.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 88

It had a great profile, it was lacking in terms of aesthetics at the start. The flavors were very stable and delicious. The construction was very good, that burn line was great. The draw had some resistance but nothing unmanageable. The complexity could have offered more, and the transitions could have been stronger. However, in terms of a consistent medium bodied cigar. This performed wonderfully.
Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Warped Maestro del Tiempo – Just Arrived!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has just received the recently unveiled Warped Maestro del Tiempo.  They are available for purchase here.  The Warped Maestro del Tiempo has two sizes: 5205 (6 3/8 x 42 Corona), and 5712 (4 1/2 x 52 Robusto), each packaged in 25 ct. boxes.  A new beauty from boutique maker Warped, the Maestro del Tiempo is a Nicaraguan puro comprised of 100% AGANORSA leaves and made at Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) in Estelí. TABSA also makes the Corto, Flor del Valle, Futuro and La Hacienda for Warped. The Warped Maestro del Tiempo has a Corojo ’99 Clara wrapper from Jalapa, a binder from Condega and filler filler blend composed of both Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99 tobaccos.

Warped owner Kyle Gellis has said that the Warped Maestro del Tiempo was a long time in development and was finally unveiled at the 2016 IPCPR Convention. “I wanted to do this brand for a long time and it took that much time to get the blend down, through so many revisions, farm and lot changes, et cetera. In this industry time is something you need to be very at peace with and embrace because it takes a lot of time and patience to create a blend from the ground up. I was waiting to create this project so much that I just mastered time and learned how to embrace its length.”

The Warped Maestro del Tiempo is described as a medium to full-bodied blend.

Click Picture to browse the Warped Maestro del Tiempo at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

LFD Andalusian Bull – More Arrived at Anthony’s!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium just received a few more boxes of the LFD Andalusian Bull.  The LFD Andalusian Bull are available for purchase here.

At the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, La Flor Dominicana showcased a new limited production cigar called the LFD Andalusian Bull.  While visiting a shop in Andalucia, Spain, Litto Gomez found a unique cigar mold that he purchased on the spot. He brought the mold back to his Dominican factory where he was able to replicate it.  The special mold he found gives these cigars a unique shape. The cigar is available in one size, a unique 6 1/2 x 52 x 64 vitola packaged in ten count boxes. The cigar itself has the look of a Salomon with a small portion that is cut off at the foot. The LFD Andalusian Bull will be an on-going limited production, similar to the La Nox and both Chapter one and two.  The LFD Andalusian Bull is made with select Dominican tobaccos from La Flor Dominicana’s farm in La Canela, D.R. with the wrapper leaf being a full bodied and spicy Ecuadorian Corojo.  La Flor Dominicana Vice President Jonathan Carney described the La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull as a “full-bodied, very smooth” offering.

LFD Andalusian Bull. Click picture to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Warped El Oso Papa Bear Review

El Oso Papa
Made by: Warped
Country: United States, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 48

The construction of warped cigars tend to be world class. Today I will be doing a Warped El Oso Papa Bear Review. This cigar is no exception, and the subtle band lets you know that this brand is not about prestige. It lets it’s blending and tobacco do the talking.

Prelight

Tons of tooth to the wrapper, visible seams, and a well done torpedo cap. The foot is giving off mixed stone fruit, coffee, and barnyard. That hints at a wonderful thick and full bodied profile. Small veins, and there are a couple little water spots from curing. Slightly spongy and consistent pack, this cigar has the makings of a wonderful experience. Great cut, very little loose tobacco. The prelight draw is consistent with the foots flavor. The coffee is showing through and there is a bit of pepper thrown in as well. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Dark chocolate with light peach underneath on the front. The center shows the dark chocolate turning to slightly bitter cocoa and light black pepper. The finish is the cocoa alongside dry cashew. There is a great array of complexity to the cigar, the smoke production is low to medium. The smoke thickness is medium, the burn line is going great. The cigar has a great draw and mouth feel. Medium plus body and low strength.

2/3

The cigar is very spongy, I would almost prefer a firmer pack. The flavor profile is exceptional though. Bitter cocoa has moved to the front with an oak undertone. The cocoa holds into the center and then light black pepper and leather shoe up on the finish. The smoke thickness has held at a medium but there is a good amount of cream to the mouth feel that is making this really enjoyable.

3/3

The bitter cocoa remains on the front, there is a light peach note. I think it’s peach, it’s definitely fruity, but it is alongside the oak underneath the cocoa. The center is showing more wood, with a mix of oak and cedar. And the finish is leather, light black pepper, and the great creamy mouth feel. Low to medium strength and medium to full body. Flawless burn line throughout the cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 92

Wonderful complexity and great transitions. I certainly went through it quickly but that is because it was simply delicious. I absolutely recommend this cigar, it is box buy worthy. Of course try it before you hop into that, but it isn’t something you will be disappointed with.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Illusione 33 Review

33
Made by: Illusione
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/2 by 32

This is not a pretty cigar. That is I would call it more of a twig. Coming in at a tiny 32 ring gauge the wrapper ratio is going to be this cigars stronghold. As far as a petite lancero would go this looks very well made, that is assuming this still would be classified as such. No band, but I have heard nothing but positive things about this blend. Let’s see what it has to offer with an Illusione 33 Review.

Prelight

Ugly, is the best word to describe this. Medium to large veins, almost invisible seams. Lots of tooth to the wrapper, the foot is showing sweet hay, cream, and leather. Spongy and soft throughout the pack. This sounds delicious so far, the cut was sharp and clean, very little resistance on the prelight draw. The cigar continues to show the sweet hay as well as the leather detected on the foot. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Boom, red pepper, leather, and cream. That red pepper is sharp, wonderful flavor medium to full bodied, low to medium strength. High smoke production and high smoke thickness, wonderful flavors. That red pepper and leather is a perfect mix.

2/3

Great burn line, great smoke production and thickness. The burn time is pretty quick so there hasn’t been too much in the way of flavor shifts. The red pepper has picked up more tongue bite. The burn line is razor sharp at the moment.

3/3

Great construction, no changes really it has just been a consistent and solid little cigar. The ring gauge and the softness are verging a different category of smoke. The leather is up a bit, the cream and red pepper are absolutely still there. Medium to full body and low to medium strength. This has been an interesting experience.

Smoke Time: 45 minutes

Conclusion: 86

This profile is something that consistently scores around an 85. This was above average for the red pepper and leather profile because of the perfect construction. The no loose tobacco and the flawless burn line made for a great cigar. This is something that I would put in the neighborhood of the Tatuaje Verocu No 5. A short smoke but a very good one. I would probably place this pretty high on a list of short cigars. Definitely something to try.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

El Gueguense Review

El Gueguense
Made by: Foundation Cigars
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 56

By foundation cigars, this is an interesting cigar that has commanded attention lately. I can smell it while it sits on my desk. The band is quite elaborate, and the name is also demanding as it says “the wise man.” Let’s see if the blending is “wise” and expertly executed with a El Gueguense Review.

Prelight

Small to medium sized veins, not a perfect cap but it is decently done. Visible seams, there is fine tooth to the wrapper. The pack is firm with one softer spot, the foot is giving off a ton of barnyard and manure with some cedar in the background. This smells terrible by my own opinion. Which usually means the cigar is going to be pretty impressive. Pretty good cut with some loose tobacco. The prelight draw shows more woodsy notes to the profile. Let’s see if it can hold up to its recent popularity.

1/3

Wow, a powerful mix of white and red pepper that I was not expecting. That mix of notes holds through the center, then a sharp Cedar shows up. The cigar is a medium to full body, and a medium strength. It is very robust right out of the gate. Medium smoke production, higher smoke thickness. The cigar is pretty dry, there is it really an aspect of creaminess to it yet in the profile.

2/3

The cigar is proving to be a bit difficult to stay lit, it does require some care in the sense that I would not let it sit for long. The pepper notes that were on the front have calmed down slightly, the center now shows oak and cedar which are coming up. The finish is a nice balance of the mixed pepper and light cream. Smoke production continues at a medium, smoke thickness has actually dropped to a medium. The body is maintained a medium to full, and the strength has maintained a medium.

3/3

In the last third, the body has progressed to a full, the strength has come up to medium plus. Wonderful flavors, the mixed woodsy notes are now on the front, the mixed pepper actually fell throughout the progression of the cigar. On the center, the red and white pepper shows back up. The light cream is still present on the finish as is a reappearance of the Cedar note. Medium smoke production and medium plus smoke thickness. Great notes and good body. The cigar had an easy draw throughout and the burn was pretty stable. It was not razor sharp but it did not need any touchups.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Great flavors and good construction, the complexity was above average. The best part of this cigar is the body and the strength that you get with the great array of flavors. This is a fiver cigar in my opinion. Something that would be nice to visit toward the end of the day and once every two weeks or so. Great offering from Foundation Cigars.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com