I broke down and pulled an Anejo #77 from my cabinet to enjoy on the beach in Newport yesterday. A beautiful day deserves a fantastic cigar. And I've been itching to give an Anejo a try. I had just received this particular Shark in a recent order so I assume it's probably rather young.
My first impression is that this is a really special cigar. A unique shape. Torpedo end, rounded, works it's way to a squared foot. The wrapper is smooth, deep brown. The overwhelming nose and pre-light taste was sweet. Like a sweet syrup, molasses perhaps. Some hints of spice, but faint hints at best. The initial draw was a little bit tight (and that's the way it stayed after lighting up). My cutter took off about a 1/4 inch from the top.
Sitting in a beach chair with my feet in the sand, enjoying the hot sun it was time to light up. The smoke volume wasn't profound, but just about adequate. Despite the draw issue, the construction of the cigar was excellent. Shark was solid throughout it's body with no soft spots or unusual hard spots. The cigar lit easy and the ash was a nice tight gray/white color. The ash magically dropped off at the end of each third...like it knew that's what it was supposed to do. The taste of the smoke was very much like the initial nose. Sweet lingered and was the most distinct taste I picked up. I tried for a few minutes to pinpoint the taste and then I just decided to sit back in my chair and enjoy the next hour and a half with the Shark. It struck me that this was a cigar I didn't want to over-think. Just sit back, relax and enjoy.
My first impression is that this is a really special cigar. A unique shape. Torpedo end, rounded, works it's way to a squared foot. The wrapper is smooth, deep brown. The overwhelming nose and pre-light taste was sweet. Like a sweet syrup, molasses perhaps. Some hints of spice, but faint hints at best. The initial draw was a little bit tight (and that's the way it stayed after lighting up). My cutter took off about a 1/4 inch from the top.
Sitting in a beach chair with my feet in the sand, enjoying the hot sun it was time to light up. The smoke volume wasn't profound, but just about adequate. Despite the draw issue, the construction of the cigar was excellent. Shark was solid throughout it's body with no soft spots or unusual hard spots. The cigar lit easy and the ash was a nice tight gray/white color. The ash magically dropped off at the end of each third...like it knew that's what it was supposed to do. The taste of the smoke was very much like the initial nose. Sweet lingered and was the most distinct taste I picked up. I tried for a few minutes to pinpoint the taste and then I just decided to sit back in my chair and enjoy the next hour and a half with the Shark. It struck me that this was a cigar I didn't want to over-think. Just sit back, relax and enjoy.
