AKA Respect - 4.5 x 52 "Anchors Away" ~ An Amateur's Point Of View
Steve2010
Posts: 1,036 ✭
If youve never heard of AKA Cigars, the AKA stands for American Kick Ass. Jay Lundy and his crew developed the RESPECT blends as a tribute to the different branches of the Armed Forces. I can definitely respect the premise behind these cigars.
Ive chosen the 4.5 x 52 robusto named Anchors Away. Now, after serving 24 years as a mud-churning, fire-breathing Cavalryman on the M1 series tanks, I will begrudgingly give a nod to the Navy, and here's why:
We were in Baghdad in 2005-06 patrolling in up-armored HMMWVs and while started taking small arms and RPG-7 fire from a house.
We took up positions and returned fire and the Fire Support Officer that was with us said Hey, theres a flight of two FA-18s on station, want to use them?
Well, thats a really stupid question. Hell yeah, bring the heat!
So he called in a 2000 pound JDAM strike. Problem solved.
Going through the rubble we were able to count 8 insurgents and a lot of weaponry.
The Navy, while not really saving our bacon, definitely ended the engagement quickly. If youve never seen a JDAM strike, its pretty impressive:
JDAM Strike
On to the cigar. Removing it from the cello reveals an almost vein-free Ecuadorian-Habano wrapper. The binder is Honduran Corojo and the filler is Dominican Corojo Ligero. The smell is straight from the barnyard. Leathery and lots of black pepper.
I used a V-cutter for no other reason than its what I grabbed. The wrapper is thick and glistens in the sunlight.
I pride myself on being able to handle full bodied smokes, but the RESPECT took me by surprise. Right off the bat, the flavors and strength were apparent. Damp earth, oak, and a dusting of cocoa were swarming my palate and just the right amount of pepper hitting at just the right times.
If youve never been to Basic Training or Boot Camp, watch the beginning of Full Metal Jacket. This cigar is the equivalent of R. Lee Ermey at his Drill Instructor best.
The RESPECTs flavors and strengths are in-your-face with no quarter asked and none given.
The draw has just the slightest hint of resistance producing thick, creamy smoke. The burn was near perfect, not requiring any touchups.
Theres nothing subtle about this cigar. The strength tops out at full and the flavor profile is a kaleidoscope of awesomeness that matches the strength every step of the way.
Its not a strong cigar for strengths sake. Its well balanced and supremely complex, with no two draws being the same.
If youre looking for a boring cigar, look somewhere else.
If I had to describe this cigar in military terms, it would be: The SEAL raid on Bin-Laden. Powerful, complex, and executed with precision.
The folks at American Kick Ass sought to provide a fitting tribute to the military: Mission Accomplished.
Ive chosen the 4.5 x 52 robusto named Anchors Away. Now, after serving 24 years as a mud-churning, fire-breathing Cavalryman on the M1 series tanks, I will begrudgingly give a nod to the Navy, and here's why:
We were in Baghdad in 2005-06 patrolling in up-armored HMMWVs and while started taking small arms and RPG-7 fire from a house.
We took up positions and returned fire and the Fire Support Officer that was with us said Hey, theres a flight of two FA-18s on station, want to use them?
Well, thats a really stupid question. Hell yeah, bring the heat!
So he called in a 2000 pound JDAM strike. Problem solved.
Going through the rubble we were able to count 8 insurgents and a lot of weaponry.
The Navy, while not really saving our bacon, definitely ended the engagement quickly. If youve never seen a JDAM strike, its pretty impressive:
JDAM Strike
On to the cigar. Removing it from the cello reveals an almost vein-free Ecuadorian-Habano wrapper. The binder is Honduran Corojo and the filler is Dominican Corojo Ligero. The smell is straight from the barnyard. Leathery and lots of black pepper.
I used a V-cutter for no other reason than its what I grabbed. The wrapper is thick and glistens in the sunlight.
I pride myself on being able to handle full bodied smokes, but the RESPECT took me by surprise. Right off the bat, the flavors and strength were apparent. Damp earth, oak, and a dusting of cocoa were swarming my palate and just the right amount of pepper hitting at just the right times.
If youve never been to Basic Training or Boot Camp, watch the beginning of Full Metal Jacket. This cigar is the equivalent of R. Lee Ermey at his Drill Instructor best.
The RESPECTs flavors and strengths are in-your-face with no quarter asked and none given.
The draw has just the slightest hint of resistance producing thick, creamy smoke. The burn was near perfect, not requiring any touchups.
Theres nothing subtle about this cigar. The strength tops out at full and the flavor profile is a kaleidoscope of awesomeness that matches the strength every step of the way.
Its not a strong cigar for strengths sake. Its well balanced and supremely complex, with no two draws being the same.
If youre looking for a boring cigar, look somewhere else.
If I had to describe this cigar in military terms, it would be: The SEAL raid on Bin-Laden. Powerful, complex, and executed with precision.
The folks at American Kick Ass sought to provide a fitting tribute to the military: Mission Accomplished.
0
Comments
Rob
Steve, nice review. I've never tried AKA, but it's definitely on my list. Thank you for your service to our nation, and stay safe over there in Afghanistan.
Thanks for posting brother.
I'm curious, you say this is a strong cigar but not boring, thus has flavor. Have you had the Tat t110 or the tat Barclay rex? If so would this cigar be along those lines, if you have had those cigars that is.
Have not had either, but yes, the flavor profile is really nice. As strong and complex as anything I've smoked. Rich and thick smoke with a nice lingering finish.
****Edit***It's somewhat similar to the Tat Fausto, but just a tad richer.
Only heard of them. Have not actually seen one. Seems they are a regional cigar, but making headway. Will definitely be one to keep an eye out for.
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy cigars and that's close enough.
Glad I did.
The flavor profile remained basically the same, but the flavors were much richer.
The "in your face-ness" smoothed out.
The strength was still there, but was eminently more refined.