AKA Respect - 4.5 x 52 "Anchors Away" ~ An Amateur's Point Of View

Steve2010

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.

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Comments

Jaydabomb88

Really enjoyed the story and the review! It was written very well. Thank you

danielzreyes

Nice review. I want one now

Bobbo2009

Awesome review plus story! I really need to pick up a couple of these and try them.

Rob

y2pascoe

Best line in that video: "It's not shrapnel. It's debris, @sshole!"

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.

boydmcgowan

Sweet Review Steve, and great backstory.

Thanks for posting brother.

Toombes

Great story, great review and great cigar. The video brought back some memories, I was an F/A-18 Plane Captain at VFA-125, NAS Lemoore. Many thanks for your service.

TIGERFAN

Great review as always Steve, sounds like the perfect morning smoke to get my day off to a good start. Sounds like I better eat something first. Another cigar to add to my list.

Steve2010

Thanks for the support guys. Chip, you'd better get the Denny's Grand Slam first.

phobicsquirrel

Nice review. I agree the Navy and AF does have some great ordinance they can drop!

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.

Steve2010

phobicsquirrel:
Nice review. I agree the Navy and AF does have some great ordinance they can drop!

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.

90+_Irishman

Great read and great cigar, Jay is an amazing owner and business man and it is VERY well represented in this cigar.... way to go Steve, you nailed it brother!

Shaun.Harrison87

You da man Steve, stay safe over there bud and keep smokin the good stuff!

Steve2010

Thanks, Shaun!

Steve2010

Thanks to the DCCC and AKA Cigars, these and the Hybrids were a HUGE success at our recent herf!

0patience

Amateur? That puts some pro reviews to shame. That was a great review!!! Thanks!
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.

The_Kid

I was really impressed with this blend I tried it in the toro vitola which I think is the "Guard". Excellent stick!!

Steve2010

0patience:
Amateur? That puts some pro reviews to shame. That was a great review!!! Thanks!
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.

Thanks. I never sit down thinking "I'm going to do a review". With me, the cigar writes its own review if it feels like it.

[Deleted User]

That was fvcking awesome. It's 6:55am here and I had to restrain myself from grabbing a cigar; I don't smoke in the morning. Great review but more importantly, Thanks for your service. Please keep the reviews coming. If you need some smokes to review let me know. I will be happy to ship you some sticks.

Steve2010

@James. Thanks for your support and kind words! I'm good on sticks, but if you're feeling generous, check the DCCC (Dead Camel Cigar Club) thread. Ryan is always looking for donations to send to the deployed military.

Bombay

Have one in the Humi, and after the Tat Fausto line I know it will definitely have to be on a full stomach then. Thanks for the review.

[Deleted User]

Steve2010:
@James. Thanks for your support and kind words! I'm good on sticks, but if you're feeling generous, check the DCCC (Dead Camel Cigar Club) thread. Ryan is always looking for donations to send to the deployed military.

I actually sent a box to Ryan in GA. about 8 days ago for the DCCC.

Steve2010

james40:
Steve2010:
@James. Thanks for your support and kind words! I'm good on sticks, but if you're feeling generous, check the DCCC (Dead Camel Cigar Club) thread. Ryan is always looking for donations to send to the deployed military.
I actually sent a box to Ryan in GA. about 8 days ago for the DCCC.

That's why BoTL are the best guys around! Thanks for supporting the Troops!

catfishbluezz

I'm scared of this cigar after that review lol

Steve2010

After letting the remaining cigars rest for a few months, I decided to revisit it this morning.

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.

Bombay

Glad to hear it. Have a couple resting going on a couple of months now so I am glad I waited a bit.

Bigshizza

Great review, stay safe and will always keep the troops fully stocked