#77 The Anejo Shark

phobicsquirrel

So after I had a Anejo earlier this week I wanted to dive into another, this time the awe inspiring SHARK. This thing is a thing of beauty. It's got a torpedo cap but a box press body which is seamlessly formed from the round top. Awesome construction. Upon the first sniffs of the cigar (pre-light) I wasn't too fond of the smell. After lighting it, and the first thee puffs, I was digging it very much. The flavour was mild and creamy, with some hints of bread, coffee, earth, wood, and sweetness. I got a lot of the taste through the nose, so keep that in mind. The cigar had a tight ash all the way to the half way point, but I wanted to make sure it didn't fall on my carpet so I tapped it off. For some reason one side sort of went out so I re-touched it and then things started to taste better (lol). The burn at this point started to get less than even but the cigar still had lots of flavor. Now I had to slow my puffs as the thing was getting really hot and took a bit to cool. I noticed some harshness when I didn't do this. The cigar had some ups and down with the flavors, but all in all it stayed consistent with what was first tasted. I didn't get much if any pepper and the cigar stayed pretty mild. The #46 was stronger than the shark so those of you who aren't big into the stronger cigars might want to take note of that. The aroma wasn't bad, but didn't leave a sweet fresh smell, more of a tobacco. However the flavor was not very strong on tobacco, more in the league of wood, some nut, coffee, maybe cocoa, perhaps some bread like flavor, and earthi-ness. I nubbed it, and that's saying something for me. I usually leave about 1-2 inches. I like strong sticks, that's no secret but this guy was also fantastic for a medium smoke. I wouldn't say full bodied as it never reached that point. It did however get a little more full past the 1/2 way point. I've had this puppy almost a year and I can say that I really would like to buy a box. I don't think I've seen a more complex (other than say the padilla habano burberry/artisan) construction with flawlessness. The cigar seamlessly took two shapes (torp and a square box press) and made magic. Enjoy if you can find 'em!

Rob1110

Nice Review. I haven't been able to find this size around here. Would you say the Anejos are worth aging in general? Better after a year or two or better smoked fresher? I've only had one, so I don't have too much experience with them.

phobicsquirrel

They are anejos so I would say yes. I can't remember anything bad about the last one I had when I first got them.

gmill880

They are a he-llava smoke fresh or aged in my opinion ...but better aged. The 77 and 55 are awsome as is the 48 , and remember it will soon be time for their once a year release before Christmas ...I think they come out late November ...Thats why I've reduced buying for the last month ; starting to save up for the hording season !!!
Hey Glen was that one of the Sharks you got from me last year ?

phobicsquirrel

gmill880:

They are a he-llava smoke fresh or aged in my opinion ...but better aged. The 77 and 55 are awsome as is the 48 , and remember it will soon be time for their once a year release before Christmas ...I think they come out late November ...Thats why I've reduced buying for the last month ; starting to save up for the hording season !!!
Hey Glen was that one of the Sharks you got from me last year ?

Possibly. Your one of the main shark donators I have had. I think I bought one or two. Hey if you find them by the box, lmk via pm if you would. I found one place that has them/or will have them for like 450ish. I think that's a tad high. I too have tried to set some funds aside for the xmas releases. Hoping to get some GOF boxes, anejos and opus's.

gmill880

Will do Pheebs

j0z3r

I've got to smoke one of these pretty soon. Gene you sent me one ages ago and there it sits in the same place I put it after unpacking. I think it has been sitting long enough, I'm going to have to charge rent payable in ashes.

rwheelwright

I've had the Shark but I have to say that I like the Torpedo much better. I think I do have 1 Shark left so maybe some age will do it good. I remember buying the Anejos years and years ago before I knew what they were and I think they were only about $12 each. I did have a friend who worked at the tobacco shop in the mall though so she hooked me up a lot. I used to get Hemingways for $6 - $7 each back then. Man, I miss that place!

phobicsquirrel

I haven't had that one wheelie, though I have it on my want list. Do you remember what you liked about it?

rwheelwright

I haven't had one in over a year but something about the taste. Sorry dude, I can't remember. :-( Old age is catching up to me! I did have a 50 the other day and it was nothing like the Torpedo or the Shark. I have two 49s to try but haven't gotten there yet. There is so much I want to buy and no money or place to for them. I actually have been considering getting a Opus22 box!!!

mustluvcigars

I offered up my thanks to the cigar gods with this one as a burnt offering. The gods(and I) were very pleased with it. First of all the construction was impeccable(posted a pic on wactha smoking), the burn line never wavered and the ash fell half a second after i snapped the pic. It didnt have the full flavored, fullbody, spicy peppery profile I usually go for, but I could describe it as nothing less the phenomal.
The first half inch I was greeted with nice spice and pepper which left all parts of my mouth and nose tingling. This quickly faded into what i would call a "wonderful tasty tobaco taste", never really got any spice or pepper taste after the first inch. Every few puffs or so i would get a mild spicy sensation but not any taste, The taste and flavors I picked up on the most are the above mentioned tabaco and a "distinctly dominican flavor" which popped in and out, along with some underlying light cinnamon and cocoa powder which would leave a few tingles or a warming sensation here and there. The relaxation and enjoyment factor for this masterpiece go way past eleven...

phobicsquirrel

Cool review. Glad you enjoyed it. Anejo's are great cigars in my book. I like them a tad bit more than opus's. Just are a pain to find at a good price.

dennisking

The owner of the nicer B&M in town is a customer of mine, he said they just got their order in on Wednesday so I'm heading there tonight to pick up a couple. I'm hoping they have the Shark as the last one I had was of a different size than the 77. These don't need the same aging as the OpusX does because the wrapper is different. I will smoke one tonight. I can't wait. thanks for the great review

phobicsquirrel

If they have a 55 torp I would pick one of them up as well. I hear they top the shark. I have yet to smoke any yet.

Alex Williams

phobicsquirrel:

gmill880:

They are a he-llava smoke fresh or aged in my opinion ...but better aged. The 77 and 55 are awsome as is the 48 , and remember it will soon be time for their once a year release before Christmas ...I think they come out late November ...Thats why I've reduced buying for the last month ; starting to save up for the hording season !!!
Hey Glen was that one of the Sharks you got from me last year ?

Possibly. Your one of the main shark donators I have had. I think I bought one or two. Hey if you find them by the box, lmk via pm if you would. I found one place that has them/or will have them for like 450ish. I think that's a tad high. I too have tried to set some funds aside for the xmas releases. Hoping to get some GOF boxes, anejos and opus's.

I am extremely jealous that yall can drop that much on cigars. If I did, I would insure them and collect payment because through a series of small fires, they've all gone up in flames think it would work?