Arturo Fuente Añejo #77 (Cameroon “Sand Shark”)

Well, I am back! I haven’t been around with a review in quite a while, so I thought it was about time. About a month or so ago I reviewed the Arturo Fuente Añejo #77 “Shark”, a specialty maduro cigar distributed by Arturo Fuente:

http://stogiecast.com/cigar-reviews/arturo-fuente-anejo-77-original-maduro-variety

Today I thought I would review a rather uncommon variation on that theme I got the privilige to try, the “Sand Shark”!

Cigar name: Cameroon Wrapped Añejo Shark No.77
A.K.A.: “Sand Shark”
Vitola: 5 5/8″ x 54
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: ?? unknown
Filler: Anejo blend
Released: 2006 @ CFC, 11/2006 via Holts
Quantity: ~2,000 via Holt’s “Carlito’s Way” sampler

Notes: This cigar is identical to the regular release Añejo Shark No.77, except that it has a Cameroon wrapper in lieu of the normal Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper found on the Añejo line. Comparison photo.

These cigars are made on occasion for Cigar Aficionado owner Marvin Shanken, because of his penchant for Cameroon wrapped cigars. The Shark was actually made and named because of Marvin Shanken (Cigar Aficionado owner). Carlito named it for him because he loved it so much when he gave it to him on a visit to his office. Thus he called it the Shanken Shark.

The “No.77″ designation comes not from the ring gauge of this cigar, as it does for the other cigars in the Añejo line, but rather from a more amusing reason altogether. Carlito took his kids to Sea World in Orlando, FL, and there noticed that some of the sharks in the tank had two pectoral fins, which looked sort of like two 7’s.

This cigar was also released in November, 2006 as part of the Carlito’s Way sampler from Holts. A kind fellow “Brother of the Leaf” sent me this sampler as a gift. The sampler includes the following:

1 Arturo Fuente Anejo Special Release Cameroon Shark (5.88 x 64)
1 Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art Maduro (4.88 x 60)
1 Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Wizard (6 x 56)
1 Fuente Fuente Opus X Belicoso XXX (4.63 x 49)
1 Fuente Fuente Opus X Perfecxion X (6.25 x 48)

(Thanks for the research help.)

Having had a couple of Maduro #77’s before I can say that this is a fascinating variation on on that theme. You get that fascinating half box press figurado that is unlike anything you will find elsewhere, with the interesting lighter twist. When I removed the cellophane from the stogie, the wrapper while veinless and beautiful, looked a bit less sturdy than its counterpart, which raised a concern (that thankfully came to fruition). Upon lighting there was no problem whatsoever with the wrapper.

This cigar was smooth and mellow like a regular Anejo, with complexity to spare, spices and a bit of coffee, leather and a obvious tobacco taste being the strongest notes to pick out. Also, I seem to be able to pick out a note, almost a feel, in all anejos that must be the result of the cognac aging (which I presume occurs on the cameroon wrapper as well), a pleasant little twist on the tongue. That said most of those notes can be found in the regular anejo, but there is also the delicious tangy note that comes from Fuentes Cameroon Wrapper. Almost all cameroon wrappers seem to impart this note too me, and in this case it presents a fascinating twist on a cigar I love. It balances out the spicyness well. While it may not pass the maduro version for the #1 place for anejos in my heart, it is a delicious variation. If you can get one try it!

TomC

The Smoking Lounge

Add to del.icio.us  |   digg this!  |  Add to reddit

No related posts

You came all this way, why not leave your own comment?!

Leave a comment: