Cigar companies usually wait until their 10th Anniversary to celebrate with an anniversary release. But that wasn’t insane enough for Asylum, so they opted to celebrate their 7th anniversary with the release of Asylum Seven. A limited edition cigar that was limited to just 1,000 boxes of 20 in two sizes. 7 x 70 an infamous size that was taken to the mainstream by Tom Lazuka and 11/18 an iconic size made by Christina Eiroa both who created the Asylum brand.
The 11/18 rose to fame when Christian owned Camacho before selling it to Davidoff and it is a size they currently use today for the Camacho Liberty Series. The size saw a return to Christian with the release of Eiroa Jamastran and now it comes to Asylum which is part of the CLE portfolio.
Cigar Review: Asylum Seven
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 48/54/48
Size: 11/18
The Look: Stunning. That is the only way to describe the black and gold packaging of the 7th Anniversary Asylum. Packaged in a great looking humidor-like box, the cigars are laid out in two rows of 10 coffins. Inside the coffin is a gorgeous looking 11/18 vitola. The artwork of the cigar features Year No. 7 which is reminiscent of a Jack Daniels bottle, along with the asylum skull and some ornate artwork as well. The Habano wrapper has some thin veins and abundance of oils. The 48/54/48 ring of the cigar has it tapered on both ends. In the hand the stick is hefty and firm with no void of tobacco.
The Notes: The aroma off the foot has notes of sweet cedar while the cold draw serves up a hint of black licorice and some lingering spices. Once the cigar is lit there is some notes of red pepper and cedar.
Smoking the first third the cigar has notes of red pepper and cedar and a slowly developing coffee note. As the first third comes to a close a hint of walnut begins to develop while the cigar has a long finish. The retrohale of the smoke sees the addition of some nuttiness.
In the second third of the cigar the strength pulls back as the cigar moves into the thickest portion of the cigar. The cigar becomes creamy with hints of vanilla and cedar. As we pass the halfway point of the cigar the nuttiness becomes a defined almost while cedar remains on the finish. The retrohale adds some honey sweetness and a touch of red pepper.
As the cigar begins to taper down in the final third the strength kicks back up. There are still notes of cedar and nuts, thought the latter isn’t as defined as in the second third of the cigar.
The Finish: When the brand first came out seven years ago the thought of a 70 ring gauge was crazy. While it is something I will occasionally smoke I tend to stand clear of them even though I understand their place in the marketplace. So for the company to come out with an 11/18 celebration I am thankful even though it doesn’t embody what the brand is.
While it is impossible to see the future, these are cigars that should age really well. The cigar was early aggressive and the second third it calmed down considerably. I found it to be flavorful and medium-full in strength and I grabbed a few to sit on for about a year.
Score: 91
Price: $19.99 / $359.99
Asylum Seven Coffin
Asylum Seven Cigar
Asylum Seven Burn
