Today’s second featured cigar on The Cigar Authority radio show was the Angel’s Anvil TAA Exclusive. This one is limited to stores that are part of the TAA (Tobacco Association of America). These cigars are offered exclusively to the members of the prestigious group which has its annual convention yearly at the end of the first quarter.
The Angels Anvil is made at Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic which is the home to Ernesto Perez Carrillo. It is also the same factory that makes the Headly Grange and Four Kick, part of the Crowned Heads portfolio.
These cigars are available at show sponsor, Two Guys Smoke Shop.
Cigar: Angel’s Anvil TAA Exclusive by Crowned Heads
Size: 7 1/8 x 49 (Churchill)
Wrapper: Ecuador Havana
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Distributed By: Crowned Heads
The name Angel’s Anvil is based on a story about a fallen angel determined to make his way back into heaven. According to Huber, the wingless, outcast angel wanders the earth until he finds a blacksmith who equips him with a hammer and anvil-the tools necessary to forge new wings. It also shares the initials of TAA.
The cigar features a delicate looking Havana wrapper with the thinest of veins and a fair amount of oils. There are some ultra thin veins present and the cigar has a nice weight to it. The band which is cream and blue in color features a Masonic looking logo.
Once the cap is clipped there are some wonderful notes of popcorn that give way to a peppercorn taste while the foot is predominantly cedar. The cold draw reminded me a lot of a peppercorn encrusted steak, or perhaps that’s because Mr. Jonathan has me trying to do the Palio diet and it is on my mind.
The first third of the cigar is strong on cedar with some floral notes that begin to work its way into the flavor profile, but the one note that stands out above the rest is lemon zest. As the first third comes to a close, there is some baking spices, similar to brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
As the cigar enters the second third of the smoke, the cedar dominates, with some of the continued spices on the finish. The floral notes are replaces with the slightest bit of raisin that is noticeable just before the last third of the smoke.
As the last third is smoked, the baking spices become the dominant note, with cedar on the finish and the slightest introduction of nuts as well.
The Angel’s Anvil in my opinion might be the greatest cigar to come out of Crowned Heads, and Tabacalera La Alianza. It is a shame that this is a limited edition cigar because it will be hard to save these in a humidor and not reach for them every day.
Price: $10.50
Score: 94
Angel’s Anvil TAA Exclusive
Angel’s Anvil TAA Exclusive
