Cigar Review: Red Anchor Admiral

Red Anchor was the start of the boutique cigar industry when the line originally released in 1772 in Holland. Albertus Hillen Sigarenfabriek established the Red Anchor Factory and Cigar Brand in Delft, Holland. On February 22, 1772, legal permission was granted from the Aldermen of the Municipality of Delft, for Albertus to sell his cigar brand under the Red Anchor name. 2022 marks the 250th Anniversary line and it returns via United Cigars and is made at the Kelner Boutique Factory in the Dominican Republic. KBF Owner Hendrik Kelner Jr stated, “I am very honored and proud that our cigar factory was given the opportunity to relaunch this historical brand,” said KBF Owner Hendrik Kelner Jr. “We made a blend using some of our best family farmed tobaccos, this was a personal cigar project, I wanted to involve the family as much as possible.”

Cigar Review: Red Anchor
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano 2000
Binder: Dominican Monte Plata
Filler: San Vincente, Habano ’92, Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Vitola: Admiral (Toro)
Humidimeter Reading: 66%

The Look: Packaged in beautiful off white boxes with the Red Anchor logo, inside sits 25 cigars. At first the band utilizing the same colors of the box looks plain, but under examination the gold foil and embossing gives depth to the rope through the Anchor creating a textured look. The Ecuador Habano wrapper has some subtle oils and is flawless rolled. In the hand the cigar has an average weight to it with no voids of tobacco.

The Notes: The cold draw serves up notes of graham, cocoa with earth while the aroma from the foot is very much barnyard like with hints of hay, cedar and manure. As we have noted in the past, manure is considered the ultimate compliment to tobacco and is usually because of great fermentation. Once the cigar is toasted and lit notes of shortbread envelope the palate before quickly giving way to notes of cedar and dry toast.

Moving into the first third notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar floor the palate in abundance. If you are familiar with Pennsylvania Broadleaf you can pick up the taste of that filler tobacco as we approach the half way point. The cigar sees notes of licorice, espresso and earth begin to develop with cedar on the finish. The sweetness comes and goes with regularity as the cigar progresses.

The second half of the cigar sees notes of licorice dominate the palate with notes of espresso. The licorice has more of a sambuca like quality to it versus the candy. Hints of leather being to mix in as well as a touching of nuttiness on the retrohale. As we get to the point of removing the the band the notes of licorice have faded with as espresso, leather, red pepper and cedar all dance together in rhythm on the palate. I rarely wish a cigar was longer, but another inch would be welcomed before I had to put the down.

The Finish: The Red Anchor Admiral is the first release of the cigar and it has me salivating for future releases in different sizes. It’s an outstanding cigar that is blended to perfection. Balance, Complexity, Aroma. It’s all there and the result is on outstanding expression of tobacco. It’s wonderfully robust and something I reach for often even with the price point of $25.00 per cigar. How often do I reach for it, I’ve gone through 2 boxes since it’s initial release. It’s that good.

Score: 95
Price: $25.00 / $531.99