Arturo Fuente Anejo Tres Ocho 888 Xtra Viejo

What can I say… this cigar is the very picture of elegance.

Visually, it’s a real eye-catcher. A Connecticut Maduro wrapper aged for five years in cognac casks, topped with a classic red and gold band bearing the simple inscription “Añejo”. Its body, wrapped in a thin cedar leaf, is just waiting to be discovered.

When unlit, you’re immediately enveloped by woody, cocoa and earthy notes. A hint of sweetness may even be detected if you wait long enough before lighting it. You examine it from every angle… then you can’t resist.

4

Dominican Republic

Connecticut, Dominican Republic

16.4

43

50 minutes

Black Russian

Churchill

Woody, Spicy, Earthy

The first few puffs have us glued to our seats. Powerful, peppery, with a distinct woody undertone. The maduro wrapper, however, rounds the whole experience off with a touch of smoothness. It would go perfectly with a rather mellow dark spirit… or why not a Black Russian? Coffee, for its part, is the obvious choice to complement this power and earthy character.

The first third delights us with a generous, dense and very spicy smoke. The initial strength fades slightly. The cigar remains assertive, but less impetuous, more composed. Once well underway, it gains even more depth. Leather and coffee interplay in a darker, more enveloping dimension.

As for the construction, the master craftsmen at Arturo Fuente have pulled it off flawlessly. The draw is exemplary and the burn is even. The smoke remains plentiful, which is particularly pleasing for a relatively slim cigar — a hallmark often found in Fuente cigars, renowned for their consistency.

The final third returns to more typically Dominican notes: earth and nuts, with a lovely roundness. The strength drops slightly to a good medium level, although a certain nicotine kick is noticeable towards the end of the smoke.

To sum it up, this 8-8-8 Añejo is a cigar of contrasts: a pronounced, almost brutal opening, followed by a controlled, elegant and deep development. A cigar that commands respect without ever coming across as showy.

Agreement

A range of options to delight the palate

1/ XO Cognac We have chosen a 20-year-old Domaine des Claires

2/ White Russian: Kahlúa + vodka + mocha coffee (or decaf) + cream or Gruyère milk

3/ Virign Russian: an alcohol-free alternative made with 0% vodka and vanilla extract

A cigar anecdote

The Añejo range came about almost by accident, when Connecticut Broadleaf leaves, having been aged in cognac barrels, were used by Carlos Fuente Jr. for an experimental blend.