Hooah, 5.5" x 50 ring gauge / approx. $9.50
AKA Cigars was founded in 2010 by proud Americans who wanted an American-themed cigar company...the AKA stands for "American Kick Ass." The Respect line is not, as you might think, about Aretha Franklin, but instead a tribute to the US Military, which four of the sizes named using mottos of the four main armed forces branches (Anchors Away, Aim High, Devil Dog, and today's Hooah) along with Reserves and Guard to honor the various reserve troops and National Guard and Coast Guard. The company is proud enough of its resources in making these cigars that they gave lots of details, so I get to tell you about them...the filler is 4 and 5 year old Dominican Corojo Ligero and Honduran Corojo Ligero from the Eiroa and Kelner families. The binder is a 4 year aged Honduran Corojo Ligero from the Eiroa family. The wrapper is a dark Ecuadorian Habano Wrapper, also aged 4 years. They call this a "Full Body Cigar with an Ominous Personality that will take you to the edge of your smoking limits." A percentage of the sale of AKA Respect goes to the Wounded Warrior Project, so do someone else a favor and buy these. Also a tip of the hat to G.C. Puffs who sent me the two samples that I smoked for this review...follow GC on Twitter...read his blog...just do it!
This cigar band looks like it was designed by fans of the Oakland Raiders and Sons of Anarchy, with its silver and black attack and tattoo-inspired lettering. The wrapper was nicely oily with a smooth feel under the pads of my fingers. The only retraction was the presence of a couple of fairly massive veins...almost Frankenstein scar looking these were. On the wrapper I got an aroma of manure and leather, while the foot gave off sweet chocolate and milder earth aromas. The cold draw was excellent; I got flavors of cocoa powder, earth, dark roast coffee and even a little red pepper.
The thing I am struck by right after lighting the AKA Respect is how different it is. You might expect earth and spice and wood from this blend...and you do get some of that...but there's more to it. Right off the bat there is the cedar flavor that seems to come through strongly on almost any Corojo, and then there is an almost meaty chewiness to the smoke, followed by a mild pepper spice on the finish. The retrohale has notes of leather and roasted nuts, along with a sharp red pepper. Amazing complexity from a cigar that really has not even had time to settle in from initial lighting yet. Midway through the first third, I picked up on some nice anise notes and the cedar and pepper spice held strong, too.
The Respect started off medium to full, but shortly into the second third, it ramped up to full-fledged full-bodied. The flavors were still smoky, meaty, and chewy...almost a BBQ in a stogie, but with plenty of support from pepper spice, anise, and a dark chocolate sweetness. The draw was excellent, but I had to make a couple touch ups to the burn along the way and the ash was a little flaky, littering my book and iPad a bit as I smoked.
The AKA Respect smoking great all the way to the nub. I continued to get meaty full-bodied smoke from it the entire way. What impressed me the most was the refined nature of the tobacco in that it didn't have a big nicotine kick despite its full body; it had a pleasing amount of complexity, too. For newbies, this cigar would be one to steer clear of, but experienced smokers will likely enjoy this...a lot! Distribution is limited right now, but I can see this line being picked up by more stores very easily.
Body: 8/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 8/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
This cigar band looks like it was designed by fans of the Oakland Raiders and Sons of Anarchy, with its silver and black attack and tattoo-inspired lettering. The wrapper was nicely oily with a smooth feel under the pads of my fingers. The only retraction was the presence of a couple of fairly massive veins...almost Frankenstein scar looking these were. On the wrapper I got an aroma of manure and leather, while the foot gave off sweet chocolate and milder earth aromas. The cold draw was excellent; I got flavors of cocoa powder, earth, dark roast coffee and even a little red pepper.
The thing I am struck by right after lighting the AKA Respect is how different it is. You might expect earth and spice and wood from this blend...and you do get some of that...but there's more to it. Right off the bat there is the cedar flavor that seems to come through strongly on almost any Corojo, and then there is an almost meaty chewiness to the smoke, followed by a mild pepper spice on the finish. The retrohale has notes of leather and roasted nuts, along with a sharp red pepper. Amazing complexity from a cigar that really has not even had time to settle in from initial lighting yet. Midway through the first third, I picked up on some nice anise notes and the cedar and pepper spice held strong, too.
The Respect started off medium to full, but shortly into the second third, it ramped up to full-fledged full-bodied. The flavors were still smoky, meaty, and chewy...almost a BBQ in a stogie, but with plenty of support from pepper spice, anise, and a dark chocolate sweetness. The draw was excellent, but I had to make a couple touch ups to the burn along the way and the ash was a little flaky, littering my book and iPad a bit as I smoked.The AKA Respect smoking great all the way to the nub. I continued to get meaty full-bodied smoke from it the entire way. What impressed me the most was the refined nature of the tobacco in that it didn't have a big nicotine kick despite its full body; it had a pleasing amount of complexity, too. For newbies, this cigar would be one to steer clear of, but experienced smokers will likely enjoy this...a lot! Distribution is limited right now, but I can see this line being picked up by more stores very easily.
Body: 8/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 8/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
American Kick Ass.....that alone deserves a spot in my humidor. Love the full body smokes.
ReplyDeleteA harsh cigar for a good cause. The first third is really strong. But if you stick with it, the harshness subsides. Mine was a little too much for me, I think I'm going to have to stick with the RYJ Cedros delux. Similar flavors but without the full bodied smoke. If you like full bodied smoke this would work well
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