Anastasia Habano Opera (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

The Caldwell Anastasia, a limited edition collaboration between Caldwell Cigar Company and Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. that was introduced at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show is back. At the 2018 Trade Show, Anastasia returns but this time with a slightly modified blend and slightly modified look.

According to Caldwell Cigar Company, the difference between the 2016 version and the 2018 version is the wrapper. The 2018 version uses a higher priming tobacco because of limited availability of the 2016 version. In terms of the specifics of the blend, Caldwell isn’t disclosing the details.

The Anastasia 2018 version is available in the same four sizes as before: Caspia (5 3/4 x 43), Kartel (5 x 49), Mercure (7 x 47), and Opera (6 x 52). Packaging also remains in 20-count boxes. The one difference is the secondary band for the 2018 version is blue as opposed to the green secondary version on the 2016 edition.

Anastasia pays homage to the Grand Duchess Anastasia, the daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. She and her family were executed at the hands of the Bolsheviks in 1918. Caldwell Cigars also has a line that pays homage to Tsar Nicholas II – The Last Tsar.

The only difference in the look of this cigar and the original from 2016 is the gold cloth band at the foot. This designates the habano version. The cigar has an average to light feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were pink grapefruit, brown sugar, cinnamon, an above average of nutmeg, light leather, and black coffee at the base. There was average black pepper rated at a 7. The cigar has a lot of sweetness but it also has a lot of sweetness detractors in the form of nutmeg and leather.

At the first third (21 minutes) the flavors are pretty much like the started. Instead of a pink grapefruit you have a standard citrus flavor. I still had the brown sugar and cinnamon. The leather is elevated along with the black coffee. The nutmeg is about the same as it was initially. The cigar has nice sweetness but it is not rich. The finish is sweet cream with some nutmeg accents and nice lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied at this point. The cigar is nice at this point. I rated the first third at 92.

At the second third (52 minutes) the cigar is burning pretty evenly. The main flavor is now more of a cedar rather than a citrus. The nutmeg and leather are rather subtle at this point. There are now some light roasted nut notes. The brown sugar and cinnamon are still there giving some sweetness. The cigar is a low grade medium to full bodied. The finish actually has some citrus notes to go along with the cream and nutmeg. The cigar is good but not great. I believe the original Anastasia is a better cigar. I rated the second third at 90.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 17 minutes. Not a very long burn time for a toro. In the final third some of the citrus notes came back to join the cedar notes. I noted some cream notes on the front end. The roasted nuts were still in play. The brown sugar and cinnamon gave the cigar all the sweetness it had. The leather and nutmeg pretty much disappeared. The cigar is good but not overly special. The final third was rather ordinary. It seemed to tail off after the first third. I rated the final third at 88. 

Overall Score: 90