2023 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List) #24: Red Anchor Admiral by United Cigars

#24 2023 Cigar of the Year: Red Anchor Admiral by United Cigars

SPECIFICATIONS

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Binder: Dominican Monte Plata (Kelner Family Farm)
Filler: Dominican San Vincente, Dominican Habano ’92, Pennsylvanian
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: KBF (Kelner Boutique Factory)
Admiral: 6 x 52
Price: $25.00

Sponsor: No
Samples Provided for Initial Review: Yes
Review: Red Anchor Admiral by United Cigars (6/1/23)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 2 (2021, 2023)

The Details

The #24 2023 Cigar of the Year is the Red Anchor Admiral by United Cigars. Red Anchor is a line that was brought back by United Cigars in 2022. According to United Cigars, the brand has over 250 years of history. In 1770, Red Anchor was the first registered trademark for a cigar shop; in 1772, it was the first cigar brand ever created. By 1937, the brand was dormant. A few years ago, United Cigars’ owner David Garofalo, who has an affinity for cigar history, acquired the trademark so he could resurrect the brand. In 2022, the Red Anchor was brought back to coincide with the brand’s 250th anniversary.

The blend features an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper. In addition, the binder is a Dominican-grown tobacco by the Kelner family known as Monte Plata. As for the fillers, they are comprised of Dominican San Vincente, Dominican Habano, and Pennsylvania tobacco. Production is handled out of KBF in the Dominican Republic. KBF is the factory run by Hendrik Kelner Jr., the son of the famed Henke Kelner. Given the Dutch heritage of the Kelner family, it was also appropriate to have someone from the Kelner family work on this project. Red Anchor is also positioned as a Super Premium brand in the United portfolio.

Red Anchor was originally launched in one size, a 6 x 52 Toro known as the Admiral. That size was part of the 2022 launch. Since then, four other sizes have been added.

The Red Anchor Admiral delivered notes of natural tobacco, hay, cherry, cedar, and pepper. The flavors are medium-bodied, countered by medium strength. As for the Toro size, it worked very well with this particular blend.

For United Cigars, not counting the Selected Tobacco releases, this is the second appearance on the 2023 Countdown. The Dominican Republic is off to a good start, as this is the fourth Dominican-made cigar to make the Countdown thus far.