Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro (18 years Aged Sun Grown)
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Dominican (Ligero), Nicaraguan (Ligero), Brazilian Bahia
Size: 6 x 52 “Torpedo”
Body: Medium
Price: $12.75 MSRP ($11.00 at Small Batch Cigar)

Today we take a look at Balmoral Anejo 18 MK 52 Torpedo. I’m pretty excited about this. My buddy, Skip H., bought a 5 pack for me. What prompted him to purchase a cigar that he, nor I, have never heard of is unexplainable. Wild Child!

Now this is interesting. A Dutch cigar that is so rare that I could only find two online stores that carry this particular blend. Agio Cigars is a European company that is huge and make a gazillion brands. You name it, they make it.

The cigar company goes back to 1904. And is still run by the same Dutch family. The company is the 4th largest cigar maker in the world. They produce 750 million cigars per year and sell to 100 countries. Mehari and Panter are probably the ones you might be familiar with.

This is AGIO Cigars’ highest premium. It seems the rest of the blends are drek made for people who don’t smoke good cigars.

Balmoral Anejo 18 is the flagship of the company.

The Balmoral web site is like a frustrating video game. Except it’s no fun and useless. They don’t even have this blend on their site yet.

Only 500 boxes of 20 are released each year. And I imagine they all go to B & M’s. Except for Small Batch Cigars and Corona Cigar Co. Corona sells the Anejo 18 for the retail price. SBC sells the stick for $1.75 cheaper. Deduct the 10% discount SBC gives you and it is even cheaper. Calculate the money you save by free shipping and the price drops again.

There are two sizes. The torpedo we are reviewing today; and the Balmoral Anejo 18 Rothschild Masivo which is a 5 x 55.

This is a stunning looking cigar from afar. As you close in on it, you start to see the flaws. I don’t know if I should call it rustic or sloppy. Lots of red wood sized tree trunk veins. Veins that are so big that they cause a crack in the wrapper. On the whole though, the seams are very tight. The veins are ugly but the wrapper is not. It has a Rosado color. In what little sun I have, the wrapper glistens with a reddish tinge.

The cigar is very toothy. The torpedo triple caps are perfectly constructed. The cigar feels a little light in the hand.

The double cigar band is very classy. The main band makes the cigar look expensive with its tactful and restrained artiness. The foot band merely states the blend.

I clip the cap and find aromas of orange blossom, differing floral notes, herbal notes, sweet vermouth, and a sweetness that is unique but can’t put my finger on.

Time to light up.

An immediate rush of red pepper illuminates my palate. The draw is perfect and smoke blossoms into the room creating an Oklahoma-like dust storm.

I can now taste the sweet vermouth. This is the first time this flavor has shown itself to me.

The uniqueness of this stick has me stumped in the early stages. They seem to be a variation on a theme.

Sweetness; but what kind? Fruity; but the type escapes me. It does have a very oak based earthiness. And a slightly smoky flavor and aroma now.

The fruit is a subtle tangerine flavor.

I had no idea what to expect from the Balmoral Anejo 18 Torpedo MK52 based on I’d never heard of it yet comes from the fourth largest cigar company in the world based out of Holland.

More flavors are lurking that my palate is not used to. I can taste fresh fig. Something, I dearly love.
Even though the cigar felt light, it is taking its sweet time.

A new flavor shows up…it is a smooth and creamy white chocolate.

The second third begins after 30 minutes.

Here are the flavors: Spice, oak, sweet vermouth, tangerine, white chocolate, and an overall sweetness with a dash of leather.

For a maduro cigar, it sure doesn’t look like one. The wrapper is almost a Colorado shade. But I guess if you age any wrapper for 18 years, it is bound to change color.

I realize that it should taste like rum or tequila but I’m sticking with my sweet vermouth. Clearly, the cigar needs very little humidor time due to the aging process during the production process.

And here comes something new: Citrus….a lime citrus. All we need now is a margarita glass rimmed with salt and we are good to go. Or a martini glass and some good vodka and a twist of lime.

Leading up to the second third, the cigar’s strength was mild/medium. Now in the second third, it is classic medium body.

This is a very unique and flavorful cigar but not a flavor bomb. Once again, I am reviewing a cigar for the experienced palate.

The Balmoral Anejo 18 MK 52 Torpedo is not cheap. Almost $13 for the torpedo at Corona Cigar. $11 at Small Batch Cigar. Use your discount code of leafenthusiast at check out and the price drops to $9.90. Figure in free shipping and it drops even more.

But is it worth it? I’ve only had this stick for 3 weeks. Wait….wait….wait for it!!

The cigar explodes with flavors while I typed the above. In one fell swoop, it became a flavor bomb out of nowhere.

A massive dose of smooth creaminess appears. The white chocolate is accompanied by dark cocoa and coffee. With a caramel chaser. The spiciness has never gone away but now it’s surging like a tsunami.

And now the sweet vermouth begins to dissipate and I can taste tequila.

Back to the price. Yeah, it’s expensive but the unique qualities of this cigar set it apart from most cigars on the market; so yes, it is worth it.

The tangerine element really sings to me. I can taste, with great detail, that sweet and tangy citrus goodness.

I’m at the halfway point and the cigar is screaming laughter. What a delightful cigar. I don’t like mild/medium cigars. But this stick has all the right stuff.

Something new has arrived…?…It tastes like aged rum soaked oak barrels. The oak flavor has transformed to a drunken wood element.

I don’t understand why this cigar is not seen on more online stores. Oh wait…only 500 boxes were produced and are probably placed in very specific B & M’s. Good ol’ Small Batch Cigar. Andrew just seems to know everyone.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: Balmoral Anejo 18 MK 52 Torpedo Cigar Review, balmoral cigars, cigar review, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, royal agio cigars