Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18

The version of Balmoral cigars currently on the market is somewhat new to the cigar industry. However, these sticks are the accumulation of four generations spent working with premium...

The version of Balmoral cigars currently on the market is somewhat new to the cigar industry. However, these sticks are the accumulation of four generations spent working with premium tobaccos. For the 4th generation in a row, two brothers run Royal Agio. These brothers created the Balmoral Añejo lines, including the Royal Selection Añejo 18 cigars. We hope the hits keep coming, as anything from Balmoral on the level of Royal Selection Añejo 18 cigars would be a welcome addition.

Royal Selection Añejo 18 cigars are named for the 18-year-old Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper that dresses the cigar. Eighteen years transformed this leaf into an oily, dark messenger of the sweet and spicy. Beneath a Dominican Olor binder is a complex blend of aged Nicaraguan Ligero, Dominican Olor, and Brazilian Bahia.

The wrapper is a few shades short of dark chocolate. There is a ruggedness to it, though nothing serious. The ruggedness actually adds to the overall vibe and is a nice counterpoint to the stately band where the “B” almost looks like a Bentley logo. Also, Balmoral is named after a Scottish castle with a rugged look, so we think it’s on-brand.

After a dry draw, we tasted cocoa, cinnamon, and cedar. During the first third, the cedar and cocoa were out front with some cream and earth beneath. So far, the burn is impeccable, and the ash looks great.

As we move into the second third, the cedar is still strong. Joining this note is coffee, pepper, sweetness, and spice.

Wrapping up the final third, we can report that the smoke output increased significantly with each new third. The clouds are thick now, and the flavors have really dug in and started to flex. The earth, coffee, and cedar are going strong, and the pepper acts like it has something to prove. The cocoa and cinnamon even this out nicely to make the ending pleasant, spicy, and sweet.

Please enjoy Royal Selection Añejo 18 cigars at your leisure.

Royal Selection Anejo 18 FAQ's

What are the flavors like?

Cedar, cocoa, cream, cinnamon, earth, coffee, pepper, sweetness, spice.
What’s the strength level?

Medium-full.
Who is this cigar for?

Want to smoke a cigar with an 18-year-old Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper? Then this is the one for you.
Will I want to smoke it to the nub?

It’s a strong stick with a lot of complexity. If you’re down for that, there’s no reason you won’t smoke it to the nub.
What’s a good pairing with it?

Smoke Royal Selection Añejo 18 cigars with Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey. It’s a smooth whiskey with some spice and fruit notes. It should complement those notes without overwhelming the cigar.
What’s the best time/place to smoke this cigar?

Añejo translates to “old.” In this context, the reference is to the aged tobacco and that leaf that’s old enough to buy itself in several states. But how we’re reading it is the time and place to smoke this cigar is now. Not later. Not when the day is añejo. Live your passions and enjoy them while you can.
Any flaws/downsides?

That 18-year-old wrapper is going to make a lot of the more novice wrappers in your humidor crazed with envy.

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Royal Selection Anejo 18 FAQ's

What are the flavors like?

What’s the strength level?

Who is this cigar for?

Will I want to smoke it to the nub?

What’s a good pairing with it?

What’s the best time/place to smoke this cigar?

Any flaws/downsides?