Alfonso Anejo No.5

Summary

The Alfonso Añejo No.5 is a prominent Churchill vitola within the ultra-premium Añejos line from Selected Tobacco, a brand spearheaded by Nelson Alfonso. These cigars are highly regarded for their exquisite presentation and a rigorous aging process, which notably includes an impressive five years in both cedar and French oak aging rooms. This extensive aging regimen is meticulously designed to create a truly luxurious and vintage smoking experience, setting a benchmark for quality, complexity, and extended enjoyment in the premium cigar market.

Specification

• Brand: Alfonso
• Line: Añejos No.5 / Extra Añejo No.5
• Size: No. 5 (Churchill / Asombrosos Churchill)
• Length: 7.5 inches
• Ring Gauge: 58
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
• Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
• Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero, Peruvian
• Strength: Medium to Full
• Origin: Costa Rica

Flavor Profile

The Alfonso Añejo No.5 delivers a profound and intricate flavor journey that evolves significantly over its extended smoking time. Initial draws often reveal notes of natural tobacco, creamy textures, cedar, black pepper, and a subtle hint of peanut. As the cigar progresses, the profile transitions to more prominent cream and cedar, frequently accompanied by a pleasant berry sweetness on the finish. The influence of French oak aging introduces nuanced notes of honey, cherries, and a delightful vanilla sweetness, along with toasted nuts. Further into the smoke, expect an intricate blend of pepper, caramel, sourdough, creamy dessert notes, and bready undertones, complemented by woody elements, nutmeg, cinnamon, milk chocolate, and occasional citrus notes like lemon or honeysuckle. The retrohale typically presents a clear presence of cedar, white pepper, and a delightful crème brûlée sweetness. In the latter half, subtle hints of honey and graham cracker emerge, and the final third can bring a slight increase in strength while maintaining prominent wood and sweetness, with cherry undertones and a persistent buttery texture.

Construction

The Alfonso Añejo No.5 exemplifies impeccable construction, a hallmark of the Alfonso brand. Each cigar is solidly and flawlessly rolled, featuring a pristine, smooth, and often oily Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Smokers can anticipate an excellent, consistent burn and a smooth draw, typically requiring minimal correction, which is particularly vital for a cigar of this size. The cigar produces a generous volume of thick, creamy smoke, ensuring a highly satisfying and even smoking experience from ignition to finish. The construction and burn are consistently described as nearly flawless.

Pairing Suggestion

To best complement the rich and intricate flavors of the Alfonso Añejo No.5, consider pairing it with a medium roast coffee to accentuate its creamy and earthy notes, especially during the initial stages. For those preferring spirits, an aged rum or a fine single malt Scotch whisky can elevate its complex profile, standing up robustly to the longer smoking duration; a specific suggestion found in reviews is High West Midwinter Nights Dram. Alternatively, a sweet Moscato d'Asti offers a delightful counterpoint, enhancing the cigar's subtle sweetness and balancing its more robust characteristics over an extended period of enjoyment. Given its length, a pairing that can evolve or multiple pairings might be considered to match its progressing profile.