Royal Danish Sangre Azul (Blue Blood) Grand Cru – Box Press – Cigar Review

When I was visiting Sweden this month, I stopped into Mellgren’s Fine Tobacco in Gothenburg Sweden. I noticed that they carried Royal Danish cigars and I mentioned to the manager that I met Jen Vistisen the owner of Royal Danish when he was visiting the States last month. Later in the week, while relaxing in the lounge he offered me one of the new Royal Danish Cigars – The Grand Cru- Sangre Azul (Blue Blood) and noted that this is not yet released but I am looking at the only 14 in Sweden. He asked that I give it a review and I assured him that when I get back to the States and the Stogie Press lounge that is exactly what I would do.
Examining the Sangre Azul, you will notice that this is an absolutely beautiful cigar with a wrapper that has tight seams and no veins. The band is classic Royal Danish but has the words Grand Cru imprinted on the bottom to signify the blend. This one does not have the ribbon that the Queen had.

Running the Sangre Azul across my nose, I am picking up a sweet fermented tobacco scent across the barrel and the foot. The wrapper itself has a nice dark brown tone to it and the vitola itself is box pressed. The Sangre Azul is a small cigar which, I learned, packs a punch.
I clipped the tip about a ¼ of inch down and give it a dry draw. I was greeted with a dose of spice and pepper to start. The cigar has rested for about 2 weeks in my humidor since I came home from Sweden. The pepper is a red pepper, tingling my lips as I continue the dry draw. This is one I could draw on, unlit, for some time. It is just a great start to another fine cigar.

As I finally fire it up the Sangre Azul  takes to the flame like a pro and offers a mouthful of peppery nasal opening smoke. No doubt about that dry draw flavor. For a small stick it is delivering a full volume of smoke and early delight. The smoke is so thick you can cut it with a knife. An excellent candidate for smoke rings.
The draw is outstanding and the burn is near perfect with a toothy grey ash. I’m relaxing in the Stogie Press lounge after work today. The rain from the last few days has cooled down central Florida. As I look out the door of the lounge I think about the days in Sweden when the sun barely set and the air was a bit cool. Funny how a cigar can take you back to a moment in time.

The pepper has faded only slightly after a half-inch and a bit of sweetness enters the profile. About an inch in and the pepper is only barely in the background as a developing fruity raisin note comes in. The smoke is much smoother at this point, and the strength is at medium to full. The wrapper is developing a decent sheen, with tiny beads of oil across the burn line.

I said it before in my previous review of Royal Danish, they need to be on more shelves here in the U.S. The burn is incredible, pin point at this moment, with a solid ash half way through.

A dose of cinnamon enters at this point with a woodsy flavor and delightful nutty aroma filling the air. The profile is balanced at this point with and there is a reemergence of pepper that blends well with the cinnamon and sweetness.

Overall the Royal Danish Grand Cru – Sangre Azul was a royal treat for sure. The construction was spot on and the flavors were enticing. It lasted almost 45 minutes but I would love to have had it last longer. The flavors were so well-balanced at the end that another inch or more of this delightful cigar would be awesome. Great job Jen and thank you to Mellgren’s Fine Tobacco for turning me on to this. Lets get these in the states soon.