The Stogie Guys

As you know, Washington, DC has been utterly pelted by massive downpours and torrential thunderstorms over the past week or so. Unfortunately, it’s enough to drive a guy – and his floating car – crazy (but that’s a story for another time). On the plus side, this severe and unusual weather has provided many terrific opportunities to light up some fantastic cigars on my porch as I watch the lightning illuminate the night sky.

Cigars like the Arturo Fuente Privada No. 1. This six and ¾ inch by 44 ring gauge stogie has a smooth, cream-colored Connecticut Shade wrapper. And with that classic maroon and gold Arturo band and a little green ribbon around the foot, this is one of the better looking cigars I have ever had the pleasure to light up.

Once lit, I immediately found the stogie to have a gentle, smooth taste. Thankfully, though, it wasn’t too mild (like the Macanudo Natural Rothschild). At the beginning, the flavors ranged from spicy ginger to sweet molasses, all evened out by a mildness that was as pleasing as it was aromatic.

As the nice, even burn moved closer to my fingers and the long, white ash piled up at the foot, the cigar became a little spicier, transforming from ginger and molasses aromas to a delightful clove. But while this stogie was no doubt complex and flavorful, it maintained a pleasantly smooth character until the very end.

Overall, this smoke was a real pleasure, and – at only $4.50 to $5 apiece – not one I will wait too long before indulging in again. I give the Arturo Fuente Privada No. 1 a praiseworthy four and ½ out of five stogies.

Note: Special thanks to Melissa for (1) providing me with this fine cigar and (2) helping me taste and critique it.

-Patrick A

In my June 30 post announcing the Washington Nationals rebuffed our proposal to create a temporary cigar section at RFK Stadium, I argued there is an “indisputable demand for cigar friendly sections at major league ballparks.”

Demand for these facilities is evident in the highly popular cigar sections at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ PNC Park, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ Tropicana Field, and the latest case in point: the Camacho Cigar Bar at the Detroit Tigers’ Comerica Park.

Since it’s grand opening on June 23 (the Tigers beat the Cardinals 10-6), the new stogie haven has been inundated with Motor City baseball fans/cigar enthusiasts. And with top-shelf liquor, a delicious menu, large screen televisions, lounge sofas, and a wide assortment of Camacho cigars, it doesn’t look like the bar’s popularity will wane anytime in the near future.

The Camacho Cigar Bar is located on the Club Level of Comerica Park along the first-base side and is open to luxury suite owners and guests, and to any fan sitting on the Club Level or in the Tiger Den area. The bar is open two hours before game time and for an hour after the last out…The real attraction is the full selection of Camacho cigars, including SLR Maduros and Tubos, Corojos and La Fontanas. Prices range between $6 and $12 and humidified cigar lockers are available.

As you might have guessed, I’m going to assert this story is proof positive that our proposal to the Nats for a Stogie Guys Cigar Night at RFK would be successful. And I’m also going to take this opportunity to ask you, once again, to please consider signing our online petition to help make that event a reality.

-Patrick A

Golf and cigars go together perfectly: you’ve got hours outdoors, you can ash your cigar anywhere without getting dirty looks (except for the greens), and compared to the rest of society, golf courses generally provide cigar-friendly environments.

And there are plenty of entrepreneurs looking to cash in on this match made made in heaven with all kinds of specialty golf cigar gadgets ranging from cigar tees to hold your cigar to golf bag humidors. But we’re here to tell you that dropping a 20 spot on that cigar cutter/divot repair tool or any other gadget is completely unnecessary.

If you follow these four tips, you will have a more enjoyable cigar experience on the course without having to buy anything that average Stogie Guys doesn’t already own. Sadly, we have no tips to offer that will improve your golf game.

1. What to smoke? The golf course is no place for small cigars. Courses can get pretty crowded on the weekends, so you have nothing but time. Grab something at least as long as a toro (6 inches). The golf course is perfect for churchills or – if a smaller ring gauge is more to your liking – a lonsdale. Remember your cigar may sit unsmoked for a while as you four-putt, throw your putter in the sandtrap, and then retrieve it and find that your stogie went out. Larger cigars have a higher tolerance for re-lighting than small ones.

Also, don’t break out that super premium cigar on the links. It will be wasted as you are distracted by your sub-par golf game. Keep the Cohiba in the humidor and try to find a value cigar. Three stogie cigars are perfect for golf.

2. How to light your cigar? While golf courses are perfect for smoking a stogie, the wind that never seems to be blowing at your back can make lighting a cigar awfully difficult. If blocking the wind with your hand doesn’t get the job done, you may want to try using a hat to block the breeze. As always, a torch is preferable to matches.

Finally, while toasting the edges is still the best way to light your cigar, on the golf course you might skip that step if just keeping the flame lit proves difficult. If you do light the cigar without first toasting the edges, be sure to give your stogie a few big puffs immediately after lighting it to make sure it is completely lit.

3. Where to put your cigar? While you swing you probably will need to put the cigar down, but with no ashtrays there may not be an obvious place to put it. Plenty of places hawk special “cigar tees” but really all you need is a flat non-flammable surface: golf carts, tee box markers, or even carefully balanced on a wood (with head-cover removed) in your bag. The most abundent cigar holder of all also works well: the grass next to your ball (as long as it isn’t wet or dusty).

But remember, like your sand wedge, you should leave your cigar on the green (not on the fringe or in the ruff) while putting so you don’t forget it in the excitement of that 40 foot eagle putt. Of course the easiest way to not forget your smoke is by leaving it in your mouth.

4. How many cigars to bring? The standard is one for every nine holes, but if you have a bunch of slow-playing old ladies ahead of you, this may leave you with a few hours without a cigar on the back nine. So maybe three is really the ideal number.

Also, make sure the cigars don’t get damaged in your bag. A simple leather case will work perfectly. So do cigars that come in their own tubes.

Have a tip of your own? Leave a comment for all stogies guys to see or email us.

-Patrick S

The 230th anniversary of our nation’s independence is not only a great opportunity to barbeque, drink, and – of course – have a cigar. In unfortunate times of war, it’s also a time to somberly remember those Americans who are jeopardizing their lives in the name of the greatest country on Earth.

Lets all take a few moments today to give thanks for those brave patriots overseas. Whether or not you support the war, we can all agree to support the troops…and hope for their safe return.

Speaking of which, the photo is a friend of a friend who is currently working on predator drones for the military for Boeing in Iraq. He is seen here smoking a stogie with a gigantic sandstorm in the background. Pretty hardcore, eh? You can see all of his pictures here.

So while you’re biting into that hamburger, gulping from that bottle of Sam Adams, taking a puff from that Punch, and enjoying that splendid array of pyrotechnics in the sky, take a few moments and think of our countrymen abroad. They deserve a good cigar on Independence Day more than anyone.

-Patrick A