The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a sampler of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets to tide you over for the weekend. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Tampa celebrates its past with the eighth annual Cigar Heritage Festival November 18 in Ybor City, the community once known as the “Cigar Capital of the World.” The day-long street party attracts thousands of visitors and features entertainment, a beer garden, food vendors, displays, and lots of cigars for sale. You can get complete information and check out pictures from last year’s party at the Ybor City Museum website. Admission to the festival is free, with a donation suggested to support the museum. And the night before you can attend the Cigars & Stars II party presented by Cigar City Magazine – a local publication devoted to the area’s history that’s celebrating its second anniversary – and Fuente’s Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Co. While this one isn’t free, the $100 admission tab includes food, drink, entertainment, an auction, and Fuente cigars.

2) Meanwhile, the cigar world is concerned that Daniel Ortega’s return to power could once again lead to the destruction of Nicuragua’s cigar industry which in 2005 was responsible for importing over 5 million cigars into the U.S. Ortega is probably the man most responsible for the demise of Nicaraguan cigars in the 1980s. But before you run out and stock up on a decades worth of your Nicaraguan favorites like Padron and Joya De Nicaragua, you should know that there is hope this time Ortega’s rule will be different. One promising sign is that Ortega’s running mate is a former Contra. (In the 80s, U.S.-backed Contras fought a bitter civil war against Ortega’s Sandinistas.) In response to Ortega’s return, Charles Toraño, president of Toraño Cigars, expressed cautious optimism: “The truth is they’re saying all the right things, but at this point it’s a wait-and-see approach.”

3) Speaking of Marxist dictators, Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela may be the next up-and-coming cigar country. Currently the South American nation accounts for only a tiny fraction of cigars imported into the U.S., and even many of America’s most serious cigar enthusiasts probably have not tried a Venezuelan cigar. This may soon change. Despite heated words between Chavez and the U.S., there is no tobacco embargo and, according importer Michael DeLisa – who is also the author of the book “Cinderella Man,” which was turned into a movie starring Russell Crowe – Venezuelan output should crank up to one million cigars a day in the coming months.

4) In last week’s Friday Sampler, we passed along a fantastic eight premium cigars for ten bucks deal. But due to some technical problems beyond our control, some of you might have had trouble finding it. So now that we’ve got everything worked out – we even tested it out by ordering some ourselves – we’re reminding you again. To take advantage of this steal of a deal, click here: 8 Cigar Sampler # 1, Pack Of 8, (Limited Qty).

5) Finally, because one deal just isn’t enough, we want to pass on another bargain. On the back of the current issue of the political magazine National Review, we found an offer for four Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real cigars (the No. 2, Toro, Robusto, and Churchill) for just $7.95 including shipping. To take advantage of this, offer click here.

–The Stogie Guys

With a band as white as a banker’s freshly-starched shirt and a golden wrapper reminiscent of clover honey, the Montecristo White exudes a sense of clubroom elegance. The taste ain’t bad, either.

The first thing I noticed after lighting an Epicure No. 3 (five and ½ inches by 44 ring gauge) was the abundant smoke. It’s thick and full, the kind that creates a smoke ring with substance.

The last thing I noticed was what the Epicure did not have. No bitterness, even at the end. No nicotine bite, and none of what I think of as a medicinal aftertaste.

Now, I know a lot of smokers have a poor opinion of Montecristos. Perhaps that’s because of comparisons with their Cuban progenitor, with which they have little in common. Or maybe it’s the relatively high price and ubiquitous advertising that loudly toots its own horn. But I’m looking only at my own experience with the cigar.

I enjoyed it.

While I understand that Montecristo created the White a few years ago to add a stronger line extension, I would say it begins mildly and moves to medium.

I found variety and complexity throughout the hour or so I smoked the Epicure. A little spice and pepper were present at the start, particularly in the finish that lingered on the back of the throat. By the final third of the cigar those had nearly disappeared, replaced with a deeper taste and hints of coffee, as well as an occasional sweetness on the tongue.

The ash was tight. The burn was straight. The draw was excellent.

If you’re the sort of smoker who often peruses the humidor in search of a new experience, you probably don’t linger much over brands like Montecristo. You likely think you’ve already got a good idea what they’re like and feel that, for the money, you’ll take a chance on something else.

I would urge you to take another look at the White. If you’re planning to sit and read, watch a little football, or simply sip a cup of coffee and contemplate the day, you’ll have a nice, classy companion. I give the Montecristo White Epicure No. 3 three and ½ out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–George E

Whether you’re an elated Democrat or a somber Republican this morning, Election Day yielded mixed results for America’s smokers (and others who are concerned about individual rights and limited government). Below is a rundown of the good, the bad, and the ugly results from yesterday’s anti-tobacco initiatives. While StogieGuys.com is now calling all of these propositions, you can still get live coverage here.

The Good
California’s Proposition 86, which would have placed a 135 percent tax on tobacco products in the Golden State, failed by a vote of 52.2 percent to 47.8 (with 99.6 percent of the precincts reporting). I guess this extreme tax hike was a bit much – even for the militant tax-and-spend, anti-smoking zealots that make up America’s Left Coast.

Meanwhile, Missouri’s Amendment 3, which would have increased the excise tax on tobacco to 30 percent, failed by a vote of 51.7 percent to 48.3 (with 95.6 percent of the precincts reporting). Way to go, Show Me State!

The Bad
Arizona passed Proposition 201 by a vote of 54.2 percent to 45.8 (with 100 percent of the precincts reporting). The new law will ban smoking in all bars and restaurants statewide, except for patios (how generous). A similar proposition that would have exempted bars did not pass.

South Dakota (the rectangle below North Dakota) also passed a tobacco tax hike by a vote of 55 percent to 45 (with 100 percent of the precincts reporting). Mount Rushmore State citizens now have a 35 percent tax on all tobacco products – including a new $1-per-pack cigarette tax – to look forward to.

The Ugly
Nevada’s Question 5, a ban on smoking in all bars that serve food and other public places, carried by a vote of 53.8 percent to 46.1 (with 99 percent of the precincts reporting). Don’t worry; politicians were kind enough to throw in an exemption for tax-generating casinos. A similar proposition that would have included an exemption for bars failed.

Meanwhile, Ohio’s State Issue 5 passed by a resounding vote of 58.2 to 41.7 percent (with 99 percent of the precincts reporting). The new law will ban smoking in public places and most private businesses, excluding tobacco shops already in operation. A similar proposition with more exemptions failed miserably.

Analysis
Well, there you have it. While voters in California and Missouri fortunately turned down attempts to increase their taxes, South Dakotans welcomed a tobacco tax hike with open arms. Most disturbingly, every single fascist smoking ban passed.

In a country that was founded on individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government, can someone please explain why these propositions were on ballots in the first place?

I need a stiff drink and a strong cigar. Too bad the number of locales where I can partake in said activities is shrinking rapidly.

–Patrick A

The following are live results from the anti-tobacco initiatives on the ballot yesterday, updated with results (where available) as of 9:40 AM EST. To learn more about these iniatives, please check out the RTDA initiative guide. Also, please click here for a StogieGuys.com election wrap-up.

For live results from California Prop 86 (tobacco tax), click here.
YES – 47.8%
NO – 52.2%

For live results from Arizona Prop 201 (smoking ban), click here.
YES – 54.2%
NO – 45.8%

For live results from Nevada Questions 4 & 5 (both smoking bans), click here.
Question 4:
YES – 47.99%
NO – 52.01%
Question 5:
YES – 53.89%
NO – 46.11%

For live results from Ohio State Issues 4 (smoking ban) & 5 (smoking ban with more exemptions), click here.
State Issue 4:
NO – 64.28%
YES – 35.72%
State Issue 5:
YES – 58.29%
NO – 41.71%

For live results from South Dakota Initiative 5 (tobacco tax), click here.
NO – 45%
YES – 55%

For live results from Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3 (tobacco tax), click here.
YES – 48.3%
NO – 51.7%

Click here for a StogieGuys.com election wrap-up.

–Patrick S

Well, Election Day is finally here. We were going to publish some diatribe on smoking bans and urge you to vote, but – quite frankly – we’re sick of all the politics.

So when you’re finished doing your civic duty (and we know you will), why not take time to get away from all the partisan rhetoric, hypocrisy, and negative ads to have a quiet sit with a cigar? Last night I got a head start on that escape by bundling up, hitting the patio, and relaxing with a La Gloria Cubana Corona Gorda.

This six inches by 52 ring gauge stogie had a light brown Ecuador Sumatran wrapper with a few prominent veins and some small imperfections. It was packed tightly, but still soft and doughy to the touch.

After snipping the cap with my V-cutter, I noticed the pre-light draw was extremely easy and the aroma was rich and creamy. Immediately after lighting, however, the Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos surprisingly produced a rough, spicy flavor that was a bit too harsh for my liking (and I like full-bodied smokes). Fortunately, the stick gradually mellowed out into the second and finishing phases, and I noticed pleasing coffee and almond notes – especially when smoked through the nose.

More so than any other stogie I can recall, the Corona Gorda particularly highlighted the acidic locales of my palate, which produced a lot of saliva. (Acid tends to do that. Just bite into a lemon and you’ll see what I mean.) This cigar would therefore make a good companion in situations where beverages aren’t always readily available, like on the golf course.

On construction, the burn was nice and even and the draw was very easy, yielding a lot of smoke with each puff. But when it came time to remove the band (even though I did so with great care), the wrapper tore, and some irreparable construction flaws plagued the last fifth of the cigar.

At about $4.50 apiece, you won’t break the bank on one of these babies, but I think that money would be better spent elsewhere for an Election Day escape. For harsh flavors and serious physical setbacks, I give the La Gloria Cubana Corona Gorda an unfortunate two and ½ out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

Cuban cigars are considered by many to be the best in the world, but they are also the most widely counterfeited. Since May we’ve been keeping you up to date on major busts involving fake stogie busts both in the U.S. and abroad.

Now the bust we reported on in May, that resulted in Miami-Dade police seizing $20 million in fake cigars, is finally making its way to the courts:

Federal prosecutors have dropped counterfeiting charges against a Little Havana cigar merchant who was accused of selling fake Cuban cigars whose trademarks belong to a major South Florida company.

The U.S. attorney’s office withdrew the charges against Feliberto Marimon this week after determining there were flaws in the prosecution on the eve of trial.

The reason given by the federal prosecutor heading up the case is that Marimon was wrongly identified by a police informant, who now says one of Marimon’s assistants actually handled the Honduran cigars that were marked “Made in Cuba.”

However, hanging over the case is the role played by Altadis USA, owner of many famous Cuban brands such as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and Trinidad. Altadis spent tens of thousands of dollars on the investigation including giving money to the Miami-Dade police for undercover purchases of the counterfeit cigars, paying for the transportation and storage of the cigars seized, and directly paying an informant $1,500 a month plus almost $20,000 in relocation fees.

Such expenditures have led some to ask if Altadis played an improper role, even giving rise to allegations that the company is buying the prosecution.

StogieGuys.com will continue to cover counterfeiting stories, but since it is unlikely that counterfeit cigars will ever be completely eliminated, we suggest that for now you read our guide to spotting a fake.

–Patrick S

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a sampler of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets to tide you over for the weekend. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The State of New Jersey fined the owner of a Roxbury go-go/cigar bar $35,000 this week for violating the Garden State’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. Usually fines of this nature are reserved for serious offenses where there are clear-cut victims. But who are the victims in this case? The bar patrons who chose to smoke? The employees who have jobs selling cigars and catering to smokers?

2) Back in June we told you about this deal from Thompson where you get 8 cigars for ten bucks. At this point we’ve reviewed four of the eight cigars included in the deal (the latest was this week’s review of the Toraño Exodus Silver) and they’ve averaged a very impressive four out of five stogies. Order yours by clicking the picture below:

3) Our readers may be interested to learn more about Signature Stogies, a company that will engrave logos, names, or anything else onto a cigar. The process uses – you guessed it – lasers to remove dark pigments from tobacco leaves. Rest assured, the company claims cigars are not harmed or altered in any way.

4) In another sad example of the dangerous effects of government-imposed smoking bans, Mecca Bingo – Britain’s largest bingo chain – recently announced it will be laying off 200 employees. The company’s profits sank 20 percent after Scotland outlawed lighting up in March.

–The Stogie Guys