The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

If you take a look at our Archived Reviews page, you’ll notice that we’ve rated Rocky Patel cigars very well. And rightly so. But what about Nording, Rocky’s stepchild? Well, this five and ½ inch by 52 ring gauge stogie is pretty respectable. The blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos produces a spicy, oily smoke. And at less than $4 per stick when you buy in bulk, the Robusto Maduro is a lot easier on the pocketbook than a Vintage 1990. Go ahead and give these a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

Tags: cigars

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

These Dominican rolled smokes – 4.25 inch by 44 ring gauge – come in a nifty little wooden box of four from JR at $12. As you would expect from Montecristo, the stogies sport excellent construction and a razor-sharp burn. Unlike other Montes, though, I’ve found these inconsistent. While they all tend to share a dry finish and an unusual biting spice taste (a sentiment that was echoed in our full review of the Kilimanjaro), some are warm and creamy while others are flat and acrid. I’ve enjoyed the good ones as quick smokes with coffee, but the others weren’t worth lighting up.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

Tags: cigars

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

1) I guess it was only a matter of time. Earlier this week, the Baltimore City Council expectedly voted to prohibit smoking in all public places – including bars, restaurants, and taxicabs. The law, which goes into effect next year, was rightly criticized by the Baltimore Examiner: “Never mind the fact that restaurant owners now are free to choose whether to ban smoking on their premises and patrons are free to choose where to eat and drink.”

2) Starting on Wednesday, the first boxes of Ashton Estate Sun Grown Robustos began to hit tobacconists in major cities. The release – dubbed the 21 Year Salute – is the second in the ESG line and follows the Churchills that came out last summer. Getting your hands on one of these will cost a whopping $17.50.

3) The 9th Annual Habanos Festival was held in Havana this week sans Fidel Castro, who may not have been well enough to autograph humidors for charity auction (as previously planned). According to the LA Times, the five-day event was uncharacteristically “devoid of star power this year.” The highlight of the festival, however, was the launching of a new line of Cohiba cigars called Maduro 5.

4) Why did Padrón recently up the number of cigars per box from 25 to 26? Is it a clever marketing ploy? A celebration of the success of their 1926 Anniversary line? Nope. The increase is simply a result of changing the type of wood used to manufacture the boxes.

–The Stogie Guys

Do cigars always taste better after steak? As last night’s dinner proved, definitely. But I’ve had enough from the CAO Brazilia line to know these sticks are excellent after any meal.

And that excellence almost certainly has something to do with their unique composition. Who else, other than former CAO head honcho Cano Ozgener, would be creative enough to pair a dark Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos? (more…)