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

This cigar is on nearly everyone’s list of best bargain smokes. It had been a while since I smoked one of these, but I’ve enjoyed many over the past few years. This time, though, was a disappointment. The wrapper displayed a couple of ugly bumps, the cap unraveled a bit when cut, and the foot was difficult to light. An initial bitterness soon leveled off and the thick smoke was generally smooth, with some spicy undertones. General Cigar’s website lists it at $3.25, but I paid only $2.49 for the 4 ½ inch by 50 ring gauge stick. At that price, it remains a better bargain than a smoke.

Verdict = Hold.

-George E

Tags: cigars