The Stogie Guys

For this edition of our Cigar Insider series, I spoke with Robert Spoden of Bucanero Cigars. Bucanero was a boutique founded during the mid-90’s cigar boom and, unlike others from that period, Bucanero is still around, currently producing 18 blends.

I asked Robert about the founding of the company, why it made it to a second decade when so many others didn’t, and much more. Particularly of note is his take on the effect of smoking bans and cigar taxes on the cigar industry.

SG: Tell us a little bit about the founding of Bucanero. What made you decide to start producing your own cigars?

RS: Bucanero was founded in 1995 over a couple of bourbons matched with some outstanding cigars and a Costa Rica. The foundation was, and continues today to be, built around honesty and friendship. We set out slowly to introduce unique blends. We avoided the pitfalls of mass production and maintained our focus on quality smokes. Our goal was to enter the cigar marketplace with the strength of blending and aging and let our cigars stand the test of time.

SG: Bucanero Cigars was founded in the middle of the mid-90’s cigar boom. Why do you think Bucanero is still around and thriving when so many other companies closed up shop long ago?

RS: At the time of the “boom” so many cigars were being mass-produced. So many lacked the essentials of what we believed a fine cigar should be. As a small player in this $5 billion industry we had to decide where to spend our limited resources. Either we would spend the money in advertising or spend our resources in the way we make our cigars. We choose the later, while many others brands started back then were just mass produced cigars to meet the demands of the boom.

SG: What was the greatest challenge in starting up your cigar manufacturing operation?

RS: Trust me it has not been easy. Manufacturing our cigars is truly a science. Everyday the focus on quality must be maintained. What we find tough as a small manufacture is getting the word out about our cigars. It is by far the most challenging mountain we must climb. Our success lies with the cigar smoker who seeks something special.

SG: How do you think smoking bans and seemingly ever-increasing tobacco taxes will affect the cigar industry? How do you think the cigar industry has done responding to efforts to tax and ban cigar smoking?

RS: We as cigar lovers are all in this together. The laws that keep popping up restricting smoking in public places are not the death blow it appears to be, but the tax bill that is pending is. Cigars can be enjoyed in so many places such as on your deck, fishing, golfing, etc. Even with these smoking bans, we still have our freedom to enjoy our cigars in many other places.

The true impact is in the pending tax increase on importing cigars. If this law is ever enacted the effect will be felt by a large group of small- to medium-sized cigar manufactures. For a small importer that imports 50,000 cigars a month, the Custom Duty Tax would increase from $2,350 to anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 per month.

This would effectively change the frequency of smoking cigars for most due to the very high retail costs, in turn effectively driving out of business many cigar retailers. The vast selection of cigars that exists today would disappear leaving only the largest cigar manufacturers’ brands available to be purchased.

I will leave it to your readers to determine if the industry has done a good job responding to these threats.

SG: In your opinion, what is the best beverage to enjoy while smoking a fine cigar?

RS: I enjoy a red wine occasionally with my cigars. But I always smoke my cigar about half way down then I take a sip of my wine. Once the flavor of the wine mixes with the flavor of the cigar you have a synergy of flavor. If the wine mates well with the cigar you should experience a “turbo effect” in flavor. Occasionally I will do this with my favorite scotch or bourbon also.

SG: How do you keep cigars in your personal humidor: cellophane on or off?

RS: I am somewhat of a purist. I only put one blend in my humidor without the cello wrapper on the cigars. I have always believed the cello dramatically slows down the aging process that Spanish cedar brings to the cigars. By mixing different blends in my humidor over time the cigars take on the flavor profile of the mix.

SG: If someone has never tried a Bucanero cigar before, which blend would you recommend as the best cigar to introduce them to the brand and why?

RS: Tough question. We produce 18 blends, each with a distinctive flavor. You must consider the strength profile of the blend and match it with the cigar lover’s pallet. If you were at one of our smoker events I could offer to match you pallet with one of our many blends.

Many thanks to Robert for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information and to find a Bucanero retailer, please visit Bucanero’s website.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Well, it’s official. After 35 long days, 43 carefully picked entries, and 5 grueling NCAA games, we finally have a winner for the Stogie Guys College Football Bowl Contest. Congratulations are in order to Bradley Davis of Crestview, Florida, who was the only contestant to pick all five Bowl Championship Series games correctly.

But, as you know, we’re sending more than congratulations Bradley’s way. We’re sending him three fine cigars: a La Aroma de Cuba; a Bahia Gold; and a pricey, four stogie-rated Graycliff Grand Cru.

Bradley told us yesterday that he’s been smoking for about two years and his favorites include the Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra and anything by Don Pepin Garcia. On his victory, Bradley wrote, “I went with my heart on a couple of games instead of who I thought would win.”

From all of us at StogieGuys.com, thank you to all the contestants and to CigarsDirect.com for sponsoring the contest. Bradley may have had the upper hand this time with his picks of LSU, Kansas, West Virginia, Georgia, and USC, but maybe the next Stogie Guys cigar giveaway will end up in your favor.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Reuters

I discovered a couple of these in my humidor last week when I was pondering which cigar to review next. I knew I picked them up at the Big Smoke in Las Vegas, but I had virtually no knowledge of brand or the series.

When internet searches only turned up information about the Natural or Maduro lines, and when I found La Caya’s website to be less than informative, I wrote to the company and received a prompt and polite reply.

I learned that the building blocks of the Cameroon series include an African Cameroon wrapper; a creamy 1999 Dominican olor binder from the San Victor region; and filler tobaccos composed of Dominican-grown Cuban seed criollo and piloto cubano (2005 and 2006 crops) and 2006 Nicaraguan viso from Estelí.

The five inch by 54 ring gauge robusto is a beautiful stick with highly detailed gold and yellow double bands. The handsome cedar sleeve slides off easily to reveal a seamless, fallow-tinted wrapper with a few large veins.

Like most Cameroon-wrapped sticks, this one starts with a harmonious spicy sweetness. The smoke is voluminous and flavorful with notes of tea, clove, and pine. All of this barely changed as I burned from foot to head, but – with such a savory taste – that’s hardly a criticism.

I am also happy to report that the burn is outstandingly straight, the sandy ash hangs tight for over two inches (I only tapped the ashtray twice), and the draw is easy.

I wanted to resist the temptation, but this cigar begs a comparison to what is commonly considered to be the seminal Cameroon: the H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon. While the flavor profiles aren’t quite the same, I think La Caya can stand up to H. Upmann any day. It doesn’t quite have the spice, but it’s smoother, earthier, and better constructed.

So, if you’re into Cameroons, you definitely need to give La Caya a try; if you’re not, this cigar serves as a great reminder of how fantastic Cameroons can be. At $5.50 for a single, I am heartily recommending the La Caya Cameroon Robusto with a rating of four and ½ out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Cigar Aficionado has released its top ten cigars of 2007. StogieGuys.com readers will see many familiar names, and perhaps some you aren’t so familiar with.

All ten received a score of 92 or higher (out of a possible 100). Of note is a revamped Dunhill brand, new lines from CAO and Cohiba, and the relatively unknown brand called Illusione. Here’s the list, with special attention given to the top five:

10. Dunhill Signed Range Toro (Nicaragua)
9. CAO Vision Prana (Dominican Republic)
8. Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Maduro Epicure (Honduras)
7. Illusione CG4 (Honduras)
6. Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos (Cuba)

5. Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Torpedo – This line has also fared well here at StogieGuys.com, scoring an impressive four and 1/2 rating. It has a tremendous, full, earthy flavors. Personally, I think the Churchill-sized Sorcerer is a better vitola than the torpedo, but you can’t go wrong with any of the VSGs.

4. Oliva Serie V Torpedo – This new cigar received a lot of praise. It is the same excellent quality that you’ve come to expect from Oliva, but in a more powerful format. Particularly of note in this line is the seven inch by 38 ring gauge Lancero size.

3. Montecristo No. 2 (Cuba) – The Montecristo No. 2 is perhaps the single most famous cigar in the world, and for good reason. I recently enjoyed one and found the same delicate, yet medium-full flavored, combination of wood, earth, and spice (not unlike the Montecristo Petit Edmundo). This cigar has been wowing smokers for years, and in all likelihood it will continue to for many more.

2. Fuente Fuente OpusX PerfecXion No. 2 – OpusX has been one of America’s most sought after cigars since its introduction in 1995. Like the previous three selections, this is a torpedo of generous proportions. Its balanced, full-flavored spiciness make this the Fuente flagship.

1. Padrón Serie 1926 No. 9 – This Nicaraguan puro’s smaller brother, the No. 6, scored a rare five out of five rating here at StogieGuys.com way back in December 2006. The No. 9 (rated 97 by CA) has a thick ring gauge of 56, a 5 and 1/4 inch length, and interestingly is the only non-torpedo in the top five. Like the No. 6, the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 9 is a perfectly balanced cigar with tons of earth and chocolate, but not a hint of harshness.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Cigar Aficionado

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

This five inch by 50 ring gauge beauty is tightly packed with smooth, creamy notes of butter and hay. It’s not all mild, though, as spicy and nutty flavors add depth. With a Connecticut shade wrapper and aged Dominican tobaccos, the draw is firm, the ash is pretty stable, and the burn is spot-on. Expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $8, and expect to be impressed.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: 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. The following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

This handsome cigar (5.0625” x 38) comes with the signature gold Por Larrañaga band and is wrapped in a reddish cedar sleeve. After lighting I found a very faint flavor of cream with a hint of cedar. I actually wondered if maybe I’d made a mistake in buying this famously-mild cigar. A half inch or so later, though, all my doubts were gone. The flavor evolved into a soft, well-blended mix of caramel, cedar, tea, and smoke. This profile lasted throughout the 45-minute cigar, with the sweeter flavors most notable during the middle part of the smoke, and the final few puffs leaning more toward a dry, woody taste. There were occasional bouts of bitterness but I chalk these up to my being too eager to eek out every last bit of flavor from this beautiful cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by B. Brown from Providence, Rhode Island

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) This isn’t exactly the use for smoking jackets we imagined, but kudos to the owner of this French café for creativity. To combat France’s unjust smoking ban, which went into effect on January 1, he has a number of fleece jackets – technically vests – on hand for his customers so they don’t freeze when they’re forced to go outside for a smoke.

2) As in France, the good people of Alaska are being forced out into the cold by a tyrannical smoking ban. Anti-tobacco advocates say they passed the law out of health concerns, but are they going to apologize when when someone catches pneumonia and dies, as happened in Toronto last winter?

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Inspector inspects the Carlos Toraño Exodus Silver. Stogie Review reviews the Partagas 160. Keepers of the Flame lights up an EO 601 Green Label. Cigar Monkey smokes the Carlos Toraño Signature.

4) Deal of the Week: Once again our deal of the week is a fantastic sampler from Tinderbox.com. You’ll get ten sticks from big name cigar makers like Cohiba, Montecristo, H. Upmann, and Arturo Fuente for just $29.99! Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: AFP