The Stogie Guys

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) The cigar industry may not have its act together, but Big Tobacco (the cigarette industry) certainly does. At least in Illinois, anyways. Lobbyists in Springfield are working at a record pace towards a hearing that would create exemptions in the newly enacted statewide smoking ban “to allow indoor smoking at many bars, riverboat casinos, strip clubs, and American Legion halls.”

2) If you’re a smoker and a fan of musician Joe Jackson you may like him even more than you thought. He’s a defender of smoking, saying in a recent AP story that “we’re really only hearing one side of it because the anti-smoking move- ment is so powerful.” He’s written passionately about his views, and many of his essays can be found on his website.

3) Factions of the New Hampshire legislature are pushing hard for the state to classify little cigars as cigarettes. Why? As our May 2006 commentary explains, it’s easier for politicians to tax cigarettes than cigars. The Union-Leader wrote a nice editorial on the issue this week, explaining that the bill will “hurt convenience stores and cigar shops” while driving business out of the Granite State.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Old Powder Keg. Velvet Cigar smokes the Arganese Chairman. Cigar Inspector inspects a Partagas 8-9-8. Cigars by Matt smokes a Don Francisco. Cigar Jack is holding a month-long contest with tons of great prizes.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve made no secret of the fact that we’re big fans of Don Pepin Garcia’s cigars. That makes this “Ultimate Don Pepin Garcia Sampler” so special. It includes some of the rarest limited edition cigars made by the master. At $99 it isn’t cheap, but many of these cigars are not available anywhere at any price (and you’d pay a lot more if you could find them). Grab yours here while supplies last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

It’s been quite awhile since our last Smoke Out, but now we’re proud to announce that StogieGuys.com is at it again. On Sunday, March 9 we will be hosting a get-together for DC-area readers and friends at Carpool in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. The event will commence at 4 p.m. EST and last until everyone is tired of drinking and smoking.

While we have hosted a few of these fun-filled events in the past (pictured at right), this one promises to be especially memorable. Cuban Crafters – the boutique manufacturer responsible for such highly rated favorites as J.L. Salazar, La Carolina, Cabinet Selection, Don Kiki (both Brown and White), and Cameroon – has graciously agreed to sponsor the event. Thus, a variety of free Cuban Crafters cigars will be available to attendees (while supplies last) and other items will be given away in a free raffle.

In order to ensure that we have enough goodies to hand out and ample space at the bar, all we ask is that you RSVP here as soon as possible.

Of course, Patrick A and Patrick S will be on hand to participate in all the activities that will make this event great: smoking/talking cigars, eating BBQ, playing pool and darts, etc. Conveniently, Carpool is just a stone’s throw away from the Ballston Metro station and parking will also be available. To summarize:

• WHAT: DC Stogie Guys Cigar Smoke Out, sponsored by Cuban Crafters
• WHERE: Carpool in Arlington, VA
• WHEN: Sunday, March 9 at 4 p.m. EST
• WHY: Free Cuban Crafters cigars and great company
• HOW: RSVP today!

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

For a dramatic moment, even though it didn’t compare to Dr. Frankenstein throwing a switch to bring his monster to life, I couldn’t help but hope for similar results when I lifted a Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sun Grown #60 from my humidor.

One of an extremely dry four-pack I bought for $5 or so about ten months ago, I’d been resting them to see how much life would return to the six inch by 50 ring gauge sticks. For the first couple of months, I kept them in a partially closed Ziploc bag with a water pillow-style humidification pack with the humidity level a notch or two above 70. Since then, they’ve been in with the rest of the singles.

As you may know, advice on restoring dried cigars is about as prevalent on the web as offers to get rich working with Nigerian officials. Nearly all the cigar methods focus on restoring moisture in one way or another.

When I bought these, I certainly knew what I was getting. The clerk went out of his way to warn me before that the cigars had gotten very dry. I just figured that for the price I’d see what happened. These cigars, which I’ve enjoyed many times, normally run about $45 for a properly humidified box of ten.

I wasn’t expecting much from this experiment. I’ve come to believe that while it is possible to get a measure of moisture back in a dry cigar, the loss of at least some essential oils is certain to adversely affect the flavor. As if to illustrate the point of irreversible change, when I removed the two bands their patterns were still clearly visible on the wrapper.

In all honesty, though, the cigar wasn’t bad. It had characteristics you’d anticipate: loose draw, fairly fast burn, and relatively dry smoke and finish. But it also retained a fair amount of taste, highlighted by cedar and leather. A harshness I don’t associate with this usually mild cigar was evident in the beginning, but it did not linger.

I plan to not smoke the three remaining sticks for at least six more months, maybe longer. I don’t know how much they’re likely to improve, but already I believe they are the best $1.25 cigars I’ve had.

–George E

photo credit: Video Detective

The Cuban Cohiba Robusto is one of the six original Cohibas known as the Línea Clásica. The Línea Clásica (Classic Line) consists of the six vitolas: the Panetela, Corona Especial, and Lancero, which were introduced in 1982; followed by the Exquisito, Espléndido, and Robusto, which debuted in 1989. The Siglo line, of which we gave the Siglo V a five stogie rating, was introduced later in 1992.

Except for the fact that the Cuban Cohiba Robusto is also a traditional robusto shape (four and 7/8 inches with a 50 ring gauge), the it bears little similarity to the Dominican Cohiba Robusto made by General Cigar. General Cigar and Habanos SA have been feuding over the rights to the name Cohiba for well over a decade.

This cigar has a smooth, shiny caramel brown wrapper with only a few prominent veins, all wrapped in the traditional black and gold Cohiba band. It retails for $12-15. (Check if yours is a fake with this tip.)

After clipping the head and lighting the foot, I find a quick burst of bitter. The unpleasant flavor is strong and overwhelming. The burn also begins poorly, as it is quite uneven.

Fortunately, the sub-par start quickly turns around. After about a half inch the bitterness departed and was replaced with a smooth, cedary medium-bodied flavor. At almost the same time the burn corrected itself and, for the rest of the smoke, the ash was firm and solid and the burn was even.

As the cigar progressed, I found a complex mix of honey, earth, and a pepper spice that meandered in and out. By the time I got to the end, I was so thoroughly enjoying the cigar I had almost forgotten about the bitter start.

In fact, were it not for that bitter and unpleasant beginning, this cigar would rank up there with the Siglo V or other top-rated sticks. But unfortunately I can’t write that start off as a fluke, as I experienced it with the multiple Robustos I smoked for this review.

But despite the initial performance, this is still a fine cigar. It earns an impressive rating of four out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

By now, regular readers know what huge fans we are of Cuban Crafters. And why shouldn’t we be? With excellent, affordable lines such as La Carolina, Cabinet Selection, Don Kiki (both Brown and White), and Cameroon, we’ve come to love the quality, attention to detail, and value this Nicaraguan boutique cigar operation offers.

The J.L. Salazar y Hermanos Reserva Especial series is no exception. I don’t want to spoil the ending or anything, but I really enjoyed the six Robustos I smoked for this review. And I’m not alone: Patrick S and a StogieGuys.com reader have already made public their affinity for this line.

The history of J.L. Salazar y Hermanos dates back to 1810 when the Salazar family began producing highly regarded puros in the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba. Today, J.L. and his brothers carry on that proud tradition in Nicaragua with a special blend of Cuban-seed tobaccos. Reserva Especial consists of an Ecuadorian wrapper, a habano 2000 binder, and fillers from Estelí.

Not unlike their ancestors’ cigars in Cuba, today’s blend has received a fair amount of praise. Smoke Magazine consistently rates these box-pressed beauties above 9 (the Torpedo vitola recently earned a 9.4), and many bloggers have been quick to commend the stick’s rich flavor.

The Robusto measures five and ½ inches with a 52 ring gauge and retails at $87.50 for a carefully presented cedar box of 25 ($3.50 apiece). You’d expect a cigar at that price to have some aesthetic imperfections, but this one doesn’t. The wrapper is dark, silky, and nearly flawless.

The J.L. Salazar y Hermanos experience starts with a dry, woody taste that transitions into notes of nuts, spice, and pepper. The second phase welcomes a chocolate sweetness and an espresso-like flavor, and the final third is bigger and bolder with tastes of cocoa bean, bittersweet chocolate, and burnt clove. Very interesting and complex.

All of the Robustos I smoked were consistent in construction: a smooth, loose draw that yields plenty of smoke; a white, layered ash that holds moderately well; and a clean, sharp burn that starts straight but requires several touch-ups down the stretch.

When you get right down to it, this is a fine, complex cigar with medium to full flavors that can impress even seasoned cigar veterans. Bang for the buck is very high, so I have no qualms about giving the J.L. Salazar y Hermanos Reserva Especial Robusto four out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. To purchase this cigar from a StogieGuys.com affiliate, click here.]

–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.

The Camaroon wrapper was smooth and just about perfect. This Gurkha Special Edition (6.5″ x 54) was nice and creamy from start to finish. It had a very delicate balance of woodiness and floral scents. The underlying taste of cedar was less than the Gurkha Ancient Warrior, but every bit as enjoyable. It produced a clean gray ash and burned even. I like the draw of a thicker cigar and found this one to be right up my alley, producing lots of smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by Toby from Uniontown, PA

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

Old Henry is a house brand from Holt’s made by cigar blender extraordinaire Don Pepin Garcia. This five inch by 50 ring gauge Nicaraguan puro features a flawless chocolate brown wrapper with a grizzled bulldog on the band. Inside is medium to full flavors of chocolate, earth, and leather. Like most Pepin cigars it is flavorful yet well-balanced.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys