The Stogie Guys

My girlfriend picked up a few of these sticks at a Sarasota cigar bar during our golf vacation to Florida last weekend. She told me she was drawn to Diamond Crown Maximus because the cigars share a name with her employer (I’m just glad she wasn’t buying any more shoes).

This line was created by J.C. Newman as a fuller-bodied follow-up to the company’s successful Diamond Crown blend. Said to be the sister cigar of the famed Opus X, Diamond Crown Maximus marries three legendary families: the Newmans; the Olivas, who grow the wrapper in Ecuador; and the Futenes, who produce the binder and filler tobaccos in the Dominican Republic.

The Robusto No. 5 weighs in at a classic five inches with a 50 ring gauge (kudos to the manufacturer for eliminating all confusion and printing the full vitola name on the cellophane). The band is wonderfully ornate – albeit slightly gaudy – and I wouldn’t be surprised if it were some mixture of the three families’ crests. Dark, firm, and tightly wrapped, the cigar exudes rich notes of chocolate off the freshly cut head.

The El Bajo sungrown wrapper adds a nice sweetness to the lips and the first puff is akin to savory cocoa, clove, and black pepper. Salty, but acidic tones help balance the flavor profile. The taste remains surprisingly consistent until the nub with no noticeable increase in spice, harshness, or bitterness.

One of the Robustos was more reliable than the other, but don’t be surprised if the white ash holds firm for up to three inches. The burn is straight or self-correcting, and the draw is just right.

In all, I think these limited production sticks make real treats for sungrown fans and devotees of cigars with rich cocoa flavors. The only challenge is to locate a supply and fork over $8.50-12 per single (about $200 per box of 20). Let’s just say I’m happy my girlfriend found and bought them, and I give the Diamond Crown Maximus Robusto No. 5 a highly regarded four out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editors’ Note: The following guest commentary by Sam Driban is a response to yesterday’s guest commentary by Gary J. Arzt . Mr. Driban is owner of the Black Cat Cigar Company.]

It was with both amusement and sadness that I read the Gary Arzt commentary, “One Should Be Wary of Black Cats,” on Tuesday. I’m happy that at least he acknowledged he was biased as both a devotee and friend of the Garcia family. The content also confirmed that he had spoken with the Garcia organization prior to his commentary.

I agree and laughably disagree with portions of Mr. Arzt’s words. I disagree that Black Cat is trying to “get even” with Pepin. We offer discounts of 40 percent or more on many products from many companies, not just Pepin’s, and we do this based solely on our business strategies. Also, we have not placed a single order with Pepin, contrary to Mr. Arzt’s statement, since we were informed that he would not be making the Rey Miguel cigars that we had put so much hope, effort, time, and money into.

I do agree that we have sent a mixed message with the rock bottom prices and hope for reconciliation. Mr Arzt is right as he quotes my words of “upset” and “blown-off.” I’m also forgiving and would welcome a call from Pepin. Sadly, I have not received one. I guess I’ve served my purpose for Pepin and am no longer needed. I am not alone, as Pepin has also blown-off and ceased production of brands for other hard-working, good people who spread the gospel and helped create this market for him.

The sarcasm in the commentary is absurd. Pepin didn’t think that cutting me off would affect our relationship? The bottom line is he just didn’t care. Continuing to make Rey Miguel, while perhaps inconvenient, really wouldn’t have been difficult and would’ve been the right thing to do. Mr. Arzt uses words like “dislocation” and “dynamics of companies.” These are words that I expect to read in a Wall Street Journal article, not a cigar blog commentary.

This is my 25th year in business. The “gentlemen” that Mr. Arzt refers to should be men such as Edgar Cullman Sr., Benjamin Menendez, and Jose Blanco. These are giants in our industry who I have learned from. They use words unfamiliar to El Rey de Los Habanos (Pepin’s company) such as “integrity,” “loyalty,” and, foremost, “passion” when it comes to the product and the relationships. Unfortunately, Pepin’s passion has evolved into a sad passion for greed.

–Sam Driban

photo credit: Black Cat Cigars

[Editors’ Note: The following is a guest commentary by Gary J. Arzt. Mr. Arzt is a Florida-based investor and a contributor to a number of cigar publications. In the interests of transparency, the author wants it to be known that he was first a devotee to Pepin Garcia’s cigars and has since become a good friend of Don Pepin and the Garcia family.]

Sam Driban of Black Cat Cigar Company was an early friend and fan of Don Pepin. Three years ago, Pepin started to make a cigar called Rey Miguel for him.

Last month, according to the screed on his website, Driban received a call from John Gonzales, “a man I’ve never met,” who is, nonetheless, the National Sales Manager for Don Pepin brands. Gonzales advised him that Pepin’s company could no longer make Rey Miguel for Black Cat.

Driban was “…upset, as I considered him a friend.” He felt he had been “blown off.”

But he had a plan to get even. He ordered a large quantity of Pepin’s cigars – JJs, Black labels, Blue labels, Vegas Cubans – and listed them on the Black Cat website at absurdly low prices, prefaced with this story of “betrayal.” Sending a mixed message, Driban says, “Enjoy these cigars at rock bottom prices as I no longer wish to help my former friend.” He follows this with, “I hope that one day soon our relationship can be reconciled.”

I am sure Pepin is elated at the prospect of reconciliation. Just as I am sure Pepin didn’t do what he did to damage the relationship and upset Driban. The dynamics of companies, especially companies growing at the rate of Pepin’s, change constantly and, unfortunately, Rey Miguel no longer was a good fit. Small production cigars will only cause dislocation in a Tabacalera producing Don Pepins, 601s, San Cristobals, and Tatuajes.

In an industry that I always saw as peopled by gentlemen, there has been too much acrimony of late. One has no choice, I suppose, but to yap at the heels of the top dog.

–Gary J. Arzt

[UPDATE: Mr. Driban’s response can be found here.]

photo credit: El Rey de los Habanos

Rough, toothy, a bit mottled, and prominently veiny, the Occidental Reserve Double Broadleaf Churchill isn’t what I’d classify as humidor candy. Nevertheless, when it comes to a cigar’s looks, I’m not much of a snob. Many of my favorite smokes have been a bit on the rustic side. And, after all, isn’t flavor what really matters?

Interestingly, this seven inch by 48 ring gauge maduro doesn’t pack much of a punch. That’s something I find a bit surprising coming from manufacturer Alec Bradley, whose marketing often appeals to the “bigger and bolder is better” mindset. Perhaps blender Hendrik Kelner, famous for his work with the ultra-smooth Davidoff label, had something to do with this stogie’s mildness.

At any rate, the smoothness and unassuming body of the Occidental Reserve is just fine by me. I’ve been looking around for a mild, everyday smoke to pair with a decent cup of coffee on my lazy Sunday mornings. While Davidoffs fit the bill, they can break the bank almost as quickly as a bad mortgage these days. At roughly $3 a stick, Occidental Reserves offer near-Davidoff quality for a fraction of the price.

This cigar opens with a full-bodied blast of pepper, cedar, and burnt coffee before quickly mellowing into a much smoother blend of light oak and sweet cream. A lingering, peppery finish never quite disappears from the body of the thick, heavy smoke – intensifying as the cigar reaches its final third. But it’s never enough to overwhelm the subtle character of the stick, and that’s probably for the best.

The burn is even and true, producing a light gray ash that holds for about an inch and a half at a clip. My only complaint with the ash is its tendency toward flakiness (tiny bits tended to float off the foot, here and there, throughout my various experiences). Otherwise, I find nothing worrisome about the quality of the cigar’s craftsmanship.

For outstanding value, ease, and pleasantly smooth flavor profile, I give this bargain-priced stick a solid four out of five stogies.

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

–Jon N

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.

There isn’t too much for me too add to the full review done by my colleague Patrick A.  This is a rich, flavorful, attractive, and well-constructed smoke.  Quintessentially maduro, this box-pressed toro features chocolate, earth, and roasted flavors.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

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.

While many boutique and even mass-market premiums can very be hit-or-miss (Gurkha, for instance), I find most CAOs to be consistent, enjoyably challenging, and almost always rewarding. CAO’s L’Anniversaire Cameroon line is no exception. The robusto packs a stunning degree of complexity into a relatively small, box-pressed vitola. Gentle aromas of cedar and straw belie a multifaceted and medium-bodied flavor profile. I was able to taste cream, almond, lots of cedar, an excitingly full amount of pepper, and even some cinnamon in this lovely little stick.

Verdict = Buy.

–Jon N

This Sunday ( April 20) Patrick A and Patrick S will be talking cigars on the Livin’ Large with Geoff Pinkus radio show on WIND 560 AM in Chicago. The show runs from 5-7 pm Central (6-8pm Eastern) and we are scheduled to be on at the top of the second hour (after the lovely Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew girls).

Geoff’s show is about “cigars, cars, spirits, wine, beer, restaurants, music, sports, hot chicks (hot moms), jets, harleys, guns, bikes, and fishing.” You can even call in to ask us a question on the air: 877-560-WIND.

If you’re not in the Chicago area you can listen live here (and if you miss it, a podcast will be available here).

–The Stogie Guys