The Stogie Guys

With a seemingly endless variety of cigars – at least for now – former real estate developer Gene Arganese has something for just about every stogie enthusiast. And so far we’ve been impressed. Last fall Patrick S sang the praises of the raisin-flavored Maduro Presidenté Figurado and I gave a thumbs-up to the Connecticut Presidenté Robusto.

 Like the latter, the Ambassador blend of the Connecticut line also sports an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. This time, though, it’s paired with an Indonesian binder and Dominican filler tobaccos. The result is a mild and creamy taste which is advertised as Arganese’s lightest blend.

The six and 7/8 inch by 52 ring gauge Torpedo sells for $7 per single or $142-160 for a box of 25. Soft and delicate, the cigar sports very few veins and virtually unnoticeable seams. The prelight draw is clear and the wrapper tastes of salt.

The flavor is about what I expected: smooth and creamy with notes of almond, butter, and cinnamon. A sweet hay taste drifts in and out to keep things interesting and, to the cigar’s credit, the salty wrapper is more complimentary than distracting. The smoke stays light and airy, even when spicy, syrupy notes kick in towards the end. Although the experience is quite mild, I had no problem picking up some wonderful flavors.

Construction on this 90-120 minute smoke is in line with what I’ve come to expect from Arganese. The burn only requires one touch-up to stay even, the draw is exceptionally clear, and the ash holds firm for almost two inches. Just take care removing the double bands because the fragile wrapper has a tendency to tear.

In all, this is a nice, noble smoke with a crisp, mild taste that works well on the golf course or on the deck. I would be happier if the wrapper was a bit oilier and the price a bit lower, but the Arganese Connecticut Ambassador Torpedo is still a fine cigar, worthy of three and ½ out of five stogies .

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Darryl Lieser found the inspiration for his own cigars years ago at a well-known watering hole in the desert. Celebrating an investment deal at the Phoenician’s Thirsty Camel Lounge in Scottsdale, Arizona, a client bought them a couple of 1956 Montecristo No. 3s.

“I’m a post-embargo baby, and I always thought that Cubans were taboo, were going to be harsh and unbalanced and tough to smoke,” Lieser, 43, recalled. “It was quite the contrary. Total opposite. Smooth, balanced, wonderful cigar.”

He decided then that if he ever pursued his dream of creating a cigar, that legendary Cuban vitola would be his model.

About three years ago, Lieser began working on a blend and last year he got booth space at RTDA with Altadis, which produces Isla de Cuba in Honduras for Lieser. He shipped his first cigars in February. Isla de Cuba Cigar, Inc. is headquartered in Tampa and Lieser, the president, splits his time between the Cigar City and Chicago.

Right now, the cigars are available in two versions. The natural, the one Lieser feels is most reminiscent of that ’56 Monte, has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and a mix of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and proprietary farm fillers. The maduro has the same filler and binder with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.

They come in five sizes ranging from a 7×52 Churchill to a 5.5×44 Corona. Prices are $6-8. Lieser calls them mild to medium, an everyday cigar. You can find a little information at the company’s website, though it remains under construction.

To get the word out, Lieser is hitting the road. When I talked to him, he had just pulled over while driving in Michigan and was heading to another cigar event in Ohio. His calendar is dotted with future stops at cigar shops around the country.

“I think that the only way to build credibility and to build brand awareness is to do events in conjunction with the retailer so we can educate the public on our product — a great cigar,” he said. It is also necessary, he added, to have the patience to develop personal — and in-person — relationships with retailers so they’ll know it’s a brand they can count on.

With the economy weak, tobacco under constant attack, and many new lines hitting the market, is Lieser concerned that it might not be the ideal time to launch a new cigar? “Honestly, I like competition,” Lieser said. And he believes his approach is the right one: Keep the quality up, the prices reasonable, and work with retailers. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the right boutique type brand.”

Odds are you’ll be able to decide for yourself. Check with shops in your area. You’ll likely find Lieser and Isla de Cuba cigars headed your way.

–George E

photo credit: IslaCigar.com

StogieGuys.com will be featured on the Livin’ Large with Geoff Pinkus radio show on WIND 560 AM in Chicago today. The show runs from 5-7 pm CST (6-8 EST) and Patrick A is scheduled to be on around at 5:30 CST (6:30 EST).

Geoff’s show is about “cigars, cars, spirits, wine, beer, restaurants, music, sports, hot chicks, jets, Harleys, guns, bikes, and fishing.” You can even call in at 877-560-WIND to ask a question on the air. If you’re not in the Chicago area, you can listen live here (and if you miss it, a podcast will be available here). You can listen to last week’s appearance here.

–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.

I hadn’t smoked any El Tiante cigars since around the time of my review of the Maduro Torpedo last fall. If my memory serves me well, this attractive Torpedo has benefited from six months of aging. Like the Maduro, this cigar has a flavor profile that is unlike most of the new cigars being created by the industry these days. The medium-bodied flavors include cedar, grass, earth, and floral notes. The construction is flawless.

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.

The R4 is generously packed full of Nicaraguan tobacco and adorned with a silky oscuro wrapper. But that’s about where the fun stops and the pain begins. Overly tight construction leads to numerous burn problems, a stiff and unforgiving draw, and a steady buildup of tar. The thin, ropelike wisps of noxious smoke offended me and my female friend, herself a cigarette smoker, who likened the aroma to that of “burning rubber.”

Verdict = Sell.

–Jon N

photo credit: Stogie Guys

A few months ago a local shop was closing and put everything on sale. Among the sticks I picked up was a ten count box of Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Belicosos. I’ve gotten through about half of them, and it’s an enjoyable cigar.

The wrapper, Sumatra seed sungrown tobacco grown by the Oliva family in Ecuador, is a beautiful deep brown. The choice of wrapper leaves from the “fine center” of the plant gives the cigar its name. Dominican ligero filler is aged five years before being rolled inside a Dominican binder. The completed cigars, according to the company, are then aged longer in cedar-lined cabinets.

The primary band is beautiful and another nice touch is the vitola’s name is printed in gold on the cellophane. That’s a help to consumers and something other manufacturers should consider.

Construction is excellent. The burn is straight, the ash tight and white, the draw offers just the right resistance, and the smoke plentiful.

At just a shade under five inches and a 50 ring gauge, the Belicoso is a good size for the morning or early afternoon. I found it a nice complement to a cup of coffee. I would call it mild to medium, not medium to full as Newman presents it. It’s not terribly complex, and you might find it a little salty. But it is also surprising every now and then as you come across a little burst of sweetness, dry cocoa, or wet hay.

I believe these smokes run about $5 each. Give one a try if you haven’t already. One warning if you do: As with most small sticks, it’s best to smoke slowly so you don’t overheat it. The Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Belicoso No. 11 earns a rating of three and 1/2 out of five stogies.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys