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’d been eager to smoke this cigar ever since 5 Vegas Gold was recently chosen the best stick with coffee by Stogie Fresh readers. The light brown Connecticut shade wrapper was a nice contrast to the black coffee I poured for my test. Smoking several, I found a consistently loose draw and a rapid burn with lots of smoke. It’s a pleasant cigar, more mild than medium, and I didn’t detect any of the pepper others have noted. I’d agree it goes well with coffee and is certainly worth a try at the low price at which any of the sticks in the Gold line are usually available.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The Prince George’s County government in Maryland banned the sale of “unpackaged cigars” on Wednesday. Intended to “curb a growing trend among urban youths of using hollowed-out cigars to smoke marijuana,” the new law makes buying stogies illegal unless they come in packages of at least five. Thankfully, establishments like cigar shops with tobacco sales in excess of 25 percent of their revenue will be exempt.

2) In its coverage of Tampa’s Cigar Heritage Festival, the St. Petersburg Times did cigar smokers a favor by describing some, though by no means all, of the area’s top shops. It’s a good starting point if you’re new to this rich cigar region or planning a visit to Tampa Bay.

3) Inside the Industry: Tatuaje is preparing a January release of the Ambos Mundo, a new blend that will retail for around $5 in either Toro or Robusto. Tempus by Alec Bradley is now available in a five-pack sampler for $39.95. Nub is giving away a custom BMW 2008 Mini Cooper S convertible.

4) Around the Blogs: Cohiba Club examines the God of Fire Piramide 2006. Keepers of the Flame reviews a Saint Luis Rey. Stogie Review lights up a Camacho 10th Anniversary. Cigar Jack smokes a J. Fuego Gran Reserva Corojo.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Ten Most Wanted” sampler features ten cigars from the biggest names for under $30. Included are sticks by Rocky Patel, CAO, Alec Bradley, Cohiba, Toraño, and Gurkha. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

Here at StogieGuys.com, we highlight the most egregious smoking bans when we can. Telling you about every single one would be impossible given that there are smoking bans in literally thousands of jurisdictions.

We’ve seen government-imposed bans in restaurants, bars, casinos, cars, outdoors, golf courses, cigar shops, and even houses. Each is more ridiculous than the next. And who knows what’s around the corner?

As the following video points out, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, it was only ten years ago that California banned smoking in bars. Most people probably just figured that was California thing. Today, though, smoking bans have become a nationwide thing—something you’ll find in red and blue states, east and west states, north and south states, on the coasts and in middle America.

With smoking bans so clearly on the march, I suggest watching this timely eight-minute video, which discuses how we got here and where we might end up:

–Patrick S

video credit: Reason.tv

On the surface, while it appears as though much of the cigar industry’s innovation centers around unnecessary gadgets and tricky marketing schemes, a closer look will reveal more functional improvements. Case in point: the Double Ligero Chisel from La Flor Dominicana.

This figurado’s unique shape was a first when it was introduced in 2003. Designed by Litto Gomez, the head almost looks as if a fat lady sat on the end of what might otherwise be a torpedo. The point—pardon the expression—is to focus the smoke in a way that fits naturally in the mouth.

After recently sitting down with a couple Chisels, we can safely say that Litto’s strategy works. The head clips cleanly to reveal a neat oval-shaped plateau with a clear and concentrated draw. And in addition to the functional aspects, the improved head also brings some unique aesthetic qualities to this Ecuadorian sungrown-wrapped beauty.

Of course, all this would be moot if the 6 inch by 54 ring gauge cigar tasted like dirt. Fortunately, though, it has a satisfying woodsy flavor that includes the same salty spice you’ll find in many other La Flor Dominicana sticks. The taste is as consistent as it is complex, with subtle and unwavering notes of pepper, coffee bean, and cereals.

We were anticipating lots of flavor, and the Chisel delivers. It doesn’t, however, bring that powerful, knock-you-on-your-ass feeling that its reputation would lead you to expect. The Double Ligero line—so named for its Dominican ligero binder and filler—is supposed to be dark, full-bodied, and spicy. The other vitolas in the blend that we’ve tried certainly live up to that reputation, but the Chisel is far more laid back.

That said, despite the disconnect between its reputation and the actual flavor, this cigar has a lot to offer. The Chisel’s excellent physical characteristics and approachable yet intricate flavors can be enjoyed by attentive smokers and noobs alike, and Litto Gomez’s dedication to functional innovation should be applauded.

Don’t think twice about spending $6-7 apiece on this fine specimen, La Flor’s third best-selling stick in 2007. We give it a solid rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve raved about the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 and No. 2 and explored the effects of aging cigars. So this is a little update combining the two.

I’ve had a few of these limited edition Tats in my humidor for close to a year. While that’s not a particularly long time for aging, I think, based on those I’ve recently smoked, it has had an impact. Unfortunately, I have to report that, for me at least, even this amount of aging hasn’t been kind to these sticks.

They have not become bad cigars. But the complexity and variety of flavors that set them apart isn’t present at the level it was before. And they just seem to have lost much of the zip that made them so special in the first place.

Now, the truth is I wasn’t “aging” these cigars. They’ve just been sitting there, as do many of my smokes, while I more or less get around to smoking them.

Nonetheless, I think it’s worth noting that although many cigars get better with aging, there is no guarantee. You may find that you liked the cigars better when you bought them.

I think it’s well worth remembering the advice given by cigar aging experts: Smoke one stick from the box periodically to see how they’re doing. I’d suggest every few months. That way you can quickly speed up your smoking schedule as soon you begin to notice the changes becoming negative rather than positive.

–George E

photo credit: Serious Cigars

This barber pole perfecto by Arganese is anything but inconspicuous. With its dueling wrappers that meticulously swirl down to a tiny foot the width of a cigarette, it’s a work of art and a testament to the skill of master cigar rollers.

I was given three samples—also known as the Arganese Edición Especial Dos Capas—at the IPCPR in Las Vegas, but Arganese’ website has no mention of the limited release. Fortunately, Arganese Vice President Sandy Corn filled me in on the details:

“The wrappers used are Connecticut from Ecuador, and Brazilian mata fina maduro. The filler is Dominican and the binder is Dominican. They come five cigars to a maroon-colored box with a velvet molded tray on the inside to cradle each cigar. They have a plastic protector sheet over the cigars and a ribbon with an Arganese crest to complete the impressive presentation. The MSRP is $50 per box. They are a limited edition cigar and will only be offered this year. Each box is numbered 1 to 1,000 and has a certificate of authenticity inside the box. There are only 1,000 made.”

The two wrappers have only a few noticeable veins. The cigar is firm and well constructed, and the twin wrappers are expertly applied so that the seam between the two almost seems like one continuous leaf. Because the two wrappers become very small near the cap, I was worried that after slicing it with my guillotine they might separate, but fortunately this never occurred.

After lighting I found a tight draw until the burn moved past the perfecto tip. The construction is impressive with the only difficulty being an uneven burn on one of the three samples that required a touch-up. The ash is solid, holding on for as long as two inches.

On flavor, I found lots of graham cracker and bittersweet chocolate. As the cigar progressed to the second half it became milder and creamier. The taste reminded me of creamy peanut butter and the finish was nutty like toasted almonds. Neither mild nor too strong, the cigar is solidly medium-bodied and well-balanced.

When I first saw this cigar I’ll admit it looked like a gimmick to me, but having smoked three I can say that gimmick or not it has smooth, complex flavors and nearly flawless construction.

I always have trouble calling any cigar that costs more than ten dollars a bargain. If you’re lucky enough to have the chance to smoke one of the 5,000 that was made, though, I’d consider $10 or $12 a fair price for the privilege of enjoying this limited cigar. Accordingly, the Arganese Edición Especial 2008 earns a surprising and impressive rating of five out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. A list of other five stogie-rated cigars can be found here.]

–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.

I’ll admit I’ve never been a huge fan of mini cigars; they just don’t provide the complexities and subtleties of larger smokes. With that skepticism in mind, I recently purchased a box of 20 Brazilia minis for about $12. These little 20 ring gauge sticks have a veiny wrapper that isn’t all that attractive. The wonderful flavor is the same Brazilia profile of roasted coffee and cocoa. Not surprisingly, there wasn’t much depth in this ten-minute smoke but, all things considered, this is one of the better mini cigars I’ve tried.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys