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 picked up this subtle gem in a sampler pack at a recent La Flor event at one of my local B&Ms. The Connecticut-seed Ecuadorian wrapper, combined with a Nicaraguan binder and Piloto Cubano filler tobaccos, yields a creamy taste of cashews with a woodsy spice. Satisfying but not overstated. And like virtually every other La Flor I’ve tried, this Belicoso (5.5 x 52) boasts near-perfect physical properties.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

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) Cuba is suing cigar accessories manufacturer Xikar over use of the word “Havana” in the company’s new Havana Collection. Filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the surprise lawsuit alleges Xikar is marketing the collection “by deliberately and falsely associating those goods with Havana, Cuba.” But Xikar says the name is only meant to “denote the style and culture of Havana.”

2) The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, created in 2001 by the Fuente and Newman families, launched a new interactive website this week that allows visitors to explore the issues facing the people of the Dominican Republic. The Foundation’s mission is to provide communities on the island with better access to education, health care, and sustainable employment.

3) Inside the Industry: If you couldn’t make it out to Las Vegas, check out Cigar Aficionado’s coverage of the Big Smoke Weekend. JR Cigars began selling bundles of 20 cigars in mini oak barrels for the holidays—some have even been spotted at Costco. IPCPR legislative guru Chris McCalla felt the need to publicly declare that he knows about the Obama administration’s stated “priority” on passing SCHIP, and that the industry group is working to ensure that “the economic health of the retailers and our industry” is protected.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes a San Cristobal de La Habana. Cigar Jack lights up a Flor de Gonzalez. Matt reviews a Cruzado. Cigar Inspector inspects a Saint Luis Rey Serie A.

5) Deal of the Week: Since we’ll soon have a new president, we thought you might want to check out this “Presidential Sampler” before cigar taxes go up any further. For $49.99 (free shipping included), this ten-cigar sampler includes cigars by Graycliff, CAO, Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, Camacho, Padilla, Gurkha, and Montecristo. Pick yours up here while limited supplies last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: WDSI

As winter approaches, the prospect of sitting outdoors for hours on end with a huge cigar becomes less and less appealing. So, for a quick burst of short-lived flavor, I recently tried a couple Petit Robustos from Hoyo de Monterrey. I thought their stubby stature and reputation as small but powerful smokes made them excellent candidates to become go-to cold weather companions.

And why shouldn’t the Petit Rubusto be up for such consideration? Since its introduction in 2004, this Cuban puro has amassed a heap of praise from both mainstream cigar publications as well as the online stogie community. Last year, for example, Cigar Aficionado named it one of “Today’s Cuban Stars” and granted the four inch by 50 ring gauge stick a generous rating of 92. “The rich, toasty, and decadent character stimulates each taste bud in an elegant, creamy way,” wrote James Suckling.

Many seem to have fallen in love with this cigar’s compact power. At around $8-12 apiece, the Petit Robusto—which makes use of leaves grown on the banks of the San Juan y Martinez River in the Vuelta Abajo region—has drawn accolades for its complex strength. Mr. Suckling says that potency may be due to Cuban factories’ use of “better-aged ligero” tobacco.

Whatever the strategy, my truncated robustos certainly engage the senses before the first light. Spongy and lumpy from head to foot, the dark, toothy wrapper smells of cocoa and espresso. And something about the color and feel of the cigar makes it seem rugged, rustic, and real. The cap clips neatly to reveal a cross-section of tightly rolled tobacco, a perplexing sight given the stick’s overall softness. The draw is smooth but deliberate.

As I expected, the initial taste of peppercorn, roasted nuts, and dry cedar is dominant enough to satisfy even the most hardened fans of Don Pepin Garcia. Fortunately, the flavor becomes less abrasive and more nuanced after the first inch with the addition of a creamy undertone. There are little to no changes for the remainder of the 40-minute smoke.

The Petit Robusto has a few physical flaws (not unlike many Cubans these days). The burn tends to meander and require a few touch-ups, and the ash is much flakier than expected.

That’s part of the reason why I can’t quite agree with the many reviewers who’ve fallen head over heels for this full-bodied cigar—no matter what the weather. In my book, the slightly longer Epicure No. 2, which sells for approximately the same price, is a much finer, more complex cigar. But if you want to try the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto yourself, let me recommend picking up a three-pack before purchasing a box. I give this stout beast three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When winter comes the cigars get shorter and the drinks warmer. So when I recently lit up a petit corona, and plugged in the space heater to fight off the cold on my front porch, I went in search of a warm drink.

Now some say that enough alcohol itself has warming qualities—and having had my fair share of tequila and whiskey I’m not sure I disagree—but I’m looking for an immediate and obviously warm drink. At times like this I often turn to a reliable warm apple cider and bourbon, also known as a “Stonewall Jackson” (so named because the revered Confederate General reportedly enjoyed the drink).

The basic recipe is really quite simple: warm cider and bourbon usually in a three- or four-to-one ratio to taste. But there are many variations that can improve the drink greatly. Various recipes recommend a variety of spices that can be added. At the very least, I think a cinnamon stick or two add depth.

The proper way to heat the cider is in a saucepan on a stove, not in the microwave (although I’ll admit on occasion I’ve broken this rule). Use low heat and slowly increase the flame until steam begins coming off the top. High heat will cause the cider to separate. Then add bourbon, stir well, and use a punch ladle to serve.

While the traditional recipe calls for bourbon, I’ve come across many that use other whiskeys—some even rum. While I can’t vouch for rum-based hot cider (although it sounds tasty enough, particularly with spiced rum), I can tell you it tastes just fine with Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniels, or with a rye whiskey like Old Overholt. Still, in my opinion, the sweetness of bourbon works best with the sweet cider and subtle cinnamon.

That sweetness, though, makes pairing a Stonewall Jackson with a cigar challenging; if you’re not careful the sugar will run over your cigar. So I recommend a smoke with strong flavors. The 601 Oscuro “Green” Robusto works well, as does the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Petit Corona. The Macanudo 1968, CAO Brazilia, and Arganese ML3 also come to mind as prime pairings.

Ultimately, no matter what cigar you pick, I think you’ll find the Stonewall Jackson to be the perfect drink to warm you up for those cold cigar-smoking nights.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Passing along pointers to novice cigar smokers is one of our major goals at StogieGuys.com. So, with that in mind, here are a few new tips to help you enjoy this beloved hobby even more.

A clip tip. If you’re smoking a cigar with short or mixed filler—more or less the scraps from the long-filler typically used in high-end cigars—don’t use a guillotine cutter on the head. Instead, try a V-cut or a punch. By creating a smaller opening on the cap, you’ll lessen the likelihood of bits of tobacco coming off on your lips or tongue.

Sweet success. Sometimes a cigar will land a punch with a heavy dose of nicotine. You may get a headache, feel a bit woozy, or get slightly sick to the stomach. The typical recommended remedy is sugar, which supposedly counteracts the nicotine. (I can’t vouch for the science, but it seems to work pretty well.) My suggestion is to get the sugar from a small glass of orange juice. Not only is it fairly healthy, citrus is also a nice way to cleanse your palate.

Tools you can use. We passed this tip along a year ago, but it’s worth repeating. The tiny screwdriver that comes in eyeglass repair kits can come in handy for adjusting lighter flame heights and depressing the nozzle to drain the butane take before refilling. Another inexpensive item worth picking up is a large eyedropper sold in drug stores to help with measuring medications. It’s useful in refilling humidification devices with distilled water.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

Despite its popularity among Arturo fans on a budget, two years ago my cohort found the Curly Head Deluxe Maduro to be quite disappointing. “Visual imperfections are to be expected from a budget cigar—even one with a Fuente band,” he wrote. “But coupled with a taste that’s harsh and unpleasant at worst and barely tolerable at best, this cigar proved unsmokable.”

Yikes. I tried to forget those words as I smoked two 6.5 inch by 43 ring gauge Naturals for this review. Like the Maduro line, this slightly more obscure option from the Curly Head Deluxe vein is made with leftovers from Fuente premiums and sold at a discount. Boxes of 25 can be found for $45-60.

Rumored to be mild and nutty, the Lonsdale-shaped Natural sports some unusual aesthetic characteristics. For one, the foot is unfinished, with the longer Connecticut shade wrapper somewhat folding into the shorter Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. The cap is also a head-scratcher. Instead of a smoothly rounded head, the tip appears to be bunched and pinched together.

When you add all this to the cigar’s soft feel and haphazard seams, you get the impression that it’s machine-made. I am told, however, that the Curly Head Deluxe Natural is handmade in Santiago, the capital of the Dominican Republic.

Prelight aromas are almost nonexistent, and the flavor is mild with hints of butter, almond, and creamy spice. Airy and hollow, this taste doesn’t offer much in terms of enjoyment (let alone complexity). Towards the end of the 75-minute smoke, the aftertaste reminds me of the smell of lighter fluid on charcoal briquettes.

For the rock-bottom price, I’d be tempted to take a cigar like this on the golf course. That is, of course, if the physical properties weren’t so subpar. The burn requires constant maintenance to stay lit and keep straight, the ash is flaky (no doubt a result of the medium-length filler), and the draw is surprisingly tight.

Perhaps my standards are too high for a value cigar, but I expect more anytime I fire up a stogie—an interesting flavor at the very least. There are so many better options in this price range, and I’d much rather spend a few extra bucks per stick before lighting up another Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe Natural. That’s why I give it one and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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 Central (6-8 Eastern), and Patrick S is scheduled to be on around 5:35 pm Central (6:35 Eastern).

Feel free to call in at 877-560-WIND to ask a question on the air. And if you’re not in the Chicago area, you can listen live online here (if you miss it, a podcast will be available here). You can listen to previous Stogie Guys appearances on the Geoff Pinkus Show here.

–The Stogie Guys