Stogie Reviews: Paul Garmirian Gourmet No. 2 ’92
28 Jan 2009
We’ve written about Paul Garmirian cigars in the past, but the cigar that is the subject of this review can’t be found in even the limited number of stores that carry PGs. As Paul and Kevork Garmirian told us during our video Cigar Insider, they often make specially aged cigars only available in limited quantities at their headquarters in McLean, Virginia.
By providing the same cigar with varying amounts of aging, PG gives smokers the rare opportunity to truly examine to effects of time. To encourage this, they sell the latest cigars at the same price as the ones that have been aging in their warehouse for years—around $8 in the case of this Gourmet Series No. 2 circa 1992.
The wrapper on this little 4 and 3/4 inch by 48 ring gauge No. 2 is dry to the touch. The color is a medium Colorado brown, covered in plenty of plume from 16 years of box aging.
And it’s important to note that although the cigar was originally boxed in 1992, the tobacco is certainly a few years older than that, especially the wrapper. In our discussion with Garmirian, he repeatedly told us how his philosophy of cigar making was never to rush the process. Even before rolling the tobacco is a few years old.
After lighting, one is greeted with a predominantly cedar flavor mixed with leather and a woody spice. It quickly becomes clear that there is something else going on in this mild-medium smoke. It is a flavor we couldn’t quite put our finger on, but it seems to have some herbal or floral notes.
Construction is superb during this 35-minute smoke with an even burn, easy draw, and—most notably—an abundant amount of smoke. The aroma is especially pleasant. After the midway point, the flavor profile changes slightly and becomes more mellow. The cedary spice fades only to be replaced with more pronounced leather flavors.
Overall, this is an impressive smoke: a balanced, complex, and subtle cigar that serves as a testament to the wonderful effects of aging. Though it’s unlikely to be an everyday cigar due to price and scarcity, we would certainly suggest picking one up if you are fortunate enough to visit the PG headquarters in the suburbs of our nation’s capital. The PG Gourmet Series No. 2 (1992) earns a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I picked up several the PGs (not the 1992) at a store in NYC this past weekend – they were the same size but they were called "bombardiers."
The store owner at Barclay Rex on Lexington Ave couldn't stop raving about these short smokes. They are fantastic – I've smoked them all and can't wait to get back to NYC.
I never would have these bought PGs if it weren't for the reviews posted here – thanks.
PGs are my favorite cigars (Paul is a great guy) and I miss living close to Paul’s store. Thanks for writing about the 1992 No. 2. I may call the store and ask them to ship a few to me.
These really are great cigars. During the boom I got introduced to PG and I’ve always felt it was a highly underrated smoke.
Good call here, guys!
– Zman
My local B&M is selling PG and has a line that are limited, dated, and packed in cedar boxes. Are these one and the same as you mention here? I was thinking they were called family reserve or something like that! Thanks