The Stogie Guys

As we’ve done since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) St. Louis politicians and anti-tobacco advocates are clamoring for a citywide smoking ban for bars and restaurants. The current incarnation of the proposed law would exempt patios and outdoor areas, but some, including the American Cancer Society, hope to close such “loopholes.” Referring to what she calls the “ever-increasing momentum across the country,” one city alderman says the ban is “just something I think we need to get done.”

2) With mounting taxes, bans, and regulations, tobacconists have it tough enough these days. They shouldn’t have to worry about robbers literally breaking through their walls. But that’s exactly what happened to Gaspar’s Cigar Shoppe in Tampa on Friday night. Thieves apparently broke into an adjacent office, busted through the B&M’s drywall, and stole $15,000 worth of cigars, booze, and a plasma TV. Police have one suspect in custody and are searching for another.

3) Inside the Industry: Illusione is teaming up with Drew Estate to make a new release called “Nosotros,” set to debut at the IPCPR Trade Show in August. It will sell for $8-12 apiece and feature a Nicaraguan corojo ’99 wrapper, a Nicaraguan filler, and a Connecticut habano binder.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes a Nestor Miranda 20 Aniversario Habano Oscuro Danno. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Pinar del Rio Habano Sun Grown. Cohiba Club checks out the “Red Dot” Cohiba Robusto. Cigar Inspector reviews a Por Larrañaga Petit Corona.

5) Deal of the Week: Robustos are the most popular size in all of cigardom, and this “World Class Robusto Sampler” includes of ten them for just $45 (free shipping). Included are the Cohiba Robusto, Rocky Patel Vintage ’90, Don Pepin Cuban Classic 1979, Toraño 1916 Cameroon, CAO Gold, Gran Habano 3 Siglos, Padilla Hybrid, Fonseca, and others. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

“Operation Ortsac” (Castro spelled backwards) was how the Kennedy Administration referred to the plan for a potential military strike against Cuba in 1962. While such action never came to fruition, Ortsac will forever be associated with the frightening days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Washington’s strained relationship with Havana.

That tension helps explain why it has been illegal for Americans to buy Cuban cigars (or any other good or service for that matter) for almost 50 years. Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that a company has adopted the name “Ortsac 1962” for its flagship line, marketing it with camouflage print and military gear. Or maybe it’s just silly. You decide. Either way, I’m more concerned with how this relatively new blend smokes than how it’s marketed.

Launched this spring by The Cigar Agency the Ortsac 1962 blend includes a five-year-old Nicaraguan corojo wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of long-filler tobaccos from those two nations. It is available in three standard vitolas and packaged in “authentic 50-caliber ammo cans” of 72 sticks. No kidding. They’re also available in a more standard 20 count box.

The Toro (6.5 x 54) is an attractive, oily parejo with a well-applied cap. My samples included several prominent veins, subtle seams, and pre-light notes of milk chocolate and sweet caramel. This cigar has the look and feel of quality—especially after the foot band is removed.

With flavors of earth, leather, and cedar, the Ortsac 1962 Toro gets off to a solid start. A tad spicy but mostly on the lighter side of the cigar spectrum. And the physical properties are likewise promising, as a thick, black mascara leads the charge for an even burn and a powdery, white ash.

Then, about two inches into the 90-minute smoke, the burn line starts to require touch-ups and the taste takes a bit of a salty turn. But even though some creamy or sweet notes would help with balance, the profile is still satisfying and enjoyable with plenty of character.

While this $5-6 stick won’t utterly captivate seasoned cigar veterans, it won’t disappoint either. Its admirable construction and consistent medium-bodied profile makes it well-suited for the golf course, a road trip, or an evening  summer barbeque. For that, the Ortsac 1962 Toro earns 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 I think of summer I think of rum drinks. And when I think of rum drinks one of the first cocktails that comes to mind is a classic: Mount Gay Tonic.

The recipe is easy: a handful of ice cubes, a few ounces of Mount Gay Eclipse rum, tonic water, and a lime. The result is a refreshing drink with the caramel and banana that defines Mount Gay Eclipse, but mixed with tonic so its goes down easy.

And if you don’t think that a drink called the Mount Gay Tonic is manly enough, just keep this in mind: The first drink James Bond orders in Casino Royale isn’t a dry martini, shaken not stirred (also known as a weak martini), but a Mount Gay and soda, the twin brother of the Mount Gay Tonic.

As for cigars, you’ll want to shy away from anything too powerful, so stick with mild- or medium-bodied smokes that won’t overpower this crisp, spirited drink. A Connecticut-wrapped smoke like the Nub Connecticut or Cuban Crafters Medina 1959 will go perfectly. On the other hand, I also found that a medium-bodied maduro like the Romeo y Julieta Vintage Maduro makes for a nice complement.

No matter what cigar you pair with the Mount Gay tonic, it’ll be a perfect pairing for the beach or by the pool on a hot summer afternoon.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I admire a guy like Sam Leccia. It takes a lot of guts to go from being an employee with a steady paycheck to a true cigar entrepreneur. But that’s exactly what this Pittsburgh native did when he left his position as a sales representative at the Oliva Cigar Company to found his own lineup of smokes.

The concept for Nub was born of Leccia’s appreciation for the “dedication, passion, and manpower it takes to create a cigar.” It was during his time at Oliva, circa 2006, that he hatched the idea for “a high quality cigar that developed its optimum flavor extremely quickly.” He ultimately concluded that a short, stubby format provided for a cooler, tastier smoking experience.

After getting Oliva on board (Leccia reportedly rolled the prototype himself), Nub launched in the spring of 2008 with three blends: Connecticut, Cameroon, and Habano. Each includes Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.

The Habano blend is supposed to be the most robust and most complex of the lot. I paid $6.50 apiece for the two Nub Habano 464 Torpedos (4 x 64) that I sampled for this review, but you can find them for around $5.50 apiece online when bought by the box of 24.

This cigar’s stubby, pointed posture and firm feel makes it look like it could be discharged from a firearm. Despite its aggressive appearance, though, the reddish-brown 464 Torpedo is a very refined stick. Its well-crafted cap cuts cleanly to reveal a tight cross-section of tobacco and an even draw. Spice tingles the lips and the pre-light aroma of rich coffee, bitter chocolate, and leather sets the tone for the full-flavored experience that is to follow.

Even though the area of the foot is far bigger than cigars with more standard ring gauges, it’s surprisingly easy to establish an even burn line and get the gray, sandy ash to start layering. Take a few moments to enjoy the toasted scent of pepper and firewood before tasting the first puff.

Whether or not you believe in Leccia’s “sweet spot” theory, you can’t deny that Nub Habano packs a powerful punch from the get-go. The flavor has plenty of that deep tobacco taste with traces of pepper, oak, and espresso. Faint notes of sweet caramel add balance.

While I couldn’t force myself to stand the Nub Habano up on its ash—a pose that is prominently featured in Nub marketing materials—the excellent construction leads me to believe that I could have done so without incident. My samples included decent burns, well-fortified ashes, and excellent draws. It’s also worth noting that I especially enjoy this particular vitola because, given the cone-shaped head, it still feels like I’m smoking a cigar with a mere 48 ring gauge.

When it’s all said and done, and after the spice gently accelerates until there’s nothing left to smoke, I have to give Sam Leccia and Oliva a lot of credit for creating a unique, well-built cigar. I’m especially grateful that the Nub Habano 464 Torpedo maintains balance and nuance throughout the 45-minute smoke. For avoiding the pitfall of many full-bodied cigars—all strength and no complexity—this hearty gem earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

President Obama signed the so-called “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act” into law on June 22, placing tobacco under the jurisdiction of the FDA. While the bill, passed by the House and Senate last week, is primarily directed at cigarettes, it could have significant ramifications for cigars and other tobacco products.

Specifically, it includes restrictions on tobacco advertising (mandating all cigarette ads be black and white text only and eliminating tobacco sponsorships of sporting events); bars “flavored” cigarettes (including clove, spice, and “candy flavors” but not menthol); requires larger warning labels on packaging; prohibits describing cigarettes as “light,” “mild,” or “low tar;” mandates ingredient disclosure; and gives the FDA the sole authority to approve all new tobacco products.

Not once does the new law specifically refer to premium or handmade “large cigars,” but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a major threat to cigar manufacturers and the choices available to cigar smokers. Nearly every provision in the act would be a significant blow if applied to cigars.

So it is clear that the precedent has been set for the regulations to be applied to cigars as well, possibly even without an act of congress. Recently, when I spoke to a number of cigar makers at Famous Smoke Shop’s Cigar Expo, they expressed growing concerns over the prospect of FDA regulation of tobacco.

Charlie Toraño called FDA regulation of cigars a “grave threat” and predicted that politicians could move to regulate cigars sooner than three years from now. He was particularly worried about the marketing restrictions, and noted that holding promotional events where they give out free samples would almost surely be prohibited. He also observed that no one in the industry was prepared for ingredient disclosure, which would cost huge sums in testing and documentation.

Nick Perdomo also talked pasionatly about the threat from the bureaucracy on his business. The combination of FDA regulation, SCHIP tobacco taxes, and smoking bans led him to call the government his “biggest competitor.”

But perhaps the most striking comment on the FDA bill came from someone all too familiar with oppressive government. Jaime Garcia, son of famed cigarmaker Don Pepin Garcia and a top maker in his own right, told me through a translator that coming from Cuba, he couldn’t believe that in America so much power would be given to the government to control his business.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Art of Obama

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

This blend of Brazilian and Nicaraguan tobaccos has been a staple in my humidor for years. But since I’ve somehow managed to avoid the Piranha (4.5 x 46), I decided to pick up a couple at my local B&M for $5.50 apiece. These dark beauties, like the others in the Brazilia lineup, feature rich flavors of dark chocolate and coffee with a strapping white ash. While I still think the Ipanema vitola takes the cake, the Piranha is a nice option if you’re shorter on time.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

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 managed to procure this smoke, created by the Garcia Family, in celebration of Famous Smoke Shop’s 70th Anniversary at their Cigar Expo event. It features a slightly rustic habano rosado wrapper and a firm feel. Starting with a singular taste of intense cedar, it progresses to a full-flavored profile where rich earth and pepper weave in and out. With excellent construction, the Famous 70th Anniversary Garcia Robusto is a good cigar now, but I get the feeling it could be better with some age.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S