The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This version of the Liga Privada is found exclusively in the CRA sampler, which is available only to Cigar Rights of America members. It is a well-constructed cigar with a dark, coarse Connecticut wrapper, very few veins, and pre-light notes of chocolate. It starts out toasty, but soon evolves into a dry, cool smoke with dark chocolate flavors and a hint of peppery spice.

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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

I recently picked up this long corona (6.25 x 45) from my local tobacconist. He said it had been aging in an Old Man and the Sea limited edition book box since 2006 and, after looking over the yellowed cellophane, I was inclined to believe him. With a rough Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Connecticut broadleaf binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras, the Library Edition yields a leathery taste with spice and a bit of nutmeg. It smokes well with a finely layered white ash. Give one of these a try if you’re lucky enough to find an aging cache.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have 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) Starting on December 1, most restaurants and bars in Virginia will be forced to prohibit smoking. But Morton’s is going out with style. The evening before the law takes effect, the high-end steakhouse chain will host special “Last Hurrah” cigar dinners at three of its four locations across the commonwealth. Events at the Arlington and Tysons Corner restaurants will feature Davidoff smokes and luxurious food and wine pairings. Not to be outdone, the Reston Morton’s dinner (already sold out) will boast Paul Garmirian cigars, including the world debut of the new PG Symphony 20th Connoisseur. Grab your tickets now for what will be a night to remember—and, like last year, you might even spot a member of the Stogie Guys crew.

2) Meanwhile, Florida-based brothers of the leaf should head over to Tampa on Friday, November 20, for “Light Up the Night.” This cigar street party will feature smokes, food, drinks, live music, and appearances by the likes of Carlito Fuente. Some proceeds will benefit the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

3) Inside the Industry: Partagas is launching a new limited cigar called the Benji Menendez Partagas Master Series Majestuoso. To celebrate the launch, they’re throwing special “Benji Menendez Social” events in five cities in the next several weeks, and StogieGuys.com has secured a limited number of invitations for our readers. Each event, which will take place at a “secret location” to be revealed the day before it takes place, is to feature the new limited Partagas cigar, as well as drinks from sponsors like Courvoisier, Dalmore Scotch, Mount Gay Rum, and Stella Artois. To attend the event near you, enter the RSVP code here.

Dallas, TX                      Nov. 17, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.         RSVP Code: 36498D8
Los Angeles, CA         Dec. 1, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.             RSVP Code: FFCEF8C
Las Vegas, NV             Dec. 3, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.            RSVP Code: AE1C593
Chicago, IL                   Dec. 8, 2009, from  6-8:30 p.m.    RSVP Code: DA31049
New York, NY             Dec. 15, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.          RSVP Code: 71852C9

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame breaks down five Arganese blends. Stogie Review fires up the Cuban Maduro. Nice Tight Ash lights up a San Cristobal Selección del Sol. Cohiba Club checks out the Sol Cubano Maduro. Cigar Choice reviews the Tatuaje Boris. Cigar Inspector inspects the Illusione 68.

5) Deal of the Week:  Ratings are a subjective thing, but there is no denying that this “Aficionado Rated 90+ Sampler” contains some top-notch smokes. You get a dozen cigars for just $60, including the Don Pepin Garcia Blue, Rocky Patel Sun Grown, Gurkha Legend, CAO Brazilia, La Aurora 1495, Camacho Corojo Limited, Oliva Serie G, and the Padilla 1932. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Morton’s Steakhouse

Of all the cigars I’ve been lucky enough to try since the IPCPR Trade Show in August, the Entubar Torpedo remains my favorite. The only problem? That magnificent smoke, the flagship blend of the new Berger & Argenti brand, is too pricey to be an everyday stogie.

Luckily, this Miami-based boutique has another, more affordable line: Exile Wired. Its four vitolas carry MSRPs ranging from $108 to $144 per Spanish cedar box of 24.

While they currently sell under the Berger & Argenti label, they debuted back in 2008 as a product of Cuban Imports, Inc. You may recall that Albert and Michael Argenti of Cuban Imports launched Berger & Argenti in August with Don Kiki Berger, who fashions the Cupido, Cubano Claro, and Don Kiki lines for Cuban Crafters.

At any rate, the ingredients of Exile Wired include a filler blend of Nicaraguan (ligero and viso) and Dominican (seco) tobacco surrounded by a Connecticut broadleaf binder. The dry and clean wrapper is an Ecuadorian Havana-seed criollo leaf that was previously unavailable to the U.S. market.

The result tested well in the mainstream cigar media. Exile Wired was hailed by Cigar Insider as a Best Buy of 2008 and rated 90 by Cigar Aficionado—the highest score for a non-Cuban smoke in the publication’s Winter 2008 issue.

With a clean look, a firm feel, and a sharp head, the Torpedo (6 x 54) certainly appears worthy of high praise. I also find the double bands to be unique and attractive. Too bad they cause trouble when it’s time to remove them. On the two Torpedos I smoked for this review, both bands were tightly stuck to the wrapper, making it nearly impossible to take them off without tearing the exterior leaf.

Troublesome bands like these are a pet peeve of mine because they usually cause construction issues. But here, thankfully, the combustion qualities remain excellent, including a razor-sharp burn, a fortified white ash, and a smooth draw.

The medium-bodied flavor, notably consistent from light to nub, has a spicy cedar core with tones of ginger, walnut, and wine. Balanced, albeit slightly dry. The aftertaste is smooth and mellow with a soft pepper tingle.

That’s ultimately why I think this 90-minute smoke is good for beginners. It has enough flavor and nuance to keep you interested, but little strength or harshness. For me, the $5.50 Exile Wired Torpedo offers a wallet-friendly, not-too-exciting and not-too-bland change of pace from my regular rotation. It earns three stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

While Scotch gets most of the glory, we’ve made no secret of the fact that Irish whiskey can be an equally exciting spirit. But unlike the Jameson blends we’ve praised before, Michael Collins is a single malt whiskey, an attribute more commonly associated with Scotch.

Still, with a name like Michael Collins, there’s no mistaking that this spirit comes from the Emerald Isle. Collins was an leader in the fight for Irish independence from Great Britain. Known affectionately by the Irish (but not necessarily by the English) as “The Big Fella,” he was later assassinated in 1922 at the age of 31 by factions in Ireland who opposed the treaty of independence he signed with the British.

Collins’ image emblazons the tall tapered bottle and, if he happened to be a smooth yet bold character, his spirit would certainly be captured within. This single malt is a most exemplary whiskey, as evidenced by the Double Gold it won at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. (Note: A blended Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is also available, although it doesn’t seem to be as widely available.)

The first thing that strikes me about Michael Collins is its bright bronze hue, which, while dark, isn’t at all cloudy. After pouring a few fingers in a glass, you’re greeted with a nose of peat, citrus, honey, and oak. The oak is imparted from the 8-12 years that the whiskey is aged in oak barrels.

When I enjoyed it neat I found flavors of peat, a hint of spice, and a toffee-like sweetness. It’s a warm, balanced combination that is very smooth. The finish is long with a bit of vanilla bean.

For those who can’t handle a bit of heat on the tongue, though, Michael Collins also does well with an ice cube or two. But drinking it on the rocks will spoil  some of the subtleties this whiskey has to offer.

Either way, this $35-40 spirit goes great with a cigar. I found medium- to full-bodied smokes to be the best paring. The Paul Garmirian Soiree, San Cristobal, and EO 601 Red all went very well. If you’d prefer something from that certain island south of Miami, light up a Hoyo de Monterey Epicure Especial, Hoyo No. 2, or Montecriso Petit Edmundo, pour a bit of Michael Collins Single Malt, and enjoy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With all of the hype surrounding the Tatuaje “Monster Series,” it’s easy to forget that Pete Johnson has plenty of other limited cigars on the market that are easier to find. At least, that is, until Tatuaje’s loyal fans locate all the hidden gems.

Along with other shop-specific releases—which include the T-110, Bombazos, and Cohete—the Tatuaje Porkchop can be found at only one B&M. This four inch by 46 ring gauge cigar is a limited release  with reportedly only 100 boxes of 25 made for Gloucester Street Cigar owner Jose Agosto.

The Porkchop features a Nicaraguan ligero wrapper similar to the one used on the Reserva J21 and is finished with a wrapped, fuma-style foot. As with most Tatuajes, the construction on the Porkchop is almost flawless.

The cigar has very few veins and the pre-light draw has just the right amount of resistance. The wrapper smells of pepper, earth, and faint floral notes.

In typical Tatuaje fashion, the Porkchop opens up with a blast of pepper and spice that fades after a few minutes. Then a very sweet butterscotch flavor emerges.

After some initial burn irregularities, probably due to the wrapped foot, the burn straightens out and produces a nice gray ash. The spice returns slowly near the end.

The Porkchop is sweeter than the other Tatuaje Reservas that I have smoked and, despite its small size, takes an hour and fifteen minutes to smoke. With an MSRP of around $9 per stick, the it is a wonderful cigar that is definitely worth a try, especially if you’re a fan smaller formats.

All of which earns the exclusive Tatuaje Reserva Porkchop an impressive rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Like the Tatuaje Black and the Avo Classic No. 2 that my colleague recently reviewed, the CAO Lx2 Rosado Especial is exclusively available in a ten-stogie sampler for Cigar Rights of America (CRA) members. So, since the samplers are limited to one per member, this review is likewise based off a single sample.

The original Lx2 (“ligero times two”) line was released by CAO at last year’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. Following CAO’s Mx2 (Maduro) and Cx2 (Cameroon) blends, it features a hearty helping of spicy, full-bodied ligero leaves surrounded by a Honduran binder and a sungrown Nicaraguan wrapper.

The six-inch Rosado Especial instead has a Nicaraguan-grown rosado leaf. Made exclusively for CRA at the CAO Fabrica de Tabacos facrory in Danlí, Honduras, it is said to have “a bold, muscular structure layered with flavors of bittersweet chocolate, paprika, and woody tobacco notes,” according to Tim Ozgener, president of CAO. “The exquisite rosado wrapper imparts a pleasant floral note upon the flavor profile, which balances superbly with the three different ligero fillers.”

Before firing up the Rosado Especial for myself, I surveyed its handsome appearance. This cigar is easily distinguished from other Lx2s by its pink band extension and CRA logo across the foot. Underneath is an oily, somewhat veiny wrapper with plenty of tooth and a sweet smell.

The firm toro cuts neatly to expose an easy draw. Then, almost immediately after the first puff, I began to compare the taste to my limited experience with the regular Lx2 line. Based on the handful of Lanceros that I’ve smoked recently, I’d have to give the edge to the Rosado Especial.

The base flavors remain largely unchanged. These include black pepper, smoky wood, roasted nuts, and coffee beans. But here, as Mr. Ozgener correctly pointed out, they are complemented by floral characteristics—definitely lavender and maybe a bit of coconut. Personally, I find this combination more interesting than the sweetness offered by the traditional sungrown leaf.

I also wasn’t disappointed by this cigar’s construction or how it develops with spicy, creamy, and savory textures.

Becoming a CRA member is already a good idea if you value freedom and want to join the fight against excessive tobacco taxes, regulations, and smoking bans. Having the chance to try this cigar is just another reason to sign up. CAO definitely made a nice addition to the sampler, which is why the Lx2 Rosado Especial earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys