The Stogie Guys

A couple of years ago, I took a look at the cigars rated five stogies out of five. Now, well into 2010, it’s appropriate to  examine the best of the best from 2009 and consider the interesting mix of sticks rated at the top of the Stogie Guys’ scale.

One thing to bear in mind is that we try to review a wide range of cigars and provide variety. And when you consider our ratings system, I think you’ll see that we try to judge cigars on their own rather than making it a competition.

The list has a real mix, ranging from one of the most widely praised to a brand that’s likely unknown to many readers. If there’s one common characteristic that jumps out, though, it’s that these superb cigars were produced in small amounts, certainly when compared to top-selling sticks.

There’s only one Cuban, a Montecristo Sublime Edición Limitada 2008, which Patrick S called “one of the finest cigars I’ve ever smoked.” He also awarded top rank to the Arturo Fuente Opus X Perfecxion No.2 and said it “lives up the hype.” His other top pick was Don Pepin and Pete Johnson’s Cabaiguan Robusto Extra.

Patrick A praised the “great complexity and construction” of the Berger & Argenti Entubar Torpedo. He also had the rare privilege of enjoying an 18-year-old Paul Garmirian Gourmet Belicoso Fino ‘91 and found it to be a masterpiece. He introduced us to the Tesa line, citing the Vintage Especial Rothchild as “an absolute treasure…if you’re a smoker who can appreciate milder creations.”

Patrick M awarded the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 2 top honors. That cigar that later was selected as the StogieGuys.com top reviewed cigar of 2009. (That list was sent out exclusively to email subscribers.)

As for me, well, it seems I didn’t find a cigar worthy of five stogies last year. I confess I’m a little surprised. But it provides an easy New Year’s resolution: Look a little wider and smoke a little more.

-George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One thing’s for certain about Rocky Patel: He makes a heck of a lot of cigars. Rocky’s flashy website doesn’t even bother to mention many of his blends, be they seasonal, limited editions, retailer exclusives, or what have you.

Still, for many cigar enthusiasts, any stick with Rocky’s name on the label is worth trying. Such trust is rooted not only in the blends that rocketed Rocky to success—like the Vintage ’90 and ’92 lines—but also in more recent winners, such as the popular and highly acclaimed Decade.

Among his lesser-known creations is the four-vitola Puro Cubano blend. The story here is that Rocky wanted to introduce a new full-bodied cigar before the SCHIP tax hike went into effect last April. To his dismay, however, the blend of Cuban-seed filler from Estelí, Nicaragua, and the Cibao Valley of the Dominican turned out milder than anticipated.

Rocky evidently thought the cigar was still worthy of his name. So today Puro Cubanos are readily available from online retailers at a relatively inexpensive price point.

The Robusto (5.5 x 50) sells for approximately $3.50-5 apiece when bought by of the box of 20. It isn’t the most attractive cigar on the planet. I examined two Robustos for this review, both of which included a Habano wrapper with large veins, small tears, and some discolored splotches.

The initial flavor, not unlike many cigars these days, starts with a hearty dose of black pepper spice. Powerful yet without harshness. This must have been what Rocky had in mind when he set out to make the Puro Cubano.

After a half inch, the profile mellows into a core of creamy oak. The taste is drier and more resinous than it is balanced or complex. It isn’t without charm, though, and I suspect many Rocky fans will be pleased with the Robusto’s medium-bodied bang for the buck.

That suspicion is reinforced by the Puro Cubano’s outstanding construction. Sure, this cigar may look like it’s going to have combustion deficiencies, but it smokes very well. Expect a sturdy white ash, an effortless draw, and a straight burn.

Seasoned cigar veterans still shouldn’t expect to be wowed. The flavor is too monotonous to merit 100% of your attention. So I’d save the Puro Cubano Robusto for occasions where the cigar will be a background complement instead of the main event. That’s why this Rocky Patel earns three stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by Cigars Direct.]

-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Dion Giolito has made a splash over the past few years with bold yet balanced smokes marketed with a flare for the mysterious and sometimes conspiratorial. Unlike his earlier Illusione and Cruzado lines, the Epernay blend takes its inspiration from a more traditional source: the Epernay region of France known around the world for the Champagne it produces.

Epernay debuted in 2008 as the ECCJ 15th limited release (in honor of the 15th anniversary of the European Cigar Cult Journal). It was eventually rolled out in 2009 as a full line with four sizes. For this review I tasted the panatela-sized “Le Elegance” (5.75 x 40).

According to Illusione’s website, this Nicaraguan puro features “a combination of criollo and corojo tobaccos…[and] is finished with a superior-grade cafe rosado coverleaf.” It’s well constructed with a Cuban-style triple cap and framed by a white and gold band.

Pre-light, the panatela draws with sweet cedar notes. I find a mild, creamy smoke after lighting with a single wooden match.

Despite its distinctly mild to medium body, the cigar has an intense mix of apple, roast nuts, and cedar. In the final third, a very subtle hint of cedar spiciness emerges along with delicate floral notes.

Construction is excellent, which is particularly impressive considering the small ring gauge. The ash holds for over half an inch and the draw provides no resistance.

It is said that the Epernay is blended to be paired with champagne, but I’ll admit I had my doubts. With a healthy skepticism, I lit my last one up paired with a fine Cava (which, for my money, is as good as a champagne three times the price), and I found that the crisp, lively bubbly was an excellent accompaniment.

I’ve written before in appreciation of fine mild smokes, and this cigar hits all the characteristics of such a cigar. Delicate and subtle, Le Elegance is tasty and without a bit of the bitterness that tarnishes so many otherwise excellent mild cigars.

Ultimately, at $7.70, this Epernay lives up to its name: elegant. Because of that, the Illusione Epernay Le Elegance earns the rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

-Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys