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.”

Since it debuted in October 2008, Cuban Crafters’ Medina 1959 blend has become one of my favorite mild-bodied cigars. This Cuban-seed Sumatra-wrapped smoke is an absolute treasure. Handmade in Miami by Manuel Medina, formerly of the H. Upmann and Davidoff factories in Cuba, it boasts toasted flavors of cream, butterscotch, and onion spice with outstanding construction. I’ve written before of my affinity for the Robusto and Torpedo. The Churchill (7 x 50) is every bit as delicious for $7 apiece.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

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.”

Rarely do I find a cigar so bad that I give up on it after smoking less than an inch or more. This was that rare case. A nice looking cigar, the Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Natural was hot, dry, and harsh with a taste reminiscent of stale cigarettes. The finish was long and unpleasant. One fundamental problem with this stick, and others I’ve tried, is that the roll is so open (I’m guessing to lower the amount of filler) that it’s almost impossible not to overheat.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

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) With most of the country’s bars, restaurants, and workplaces regulated by prohibitive smoking bans, anti-tobacco activists are setting their sights on the great outdoors. An Albuquerque woman was recently sued—albeit unsuccessfully—for smoking in her own backyard. Her neighbor argued that her cigarettes are a health hazard. Meanwhile, in suburban Chicago, Kane County lawmakers are mulling the legality of an outdoor ban for residential neighborhoods. Illinois already has a restrictive statewide ban that criminalizes  smoking in indoor “public” spaces, enacted in 2008.

2) Inside the Industry: Perdomo is introducing a new value smoke called “Nick’s Sticks Little Havana Blend” that will come in Connecticut, Maduro, and Sun Grown varieties. Reyes Family Cigars has planted its first tobacco in Danlí, Honduras, on 50 acres of land. Macanudo is adding a large smoke to its Gold line which will be called the Gold Brick (6 x 60).

3) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie blind reviews a La Flor Dominicana Air Bender. Cigar Inspector inspects a Cubao Maduro. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Nestor Miranda 1989. Stogie Fresh smokes the La Aurora 107. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Camacho Liberty 2009. Keepers of the Flame fires up a Benji Menendez Masters Series. The Cigar Spy sparks a Gran Habano Corojo.

4) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters is having a Weekend Cigar Blowout. They’ve got deals on our favorites like the Cupido Tuxedo and the 1959 Miami Medina. The best bargain is a box of 25 La Carolinas for just $50. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Before passing away at the age of 91 in April, Alejandro Robaina was an ambassador for Cuban cigars, a voice for independent farmers on an island wrought with government control, and one of the most respected leaf growers in the world. He was also a mentor for aspiring cigar makers like A.J. Fernandez.

Fernandez spent most of his life under Robaina’s tutelage in Cuba. Now head of the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, he crafts such blends as Man O’ War, Man O’ War Ruination, Rocky Patel’s Fusion, and the Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary.

Fernandez’s portfolio expanded in 2009 with the launch of Diesel. This new prominently advertised brand should be familiar to those on the mailing lists for Cigar.com and Cigars International—the exclusive Diesel retailers.

As the name suggests, Diesel is, according to marketing materials, “the cigar equivalent of a thick, juicy porterhouse.” Its Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper and three-year-old filler tobaccos from Nicaragua’s Jalapa, Condega, and Estelí regions are intended to impart bold, powerful flavors.

Only one size is available: a torpedo (5 x 56) that’s ominously called “Unholy Cocktail.” It is a densely packed rifle shell with a dark, rustic exterior and pre-light aromas of cocoa and coffee beans. One can’t help but feel slightly intimidated.

While spicy at the outset, though, the Diesel is tempered by a creamy cashew taste—a sensation that smoothes out the base flavors of black pepper, damp earth, leather, and espresso. Most of the cigar’s kick comes from its salty aftertaste. The overall effect is full-flavored yet only moderate in strength.

Not much changes as the straight burn slowly approaches the halfway mark and the white ash builds wonderfully off the foot. Despite expecting a flavor bomb to suddenly explode, the Unholy Cocktail is consistent to the nub.

Some liken a fine cigar to a harmonious symphony. To me, the Diesel is more like a ZZ Top song—unpolished, familiar, simplistic, repetitious, and somewhat heavy. But it’s also catchy. And the price rocks. Boxes of 30 sell for just under $100, rendering the Unholy Cocktail a smart buy if you’re looking for a cheap full-bodied torpedo. This new smoke 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

Back in February, I praised the Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon as a New York bourbon that proudly stacks up with “the best Kentucky has to offer.” Made of 100% corn, that unique spirit is a bit of a departure from the standard bourbon.

The Hudson Four Grain Whiskey is a more traditional bourbon. Along with a majority of corn (all bourbon must use over 50% corn) the bourbon also uses rye, wheat, and malted barley.

All four grains are combined then pot distilled two times before aging. Like the Baby Bourbon, the Four Grain Whiskey is aged in Tuthilltown’s signature small barrels, which come in two, three, and seven barrel sizes. The result is a spirit that ages far quicker than traditional bourbons (which are aged in much larger 53-gallon barrels) because there is more surface area per ounce of spirit.

The result is a deep copper-colored spirit. It is well-framed in a stout 375 ml. bottle that sells for around $45, a high price for half of a normal bottle.

After pouring a few fingers in a glass, I found a sweet nose with honey and a hint of orange peel. On the palate, the Four Grain reveals a smooth taste with sweet graham, plenty of creaminess, nuts, vanilla, and a bit of pepper. Unlike the Baby Bourbon, other muted flavors are present that combine for a balanced spirit with a warm, lingering finish.

Not surprisingly, the Four Grain Bourbon goes great with a fine cigar, and I found cedary medium- to full-flavored smokes pair particularly well. A few suggestions include the Tatuaje Gran Cojonu, Cuban Montecristo Petit Edmundo, Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum, and the EO Cubao.

While I slightly prefer Tuthilltown’s Baby Bourbon to its Four Grain edition, that preference doesn’t mean the Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey isn’t excellent. Bourbon drinkers who appreciate flavor, subtlety, and balance should go out and grab themselves a bottle.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One could do a blind review of the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio but there wouldn’t be any point. With it’s large perfecto shape, peculiar light wrapper on the foot, and even more peculiar head, there’s nothing like it.

The Mysterio features an immaculate pigtail head and a natural habano wrapper tip. In between is a dark, ultra-oily oscuro wrapper leaf that’s so shiny I half expected to see my reflection in it. Underneath these dual wrappers are binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic.

The Mysterio by La Flor Dominicana is as much a piece of art as it is a cigar. But don’t dismiss this well-constructed seven inch by 54 ring gauge perfecto as a gimmick. Litto Gomez didn’t create these cigars just to show off his artistry. It still is meant to be smoked.

Once lit, the perfecto starts out with burst of pepper. It then settles into a full-bodied combination of oak, espresso, and roasted nuts. Despite it’s formidable flavor profile, the cigar has impressive balance, with a cedary, dry finish.

Given that only master cigar rollers can construct this remarkable cigar, it should come as no surprise that its physical properties are impressive, including a sturdy ash, even burn, and an easy draw that produces volumes of cool smoke.

Between it’s unique looks and $15 price tag, you won’t likely be making the LFD Mysterio a regular smoke. But when you’re looking for an excellent full-flavored cigar that can start a conversation even before it’s lit, it would be hard to make a better choice than the mysterious-looking Mysterio. That earns the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio Oscuro a commendable rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I think of tasty, consistent, well-constructed cigars that don’t break the bank, a few choice brands come to mind. Oliva is always near the top of the list.

The Oliva Cigar Co. has only been around for about 15 years but, in that relatively short time, it has built a well-deserved reputation for quality and affordability. The brand’s foundation consists of blends like the Habano-wrapped Serie V and the Cameroon-wrapped Serie G—two highly-rated cigars that can be found for under $5 apiece. The Serie V Maduro Especial, although more expensive, is another fine specimen from this decorated Nicaraguan manufacturer.

Last year, Oliva diversified its portfolio by launching Connecticut Reserve. This mild-mannered blend was introduced at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show in August. It comes in five sizes: Churchill (7 x 50), Lonsdale (6.5 x 44), Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50), and Torpedo (6.5 x 52).

I recently purchased a five-pack of Lonsdales for $22. With a golden Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a pre-light aroma of sweet hay, and a firm feel from head to foot, this slender vitola makes a great first impression.

The cigar’s cap clips neatly to reveal a clear draw with just a bit of resistance. Then, once lit, the initial taste is of spicy oak and creamy almond. The Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos combine to make the first third bolder than expected.

At the halfway mark of this 80-minute smoke, the medium-bodied flavor settles into the mild spectrum. But, even as smooth cream becomes the dominant texture, the finish remains peppery and sweet—an appealing interplay from light to nub.

Remarkable the Connecticut Reserve Lonsdale is not. I can’t see myself reaching for this cigar if I’m in the mood to celebrate. It simply doesn’t have the complexity of fine tobacco that has been aged to perfection. And its definable flavors can be found in many other Connecticut-wrapped smokes on the market (i.e., the Camacho Connecticut).

That said, the consistency and construction this new Oliva offers—including a solid gray ash and a set-it-and-forget-it burn line—can rarely be found for such an affordable price. I’m happy to keep a handful of these in stock as morning or mid-afternoon cigars to pair with coffee. That justifies a respectable rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys