The Stogie Guys

Today we continue our coverage of the 2010 Cigar Expo, an event hosted by Famous Smoke Shop at their headquarters in Easton, Pennsylvania. Here’s the discussion we had with Abe Flores about his lineup of Pinar del Rio cigars.

We’re also pleased to feature our interview with Eddie Ortega, who spoke about his new partnership with Rocky Patel, changes to the various 601 blends, and a new cigar trademark he just registered for “Hardcore.”

Visit StogieGuys.com again tomorrow for our final video from the 2010 Cigar Expo: a colorful chat with Jesus Fuego and Pete Johnson.

–The Stogie Guys

video credit: Stogie Guys

Today we continue our coverage of the 2010 Cigar Expo, an event hosted by Famous Smoke Shop at their headquarters in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Expo featured dozens of top cigar makers, lots of cold beer to help beat the heat, the world’s largest “smokable” cigar, and a CAO-sponsored fireworks display. A great time was had by all.

We’re pleased to now feature our conversation with Tim Ozgener, president of CAO cigars, who told us about the new La Traviata Maduro and his involvement with Cigar Rights of America.

Rounding out our two-fer Tuesday, here’s our interview with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo of E.P. Carrillo Cigars, who spoke about the debut of his new core blend.

Be sure to check StogieGuys.com tomorrow for more interviews from the 2010 Cigar Expo.

–The Stogie Guys

video credit: Stogie Guys

On Saturday, one half of the StogieGuys.com team attended the 2010 Cigar Expo, an event hosted by Famous Smoke Shop at their headquarters in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Expo featured dozens of top cigar makers, lots of cold beer to help beat the heat, the world’s largest “smokable” cigar, and a CAO-sponsored fireworks display. A great time was had by all.

Our first interview was with José Blanco, La Aurora’s marketing director. He told us about the success of the 107 launch, the fight to protect cigar freedoms, and hinted at a new La Aurora release:

Be sure to check StogieGuys.com throughout the week for more video interviews with the world’s best cigar makers.

–The Stogie Guys

video 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.”

This Cuban cigar features a smooth golden wrapper and classic robusto proportions. It is a roller coaster of flavors and construction. It starts with tangy sour notes of orange peel, overpowering the cedar and paper tastes. This continues along until nearly the final third, when more balanced honey and nut flavors finally emerge. The construction is similar, with multiple touch-ups needed on an uneven burn that finally settles down in the final 20 minutes. I’m hoping some serious aging will improve this cigar because it does show some potential but, despite a pleasant finish, this particular roller coaster is not a fun ride.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”

When I reviewed the Series JJ Belicoso back in December 2008, I found it to be somewhat disappointing. I’ve kept a Selectos (5 x 50) in my humidor since then to determine how the blend would perform after 18 months of aging. Not much had changed. The full-bodied flavor of dry wood, leather, and black pepper remained – nice but lacking in balance – and the physical properties were still below average for a $7-8 cigar. While I don’t dislike this Nicaraguan puro, it just isn’t quite my cup of tea.

Verdict = Hold.

–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) It was announced this week that Cuban cigar production fell 14% in 2010. The harvest wasn’t impacted by adverse growing conditions, but rather a reaction to the worldwide economic slowdown and the spread of smoking bans. Cuba, facing budget shortfalls, decreased the land devoted to tobacco cultivation by 30% last year. “There was a reduction in planting due to limitations in resources caused by the economic crisis,” local media reported.

2) As we wrote on June 11, New York Gov. David Paterson wanted to drastically increase the state’s tax on cigars to pay for a budget shortfall. This week he got his wish. Politicians in Albany passed a bill that jacks up the wholesale tax on cigars from 46% to 75%. The increased revenue will be used in part to pay for “tobacco cessation programs” that, if successful, will ironically decrease tax payments over time.

3) Inside the Industry: Along with price cuts, look for new packaging on EO 601 cigars (co-owner Erik Espinosa tells StogieGuys.com that he hopes the new look will attract attention so smokers will notice the lower prices). The 2011 ProCigar Festival will be held on February 6-11 in the Dominican Republic.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame torches a La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros. Stogie Fresh fires up a Davidoff Maduro R. Stogie Review reviews a KA Kendall 7-20-4. Smoking Stogie smokes an Epernay Le Matin. Cigar Inspector lights up an Ambos Mundos.

5) Deal of the Week: Like Perdomo cigars? Haven’t tried them yet? Either way, this “Perdomo Power Sampler” is worth a look. With four Perdomo ESV ’91s, plus one of each of the five Perdomo Reserve lines, this deal offers plenty for the Perdomo newbie or veteran, all for under $40. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

Cohiba. Montecristo. Romeo y Julieta. Hoyo de Monterrey. These and a few others are the brands most think of as quintessential Cuban cigars. Beyond the familiar names and recognizable logos, however, Castro’s communist isle still has plenty of other cigars to explore.

For instance, it would be a great disservice to your taste buds—and indeed your wallet—to ignore Juan Lopez. This brand continues to fly under the radar despite a loyal following of cigar enthusiasts who appreciate its consistency, quality, and relatively affordable price tag.

Juan Lopez was born when a Spanish businessman named Juan Lopez Diaz established the Flor de Juan Lopez factory in 1876. He was intent to make his fortune in the Cuban tobacco trade. It wasn’t long until he died, however, and his cigar operation passed on to his kin before it was eventually swallowed up by the Cuban government.

Today, Juan Lopez cigars are handmade in the west-central Cuban town of Guira de Melena with Vuelta Abajo tobacco and long-filler leaves. Production is limited. Juan Lopez fans point out that the brand occasionally disappears from the market, supposedly due to high quality control standards.

Those standards were apparent in the physical attributes of the six Juan Lopez cigars I smoked for this review. Sampled in the Selección No. 1 (5.6 x 42) format, they featured well-applied triple caps, a firm feel, and a pre-light scent of graham cracker. Each demonstrated a clear cold draw.

I was pleased to find that the graham cracker aroma carries over to the flavor. Remember eating Golden Grahams for breakfast as a kid? Well, if that General Mills product were a cigar instead of a square-shaped cereal, it would be a Juan Lopez. The rich, fluffy smoke tastes a lot like brown sugar, honey, and maple syrup. Light and delicious.

But there’s more to the Selección No. 1’s profile. Its sweetness is offset by an earthy, woodsy core, and there’s also some creaminess to tie the whole thing together. Sure, while the Juan Lopez isn’t as masterfully balanced as some cigars on the market, I find it to have more than enough nuance and equilibrium to keep me interested without distractions.

That’s why, despite some minor burn issues, I am impressed by this lesser-known Cuban. The Juan Lopez Selección No. 1 is well worth its asking price of $8-10 apiece and definitely worthy of a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys