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.”

I received this Room 101 Conjura “Harsh! LTD” at the Twitter Brothers of the Leaf event held during the IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans. The slightly veiny rosado wrapper isn’t much to look at, but the box-pressed smoke is highly aromatic with strong barnyard notes. Once lit, the Conjura reveals a spicy blend with cinnamon and a creamy core. Meaty flavors are also prevalent, especially in the second half. This is a full-bodied smoke, but not with the knock-your-socks-off strength I thought I might be in for.

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.”

This small figurado (4.6 x 49) from La Gloria Cubana packs a lot of flavor into a short format. Although starting with an unpleasant ammonia-like taste, the Connecticut broadleaf-wrapped blend quickly transitions into flavors of dry cocoa and pepper spice. And the combustion qualities are a pleasure to observe as they unfold. This is an easy recommendation for only $4-6 apiece.

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) Michigan bar owners aren’t taking their state’s smoking ban sitting down. With hopes of changing the law, they formed a 3,000-member group called “Protect Private Property Rights in Michigan – Amend Michigan Smoking Ban” and plan to hire a lobbyist. The group claims bar and restaurant liquor sales are down almost $2 billion since they law was enacted on May 1, a troubling trend given the Wolverine State’s abysmal unemployment rate of 13%.

2) The Ryder Cup, a biennial golf competition between the United States and Europe, kicks off today. It promises to be a cigar-filled event for one of Team Europe’s golfers. Miguel Angel Jimenez, a 46-year-old from Spain who loves working on his red Ferrari and smoking premium tobacco, recently said, “I don’t know if the number [of cigars] is going to increase or not, but I will enjoy, anyway. Today as soon as I finish, I’m going to start another one.”

3) Inside the Industry: Many of the new cigars from the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show will begin to appear on store shelves this month, including the Art Deco, La Aurora Guillermo León, Macanudo Cru Royale, and Room 101 Conjura LTD.

4) Around the Blogs:  Stogie Review reviews a Casa Gomez Maduro. Tiki Bar kicks back with a La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel. Smoking Stogie fires up a Viaje Satori. Nice Tight Ash checks out an Avo Heritage. Cigar Fan smokes the Esencia.

5) Deal of the Week:  This special sale from Cuban Crafters features great deals on the Don Kiki White Label. Boxes of 20 are available in four different sizes for only $50-60. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr