The 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

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.”

Savinelli is better know for its pipe offerings than its cigars, but this Corona Gorda (6.6 x 46) shows that cigars aren’t being neglected. The Nicaraguan puro features a perfectly smooth, dry, medium brown wrapper. Impressive construction is highlighted by a flawless draw and even burn. The flavors are mostly earthy with some raisin and sawdust, leaving a dry finish. While certainly not a bad cigar, it loses points for leaving my mouth feeling awkwardly dry.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.” The following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

This robusto (5 x 52) has an oily wrapper that’s medium-to-dark brown with a fairly rustic look. The heaviness in the hand speaks to a fully-packed stogie, but also contributes to a tighter draw than I’m comfortable with, at least at the beginning. Flavors range from cocoa powder and coffee at the start to strong coffee and earth near the end. This is a full-bodied smoke that tastes great; I enjoyed it more than the 888, but not as much as the MJ12, although the sticker price of $8.40 makes it much more attainable.

Verdict = Buy.

–Submitted by David Jones of The Tiki Bar Online

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) This month marks the fourth anniversary of StogieGuys.com. Publishing daily since May 2006, our readership has grown steadily as we’ve brought you over 1,400 days of reviews, news, commentaries, tips, and interviews from the world of cigars. The entire StogieGuys.com team is extremely grateful for your loyal patronage and feedback. (To thank you for your continued readership, we’ll be giving away more great prizes to subscribers of our free email newsletter. If you aren’t already signed up, please do so here.) Here’s to four more great years!

2) Despite the efforts of anti-tobacco zealots, Kansas politicians failed to pass a tobacco tax hike that would have included a 300% tax increase on cigars. “This outcome may not have been possible without the earnest efforts of IPCPR’s Kansas retailers, an essential component of the overall lobbying efforts,” said a press release from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

3) Forgetting politics, there’s one aspect of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s résumé we can all get behind. A former cigarette smoker, Kagan said in the past that she smoked the occasional cigar, though recent profiles didn’t clarify whether she’s still a sister of the leaf.

4) Inside the Industry: La Flor Dominicana’s Air Bender is growing by two sizes: “Poderoso” (a corona) and “Villano” (a lancero). Angelenos, the cigar line made by Fuente for God of Fire/Prometheus, is expanding with the addition of a Gran Toro (6.5 x 52) and  a Double Robusto (5.75 x 52).

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the new E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2010. Smoking Stogie lights up a Behike 54. Cigar Inspector fires up a Graycliff Chateau Gran Cru. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Paradigm 262. Stogie Fresh smokes the Davidoff Puro D’Oro.

6) Deal of the Week: Now is a great time to check out CitizenCigar.com, a new Tennessee-based retailer that is introducing itself with a sitewide sale. Everything is currently 10% off with free shipping. Click here to peruse their selection.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

Miami Cigar & Co. made a splash in 2009 with the Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario. The cigar was launched to celebrate of two decades of producing a Special Selection line named for company founder Nestor Miranda. Both the Rosado and Oscuro varieties received fanfare and very positive reviews.

But there were two problems. First, the 20 Aniversario was a very limited release with only 2,000 boxes made in the original size. Second, Miami Cigar—distributor of such acclaimed brands as La Aurora, Don Lino, and León Jimenes—was faced with the daunting task of deciding how to top last year’s success.

The company’s answer? Combining Nestor Miranda’s marketing talents with the blending expertise of Don Pepin Garcia and the tobacco cultivation experience of Guillermo León of La Aurora. According to a press release from Miami Cigar, the trio worked for nine months on a special project to “pay tribute to the tobacco and cigar heritage of the Dominican Republic.”

The result is Dominicano, a new B&M-only blend that was officially unveiled in March. Made at Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua, it features Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos wrapped in a leaf from the same farm that produced the 100 Años wrapper for La Aurora. It is Garcia’s first Dominican-wrapped cigar.

Five sizes are available, all of which retail between $6-8 and come with either a Rosado or Oscuro exterior leaf: Belicoso (6.1 x 52), Coffee Break (4.5 x 50), Lancero (7.5 x 40), Robusto Grande (5.5 x 54), and Ruky (5.6 x 48 x 52). The Rosado Robusto Grande has a rustic, silky wrapper, with ample oils, a neat cap, and pre-light notes of sweet earth. The cold draw is easy and peppery on the lips.

After toasting the foot, the first third is characterized by leather, warm tobacco, and bread with a spicy cinnamon finish. Plenty of bite and no trouble producing lots of smoke. I’d argue the dry profile registers towards the lower end of the full-bodied spectrum.

As the white ash meanders into the second third, the taste evens out to include sweet toffee and a bit of cream. The ensuing balance is the highlight of the smoke—a memorable equilibrium that is sure to please a wide array of enthusiasts.

In the end, I can’t help but compare this new release to the 20 Aniversario Rosado. While the Dominicano isn’t as subtle or complex, it does offer a similar profile for a fraction of the price. And it can stand on its own as a well-balanced, well-built cigar with enjoyable flavors. That’s why, despite some minor construction flaws, the Nestor Miranda Dominicano Rosado Robusto Grande is worthy of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys