The Stogie Guys

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company, best known for its Cuesta-Rey and Diamond Crown cigars, was founded in 1895. That’s the year a young Julius Caeser Newman crafted his first cigars in the family barn in Cleveland.

These days the Tampa-based company is honoring its originator and celebrating its 115th birthday with a new blend. Called Julius Caeser, the cigar line is the second Diamond Crown spinoff (the first being Maximus). Its Ecuadorian wrapper and “smooth, robust blend of Central American tobaccos” are the result of “years of testing blends, perfecting quality, and aging.”

“Over the years I have developed a fondness for cigars that have a certain ‘something,’” says Eric Newman, current president of J.C. Newman. “I can’t put it into words in a flavor profile, but I can tell you that our new Diamond Crown Julius Caeser cigars have it.”

The blend is available in leather cabinets of 20 cigars and sold exclusively at Diamond Crown Cigar Lounges. It is offered in four sizes: Robusto (4.75 x 52), Toro (6 x 52), Churchill (7.25 x 52), and Pyramid (6.5 x 52), each of which are adorned with the likeness of J.C. Newman dressed as the famous Roman general.

The Pyramid has a near-flawless exterior leaf, a moderately spongy feel, and soft pre-light notes of hay and caramel. Once an even burn is established, it yields a mild-mannered tasted of peppery spice and sweet graham cracker. There’s an indefinable flavor present, one that I’ve noticed in a few other mild cigars but that’s far easier to experience than it is to describe.

At the midway point and beyond it becomes clear that the Pyramid isn’t going to intensify in body or strength. Those who enjoy the cigar’s mild profile at the outset will be satisfied; others will be frustrated as they hope in vain for additional life to spring into the Julius Caeser. Either way, you’re better off pairing this cigar with a wine, a crisp beer, or a cup of coffee than a fuller-bodied spirit. Bourbons and rums are likely to drown out the subtlety of the light smoke.

The three Pyramids I sampled for this review each exhibited outstanding construction, including a straight burn, a nice draw, and a finely layered white ash. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a cigar that retails in the pricey $15-18 range.

But I was hoping for more in the flavor department. While I’ve long been a defender of mild cigars and naysayer of pepperbombs that are as subtle as a Michael Bay movie, the Julius Caeser just doesn’t have the complexity one would anticipate from a cigar with such a high price tag. I ultimately award it three stogies out of five based on its merits.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editors’ Note: The following is a commentary by Stephen Boyajian, founder of The Cigar Network, a new magazine to which StogieGuys.com contributes.]

There comes a point in everyone’s life when they want something that doesn’t exist. In a way, this is what happened to me about a year ago. I had looked at just about every print cigar magazine available to me, yet none seemed to grip me enough to push me to subscribe. Some seemed to opinionated. Some didn’t seem opinionated enough, or biased to a certain degree. Some didn’t even really seem like they were about cigars. I came to this realization shortly after launching CigarFriendly.us but at the time, I didn’t give it much thought, continuing to depend on the internet for my cigar information fix.

Fast forward to the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans. I met a lot of bloggers that I had previously only met through forums, Facebook, or Twitter. There was a strong feeling among them all. The print cigar media that was out there just wasn’t good enough. Most of these publications rehash news old news. And the ratings…where were they getting their ratings? Some of the numbers did not make sense. Were they biased by money or personal palate? You’re guess is as good as mine.

At some point we moved towards the idea that “any cigar that scores in the 80s is a subpar product” or “if you don’t get a 90 or higher it’s time to come up with something new.” I don’t know how we got here, but I think it’s about time that misconception was laid to rest. Think back to when you were in school. If you got an 84 on a big test, were you happy or did you feel like you failed? For some, getting less than an A+ might be unacceptable. For others, a solid B is something to smile about.

It’s time to recapture the passion we all have for cigars. Cigars create a passion in many of us that can’t be explained to others. Picture two people sitting on a park bench, each with their favorite book. Odds are neither one will strike up a conversation. Now replace these people with two cigar smokers and, more often than not, they’ll spend the next 45 minutes discussing everything from their favorite brands to a recent cigar event. They may even transition to work, family, or politics. There is a good chance they’ll establish a friendship that will last long after their chance encounter.

The purpose of The Cigar Network is just that: to bring some of that passion to a format that anyone can share with someone else. We hope to educate in ways no other cigar publication has ever done, with articles written by people who share that same passion whether they be bloggers, brand managers, or even cigar company presidents.

Our ratings are solely consumer-driven, to avoid any fear of editorial bias. Some cigars will rank in the 90s, some in the 80s, and you will even see some in the 70s. Every issue will feature interviews from both members of the cigar industry as well as popular celebrities, who we promise also smoke cigars. We’ll also share cigar-friendly locations and what you can expect at each one.

As we embark on our journey to try something no other print cigar magazine has done before, we appreciate your support. Our first print issue will be released the first week in April and available at most cigar shops in limited quantities. To ensure you receive yours, visit us at TheCigarNetwork.com to subscribe for your own copy. Use coupon code “stogieguys” at checkout for 15% off the cover price.

–Stephen Boyajian

photo credit: The Cigar Network

The history of DonQ rum dates back to 1861. That’s the year Don Juan Serrallés, a first-generation immigrant from Spain, founded a sugar plantation in Puerto Rico.

Four years later, Serrallés produced his first casks of rum using a copper pot still imported from France. The Serrallés Family would later gain exclusive rights to the Río Inabón, a river that winds through Puerto Rico’s volcanic mountains, and, in 1934, introduce DonQ to the market. “The brand is named for Don Quixote, the famous literary character from the family’s favorite novel,” reads the DonQ website. “Just as Don Quixote represents the search for a perfect world, DonQ signifies the family’s quest for perfection in rum.”

To create their rum, the family—now headed by Felix J. Serrallés, Jr.— distills DonQ five times before aging it for two to seven years in charred American white oak barrels. The product is then blended and bottled on-site. “We delight in the art and science behind making our rums,” says the family.

DonQ has won numerous accolades since it was reintroduced to the U.S. market in 2006. It was named “platinum” at the International Spirits Competition and “double gold” at the San Francisco World Competition.

Poured neat, the bright golden spirit boasts a nose of rich caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, and raisin. The aroma also has a mellow alcohol tinge, and swirling the glass illustrates the rum’s low viscosity and lack of sediments. The taste is light and smoky. Notes of butterscotch, oak, and molasses are prevalent, and more subtle flavors of pineapple and tobacco are detectable to attentive sippers. The finish, while not nearly as pronounced as bolder rums, is longer and warmer than you’d expect from such a clean-tasting spirit.

At the end of the day, DonQ isn’t as complex or inspiring as the finer rums on the market. But it can hold its own neat, or better yet, in your favorite rum cocktail (the so-called “blood and tears” is especially interesting). And it will only run you about $20 per bottle.

As for cigar pairings, couple spicy medium-bodied smokes with this spirit, as they’ll balance nicely with DonQ’s sweet and fruity flavors. I’ve found the Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 to be one of many excellent complements.

–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.”

This Honduran puro from General Cigar has been a mainstay of my humidor ever since I first tried it in 2008. With outstanding construction and an interesting profile of dry cedar, clove, spice, and sweetness, the Robusto (5.5 x 50) is a fine everyday smoke for around $4 apiece.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.”

This stubby, Nub-esque cigar was released by Miami Cigar & Co. last Summer. The Nicaraguan puro is 4 inches long with a 58 ring gauge, and according to reports it was originally a house blend for the company. The wrapper is a bit splotchy, but the cigar is extremely firm and well-constructed. It starts out creamy, nutty, and cedary, almost completely lacking the spice I would expect from an all-Nicaraguan smoke. Around the midway point the flavors shift as the cigar becomes more full-bodied with cocoa and earth notes. Ultimately, I can’t say I disliked the Calibre 58, but this particular stick struck me as slightly uninspired.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

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. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Avo Uvezian is celebrating his 85th birthday with the launch of the “85th,” the tenth annual limited edition release from Avo Cigars. About 60,000 units will hit select U.S. retailers on March 21, each with an MSRP of $17.50. “The well-balanced combination of the San Vicente and piloto tobaccos enfolded by a Peruvian binder and perfected with a special sun-grown Dominican wrapper as well as the gorgeous Diademas format make it an outstanding cigar,” reads an Avo press release.

2) Paul Garmirian, Inc. is adding two new sizes to its limited edition Symphony 20th. For the first time the Virginia-based boutique cigar maker is offering a Salomones (6.9 x 57) and a Short Robusto (4.5 x 52). They carry suggested retail prices of $210 per box of 10 and $325 per box of 25, respectively.

3) E.P. Carrillo is launching two new blends in late March and early April. The first is called the “Elencos Series” and features the exact same blend as the E.P. Carrillo Edición Limitada 2010. Its three sizes will retail for $9.50-12.50 per cigar. The second, the “New Wave Connecticut Edition,” will sell for $4.50-7.

4) Inside the Industry: General Cigar has designated March 25 as Serie N Day and is hosting the industry’s first-ever national virtual cigar tasting. The grand opening of CXIII Rex is slated for April 4. Illusione has announced that four new sizes—cg4, 88, 888 & mj12—will be released with maduro wrappers in time for the IPCPR Trade Show (in addition to the existing hl maduro).

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Cain Daytona. Cigar Inspector inspects a Davidoff Special Short Perfecto. Tiki Bar Online kicks back with a Viaje WLP Candela. Cigar Fan fires up a Macanudo Maduro Vintage. Smoking Stogie smokes an Oliva Serie V No. 4. At YourCigarRatings.com, the Guillermo León Gran Corona is currently in the top 10 with a rating of 94.

6) Deal of the Week: The Corona Cigar Co. has a St. Patrick’s Day special featuring two excellent cigars: the green-labeled Toraño 1916 Robusto and the gold-labeled Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne. For $29.95, you get five of each cigar; for $50, you get 10 of each. Make your purchase here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Avo Cigars

For a website with not one, not two, but three Patricks, we just couldn’t let St. Patrick’s Day go unrecognized. It wouldn’t be right.

Today’s the day that everyone can be a Patrick (even George E), have a green beverage or three, and enjoy a fine cigar (maybe even a candela, like the one pictured). It also happens to be the first day of one of our favorite sporting events: the NCAA March Madness tournament.

We’ll be back with our regularly scheduled Friday Sampler tomorrow. In the meantime, let us know in the comments how you plan to celebrate this most Patrick of holidays and, if its not too early to divulge your bracket winner,  which team you think will be crowned the 2011 March Madness champion.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys