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.”

Nearly three years ago, I reviewed the San Cristobal Supremo and found it “flat and unexciting.” I always wanted to revisit the line and finally got around to it, recently smoking several of these robusto-sized Clasicos (5 x 50). They’re impressive. The prelight aroma is so rich and sweet I was tempted to take a bite out of the stick. But lighting up was a better idea. I enjoyed a complex array of flavors, a good burn, and lots of smoke. I then decided to give the longer Supremo another try and was disappointed again. I’ve not even seen many of the eight vitolas in this Nicaraguan puro line, but I don’t think I’ll try any others. I’m sticking with the Clasico.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Ashton

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) Regulation of premium cigars by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration promises to bring decreased innovation, stifled free speech, and other maladies to the handcrafted tobacco industry. We’ve been writing about this threat since it became apparent in 2007. But a new resolution, introduced in the House of Representatives, would keep premium cigars out of the reach of FDA regulators. Called the “Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act” (House Resolution 1639), the measure is principally sponsored by Bill Posey (R-FL), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Candice Miller (R-MI). Its importance cannot be overstated. “We can assure you, nothing could rip the soul of the cigar industry apart like FDA actions,” reads a press release from Cigar Rights of America. “CRA looks forward to working with IPCPR and other industry allies to advance this legislation.”

2) An Associated Press article, widely syndicated on Wednesday, discusses how cigar enthusiasts are becoming increasingly motivated to act against smoking bans—especially those that criminalize smoking in businesses dedicated solely to the enjoyment of premium tobacco. “After years of victories, there are signs that anti-smoking forces are encountering some resistance,” reads the article.

3) Inside the Industry: Saints and Sinners, a “members-only society” for Tatuaje fans, is set to launch May 1 with annual membership fee of $150. The list of participating retailers for Miami Cigar & Company’s second annual Nestor Miranda Day promotion can be found here (purchase any cigar at one of these retailers on May 6 to receive a free smoke from Nestor Miranda).

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the entire Cigar.com Exclusive line. Cigar Fan lights up the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Cuba Libre One. Smoking Stogie smokes the La Aurora Broadway. The Cain F Lancero jumps into the top ten at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: Fans of mild Dominican cigars should check out this special. $29 gets you five each of the Macanudo Hyde Park and Cusano Cuvee Blanc; or pick up ten of each for just $50.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: FDA

As we approach our fifth anniversary and celebrate a half decade of publishing daily, the StogieGuys.com team is preparing for change.

For the past several months, we’ve been quietly laying the foundation for a complete website overhaul and redesign. Our preparation has included analyzing what we do well, understanding what we do poorly, and assessing where and how to implement improvements. Virtually every aspect of our operation is being critiqued—as it well should be to ensure our ability to offer high-quality coverage of the world of cigars for many years to come.

Some things, however, we don’t plan to change. For example, we will continue to publish daily, offering such regularly occurring features as full reviews, tips, Quick Smokes, commentaries, interviews, and Friday Samplers. And we aim to keep our readers well-informed about the most pressing threats to cigar rights, be they tobacco taxes, smoking bans, or onerous regulations.

Beyond that, pretty much everything else is subject to change. This includes, but is not limited to, the overall look of the website, our branding, the way comments are managed, social networking integration, our usage of video, and site navigation. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

While some changes will take longer than others, we’re currently planning to roll out the new StogieGuys.com before the summer. But we need your help.

Our greatest asset has always been our loyal readers, and now I’d like to solicit your guidance in shaping the future of our website. So please take a few moments today to leave a comment listing (1) what you like about StogieGuys.com, (2) what you dislike, and/or (3) any suggestions for improvement.

Your constructive comments and criticisms will be used as we make redesign decisions. My colleagues and I thank you in advance for your feedback at this critical juncture in our website’s history.

–Patrick A

Last month, I wrote about the Squall IPA by Dogfish Head Brewery and what a great pairing it made with a full-bodied cigar. It reminded me how the right beer can be as good of an accompaniment to a fine cigar as scotch, bourbon, or rum.

Afterwords, I decided to hit the beer store and pick up more IPAs to see if I could find more solid pairings. Unlike the Buds, Millers, and Coors of the world, these beers pack some real flavor. After all, India Pale Ales supposedly got their name because English brewers needed to make a beer strong enough to survive the long trip to India by ship. There’s actually quite a bit of evidence to suggest that common explanation of the name isn’t actually true, but the fact that it is so easily believed is testament to the strong, hoppy characteristics of IPAs.

For this article I selected four beers (two from each coast) so that most Americans will be able to at least find one of them in any store that features a decent selection of beer:

Stone IPA — Made by Stone Brewery in Southern California, this IPA features an orange hue and a citrus nose. It’s a medium-bodied, well-balanced IPA with just the right amount of bitterness. Only recently has this beer been widely available here in the DC area, and I’m glad it has because it goes great with a full-bodied maduro like the Fuente Añejo.

Redhook Long Hammer IPA — Made in New Hampshire, this was the mildest of the beers I tried and also my least favorite. Relatively bland for an IPA, it features herbal notes with citrus and clove. Even though it’s not particularly exciting, it drinks easy and goes well with a medium-bodied cigar like the La Arora 107.

Victory HopDevil IPA — Crafted at the Pennsylvania Victory Brewing Company, this is a big, flavorful IPA. Slightly less carbonation means the creamy bitterness comes through in a lasting finish. The devilish ale pairs well with a full-flavored Nicaraguan puro like the EO 601 Red Label.

Stone Ruination IPA — This flavor bomb proudly claims it will be “ruinous” to your palate. The intense hop punch certainly packs a big whack, but behind the beer’s intimidating front is a flavorful combination of citrus, pine, malt, and grassiness. Enjoy it with a peppery smoke like the Opus X.

All these beers confirmed (once again) that hoppy, flavorful beers go great with flavorful cigars. Stone IPA has been a favorite of mine since I tried it a few years ago in San Diego. And the Ruination IPA and Victory are now in my regular rotation, when I want bold IPAs to pair with a fine cigar.

Got a favorite IPA for pairing with a cigar? Let us know in the comments.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In a business imbued with tradition, things certainly can change quickly in the cigar world. For the latest example, look at Mexican tobacco.

Not long ago, you’d be hard pressed to find a cigar blender or manufacturer outside Mexico who would openly admit to having that country’s tobacco, much less using it in a premium cigar. Outside New York, someone lighting up a Te-Amo seemed a rarity.

Now, you’ll find “Mexico” proudly displayed on cigars and touted in ads. Exhibit A: the band on Pepin Garcia’s latest La Reloba: “Selección Mexico.”

In fact, Pepin’s widening use of Mexican tobacco may be a large part of its growing acceptance, especially the heavy San Andreas wrapper leaves that can be rolled natural or fermented further to produce a maduro. One of the first non-Mexican cigars I recall announcing its Mexican component was the Pepin-blended Murcielago from EO Brands in 2009.

Among top-of-the-line sticks said to include Mexican tobacco is the Avo Limited Edition 2010. Although Avo’s site doesn’t disclose the components, several retailers list a Mexican Sumatra binder.

We shouldn’t be surprised. Among cigar trends in recent years, such as large ring gauges and powerful smokes, the expanded experimentation with tobacco grown in different countries is among the strongest. Brazil and Costa Rica have quickly moved from exotic to nearly commonplace. There’s even a line using Louisiana pipe tobacco specialty perique leaves in cigars.

Mexico itself is getting in on the act, with the country’s leading tobacco family, the Turrents, releasing and promoting new blends. Perhaps the image of foul-tasting Mexican cigars has begun to fade. After all, it’s been over a decade since the country changed its tariffs on the importation of tobacco, making it feasible for blenders there to create something other than a Mexican puro.

I applaud all the experimentation and greater disclosure of ingredients. And even though I usually don’t like Mexican tobacco, I’m occasionally pleasantly surprised. If blenders weren’t willing to take a chance with new tobaccos—and ignore sometimes long-standing opinions—smokers wouldn’t get a chance to enjoy new and different cigars.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

[Editors’ Note: In celebration of the five-year anniversary of StogieGuys.com, we’re updating and re-publishing some of our oldest articles, many of which focused on cigar basics. Our hope is to encourage a discussion among readers and reacquaint the community with important cigar fundamentals.]

Properly lighting a cigar is a bit more complicated than simply striking a match. But taking the time to establish an even, straight burn—and getting in the habit of doing so regularly—will pay dividends in better performing cigars and fewer touch-ups.

It’s well-documented that butane lighters, due to their resistance to wind and consistent flames, make great ignition tools. Some cigar enthusiasts spend hundreds of dollars on a shiny lighter made of a precious metal that may or may not perform well over the years (or may or may not get lost between the car seats). If that’s the route you want to take, I think you’ll find many of options. I, on the other hand, have several single-flame lighters (one in the car, one in the golf bag, one at home, one at work, etc.), each of which cost me between $4 and $30. A few are very reliable and effective, and a few others are less consistent. Most importantly, all are easily replaceable.

Whether you’re using a $4 lighter or a $400 lighter, the process of establishing a good burn is pretty much the same. After cutting the head and examining the cold draw, take the foot, hold it at a 45 degree angle over the flame, and slowly rotate the stogie so the entire face of the foot begins to darken. Take note of the aroma.

Next, place the stogie in your mouth and hold the flame about an inch from the foot. Rotate the cigar as you draw in air. When you release the air pressure from the draw, a flame will shoot up from the foot of the cigar, and smoke will release.

Finally, take the cigar out of your mouth and gently blow air directly onto the foot. This will help the flame spread across the entire surface of the filler tobacco (and also enable you to check your work). Repeat as necessary.

These simple steps can be followed whether you’re using a butane torch or, as is my preference in non-windy locales, wooden matches. It is inadvisable to light cigars with paper matches, stoves, candles, or lighters that use lighter fluid.

Whatever your ignition tool, be sure to keep this in mind: You’re lighting a cigar, not welding iron. There’s no need to rush the lighting process (the ritual is meant to be enjoyed), and overhearing or charring the foot is a great way to ruin an otherwise fine smoke. So take your time and keep the flame at a safe distance.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

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 classic H. Upmann pyramid is the slighty milder predecessor to the iconic Montecristo No. 2. It’s a surprisingly well-constructed Cuban with an extremely sturdy ash and even burn.  Unfortunately, I found the flavors to be extremely mild, bordering on dull. There’s a touch of cedar with a roast nut and honey notes, but there’s also an unpleasant sawdust flavor. Only a few weeks ago I smoked another H. Upmann No. 2 out of the very same box and found it to be a considerably more refined, but this one was a dud—perhaps an unfortunate victim of Cuba’s inconsistency.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys