The Stogie Guys

The quest for the perfect cigar does not always end in riches, but sometimes the accomplishment is in the journey itself. I rolled into Mexico last week with my wife and a couple of friends for eight days of R&R at a resort on the island of Isla Mujeres, off the coast of Cancun. Being in a tropical paradise and a country where Cuban cigars are legal, I obviously set out to find the perfect cigar. In the end, it was the experience of the adventure and the search for the cigar that yielded more enjoyment than the cigar itself.

The first stop was the duty free-shop in the Cancun airport. I encountered the usual Cuban staples: Partagss, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta. Three-packs and five-packs, most in the $50 to $100 range. A total rip-off. Are they even real? They had the hologram and the seal from Habanos, but I knew those were easy to fake. I decided to give it a chance though— given that I was in a duty-free shop and not talking to some vendor on the street, I figured the odds were slightly in my favor. I bought a three-pack of Romeo y Julieta No. 5 cigars for $25.

Motioning for the attendant to unlock the glass case, he smiled and asked, “¿Habla Español?” I held my thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “Un poquitito.” Just a tiny little bit. “¿De donde?” He asked. Where are you from? “Minnesota.” “Ah,” he nodded. “Venezuela.”

“No,” I waved a hand. “Mnnesota.” I pointed to my baseball hat and quickly realized I’ve just pointed to the red and white Minnesota Twins TC embroidered on my hat, surely confusing the poor gentleman. He’ll never connect TC to Minnesota, I thought, so I quickly explain, “The Twin Cities.” He nodded and smiled and I’m not sure how much he understood, or how much he cared, because the next thing he did was point me to the cash register. I paid for my three-pack and the girl bagged my stogies in plastic and secured them with a twist tie. I passed through customs and an hour later, my party and I were on Isla Mujeres.

I knew the island would be filled with cigars and vendors pushing them on every corner and after five minutes I knew that even if these Cubans were real, I wouldn’t want to touch them. The vendors cared for their cigars the same way I care for my dirty laundry. If there was a bin they could have used to toss these cigars in for their store for display, they would have used one. I saw boxes of cigars arranged outside on the steps leading into a shop, probably boiling to death under the 90-degree sun or sopping under the 90-percent humidity. I saw wrappers cut and wrinkled like the cigar had been carried in someone’s pocket. I saw gnarly, makeshift variety-packs where a Cohiba shared a box with a pair of cheap Montecristos and a handful of nameless mix-and-match cigarillos. The prices weren’t bad but these cigars were so unattractive that I was happy I brought a six-pack of Sancho Panza Double Maduros from home.

I shared the Romeo y Julietas with the couple we traveled with, giving one to the husband, another to the wife, and keeping the third for myself. This would be the first cigar either of them had smoked and they needed a quick seminar. I cut their ends and demonstrated how to light it, and how to puff on the stogie. “Don’t pull too fast,” I warned them. “You don’t want to hotbox it.” “Do I inhale?” asked the wife. “No,” I said. “Just enjoy the taste.”

We sat on a cliff overlooking Mexico’s easternmost point, watching and listening to the waves, smoking Cuban cigars. After 15 minutes of peace and solitude unknown to the American hustle-bustle, it was time to move on. “How do you put it out?” they asked.

“You don’t,” I told them as I gently placed my smoldering nub on the edge of the cliff. “Just let it go out on its own. Respect the stick. Leave it here, and let it be.” They did, and we walked back to our golf cart and began the journey back to our hotel.

On the way back we passed a small baseball stadium with a capacity of probably 5,000. There was a bronze statue of a baseball player outside but we passed it too quickly for me to read the name. Then I realized, they have their own baseball heroes in Mexico. Their own great games, their own legendary moments. Mexican baseball was a whole new universe, and one where I could happily spend a lifetime.

When we got closer to our hotel, the vendors appeared with their calls to Cuban cigars. But aside from the Romeo y Julietas, the Sanchos were all I smoked. Sure, the vendors are constantly pointing to their, “Cigars! Cuban cigars!” They think that since you’re a guy, you’re going to jump all over them but these guys are clearly marketing to the cigar-ignorant, and based on the volume of product available, this is a market that thrives.

Sadly, I never found the perfect cigar. Sure, the cigars from the airport were good, but I was hoping to try an authentic Cohiba Behike. All I encountered was the bottom of the bargain bin. As I stared into the blue water I realized that every quest does not end in glory, especially the quest for the Holy Grail. My crusade would have to continue on another trip, to be resumed on my next journey overseas. Until then, I could only relish in the excitement of the search and the anticipation of another adventure.

–Mark M‘s latest project is a comic anthology called Germ Warfare.

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.”

 

Viaje is known for making its cigars in small batches, which makes the ultra-small batch White Label Project exceedingly rare and very tough to find. This particular version, of which only 5,000 cigars were made, is based on the the 50/50 Red blend. Viaje owner Andre Farkas says the blend was designed to be slightly stronger than the full production 50/50 Red line (and presumably not quite as strong as the 50/50 Black line). The well-made Nicaraguan puro is firm to the touch with no soft spot between the two blends, and features a nearly flawless criollo wrapper, a pigtale cap, and slightly closed foot.  It starts out with a burst of spice but quickly settles into a smooth, woody, medium- to full-bodied profile. After the midway point, it evolves only slightly as the sweetness picks up and the cigar develops a leathery, syrupy element. Except for a somewhat tight draw, construction was excellent on this limited but enjoyable cigar.

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.”

While I’d heard of Alec Bradley’s new Black Market line, I hadn’t paid enough attention to know anything about it. I was intrigued when I saw them on the shelves—the thick paper sleeve and wooden crate-style boxes are eye catching—but, of course, they offered no information about the tobacco. At $6.25 for a Churchill (7 x 50), I thought it was worth a try. I was wrong. Smoking it was a major disappointment. About the only flavor I got was the dirt taste I associate with Mexican tobacco. Since learning the cigar’s makeup—Nicaraguan wrapper, Sumatran binder, and filler from Honduras and Panama—I’m guessing the “dirt tobacco” was that Panamanian. Unless you’re a fan, I’d stay away.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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) The House of Representatives bill to protect premium cigars from regulations imposed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has broken 100 cosponsors. At least 102 representatives from both parties have signed on (including Guam’s, who unfortunately has no vote on the floor). This is good news for cigar smokers but no time to quit. It’s still fewer than half of the 218 that will be needed to get the bill approved and to the Senate. If your rep hasn’t signed on, get in touch now and urge passage of HR1639. Remember: FDA regulation of cigars would likely lead to decreased industry innovation and the restriction of marketing efforts.

2) To help the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) fight for cigar rights and against tobacco taxes and bans, Altadis U.S.A. has made a “significant contribution” to the group’s legislative efforts. “IPCPR has been particularly active on a variety of state and federal legislative issues – past and current. We wanted to show our support of those successful strategies and actions,” said Javier Estades, general manager of premium cigars for Altadis, in a press release.

3) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel is introducing a new seasonal blend called the Summer Collection 2012. The cigar features a Habano wrapper, dual binders from Costa Rica and San Andreas, and filler from Nicaragua and Panama. The cigar, which comes in three sizes (robusto, toro and torpedo), will ship December 5th.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar reviews the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial LE. Smoking Stogie smokes a Cremo Excelsior. Cigar Inspector inspects a Tatuaje Fausto. Cigar Explorer tries a My Father 9/11 Commemorative Blend. Stogie Fresh lights up a Toraño 1916 Cameroon.

5) Deal of the Week: This deal features 10 cigars for just $30. Included are five La Gloria Cubanas and five Chateau Reals.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

“Made in the U.S.A.” is a phrase not often associated with premium cigars. But that’s the sort of spirit Walter “Lilo” Santiago wants to bring to his new brand, Crémo Cigars.

When Crémo actually hits the market in early 2012, Santiago will be promoting the fact that the cigars are crafted at the El Titan de Bronze Cigar Factory on Miami’s Calle Ocho. The factory, according to a recent Crémo press release, is “known best for its old-school Cuban entubado techniques, [and] is a family owned and operated ‘fabriquita’ which employs level-nine rollers from Cuba, who have worked for Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Corona, and Partagas. These torcedores, like a painter to a canvas, handcraft each cigar with meticulous detail.”

I recently received several samples of Crémo’s inaugural blend—called “Classic”—in the mail from Santiago. Sure enough, along the side of each cream-colored band is the phrase “handcrafted in Little Havana.” But the tobacco within the blend is not American. It is comprised of a Habano wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Exclusively blended by Willy Herrera prior to his departure to Drew Estate, Classic will be offered in three vitolas: a corona gorda called Magnum Opus (5.75 x 46), a robusto called Excelsior (5 x 50), and a toro called Intrepidus (6 x 52). The robusto will carry an MSRP of $8 while the other two formats will be priced in the $10-12 range.

The Intrepidus is a pale-looking smoke with a roadmap of thin veins across its otherwise smooth surface. The cap is constructed well, and there’s a moderately soft feel from head to toe. I notice faint pre-light notes of honey and hay as I take a draw before touching fire to the foot.

After establishing an even light, the cigar starts with a dry wood flavor, some coffee, and plenty of Nicaraguan kick. The latter taste, which comes across as a black pepper spice, slowly fades after the first inch, leaving a creamier texture and a more rounded profile. I’d be willing to say the Intrepidus starts fairly full-bodied and transitions to the medium-bodied range rather quickly. That’s where it remains until the end, giving off floral notes and cedar along the way. Construction on the toro is about as close to perfect as you can get.

Santiago tells me Crémo will be introducing a maduro line at the company’s official launch at next summer’s IPCPR Trade Show in Orlando. I look forward to trying that. For now, the Classic Intrepidus has made an impression on me, with all three samples smoking well, yielding complex flavors, and producing aromatic resting smoke. For these reasons, I have no qualms about rating this up-and-coming smoke four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

There are many ways to discover an enjoyable cigar. My latest came about because I’m a sucker for cedar. So, when I noticed two sizes of My Father cigars sheathed in what looked to be branded cedar, I picked up the Cervantes for about $7.50.

I’d smoked several of the regular line of My Father cigars and thought they were pleasant enough. Nothing to get too excited about, but certainly a good smoke. Until I saw the Cervantes and the corona gorda Eminentes, I wasn’t even aware that there was a cedar subset.

Unfortunately, the brand website currently has no information on any of its cigars, so I had to look elsewhere for details. According to several other sites, the binder and filler are Nicaraguan while the wrapper is an Ecuadorian hybrid. I’m guessing that the two cedared vitolas have the same blend as regular My Father cigars.

But I found the taste to be significantly different. The Cervantes opens with lots of cedar and pepper that blasts along for the first half or so of the 6.5-inch smoke. For the remainder of the cigar, there’s strong leather and wood as the cedar and pepper drop back. With attention, you’ll also find numerous other flavors among the deep, rich tobacco.

I’ve smoked four of these 44-ring-gauge lonsdales, and they were remarkably consistent. Construction and draw were excellent on each, with a thick burn line and a tight, grainy white ash. The cigars themselves were a little lumpy, though the brown wrapper is smooth and firm.

If, like me, you’d found the My Father line OK but not outstanding, I suggest you keep an eye out for the Cedros Deluxe. I rate the lonsdale-sized My Father Cedros Deluxe Cervantes four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: My Father Cigars

Ask any cigar enthusiast to name his top three cigar brands, and there’s an excellent chance Padrón will be one third of his answer. This vertically integrated company has been in the business for almost 50 years, and it has produced some of the most sought-after cigars this side of Cuba—including the Anniversary Series (both 1926 and 1964) and Family Reserve.

Not to be overlooked is the original Padrón line, which includes over a dozen vitolas that are available in either Natural or Maduro formats. (By the way, with similar wrapper shades and no distinguishing markings, it’s really hard to tell a Natural from a Maduro without holding two next to each other.) Each is comprised of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobacco that’s aged for two and a half years.

The Executive is a double corona that measures seven and a half inches long with a ring gauge of 50. I picked it up for $7 at a tobacconist in downtown Chicago. It’s a long, rugged-looking cigar that takes a good two hours to smoke to completion. Before setting fire to the foot, it’s impossible not to take note of the Executive’s pungent pre-light aroma of chocolate and earth.

I’ve read that the draw on this vitola can be a bit airy, especially for its length. Using a punch instead of a guillotine cutter yields a perfect draw. Once an even light is established, a syrupy taste of coffee, leather, and pepper emerges. And while there’s a bit of sweetness on the finish, the cigar is far less chocolatey than expected.

I don’t really mind that because the Executive’s taste is agreeable and the resting smoke is very aromatic and pleasant. These are important points, especially since the profile hardly changes from beginning to end. A two-hour smoke with an unwavering flavor can often be a bad thing. But, in this case, the taste is interesting and balanced enough to hold my attention.

With superb physical attributes—including a solid white ash and a straight burn—the Executive Maduro is a great way to get that classic Padrón quality without paying top dollar. Sure, the complexity doesn’t match the Anniversary Series or the Family Reserve, but try finding those premier smokes for $7. I rate this vitola three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys