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.”

If anything, this cigar got better since I first smoked it almost two months ago. Still my favorite of the two most recent Singulare releases by Illusione, the San Andreas wrapper isn’t the best-looking wrapper, but the flavors are right on point. The cigar imparts plenty of dry chocolate and earth notes, with coffee, roast nut, and a bit of pepper. Like the original 2010 Singulare “Phantom,” it has a wine-like tannic property that leaves your lips tingling. With excellent construction and complex medium- to full-bodied flavors, I highly recommend it.

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.”

With handsome double bands, a jet-black wrapper, and an unfinished foot, the Robusto (5 x 52) in the Liga Especial Reserva Superior blend looks fantastic in a humidor. This Pinar del Rio doesn’t smoke too bad, either. Blended by Abe Flores to be full-flavored, the cigar—comprised of a Dominican Habano wrapper, Brazilian and Nicaraguan binders, and ligero fillers—has a bold profile of espresso, earth, and pepper. The going rate of about $6 for a single makes this an easy smoke to recommend.

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. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) It was announced this week that the Oliva Cigar Company will take over the domestic and international distribution of Padilla Cigars. The move is expected to increase the sales and availability of Padilla. “This latest alliance between Padilla and Oliva is one of many collaborations among both companies, which have sporadically teamed up together almost since the inception of the Padilla brand,” reads an Oliva press release. “Currently, Oliva manufactures the new Padilla Reserva and Reserva Maduro. Padilla also teamed up with Oliva to create the highly rated Padilla Limited Edition Studio-Tobac…The Padilla Cigar Company will continue to focus on creating premium cigars by working not only with Oliva, but also with other respected cigar factories such as El Titan de Bronze…”

2) This fall, Prometheus will commemorate its 20th anniversary with three limited edition God of Fire assortment boxes, each individually serial-numbered. The 5-cigar box will retail for $113, the 9-cigar box for $205.95, and the 20-cigar box for $419.75. Only 1,000 5- and 9-cigar boxes will be made, and only 500 20-cigar boxes will be made.

3) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Guayacan by Noel Rojas. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Torcido Lancero. Cigar Explorer explores the Reinado Gran Empire Reserve. Cigar Fan fires up a Gurkha Seduction. Cigar Brief smokes the Nestor Miranda Gran Reserve 2012. Cigar Inspector inspects the J. Fuego 777 Maduro.

4) Deal of the Week: If you’re looking to pick up a box of Alec Bradley cigars, you’ll want to jump on this deal. Purchase any box of Prensado, American Classic, American Sun Grown, Family Blend, or Black Market and get a free five-pack, plus an Alec Bradley hat.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Padilla Cigars

Five years ago I interviewed Casa Fuente General Manager Michael Fayerverger for one of our first “Cigar Insider” interviews. Over half a decade later, I decided to check back in on Casa Fuente, one of the most iconic cigar destinations in the U.S.

This time I interviewed Michael Frey, proprietor of Casa Fuente (as well as Rhumbar) in Las Vegas. Our discussion included my favorite drink on the Casa Fuente menu, a new Casa Fuente blend, and the Aruro Fuente Cigar Company’s 100th anniversary.

Stogie Guys: How have the past five years been?

Michael Frey: Business has continued to grow over the past five years and each year we’ve added a lot of new customers who love the experience and continue to come back.

SG: Even though we’re doing this interview by email, I suspect you have a cigar lit while you write your responses. What cigar is it?

MF: How did you know? It’s the new Casa Fuente Series 5 Special Selection 806.

SG: You’ve added to the Casa Fuente cigar line this year. Tell us about the new addition.

MF: It’s called the Casa Fuente Series 5 Special Selection. There are three cigars, the 806, 807, and 808. All three have a 50-ring gauge and range from robusto to short churchill. They feature a Havana-seed, Ecuadorian sun-grown rosado wrapper and the binder and filler are secret tobaccos from the Fuente’s farm blended by Carlito.

SG: This year is the 100th anniversary of Arturo Fuente Cigars. Any special events planned at Casa Fuente? How about special cigars?

MF: On the Saturday night of the Las Vegas Big Smoke, Carlito will be cutting a giant birthday cake. As far as cigars go, you never know what Carlito will do.

SG: As the owner of Casa Fuente, you have access to some of the rarest Fuente cigars. Which ultra-rare Fuente is your all-time favorite?

MF: I have two, the Brain Hemorrhage and the P.J.

SG: Anytime I’m in Vegas I have to stop by for one of Casa Fuente’s Don Carlos Caipirinhas, which uses a tobacco-infused Grand Marnier float. I’ve had caipirinhas all around the world, including Brazil, but that’s my favorite. Can you shed a little light on that recipe?

MF: The intense, smoky flavor comes from the Grand Marnier float which features an infusion of an aromatic pipe tobacco. It was developed by Francesco LaFranconi, a master mixologist for Southern Wine & Spirits here in Las Vegas.

SG: Because of the warehouse fire that wiped out some of their most prized tobaccos, the Fuentes have said that some of their 100th Anniversary Celebration cigars will be delayed until next year. Any insight into what we can expect?

MF: From what I understand, there will be an introduction of several new brands under the Opus X brand name, including the Angel Share which I smoked recently when Carlito came to Las Vegas for a visit. It was heavenly, living up to its name.

Many thanks to Michael Frey for taking the time to answer our questions. If you even in Las Vegas, I highly recommend stopping by Casa Fuente for some fine cigars and beverages. Speaking from personal experience, it is well worth the trip. My personal favorite is a pairing of the original Casa Fuente cigar and a Don Carlos Caipirinha.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One of the good things about cigars is that there are always new smokers joining the party. And while there is a monumental amount of information out there, sometimes it helps to reiterate a few principles to help novices along the way.

I’m probably repeating myself—let’s face it, my memory’s pretty well shot at this point—but I’m sure there are new readers who have neither the time nor the inclination to scour the significant archives of StogieGuys.com, or who are looking for occasional tips beyond what can be easily found in our Cigar University.

So, as part of our periodic efforts, here are three easy tips I think are key to cigar enjoyment when you’re starting out with cigars:

1. Light right. Whether you use a $1,000 limited edition Dupont lighter or a free pack of matches from the 7-Eleven, take your time. Try to keep the flame from direct contact as you toast the foot. Pay particular attention to the edges. A good, even light is key to a good, even burn and a satisfying smoke. And be sure to use wooden matches instead of those made of paper.

2. Purchase in haste, repent at leisure. A new smoker’s tastes almost always change often and rapidly. Resist the urge to stock up on a stick you like. They’ll almost certainly be there later if you’re sure it’s one you want more of. And don’t get caught up in bargains. Saving money applies only when you like the cigars. Otherwise, it’s called wasting money.

3. Become a recording artist. Jot down notes on what you smoke. Keep a smoker’s journal and re-read it periodically. It need be nothing fancy, simply adequate to remind you what you liked and disliked and why. And in addition to recording your own thoughts, read others’ as well. Doing so will help you better articulate why you like or dislike a particular smoke.

Feel free to offer your tips for beginners in the comments below as well.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

Yesterday, Patrick A wrote about the cigars he blended while attending Cigar Safari. Today I’m looking at my creations. Like my colleague, I blended two cigars: one at Joya de Nicaragua, and the other at Drew Estate. Unlike my previous experiences blending cigars, these cigars were rolled by experienced cigar makers, which is nice since the other blends I created (at La Aurora and General Cigar’s Dominican factories) were rolled mostly by me, meaning it was had to know whether the blend or just the rolling was sub-standard.

For both cigars I had one shared goal—to create a balanced cigar—along with flavor profiles I was seeking to create. In both cases, the cigars turned out smokeable, though they certainly aren’t better than the professional blends coming from either factory.

Joya de Nicaragua Blend
Wrapper: Habano criollo
Binder: Ecuador Connecticut
Filler: Jalapa seco (25%), Estelí viso (25%), Jalapa viso (25%), Estelí ligero (25%)
Size: 5.5 x 48

Here my goal was a medium-bodied cigar with plenty of balance and only a little spice. And while it isn’t the most harmonious cigar I’ve ever tried, I think I mostly hit those goals, though I don’t really know if it ended up like the “sample” I rolled myself. It’s leathery, earthy, and oaky, all of which makes it downright pleasant to smoke. If I was grading the half dozen or so samples I’ve smoked, I’d probably give it 3.5 stogies out of five (also known as a cigar I’d actually spend money on if it was reasonably priced) which probably says more about the relatively fool-proof options we were given than my own blending skills.

Drew Estate Blend
Wrapper: Brazilian mata fina oscuro
Binder: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Estelí seco (15%), Estelí viso (15%), Jalapa criollo (30%), mata fina (40%)
Size: 6 x 46

Interestingly, though completely unplanned, my colleague and I ended up selecting fairly similar blends from the plethora of options provided by Drew Estate. Like him, I’m a big fan of Brazilian mata fina tobacco, so both our cigars ended up featuring a mata fina wrapper and significant amounts of mata fina filler. While not as balanced as I thought it might turn out, this has become much better in the almost four months since I first smoked it fresh a few days after it was rolled. Still, the large percentage of mata fina overwhelms the blend and unfortunately does so not with the dark chocolate I hoped for, but with a slight sourness that permeates the entire cigar. While I thought this might be the better of the two smokes, it turned out that the Joya de Nicaragua blend was superior in almost every way.

In previous blending seminars, I found a common mistake was to use too much ligero tobacco, which often creates a strong but unbalanced smoke. I successfully avoided that pitfall, but that didn’t necessarily mean the results were fantastic. Most of all, the experience reminded me why the great cigars we enjoy, and even take for granted, are the result of many, often dozens, of blends.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As you may remember from all of our coverage in late May, this spring I journeyed to Estelí, Nicaragua, to participate in Drew Estate’s unforgettable Cigar Safari adventure.

There, in addition to getting to tour the factories where some of the world’s best cigars are made, I got the awesome opportunity to blend two cigars: one at Joya de Nicaragua, and the other at Drew Estate. Today I’d like to present my work to you, now that I’ve had ample time to allow the cigars to rest and to smoke a fair number of my samples.

I’d like to point out two things about both cigars before getting into the details. First, I did not grow, cultivate, ferment, or actually roll any of the cigars. All the hard work was done by the fine folks at Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate, respectively. My role consisted of walking into a room full of tobacco and selecting a wrapper, a binder, and a filler blend from available tobaccos. As such, the process was fairly idiot-proof—almost anyone could have turned out a decent-tasting smoke since either factory has wonderful tobacco to work with.

Second, while most folks presented with this opportunity might try to produce a cigar tailored for their palate, I set out with a specific goal for each cigar, and then tried to select a blend that would hit the mark. As you’ll see below, for one of these cigars I think I succeeded; for the other, not so much (but I’m not complaining about the result).

Joya de Nicaragua Blend
Wrapper: Connecticut Ecuador
Binder: Habano volado
Filler: Condega seco (30%), Estelí viso (40%), Condega ligero (30%)
Size: 5.5 x 48

My objective with this cigar was to produce a mild, creamy smoke that would be excellent with a morning cup of coffee. I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. This beautiful, golden cigar burns like a champ and yields a nice flavor of cream, butter, almond, and just a bit of spice. I got ten of these from Joya de Nicaragua and I’ve almost completely blazed through the entire stash. I may have to fly back down to Nicaragua to see if I can get more. While Joya de Nicaragua isn’t known for making mild smokes, this one turned out wonderfully.

Drew Estate Blend
Wrapper: Brazilian mata fina oscuro
Binder: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Estelí seco (33%), Jalapa ligero (33%), Brazilian mata fina (33%)
Size: 5.25 x 42

My objective here was to get a medium-bodied smoke that’s low on spice but big on dark chocolate flavors—something that would pair nicely with a glass of red wine. That’s why I loaded it up with mata fina, a tobacco that’s typically sweet and chocolaty. In my blend, though, the Habano Ecuador binder and seco and ligero fillers unexpectedly shine though. The result is a profile devoid of chocolate or any sweetness. Instead, the flavor packs dry spice, leather, and oak. I like this cigar, and it is getting better each month, but it isn’t at all what I had intended.

Regardless of either result, blending these cigars was one of the most rewarding and educational cigar experiences I’ve ever had. Thanks again to everyone at Drew Estate and Joya de Nicaragua for the opportunity. Until my next visit, I won’t quit my day job.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys