The Stogie Guys

With football on the TV, turkey in your stomach, and family gathered, Thanksgiving is a great day to enjoy a fine cigar (or several). So, as we have for the previous five years, today the StogieGuys.com team tells you what cigars we’ll be firing up after our big meals.

Patrick A: One cigar I’ve been enjoying lately is the Emilio Cigars Series H Maduro Robusto. Its profile of dark coffee, creamy nut, and cocoa will pair well a little bourbon outside on what should be an unseasonably warm day in Chicago. And since the cigar only costs $7, I won’t mind handing it out to interested family members for a post-meal celebration. I won’t feel guilty, either, since it’s a fantastic smoke.

Patrick S: It may be Thanksgiving, but my choice is equally inspired by Halloween: the Tatuaje Mummy (Halloween 2012). I picked up a 10-count box of these without trying one first, and I’m glad I did. The large Churchill (7.75 x 47) with a closed foot utilizes a Nicaraguan sun-grown criollo wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The result is a nuanced, medium- to full-bodied cigar with coffee, cedar, cream, and just a bit of clove and pepper spice. With a cup of coffee and maybe some bourbon, it seems like the perfect way to digest a heavy turkey dinner.

George E: I didn’t really have to think twice about what I’ll light up on Thanksgiving. I haven’t had an Aging Room F55 for several weeks, and I’m looking forward to what I’ve found to be a truly great cigar. As a vegetarian, I won’t be full of turkey and ham, but I’m sure I’ll be plenty full nonetheless. The Concerto (7 x 50), with its bold flavors and nice burn, will go perfectly with an after-dinner cut of coffee and easily last for the first half of the Patriots-Jets game.

Previous cigars the StogieGuys.com team designated as Thanksgiving smokes include:

Not a bad list, eh? If you’re so inclined, feel free to let us know what you’ll be smoking tomorrow in the comments below. And be sure to have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: N/A

The next step in the conflict over the FDA’s plan to regulate premium cigars is likely to come from the agency rather than Congress. An FDA spokeswoman told me that there’s no date set for issuing a proposed rule, which it first broached in the spring of 2011. “Sometime in the future,” was as close as she said she could come on the timing.

When the rule is published in the Federal Register, there will be a period for public comment, likely at least 45 days. To make sure you know what’s going on and have an opportunity to register your view when the FDA begins action, sign up for an email subscription to “This Week in CTP.”

Recent elections had an impact on the legislative efforts to stop the FDA, which we touched on earlier this month. The effects were stronger in the House of Representatives, where the bill to protect cigars (HR 1639) had bipartisan support from more than half the members. The bill’s author, Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), won re-election and remains committed to it. I talked to George Cecala in his office, and he told me they’re continuing to educate members and to build support.

I have a call in to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) who introduced the Senate version, and I’ll let you know what I hear from them.

As you’re no doubt aware by now, the likelihood of FDA regulation devastating the cigar industry is very real. I believe the efforts of cigar smokers helped build support for the legislation, and if you haven’t gotten in touch with your elected officials, there’s no time like now. Just search “1639” on Stogie Guys and you’ll find everything you need to know.

This is no time to let up. Every cigar smoker needs to stay involved and help win this fight.

–George E

photo credit: FDA

I was stunned when I learned about North Dakota voting for an extremely restrictive smoking ban. I lived for a couple of years in the Great Plains, and it isn’t the area I think would take such action. In fact, an oft-repeated joke was, “People say Midwesterners don’t question things. But that’s not true. They question everything. The question they ask is, ‘Why would we want to do that?’”

If you’re not familiar with North Dakota, here are a few random facts from my research to provide a little prospective. The population is under 700,000, putting it above only Vermont and Wyoming. Republicans have a near-lock on statewide political offices. It has the lowest state unemployment rate (3%), ranks 24th in percentage of cigarette smokers, is home to three of the nation’s 100 poorest counties, and ranks 41st in per capita income. Among its attractions are Salem Sue, the world’s largest cow (six tons of fiberglass); the geographic center of North America in Rugby; the Roger Maris Baseball Museum; and numerous wildlife refuges and parks.

Other November referendums were to repeal a poll tax on the books for more than 100 years (approved) and to strengthen what have been described as extraordinarily lax animal cruelty laws (defeated).

“I thought we would be one of the last places this would happen,” said Todd Pryor in Minot, North Dakota, home to a noted Air Force base. “You know, cowboys…” For Pryor, with whom I spoke by phone, this isn’t a philosophical discussion. It’s business, pure and simple. Or, perhaps more accurately, lack of business.

Pryor is the owner of the Great Plains Smoke Shop in Minot, one of the few traditional tobacco shops in the state. His shop is also coupled with a cigar bar, where smoking had been permitted. Under the new law, that’s forbidden. And Pryor can’t simply open a smoking lounge in the shop portion because the law bans that, too.

Before the election, Pryor said, there was little, if any, opposition activity from tobacco companies, smoking rights groups, or even electronic cigarette organizations, whose non-tobacco devices fall under the law as well. The only news coverage I could find on the potential impact focused exclusively on cigarette smoking, and a reporter who covered the issue in Fargo, North Dakota’s largest city, told me she hadn’t written about cigars.

When the law goes into effect, probably next month, Pryor’s only smoking option will be to set up a patio area at least 20 feet from the shop’s door, with just a roof or fence allowed as structures. Even with heaters and thermal underwear, outdoor smoking in Minot—where the average high doesn’t even hit 60 degrees seven months of the year and rests below freezing in December, January, and February—is at best a sometimes thing.

Pryor said he doesn’t know yet what the impact of the ban will be on his seven-year-old shop. He’s not sure he’ll be able to keep the bar going. And how do his customers feel about all this? “They’re pissed as hell,” Pryor said.

–George E

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.”

I’ve had this little $4 Cuban (5 x 37) for a few years. Age hasn’t changed this cigar much, for better or worse. It’s balanced, mild, and smooth featuring nutty flavors and slight notes of wood and cream. The burn, ash, and draw present no problems. For a few dollars, it’s simplistic yet enjoyable, especially early in the day.

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.”

This new line from Joya de Nicaragua, originally named Cuenca y Blanco, marks the debut blend from José Blanco after he left La Aurora. He’s the B; Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca is the C. They’ve put together a cigar that boasts a wide range of tobaccos: filler from Nicaragua and Peru, a Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a marvelous pre-light aroma. It’s a tasty, balanced cigar that isn’t as high-powered as the typical Joya de Nicaragua production. Weighing in at 6.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 52, the Torpedo Especial has a sharp head and excellent construction. At about $10, it’s a bit expensive, but well worth a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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) The 14th annual Ybor City Heritage & Cigar Festival takes place tomorrow from 10am to 5pm in the historic Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa. The event will include craft beer, food, cigar rolling, and representatives from such cigar companies as Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman, San Lotano, Rocky Patel, and Alec Bradley. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the gate with proceeds benefiting the Ybor City Museum Society. If you’re within driving distance and looking for something fun to do tomorrow, we’d highly recommend it. The Stogie Guys team has enjoyed visiting Ybor City in the past, and this is a great opportunity to take in the best the neighborhood has to offer.

2) In other cigar event news, tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Big Smoke in New York City, which will be hosted by Cigar Aficionado on Thursday, November 29 at Pier 92. The $240 ticket price includes drinks, food, and cigars from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Padrón, General Cigar, Arturo Fuente, Oliva, and Rocky Patel.

3) Inside the Industry: Best Cigar Prices is releasing a new house blend called 2012 Limited that features a Habano Jalapa wrapper and is made by Alec Bradley. Archie Mishkin, former president of the Bayuk Cigar Co., passed away on October 30 at the age of 94. The details aren’t clear, but proceeds go to a good cause so check out this charitable giveaway.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Brief smokes the Inch by E.P. Carrillo. Cigar Fan fires up a T.L. Johnson Tempio Extreme Box Press. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Montana Azul. Stogie Review reviews an Alec Bradley Fine and Rare 2012. Cigar Inspector inspects a Cohiba Siglo VI Reserve. Tiki Bar kicks back with an Avo 25th.

5) Deal of the Week: Stuffing vs. dressing may be the debate for Thanksgiving dinner, but when it comes to cigars humidor stuffing is a no-brainer. This Humidor Stuffing Sampler features 10 cigars for $30 including CAO Cameroon, Don Pepin JJ Maduro, CAO Gold, and Perdomo Lot 23.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: cltampa.com

In this latest segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I ponder the evolution of Drew Estate and if larger cigar companies that buy smaller ones are getting good value.

Rebirth of Drew Estate

Drew Estate’s tagline is “the rebirth of cigars,” but the most impressive rebirth is that of Drew Estate itself. It’s easy to forget, but no cigar company has changed more in recent years than Drew Estate. I was recently searching for some information and found a thread on a message board consisting almost entirely of seasoned cigar smokers complaining about Drew Estate.

The complaints consisted of rants about gimmicky flavored cigars (though Drew Estate calls their cigars “infused”).  Today that complaint would be inconceivable, but back then Drew Estate hadn’t introduced Chateau Real yet, let alone Liga Privada or Undercrown. For me, reading through that thread was a stark reminder of how Drew Estate has reinvented itself in a relatively short period of time to become a leader in the industry when it comes to “traditional” cigars, while still dominating the “infused” cigar market.

Thinking About Industry Consolidation

Along with the emergence of Drew Estate, we’ve seen many cigar makers reemerge from “retirement” to start their own companies. Some—Ernesto Perez-Carrillo and Cristian Eiroa—”retired” after selling their brands to larger companies. The newer, smaller, family-run companies are now creating innovative cigars, but my question is: Do the large cigar companies (General Cigar and Davidoff, in these examples) left owning their original brands (La Gloria Cubana and Camacho, respectively) get good value even after the principles who built the brands leave?

Certainly they feel the brands they purchase fill a void in their portfolio that they want to fill, and if they can keep the quality of the cigars high, they will keep a significant percentage of the customers who are loyal to those brands at least for a while. I suspect, though, that this type of consolidation isn’t as profitable as it once was. These days cigar smokers, particularly those that smoke cigars with the most regularity, are less loyal to any particular brand, and seem more interested in trying different cigars.

If the people most responsible for creating the identity of a given brand are no longer active in the brand (or even creating cigars for another company) is buying a smaller company still worth it? It seems perhaps that four or five years later all they are left with is a trademark and a list of customers. I don’t discount the largest cigar companies’ marketing expertise and distribution advantages, but I’d wonder if that is enough to make shelling out millions for a smaller brand worthwhile.

Maybe the future isn’t buying cigar brands or factories wholesale for millions of dollars, but partnering with companies to help them market and distribute their cigars. One example is Don Sixto, made by Plasencia and marketed and distributed by General Cigar. This may be a template for future partnerships.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Drew Estate