The 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) Yesterday, North Dakota’s draconian smoking ban took effect—the same one that passed via ballot referendum and includes no exemption for cigar shops. We most recently wrote about this egregious powergrab from the perspective of Todd Pryor, owner of the Great Plains Smoke Shop in Minot. But now another impacted businessman is grabbing headlines: Dana Coulter, proprietor JT Cigarro and Skky Bar in Fargo. “Coulter said he runs an owner-operator business out of a separate room in the JT Cigarro building, and he is the only employee,” according to the Grand Forks Herlad. “He plans on letting customers smoke inside that room” to take advantage of what he perceives as a loophole in the law. Enforcement of the regulation is expected to be “complaint-driven,” so it isn’t clear if Coulter’s move will be challenged by the state.

2) Drew Estate has just launched a sharp new monthly newsletter to keep its fans updated on what’s happening at the popular cigar maker. One of the industry’s savviest users of new media, Drew Estate’s publication incorporates video, photos, and a monthly giveaway of a box of cigars. To sign up, simply visit DrewEstate.com.

3) Still time to enter to win a free Punch tailgating six-pack. Every day through December 28th, Punch is giving one prize pack away, including six cigars, a cutter, and a bottle opener.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a Flor de Las Antillas. Stogie Review reviews a Diesel Grind. Stogie Fresh rates the La Aurora Guillermo León Family Reserve. Tiki Bar kicks back with the Montecristo Epic.

5) Deal of the Week: Corona Cigar has launched a new website. While you’re there, check out their “12 Days of Deals” specials, for a new deal every day.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

With so many cigars out there, cigar companies are looking for every edge to persuade smokers to give their cigars a shot, even having professional athletes promote their smokes.

Ted’s Cigars is doing this with one of the best-known race car drivers in the world, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The company, which makes officially licensed Gran Marnier and Maker’s Mark flavored cigars, in addition to their non-flavored Ted’s Made by Hand line, announced today that they are releasing an officially licensed Dale Jr. “88” Cigar.

Curiously, the toro-sized cigar itself isn’t new. It’s the same blend that has been sold for some time as the Ted’s Made by Hand Connecticut Shade Tube (one which received an 88 rating, the same number as Jr.’s car). The new packaging, however, features Dale Jr.’s signature and 88 logo. The cigar comes in single cigars, three-packs, boxes of 10 and 25, and will sell for around $11 each.

Also joining the celebrity athlete cigar endorsers is legendary Hall of Fame NFL player and coach, Mike Ditka. Under a partnership with Camacho, “Da Coach” will develop a series of new cigar lines carrying the Ditka name, which will be made at Camacho’s Tabacos Rancho Jamastran in Honduras.

The first Camacho-produced Ditka cigar (Mike Ditka has had multiple other cigars sold under his name) is being introduced at a dinner at Ditka’s Chicago restaurant next Friday where he will be signing boxes for all those in attendance. Three blends are being introduced, with one box included with the purchase of a ticket to the launch dinner.

For those wondering, this isn’t a new phenomenon. Other athletes with their own cigar lines include Dennis Rodman, Luis Tiant, Gary Sheffield and Sonny Jurgenson.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Over two years ago we exclusively reported the introduction of Tatuaje Anarchy, a cigar made only for the Smoke Inn stores in the Palm Beach area. Now, Smoke Inn and Tatuaje are following up that release with the Tatuaje Apocalypse.

While Anarchy (6.125 x 48-52) sported an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, the Apocalypse (5.25 x 48-52) has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. Pre-orders began Thanksgiving Day and the cigar, which retails for $8.95 or $134.25 for a box of 15, will officially be released on December 14th. Only 1,300 boxes will be made.

The single pre-release Apocalypse I smoked for this review was provided to me by Abe Dababneh, proprietor of Smoke Inn. Dababneh explained why my sample has the old Anarchy black band—not the new Apocalypse red band—in a letter that accompanied the smoke: “Unfortunately, unlike our other releases, we will not be receiving our shipment until just before our release date,” he wrote. “All we have is one box of 15 sticks that Pete [Johnson] brought back from Nicaragua and a bundle he gave me at the IPCPR show this year. The cigars from the bundle unfortunately do not have the correct bands…”

Frankly, I could care less which band adorns my Apocalypse. I just feel fortunate for the opportunity to test the cigar out before its debut, especially since it makes such a good first impression. With a dark, oily wrapper, an interesting cap, and potent pre-light notes of chocolate, the Apocalypse is one of those cigars I’d have a hard time letting age in my humidor.

Made at My Father Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua, Apocalypse is intended to be “highly reminiscent” of Anarchy, but with “somewhat of a more concentrated fashion.” Based on my experience with Anarchy and my colleague’s 2010 review, I was expecting a spicy smoke with notes of leather, cream, chocolate, and coffee. What I found at the outset was pretty similar: a sandy texture with a profile of black pepper, cocoa, espresso, peanut, and dark chocolate. As it progressed, creamier notes emerged to lighten the spice and provide balance. The overall impact was a full-flavored smoke with minimal nicotine kick and tempered spice. Construction was excellent, save for a meandering burn line that required a few touch-ups.

Pre-orders are expected to ship from Smoke Inn on Monday, December 17. Folks who decide to give Apocalypse a try will be pleased with the quality and balance it offers for what I believe is a reasonable price. That’s why I’m awarding this Smoke Inn exclusive four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Does “single malt” and “Texas” sound strange to you? It certainly does to me. But with my Texas roots (nearly half of my family lives in the state) I figured it would be worth a shot—even with a price tag just under $70.

Plus, it’s not like Balcones Distillery hasn’t won any awards. In addition to being named “American Craft Distillery of the Year” by Whisky Magazine, their various spirits have racked up accolades including a handful of prizes for this single malt from the Lone Star State.

On their website, Balcones describes their “1” Texas Single Malt, which was first released in 2011, like this: “A unique style of malt whisky, Texas made, Texas proud. This product is born of hundreds of years of distilling tradition transformed by a deep sense of place. Mellow notes of sautéed pears and ripe fruit mixed with a lingering toasty malt character.”

With all that in mind, I got down to business to try this 106-proof creation from the Waco, Texas-based operation. “1” Texas Single Malt is a medium copper color. The nose is surprisingly traditional (scotch-like), with burnt sugar, dried fruit, and a little oak barrel and vanilla.

On the palate, it has a rum-like sweetness (not that unlike the Edradour 10 I recently wrote about), along with roasted pecans, grain, and maltiness. The finish is short and leaves the mouth a bit dry, while anticipating the next sip.

Complex, yet surprisingly classic, the “1” Texas Single Malt is best paired with a mild or medium-bodied cigar. I’d particularly recommend a Connecticut-wrapped Davidoff Grand Cru or E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As cigar podcasting pioneers, Bob McDuffee and Dale Roush caused quite a stir when they announced last month that they’ll cease regular programs of DogWatch Cigar Radio at the end of the year. With more than 400 shows, the podcast has explored just about every aspect of cigars and expanded to a wide-ranging website, CigarMedia.tv. They’ve also introduced numerous smokers, retailers, manufacturers, products, and cigars to a world-wide audience.

I’ve been a listener since the show’s debut back in 2005 when it wasn’t quite so cigar-centric. I finally met Bob and Dale, as well as Bob’s wife, Liz, earlier this year when they held a DogWatch Herf across the state from me in Melbourne, Florida. So, when I heard the announcement I decided to follow up by email with Bob.

Stogie Guys: First, I understand Dale recently suffered a mild heart attack. How is he doing?

Bob McDuffee: Dale is well. The issue was minor, although he is looking ahead to surgery. For now he is resting at home and doing well.

SG: What are your cigar plans after the show ends?

BM: My plans are open-ended. After almost eight years of being on the show every Friday night (there were two shows I missed), it feels strange. Kind of like retiring and having lots of time on your hands. There have been several requests to continue the show in some format, and I am considering those. I hope to do more writing on the site as Cigar Curmudgeon and perhaps do short video/audio segments for release as well, but on an irregular schedule. I also have some comedy video ideas in my head that I cannot seem to get out. I recently began riding a bicycle again and have an idea for making your bicycle smoker friendly. Also, Google+ has become my micro-blog and it pushes out to Facebook as well as Twitter.

SG: You and Dale built up quite a following through the years. Are you planning to keep in touch through other ventures?

BM: Cigar Curmudgeon has always been a vehicle that I wanted to do more with, since writing is an activity I enjoy. Liz and I are planning to attend more events now that we have some free time. I think that after a short hiatus I will be longing for ways to reconnect. We have made so very many friends over the years, and I want to stay in touch with all of them. I will miss getting to talk with so many wonderful people from all over the globe. We have listeners in France, Great Britain, and the Middle East that we have never met in person but feel like they are part of the DogWatch family.

SG: Any idea how many weekly listeners you have?

BM: Our most recent statistics indicate about 20,000 downloads per month.

SG: What’s your biggest takeaway from DogWatch? What things have made the biggest impression on you?

BM: DogWatch opened the door for Liz and I to become certified through Tobacconist University, meet many friends, and be a part of a wonderful industry. It is difficult to name one single takeaway, but if I had to I would sum it up as the people. Manufacturers, retailers, and cigar passionados all made the effort worthwhile. Dale has been a great partner in this, and I will miss our weekly get-togethers.

SG: A lot of cigar podcasts have come and gone since you and Dale started. What’s the secret of your longevity, and what advice would you offer someone who wants to start?

BM: My advice would be don’t underestimate the time and work required. It helps if you have no social life, and you must have the support of the significant people in your life. Without the support of Liz all these years I could not have given up so many weekend trips, Friday nights, and money to make this happen. You have to really enjoy what you are doing to make it last. We have sincerely enjoyed DogWatch and the people involved in it. Life takes its own direction sometimes. Over the course of this show Dale and I have changed and grown in so many personal ways. Since starting DogWatch in 2005, I have lost my mother, one brother, grandfather, both in-laws, and been blessed with six grandchildren. I have smoked thousands of good cigars and a few not so good cigars. DogWatch has forever made an imprint on my life.

StogieGuys.com would like to thank Bob for taking the time to talk with us, and we wish Dale all the best for a speedy recovery.

–George E

photo credit: CigarMedia.tv

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 have no idea how I ended up with these smokes, though I’m not surprised one sat in my humidor for two years. I don’t smoke many Rocky Patel cigars, and I have no idea how I ended up with this one, though I imagine it was in some giveaway or other. It’s a cheap smoke: $55 for 20 from Cigars International, which seems to be its home. With a corojo wrapper and Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, you’d expect some flavor. You’d be wrong. While not unpleasant, the R4 is monochromatic and, at this size in particular (7.5 x 52) boring. Burn, draw, and smoke production were all fine. Just not much taste. I also didn’t notice significant difference in the aged version and the younger one I smoked.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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.”

Almost exactly three years ago, when it first came out, I acquired the Julieta size (7 x 47) from El Tiante’s La Leyenda line for $9. The blend celebrates Louis Tiant’s 1968 season with the Cleveland Indians, a year in which he won 21 games. It sports a Sumatra-seed Ecuadorian wrapper and a Nicaraguan Habano binder with three different ligeros from Nicaragua and seco tobaccos from both Nicaragua and Honduras. The result is a lot of red and black pepper spice on the palate with background notes of coffee, sweet cream, and nut. The resting smoke and finish have a mushroom component that reminds me of Davidoff and Paul Garmirian cigars, and the construction is excellent. Time has improved this zesty Nicaraguan; I wish I would have purchased more back in 2009.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys