The Stogie Guys

Dunhill is a historic name in cigars, but you could argue the name hasn’t fully lived up to its rich legacy recently. Prior to the communist takeover of Cuba, the Dunhill shop in London had exclusive marketing and distribution agreements with various Cuban cigar makers, including Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and Partagas. (I smoked a 70-year-old one here.)

The cigars were popular with such legendary smokers as King George VI and Sir Winston Churchill, who reportedly got a call from Dunhill shop employees immediately after a German air raid hit the store to reassure the prime minister that his cigars in storage had been relocated prior to the raid. After the Cuban revolution, Dunhill retained a number of “Dunhill Selección” exclusive sizes and also had its own Don Alfredo line produced at the H. Upmann factory in Havana.

Later, in the early 1980s, Dunhill worked out a deal with Cubatbaco to produce cigars under the Dunhill name. Those cigars, whose main competition was Cuban-made Davidoffs, were produced until 1991, but they are still among the most prized cigars today.

Since then the name, under the control of the British American Tobacco company and separate from the London shop, has bounced around with cigars by Toraño and Altadis being sold under the Dunhill name. The new Dunhill Aged Reserva Especial 2003, introduced at the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show, is now made at the Dominican factory of General Cigar, which has taken over distribution.

The Dunhill Aged Reserva blend features a Connecticut shade-grown wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder, and Dominican filler from the 2003 crop. It comes in one size, a Robusto Grande (5.5 x 54), that sells for $15 each in ornate boxes of 10.

The attractive cigar features double bands around a slightly shiny wrapper. It’s the kid of classic styling you’d expect from a cigar bearing the Dunhill name. Construction was excellent on two of the three samples I smoked, but on one the wrapper cracked badly. I’m wiling to write that off as a function of some temperature changes, but you should be aware that the wrapper is quite fragile.

The Robusto Grande features light honey, cedar, straw, slight leather, and a dampness reminiscent of Davidoff. It’s a pretty mild cigar that starts out mild and refined and occasionally touches on bland. Still, throughout, it’s well-balanced, and never harsh or even a little bitter. A friend described the Dunhill Aged Reserva Especial 2003 as a “leathery Davidoff” and I don’t think that’s far off. And it’s probably not a bad thing for Dunhill, since it’s competing for the same part of the market as the Dominican-made Davidoffs.

If you enjoy full-bodied Nicaraguan smokes, this isn’t the cigar for you. If you’re looking for a balanced, refined, mild cigar with a little more complexity than your normal beginner’s smoke, however, it’s worth a try, even if the price is a little steep. That earns the Dunhill Aged Reserva Especial 2003 a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

“Put a chill in your whisky without diluting the dram of your dreams.” That’s the clever tagline for, and the concept behind, Whisky Stones, a product distributed by Teroforma.

Some of us, myself included, prefer our whisky colder than room temperature. Others like to add a splash of water to round the edges and open up the flavors. And still others are looking for both.

For folks in the latter category, ice is the preferred solution. But what if you want to chill your whisky without adding any water? Or what if you want to carefully control how much water gets added? That’s where Whisky Stones come in. They chill liquid without melting or adding flavors. And they definitely spark conversation if you’re entertaining.

Whiskey Stones ($25 for 9 cubes) are made from soapstone in Vermont. “The stones are non-porous and will impart neither flavor nor odor,” reads the package. “More gentle than ice, Whisky Stones can be used to cool down your favorite spirits just enough to take the edge off without ‘closing down’ the flavors.”

Before use, Whisky Stones are supposed to be placed in a freezer for at least four hours. After use, they can be rinsed, dried, and returned to the freezer. The talc-based soapstone is “particularly effective at retaining temperature for extended periods of time.”

Three stones are recommended for each serving of whisky, with the liquid height barely exceeding the height of the stones (as seen in my picture). In my experience, after about five minutes this makes the whisky noticeably colder—but not as cold as a similar volume of ice would have made the drink. If you are impatient and drink the whisky in less than five minutes, you may not experience much change in temperature at all. But if you take your time, and if you’ve ever accidentally killed your drink with excess melted ice, Whisky Stones are worth looking into.

Truthfully, I enjoy having them in the house, and especially like them when I have friends over for a cigar and some whisky or rum. Hopefully the effectiveness of the stones doesn’t wear off over time. I’m not fond of the name, though; I don’t like to be reminded of the existence of kidney stones—especially when I’m relaxing with a drink.

–Patrick A

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.”

You don’t necessarily hear a ton about it, but I think the CAO Concert was one of the better new releases from last year’s IPCPR Trade Show. The Amp (5.5 x 46) features excellent construction and medium- to full-bodied flavors. The blend, an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper with Nicaraguan and Honduran filler, produces cedar, cream, coffee, and pepper flavors. Particularly noteworthy is the reasonable $5.75 pricetag.

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.”

Few cigar makers have as high a standing here at StogieGuys.com than Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. We’ve reviewed four E.P. Carrillo sticks: two four-stogie ratings, and two at four and a half. In all honesty, this terrific cigar would be right there, but I haven’t smoked enough for a full review. Billed as the strongest addition to its expanding line, the Cardinal Natural features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan filler and binder. The strength doesn’t come at you full bore, but rather evolves as you progress. The flavors are a complex, interwoven mix dominated by an earthy, woody, grassy combination that’s occasionally flecked with spice and sweetness. Pick one up.

Verdict = Buy.

–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) Yesterday, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) announced it would be increasing its annual dues by $100, in recognition of the mounting issues facing cigar rights and the “substantial financial resources” required to engage those battles. “We must not relent in our fight to guarantee the safety of our industry,” said IPCPR CEO Bill Spann. “Our House and Senate bills have gained immense support, and we must not lose this momentum and prominence while we still have it.” Spann also said the recently unveiled plans to debut a “Consumer Day” and “Roast” at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show—plans we wrote about here—have been “tabled” due to negative feedback from various members. StogieGuys.com is an online media member of IPCPR.

2) General Cigar’s new website went live this week. Victoria McKee Jaworski, General’s director of public relations, likens it to a “digital cigar lounge” with “interactive features like a virtual humidor and a cigar bomb component.” General Cigar is one of the world’s largest manufacturers with blends like Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, and Punch in its portfolio.

3) Just because you haven’t heard much lately about the FDA’s proposal to regulate cigars doesn’t mean the idea is dead. The FDA recently posted a notice on its website that it “intends to propose a regulation” that would extend its authority to “all products that meet the statutory definition of ‘tobacco product’…” That’s virtually anything made from tobacco. The FDA gave no timeframe and did note that the public would be able to comment on any proposal.

4) Inside the Industry: La Palina is dropping prices on its El Diario and Maduro lines by 10% to reflect supply chain savings and to demonstrate its dedication to consumers and retailers. Davidoff is introducing a new size in its Puro d’Oro line, a Gordito (3.75 x 58) that will sell for $56 for a 4-pack or $350 for a box of 25. The new Puro d’Oro Gordito is also part of Davidoff’s new “Short Pleasures” assortment pack along with Davidoff’s Grand Cru No. 5, Entreacto, and Millennium Blend Short Robusto.

5) Around the Blogs: Nice Tight Ash checks out the Alex Bradley Maxx Brazil. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut. Stogie Review reviews the Davidoff Royal Salomones. Cigar Inspector inspects the Inception 518.

6) Deal of the Week: StogieGuys.com recommends Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door. Past boxes include fine bar accessories, shaving kits, coffee, and more. You can skip or purchase every month. Click here to sign up.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: IPCPR

[See yesterday’s article for Part I of this two-part series discussing what you can do to stop anti-cigar legislation in your state.]

The first step in combating more smoking restrictions in your state, or supporting changes in existing ones, is to know what’s going on. That’s not always easy, though you can stay informed with a little effort.

Few newspapers today cover legislatures with the depth they once did. Local TV reports are usually limited to top agenda items. But you can keep up with minimal effort. I’ve got two suggestions. If you Google your state name, legislature, 2013, and tobacco once a week or so, you’ll probably learn what’s up. Another way is to spend a little time online to find an active anti-tobacco group in your state and get on their email list. These people are dedicated, financed, and resourceful. They work hard to drum up support, and rarely miss anything.

If you see that a bill has been introduced, you’ll want to find pertinent details: which chamber, the bill number, who introduced it, and whether it’s been assigned to a committee.

With the bill number, you should be able to locate the text, though deciphering it can be a trick. If it’s unclear and you can’t find an explanation online, call the sponsor’s office. Or check with that anti-smoking group because they’ll almost certainly know.

Armed with that information, contact your state representative and/or senator to let them know how you feel about the bill. In many states, it’s pretty easy to get in touch directly, but email can also be effective.

If it’s a particularly important or contentious issue, try to get your local shop to invite the solon for a meet-and-greet.

However you go about it, there are several things that I think will enhance the likelihood of success, regardless of the format.

— Emphasize your concern is about adults smoking cigars. Many people know nothing about cigars; heck, these days, you almost never even see anybody smoking one. Make sure they know you’re talking about the craft of handmade cigars, not “Big Tobacco” or drug store sticks.

— Focus on cigars. As far as I’m concerned, the cigarette battle is over, (and, yes, I know all about Niemöller’s statement) but I believe there’s still a chance for premium cigars to carve out a separate position. Most legislation is written with cigarettes primarily in mind, so you can often find an opening for premium cigars.

— Push the small business aspect of cigars and cigar shops. These days, it’s a sacred cow, and one politicians are loathe to ignore. It’s also great fodder for local newspapers and TV stations. Get in touch with their assignment desks and suggest that they can find a good story in the area’s potentially endangered cigar shops.

— If you’re at a public meeting, be prepared for strong pushback. Here’s an example of the kind of specific attacks you can expect. Arm yourself with strong, specific data, which is readily available.

— Don’t mount a soapbox about your rights. Despite the tobacco leaves adorning the U.S. Capitol, there’s no constitutional right to smoke. At best you’ll end up in an unproductive argument. At worst, you’ll alienate potential supporters. Whatever the circumstances, stay calm, polite, and professional.

If you want assistance or feel better being part of a group, check into Cigar Rights of America.

I hope all this gets you enthused and willing to fight the good fight because that’s what is necessary if we’re going to continue to enjoy cigars. I welcome any feedback, and if you have questions leave a comment and I’ll do my best to reply.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

It’s that time of year when most state legislatures are gearing up. If you’re a cigar smoker, it’s also time to get ready to fight.

Although much of the cigar world’s attention is on federal efforts, such as the Food & Drug Administration’s proposal to regulate cigars, states are often where the most important legislation originates. The good news is this is also the area where individuals—especially when they’re organized—can have significant influence. Local and state politicians recognize their elections are usually low-turnout affairs and even a small, committed cadre can wield tremendous clout.

Last week, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) sent out a legislative update highlighting a dozen states where bills have been introduced that could impact cigar smokers. Not all are negative. Some would be positive. Quite a few deal with taxes, so they could affect what you pay. It’s imperative that cigar smokers in each state understand what’s at stake and get involved early.

In the first part of this StogieGuys.com report, we’ll highlight the latest pending legislation, using (to a large extent) material from IPCPR. If you don’t see your state don’t be complacent; this is not a comprehensive list, and developments can happen at nearly any time.

Kansas: House Bill 2219 would expand the exemptions allowed under the current law, which permits smoking in retail tobacco shops, casino gaming floors, private clubs, and some other establishments. Opponents claim the bill would allow smoking in virtually any business, but my reading is that probably the only real effect would be to allow smoking in bars. A similar bill last year went nowhere.

Kentucky: House Bill 190, the “Smoke-Free Kentucky Act,” would pretty much rule out smoking in any enclosed public or employment place, and there are no exemptions for tobacco shops.

Oklahoma: Senate Bill 36 would give localities the power to control tobacco, authority that is now reserved for the state. Senate Bill 327 would repeal a current law that prohibits discrimination against smokers and allow employers to reject applicants and fire workers who smoke.

Washington: Senate Bill 5070 would create an exemption to the statewide smoking ban by allowing retail tobacco shops to purchase a license that would permit smoking.

Florida: Two proposals have been introduced, House Bill 439 and Senate Bill 258, that would weaken the state’s sole authority to regulate smoking by granting localities the right to institute bans on municipal property (parks and beaches, for example).

Oregon: Senate Bill 119 and House Bill 2481 would permit localities to impose their own taxes on tobacco products.

The Oregon proposal is one of many involving taxes, but it’s about the only one that’s so straightforward. Cigars usually fall under the broad category of “other tobacco products,” and deciphering exactly what tax gets applied can be tricky.

These states are considering tax changes, according to the IPCPR’s update: Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico and Tennessee.

In Part II, we’ll look at ways you can find out what’s up in your state and exert influence.

–George E

photo credit: N/A