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) For the first time in its history, La Gloria Cubana is launching cigars with Nicaragua as the country of origin. The Dominican-based brand, made famous by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo for General Cigar, recently announced two expansions of its Serie R line. The first is called Serie R Black, which will feature an “audacious” Jalapa ligero wrapper around Nicaraguan tobaccos. Three thick sizes will be available and the retail price will be in the $7-8 range. Details about the second new La Gloria Cubana blend won’t be released until June. According to Michael Giannini, General Cigar’s director of innovation, these blends are “meant to deliver the smoking experience of a well-aged, refined, and balanced Nicaraguan smoke, and we believe we’re delivering that in spades.”

2) Last week we told you about Kevin de León, a state senator in California who’s aiming to drastically increase the excise tax on premium cigars in order to fund “yet-to-be-specified health programs and causes.” Now Keith K. Park, CEO of Los Angeles-based Prometheus and a passionate advocate for cigar rights, is imploring Californian cigar consumers, tobacconists, distributors, and manufacturers to tell their state representatives to oppose the measure. If you live in the Golden State, make your voice heard via this action center.

3) SPECIAL UPDATE: To mark seven years of daily publishing—that’s right, seven years—StogieGuys.com is celebrating its anniversary by launching an unprecedented cigar giveaway from some of our favorite cigar makers. Details will follow shortly. For now, though, make sure you’re signed up for our free email newsletter so you’re eligible to win these unforgettable prizes. And check back to StogieGuys.com often for the commencement of our giveaways. This is gonna be huge!

4) Inside the Industry: Pinar del Rio announced it is taking over distribution for Sean Williams’ El Primer Mundo lines. Ted’s Cigars is introducing the official Duck Commander cigar, which is licensed by the family at the center of the hit A&E show Duck Dynasty. CAO Hurricane, a cigar we first reported on last October, is finally shipping to selected retailers.

5) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan smokes the CyB Robusto. Stogie Review reviews the Liga Privada Velvet Rat. Cigar Inspector inspects the Rocky Patel R4. Tiki Bar kicks back with an Eddie Ortega Wild Bunch Honest Abe. Stogie Fresh lights up the Juanitos Cigarros 4-19.

6) Deal of the Week: Pinar del Rio makes some great sticks at reasonable prices, and this special sampler is a perfect example. $34 gets you a dozen Pinar del Rio cigars (that’s under $3 per stick) including such highly rated smokes as four Small Batch cigars.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar

Buffalo Trace is one of the most prolific bourbon makers in America. In addition to their eponymous bourbon, Buffalo Trace makes a range that includes the impossible-to-find Pappy Van Winkle; the slightly more available Special Reserve; the cutting-edge-turned-classic Blanton’s Single Barrel; the highly sought-after Antique Collection, including George T Stagg; and great values like Eagle Rare and W.L. Weller, among others.

One Buffalo Trace bourbon that I had missed over the years was Elmer T. Lee, at least until last week. (Credit goes to David “Doc” Diaz of Stogie Fresh for speaking highly of it during one of the bourbon conversations on my recent Cigar Safari.) At his urging, I picked up a bottle for the reasonable price of $30.

The single barrel selection is named in honor of longtime Buffalo Trace head distiller Elmer T. Lee. And while the now retired Lee goes by the title “Master Distiller Emeritus,” he still personally selects the barrels that go into his 90-proof, single barrel bourbon.

Elmer T. Lee, which comes in a classic-looking squat, square-ish bottle, pours a light copper color. The nose features a bit of oak with lots of sweetness including vanilla, rock candy, marshmallow, and tropical fruits.

On the palate you find a soft, easy drinking combination of vanilla, honey, and dried fruit. The finish shows hints at some woody spice but quickly tapers off, leaving you wanting more.

And that’s what I enjoy about this bourbon. It’s an easy sipper that’s balanced and rich. You’ll want to look for similar qualities in a cigar pairing. Herrera Estelí, PG Gourmet Series, La Aurora 107, L’Atelier, and Illusione Epernay are some of the cigars that fit the bill.

As for Elmer T. Lee, this seems like a definite addition to my permanent rotation. It’s 95% of the richness of Blanton’s at just 60% of the price, and certainly worthy of drinking straight. If you like bourbon but haven’t made a point of trying Elmer T. Lee, it’s highly advised that you pick some up. I’m certainly glad I did.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

About a year ago, I wrote about my “storage wars,” the term I’ve affectionately assigned to the concept of having multiple humidors in lieu of one central, controlled location for all of my cigars. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have one large humidor in your home, preferably a walk-in, with all the cigars easily accessible, sorted by name, and labeled with received dates?” I wrote. “It would make aging simpler, humidification easier to monitor, and your whole stash more organized.”

Having multiple humidors (as I still do) can be somewhat of a curse because each humidor has its own mannerisms, creating extra variables for sensitivity, humidity, and temperature. But my collection of disparate, smaller humidors is also a blessing, as each one comes with a story and significant sentimental value. The humidor I got for my wedding that’s engraved with my wedding date is particularly important to me.

Recently, it became clear that one of my not-so-sentimental humidors needed to be replaced. I had purchased it on Ebay in my younger days. It was very inexpensive but also very low-quality. The interior wood was not Spanish cedar. The seal on the lid was poor. And, as a result, I found myself in a constant struggle to keep the humidity at a proper level. So I manned up and got an Adorini Cedro Deluxe.

It quickly became apparent that the Adorini Cedro Deluxe would be the highest quality humidor in my collection. And it should be. The retail price for the moderate-sized (9 x 11 x 5) humidor is $324 (though you can currently pick one up from Humidor Discount for under $260). For that amount of coin you’d expect the humidor to exceed the expectations of the most discerning cigar enthusiast. After using the humidor on my own cigars for the past month, I expect it will.

Several features of the Adorini Cedro Deluxe bear highlighting. First, the interior of the lid is magnetic, which means you can remove or adjust the location of the hygrometer and the humidifier. This is a huge bonus as different cigar configurations call for different lid setups to maximize headroom. Second, the interior has unique “ventilation ribs” to improve air circulation. I haven’t seen this before; apparently it’s an Adorini protected innovation. Third, fitted separators fit into the ribs to enable you to create custom separator arrangements.

Other capabilities include a pre-calibrated hygrometer, a gold-plated humidifier with adjustable ventilation openings, extra-strong hinges, a felt bottom, and a beautiful cedar veneer. From an educational standpoint, Adorini should also be commended for including a well-written, informative pamphlet with the humidor that details why Spanish cedar is preferred, tips for storing cigars, and frequent humidor problems and solutions.

Needless to say, I’m a fan. Adorini has set a new standard for me. In the little time I’ve been using the Cedro Deluxe, I’ve found the setup to be fairly simple and the maintenance to be quite easy. True, this is a significant investment. But it’s one that promises to pay dividends for many years to come.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In this latest segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I ponder cigar names, electronic smoking devices, and cigar sponsorships.

Name That Stogie

I’ve been critical of the names some cigar makers choose for their sticks, so it seems only right that I offer some praise for what seems to me to be a good trend: fewer and fewer with Cuban roots. It’s easy to see why, after Cuba nationalized the cigar industry in the ’60s, former owners who fled wanted to keep their brand names for new operations elsewhere. But others seem to have simply adopted Cuban brand names simply to cash in on the association with Cuban cigars. In recent years, though, the trend seems to have slowed considerably. Perhaps it’s partly the influence of numerous successful cigar makers without a Cuban background, such as Rocky Patel.  Perhaps it’s part of the industry’s natural growing process. Or maybe they’re finally just running out of good Cuban names. Whatever the reason, I think it’s a good trend, one I’m happy to see continue.

Electrifying

Occasionally, I hear from an electronic cigarette manufacturer introducing a new product, asking if I want a sample to review, or simply extolling the virtues of vaping. Frankly, I can’t think of anything much more misguided than e-cig makers trying to appeal to smokers of premium cigars. E-cigs, like conventional cigarettes, are simply nicotine delivery systems. Premium cigars aren’t. It’s as simple as that. I have nothing against e-cigs. I hope the industry grows and prospers. But I also hope they learn a little bit more about cigars, and what makes cigar enthusiasts tick.

Patron-izing

I’m pleased to see the Orange Bowl debacle didn’t discourage cigar companies from sports sponsorships, both charitable and commercial. Among the latest is General Cigar, which is sponsoring the Golf Channel program Big Break Mexico. And Arturo Fuente and J.C. Newman were among those involved in a benefit for a local Tampa little league.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr (CC)

One year ago I reviewed the Toro vitola of Romeo, a new blend that aimed to bring a bolder, more modern feel to the Romeo y Julieta brand.

This Ecuadorian Habano-wrapped line sported a contemporary band that broke from the traditional motifs of its Romeo y Julieta predecessors. It came packaged in sleek, curved boxes. And it strove to capitalize on two pervasive industry trends: larger ring gauges and more powerful flavor profiles.

So when I saw the new Saint Luis Rey Gen2 blend, also made by tobacco giant Altadis, I couldn’t help but compare it to Romeo. It seems like Altadis is following the same formula: revive and/or diversify an older brand that has been in the U.S. market for decades by launching a new, fuller-bodied line with modern marketing and large ring gauges. “We wanted to…launch an innovative new concept with SLR Gen2 to attract a wide range of different consumers not only with the unique blend but also with the attractive price positioning,” reads a recent press release from Altadis.

SLR Gen2 employs a beautiful, reddish Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. It comes in three sizes: Robusto (4.5 x 54), Toro (6 x 54), and Titan (6 x 60).

Once lit, the Toro’s pre-light notes of sweet earth and leather give way to a bready taste with a sharp, lingering cedar spice that covers the palate. After an inch, the sharpness rounds off, leaving more of an earthy profile. Coffee creamer comes and goes. The midway point is characterized by more leather, bread, and espresso. The finale witnesses a reduction in spice and an increase of mustiness. Traces of meaty notes are peppered throughout.

As far as construction goes, the burn is by no means perfect, but it tends to be straight enough to avoid the need for touch-ups. Each puff produces thick, ample smoke that smells earthy and a little sweet. The draw is easy and the ash is very flaky.

The Saint Luis Rey Gen2 retails for $5.75-6.75 apiece. That’s a fair price for a suitable cigar. I will say, however, that the flavor leaves something to be desired, especially in today’s crowded marketplace of fine cigars. Truthfully, I have a hard time seeing how the Toro will work its way into my rotation. Taking all this into consideration, I’m settling on a rating of three stogies out of five.

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

–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.”

I put a box of these Torpedos in my humidor a couple years ago, and they already had years of age on them before they came into my possession. This Padilla 1948 was made by Pepin before the two parted ways back in early 2008. It was never a particularly full-bodied smoke, and the years have only mellowed this cigar. There are hints of cream, coffee, and cedar with a slightly sour, damp cardboard flavor. While the construction is still excellent, the flavors are just so-so.

Verdict = Hold.

–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 cigar can be summed up easily: excellent. From the dark, oily Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and pungent cold aroma to a symphony of flavors that begins with the light and never lets up, the Colorado Oscuro No. 4 is terrific. La Flor’s Florida-area manager, Antonio Gomez, told me the line is produced once or twice a year, “depending on wrapper availability.” The blend, with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, remains the same each time, Gomez added. As with many LFDs, it’s a strong cigar, but by no means overwhelming. The No. 4 is hefty, weighing in at 5.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 54. And, if I may repeat myself, it’s excellent.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: La Flor Dominicana