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.”

I’ve enjoyed some of the Viaje Skull and Bones blends in the past, so I picked up a few of this latest Edición Limitada version when it came out in February. The thick (5 x 60) stick is presumably an all-Nicaraguan blend, although I haven’t seen that formally confirmed. It features a leathery profile with plenty of red pepper spice. Not the full-bodied bomb that some other Skull and Bones releases are, Big Ivan is more medium- to full-bodied. Construction is good, but ultimately I like the smaller releases far better.

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.”

Few modern-day cigars have the cachet of Don Pepin Garcia’s original limited edition El Centurion. That has carried over to anticipation for this 10th anniversary blend recently released by My Father Cigars. Intended as a regular production line, the four sizes include a nod to the demand for big ring gauges, as one sports a 58. I smoked the more moderate-sized Toro (6.25 x 52). Blended from a variety of Nicaraguan tobaccos, the spicy start signals immediately that it is a Pepin creation, as does the fine construction, draw, and burn. About halfway down, the cigar transitions into more complex and rich flavors. It may not be as storied as its predecessor, but it is an excellent cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

Tastes change. At least mine do.

More than six years ago, I reviewed the then-new Ecuadorian Connecticut-wrapped Lot 23 Toro with Nicaraguan filler and binder from a Perdomo farm. I wasn’t particularly impressed.

For whatever reason, I rarely delve into Perdomo’s extensive offerings (more info on the various brands here), so it didn’t take much for Lot 23 to slip from my consciousness after that.

Recently, though, I picked up ten Robustos at what seemed a bargain price, under $3 per stick. Something made me want to give this cigar another try. I’ve smoked a few from this new batch, and I’m glad I decided to revisit the cigar. I’ve enjoyed each of them.

For one thing, I think the Robusto (5 x 50) is better suited to the Lot 23 blend than the inch-longer Toro. I also haven’t noticed the dryness that bothered me before.

But more importantly, I believe my tastes are not the same as they were in 2007. I think I was smoking a lot of stronger cigars back then. My selections ran more toward Don Pepin Garcia, Tatuaje, La Flor Dominicana, and other potent sticks.

I also don’t think I was as open to a milder cigar. Although I continue to smoke many strong cigars, these days I seem to have moved to a different taste plane where I can appreciate subtlety and nuance as well, particularly as a change of pace.

So for this review, I’ll revise my earlier rating of the Lot 23 and award it a very solid four stogies out of five. Who knows what I’ll find if I smoke a Lot 23 in 2019?

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

StogieGuys.com is, first and foremost, a cigar publication. Every day for seven years, we’ve published an article written to interest the informed cigar smoking reader. Our only editorial bias is pro-cigar; we are opposed to tobacco taxes, smoking bans, and cigar regulations.

Despite our narrow focus on cigars, over the years we’ve written quite a bit about bourbons, given how well they tend to pair with a fine cigar. To that end, here’s a StogieGuys.com guide to bourbon. (This is part two; part one was published yesterday.) In addition to a link to the full write-up, I’ve included my take on the defining characteristics of each whiskey.

Obviously, this isn’t every bourbon available (and we’ll certainly be adding to our Spirits articles with more bourbon write-ups in the future), but it’s a pretty thorough overview of what’s out there. To that end, here is the Cliffs Notes version of our coverage of bourbon. And of course, each article has a few recommended cigar pairings:

Jefferson’s Presidential Select 18 Year – Phenomenal, though a pricey bourbon with spice, wood, and vanilla.

Jefferson’s Reserve – Elegant older bourbon with lots of vanilla and wood.

Jim Beam Distiller’s Series – Quality for the price ($21) and a versatile mixer or sipper.

Johnny Drum Private Stock – Approachable with plenty of spice.

Knob Creek Single Barrel – Barrel-strength bourbon that’s well-balanced with plenty of vanilla and wood.

Larceny – Sweet, rounded, and lively. Good value and an excellent alternative to Maker’s Mark.

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel – Chared oak and woody. Nice but pricey.

Noah’s Mill – Old, balanced, woody, and spicy. And also quite delicious.

Pure Kentucky Small Batch – Overly woody. Lacks balance but well-priced if you like old-tasting bourbons.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year – More refined small batch variation of Wild Turkey. Still has plenty of spice along with roasted flavors.

St. George Breaking & Entering – Balanced blend of straight bourbons with cherry and caramel notes.

Van Winkle Family Reserve 12 Year  – Hard to find but worth it with thick butterscotch flavors.

Wathen’s Single Barrel – Honey and spice with a long finish.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed – Lively variation of classic Wild Turkey with plenty of spice and wood.

Willet Pot Still Reserve – Smooth sipping bourbon, but you pay extra for the fancy bottle.

Woodford Reserve – Bold yet approachable. A well-crafted classic.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – Oaky, complex, and nuanced, though you pay for the privilege.

OK, technically our guide only goes to “W” because we’ve yet to find a bourbon that starts with Z. But keep an eye out for more additions (I see a  couple prospects on my shelf as I write this). And, in the meantime, check out our general guide to pairing spirits with a cigar.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[This is part 1 of our A-Z Bourbon Guide. Read part 2 here.]

StogieGuys.com is, first and foremost, a cigar publication. Every day for seven years, we’ve published an article written to interest the informed cigar smoking reader. Our only editorial bias is pro-cigar; we are opposed to tobacco taxes, smoking bans, and cigar regulations.

Despite our narrow focus on cigars, over the years we’ve written quite a bit about bourbons, given how well they tend to pair with a fine cigar. To that end, here’s a StogieGuys.com guide to bourbon. (This is part one, with part two coming tomorrow.) In addition to a link to the full write-up, I’ve included my take on the defining characteristics of each whiskey.

Obviously, this isn’t every bourbon available (and we’ll certainly be adding to our Spirits articles with more bourbon write-ups in the future), but it’s a pretty thorough overview of what’s out there. To that end, here is the Cliffs Notes version of our coverage of bourbon. And of course, each article has a few recommended cigar pairings:

1792 Ridgemont Reserve – Dry and oaky, with spice and fruit flavors.

A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 – Basically impossible to find now (think $400+) but very refined and very special.

Angel’s Envy – Deliciously sweet and refined with fruit notes from the port barrel finish.

Basil Hayden’s – Mild, sweet, easy-drinking spirit, though you can get better for the price.

Booker’s – Thrilling and powerful, yet refined, barrel-strength bourbon from Beam.

Buffalo Trace – Balanced, easy-sipping, and an affordable ($22) standby.

Bulleit 10 Year Single Barrel – Spicy with lots of vanilla. Very lively.

Corner Creek Reserve – Dry and woody, with just enough vanilla.

Elijah Craig 18 Year Single Barrel – Tremendous bourbon for the price (~$40) that sadly has been discontinued.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage – This edition (1998) is simultaneous clean, balanced, and complex. Also a great value ($25).

Four Roses Single Barrel – Classic balanced bourbon with equal parts sweet and spice.

Four Roses Small Batch – Great combination of richness and value. Very balanced.

Eagle Rare Single Barrel – Hard to beat for the price ($25). Well-rounded, sweet, and plenty tasty.

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrell – Not quite the richness of Blanton’s but similar and nearly half the price.

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch – Phenomenal value at $15 with good balance.

George T Stagg – A rare (now very hard to acquire) bourbon with serious intensity and full flavors. Worth seeking out.

Hudson Baby Bourbon – Aged quickly in mini barrels, it’s fresh with sweet corn, wood, and lots of fire.

Hooker’s House Bourbon – Finished in pinot noir barrels, it has a soft, fruit edge.

Tomorrow you can see part two, which includes a wide range of offerings from large and small bourbon companies. And of course keep an eye out for more additions (I see a couple prospects on my shelf, pictured above, as I write this). And, in the meantime, check out our general guide to pairing spirits with a cigar.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

A few weeks back, I received a notice from Cigar Rights of America (CRA) that my membership was up for renewal. I’ve been a member pretty much since CRA’s inception, and am happy to support their efforts to defend cigars and battle against bans and taxes.

For renewing my membership, CRA sent me two complimentary cigars. One was the Vegas Cubanas by Don Pepin Garcia. Like the other cigars CRA members are entitled to, it is not available anywhere else. From what I can tell, while the makeup of the cigar is the same as the standard Vegas Cubanas blend that’s been on the market since 2005, its proportions (6 x 52) are unique, though very similar to the Generosos vitola (6 x 50), which retails for about $7.

Information is scarce about this CRA offering. Again, though, I have no reason to believe the tobaccos are any different than the original Vegas Cubanas. If that’s the case, this cigar boasts Cuban-seed corojo long-fillers, a Habano Rosado claro wrapper, and a Nicaraguan binder. It is made at El Rey de Los Habanos in Miami.

Like the other Vegas Cubanas cigars I’ve smoked over the years, the pale wrapper is slightly wrinkled, mostly dry, and has a bit of a reddish tinge. The feel is consistently soft from the foot to the triple-cap. Only the faintest pre-light notes of sweet hay are apparent. A double guillotine cut reveals a surprisingly stiff draw.

Once lit, a profile of nuts, coffee, bread, and cedar spice emerges. The spice is dominant, and heavily concentrated on the tip of the tongue. It is offset by sweet honey and a little cream. I don’t think I’m grasping at straws when I say the aftertaste reminds me of graham cracker.

Some of the spice starts to dissipate at the midway point, yet the core flavors remain. All the while the cigar’s physical properties are excellent. The draw opens significantly to enable solid smoke production, the burn line is straight, and the gray ash holds well off the foot.

Truth be told, Vegas Cubanas is not a line that’s been on my radar for some time. So credit is due to CRA for reminding me why I used to light up this line with some regularity. If you’re renewing your CRA membership—or becoming a new member for the first time—you have no way of controlling what they send you. If you happen to get this smoke, you won’t be disappointed. Either way, if you haven’t had a Vegas Cubanas in a while, pick one up. I award this size four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys