The Stogie Guys

Hopefully cigar connoisseurs have woken up to the threat posed by impending FDA regulation of handmade cigars. If not, it can be summarized like this:

Given what we know about the FDA approval process, if new cigars are required to seek FDA approval before being sold, then effectively there will be no new handmade cigars introduced. When it comes to requiring that type of pre-approval, the FDA has proposed two options: (1) all cigars must get their pre-approval, or (2) the vast majority of cigars must get FDA pre-approval.

Under option two (as it’s referred to in the FDA’s deeming document), a small percentage of new cigars would become exempt by meeting an arbitrarily restrictive definition of “premium cigar.” When it comes to the FDA’s proposed definition, the $10 price floor for a cigar to be “premium” has gotten much attention because it’s so obviously ill-conceived.

Less attention has been paid to the second most problematic aspect of option two’s definition of premium cigars: an effective prohibition (due to the difficulty of FDA approval) on cigars with “characterizing flavor” other than tobacco. Even setting aside definitional problems, like the fact that the Fuente Anejo could be characterized as having a characterizing flavor because the wrappers are aged in rum barrels (or that the FDA has refused to say if cedar aging could be considered “characterizing flavor), there is a big problem with the FDA’s rationale.

The problem with effectively banning new flavored cigars is there is no rational reason to do so. There is no research I’ve seen to suggest that handmade flavored (or infused) cigars are smoked more often by children, nor do they pose any additional health risks.

When President Obama signed the Tobacco Control Act (which authorizes the FDA to regulate tobacco) he said the following: “Removing these flavored products from the market is important because it removes an avenue that young people can use to begin regular tobacco use.” That may be true of cigarettes (and possibly even small cigars and machine-made products), but not cigars like Drew Estate Acid, Rocky Patel Java, or CAO Flavours.

Let’s be honest. Many handmade cigar smokers look down on flavored cigars (my preference is for “traditional” cigars too). But if you think about who you’ve seen buying these cigars, they are still not underage or even particularly young. I strongly suspect much of the survey data that says machine-made cigars in general, and flavored machine-made cigars in particular, may be more likely to be used by youth is a function of them being used in tandem with illegal drugs, which is entirely unrelated to youth smoking issues.

The fact is, all handmade cigars are about flavor, as opposed to being primarily nicotine delivery devices like cigarettes, something the FDA implicitly recognized when considering a premium cigar exemption. And following that logic to it’s conclusion, there’s no reason to discriminate against those who like their cigars with coffee flavors as opposed to full of Nicaraguan Ligero or with a flavorful Broadleaf wrappers.

It’s just another reason why cigar smokers should let their voices be heard during the FDA’s comment period to oppose regulation, including pre-approval of handmade cigars.

–Patrick S

photo credits: Stogie Guys

It’s hard to believe Sam Leccia’s Leccia Tobacco outfit has only been around for about a year. I know many people who consider his Black and White blends to be regulars in their rotations, and the new Luchador series, a Mexican-wrapped smoke that debuted on Cinco de Mayo, is already making inroads (we’ll have a full review on Luchador shortly).

Before getting Leccia Tobacco off the ground, Leccia, formerly of Nub and Cain fame, couldn’t stay away from the industry any longer than he was legally obligated to. He originally tried to jump back in the business in 2011 with a Toraño-distributed brand called Debut, which prompted a lawsuit from Oliva and postponed his return until 2013.

With the conclusion of his non-compete agreement with the Oliva Cigar Co., his former employer, Leccia’s return was formally announced in April 2013, and last June he unveiled his new company at the IPCPR Trade Show. Its two inaugural blends—Black and White—are distributed by Toraño.

The Black is made in Nicaragua and features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Nicaraguan Rosado binder, and a filler blend of Dominican Ligero, Brazilian Mata Fina, and some fire-cured tobacco. White is made in the Dominican Republic with a Cameroon wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and a filler blend that includes Pennsylvanian tobacco.

The White 446—also known as “Little Guy”—is about $7 and measures 4 inches long with a ring gauge of 46. The small cigar is dry, toothy, and nearly vein-free with pre-light notes of sweet caramel and milk chocolate. The cap, which seems hastily applied, clips cleanly enough to reveal an easy draw.

In my experience, this smaller format of the White blend is the spiciest. Whereas the larger Double Toro, Toro, or even Robusto have more of a doughy texture, the 446 is drier and more cedar-forward with background notes of roasted nuts, cream, coffee, and white pepper. The finish has a sweetness (almost marshmallow) that’s characteristic of Cameroon tobacco.

Construction is excellent with voluminous smoke production, a straight burn, solid ash, and smooth draw. But, as I’ve written before, the White blend burns quickly, so it’s advised to take your time to savor the flavor and keep the smoke from getting hot or harsh.

Looking for a mild- to medium-bodied stick that’s perfect for walking the dog, pairing with a morning cup of coffee, or fitting in during a lunch break? The Leccia Tobacco White 446 fits the bill. For its harmonious combination of flavors and solid value, this Little Guy earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This is an oldie that remains a goodie.

I’ve long been an Oliva cigar smoker, but in the past couple of years that’s tended to focus on the Serie V, especially the Melanio extension. Frankly, I couldn’t remember the last time I lit up a Serie O. I reviewed the Toro back in 2008, knocking it down a bit for performance problems.

The four Serie O Robustos—in the typical 5-inch, 50 ring gauge format—I smoked for this review had none of those. In fact, the burn, draw, ash, and smoke production were all excellent.

It’s a tasty Nicaraguan puro with a sun-grown Habano wrapper, and Habano filler from several regions of the country.

The Robusto is fairly complex, shifting gears along the way as it produces notes of spice, cedar, and earthiness. It’s never harsh, and the finish is delicately pleasing. Through the years, both Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Journal have awarded the Serie O vitolas high marks.

I think the Robusto is just about ideal for this blend. It’s big enough to supply the various tastes, but not so much cigar that it devolves a sense of sameness. You put it down wanting more, not wishing there had been less. And we can’t ignore the price. Coming in at only a shade over $100 for a box of 20, the Robusto Serie O is a genuine bargain.

If you, like me, haven’t smoked one in a while, I highly recommend you give it a try. I’ve enjoyed these so much I plan to check some of the other Oliva lines I haven’t had in years.

As for the Serie O Robusto, I rate it three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

First, I’d like to apologize for the lack of pipe content in the last couple weeks (you may recall my previous articles on why I smoke a pipe, tools of the trade, beginner pipe blends, and how to properly pack a pipe). I have been in a swamp of finals and term papers finishing up my first semester at graduate school, and I just have had no time to write anything about pipes, much less to smoke any. But, the semester is over, summer is here, and I’m back to smoking! So today we will talk about building cake in a pipe.

So, first off, what is cake? Cake is the term for the carbon build-up left in a pipe after you smoke a bowl of tobacco. Cake is a good thing. You want a nice, even cake lining the bowl of your pipe. This will help keep the smoke cool, and it will also lend a particular flavor to your smoking, depending on what types of tobacco you’ve built that cake with.

A very important thing to remember from this definition is that we want cake to be even. If your pipe’s cake gets too thick, you can crack the pipe and permanently break it. So, anytime you think it might be getting too thick, take the scraping part of your pipe tool and just break it down. Exactly how much cake one wants is up to debate, but the general rule I’ve heard is about the thickness of a dime.

How does one build cake? There are a lot of tricks. Some will tell you to fill your pipe with honey or jelly so that the ash will stick to it, others will recommend plugging the pipe somehow, etc. All of these tricks have one thing in common: They are unproven, and risky. The only way to reliably build cake is to smoke your pipe, evenly, to the bottom of the bowl.

The method I use to break in a pipe takes quite a long time, but it’s a great way to do so, and it ensures you get a consistently even cake. All you’re going to do is pack about a quarter of your pipe and smoke it, all the way to the bottom of the bowl. If you cannot finish all the tobacco in one sitting, just place the pipe down and come back to it. After you’ve done maybe six or eight bowls at a quarter full, bump it up to a half bowl, and, again, smoke six or eight bowls. If you keep doing this, afterwards jumping to 3/4 of a bowl and then finally full bowls, you’ll experience a cool, sweet, broken-in pipe.

If you have any questions about how to build cake, if you have any tobaccos that you think perform particularly well for cake-building (I prefer a burly blend like Prince Albert), or if you have any other experiences or stories about breaking in a pipe, let me know.

–Joey J

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.”

The Tatuaje Black Lancero has come in a few different packages, from “The Old Man and the C” (culebra/lancero pack) to a New York/New Jersey retailer exclusive (a show of support for the region in the wake of Superstorm Sandy). This particular one comes from the recently released Tatuaje Lancero sampler, featuring 10 different Tatuaje blends each in a classic format (7.5 x 38). The result is a creamy, nuanced, medium-bodied cigar with nuttiness, cocoa, and just a bit of spice. I always measure Tatuaje Blacks against the original ceramic jar release, which is one of the finest cigars I’ve ever smoked. Against that high bar, this doesn’t quite stack up. Still, it’s a well-made, enjoyable cigar that’s easy to recommend.

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.”

While Drew Estate crafts many excellent cigars, in my opinion there is none finer than the elusive Velvet Rat (one of only a few cigars to ever receive our five-out-of-five rating). Yes, it’s hard to find. Yes, it’s expensive at about $14. But this Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped beauty is a lighter, creamier, more harmonious blend than the famed Liga Privada No. 9. I love me some Liga, however the Velvet Rat (6.25 x 46) elevates the blend to a new level. Expect Drew Estate’s trademark draw with notes of coffee bean, cocoa, pepper spice, syrup, and caramel. Think moist chocolate cake.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys