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.”

Houston-based Stogies World Class Cigars has commissioned some of the industry’s best brands to produce a family of “H-Town” lanceros, including Quesada, Tatuaje, Room 101, Fratello, and La Palina. A Four Kicks Lancero from Crowned Heads was added to the series in October. It retails for about $9 and features the familiar Four Kicks recipe—Ecuadorian Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan tobaccos—in a lancero format (7.5 x 38). Bready in texture with notes ranging from crisp honey and red pepper to spicy cedar and chewy leather, this well-constructed specimen is a joy to smoke and an easy recommendation, especially if you’re a lancero admirer and/or a Four Kicks fan.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

While the clock counts down until the FDA deeming rule regulating premium cigars and OTP (other tobacco products) becomes law, tobacco industry groups impacted by the forthcoming rule continue to work to lessen the damage of FDA regulation.

The long-term stifling of innovation by FDA regulation would be devastating given the cost of bringing new cigars to market, but in the short-term the impact would be even more drastic. As we’ve explained before, FDA regulation could likely wipe out every new cigar introduced since February 15, 2007, which would retroactively be subject to FDA approval.

Given the constant innovation and hundreds of new products introduced every year, estimates claim 80% or more of the handmade cigars sold every day could be wiped out by the rule. (In theory, such products could be approved as “substantially equivalent” to products that were already on the market in 2007, but the process is extremely complicated and the FDA hasn’t shown any ability or willingness to approve new tobacco products.)

For other tobacco products, like e-cigarettes, for which there were virtually no substantially equivalent products on the market prior to 2007, the impact would be even larger. Because of this, a variety of industry groups have coordinated a push to change any grandfathered date in the deeming rules.

The simple fix would make it clear that a product cannot be subject to pre-market review by the FDA if it is introduced to market before that type of product is deemed a tobacco product for purposes of FDA regulation. The language has been introduced as House Bill 2058, but to improve the odds of it being codified into law advocates have been trying to attach the legislation to the appropriations bill that covers FDA funding.

With rumors swirling that the FDA rule sent to the White House for final approval doesn’t contain “Option 2,” which would at least exempt cigars with a retail price above $10 from FDA pre-approval, a change of the grandfathered date is particularly important. Otherwise, cigars ranging from San Cristobal (introduced in 2007) to Sobermesa (introduced last month) could be wiped out.

Currently, the FDA maintains the date cannot be changed from the 2007 date, which was included in the bill that ordered the agency to regulate cigarettes. While others have questioned that interpretation, the stance makes a legislative fix necessary.

The language has already been attached to the House appropriations bill. Now advocates are hoping to attach it to the accompanying Senate appropriations act, with hope, if it passes, pressure would prevent President Obama from vetoing the large bill over this one relatively small issue.

–Patrick S

photo credits: Stogie Guys

December is upon us. Before you know it, most of us will be in the throes of the coldest time of the year—a time that isn’t particularly friendly to cigar smokers or humidors. So I thought today might be a good time to reflect on some of the winter-related content we’ve published over the past (nearly ten!) years as we all brace for the drop in temperature.

First up is an article from January 2007, written by my colleague while he was vacationing in Belize. There’s an absurdity associated with writing an “Ode to the Cold Weather Smoker” from such a tropical location, and I suppose most people would also call standing outside in the winter just to smoke a cigar absurd. But, as he puts it, “To brave inclement weather shows true dedication to the wonderful hobby that is cigars… When many might close up the humidor until late spring, the cold weather smoker bravely smokes on.”

Next we have a piece I wrote in December 2007 about the strategy of smoking shorter, quicker cigars to minimize your exposure to the elements. My recommendations at the time (which now seem very dated) included the Punch Champion, Montecristo Petit Edmundo, Fuente Hemingway Short Story, and the Oliva Serie G Special. And don’t forget length isn’t the only determinant of the time it will take to smoke a cigar; thin ring gauges should also be favored in the colder months.

Of course, if you have an indoor smoking sanctuary—or a great cigar lounge nearby—you can feel more confident lighting up that large Churchill. But such spaces can be really hard to find, depending on where you are. Government-imposed smoking bans have outlawed many bars, restaurants, and other establishments from offering cigar-friendly accommodations. In certain municipalities, private residences in multi-unit buildings have even been targeted. The result? In the winter, a multitude of cigar smokers must either curtail their cigar consumption until the weather improves; smoke out in the cold; build some kind of cigar sanctuary at their home, if possible; or find a welcoming cigar lounge, however far away.

Whether indoors or out, it’ll be a good idea to keep a warm beverage by your side. Here are our five favorite winter drinks, including the hot toddy, hot buttered rum, and the Stonewall Jackson—an American classic consisting of hot cider and bourbon (but rye, Tennessee whiskey, or even spiced rum fill in nicely).

Finally, this article from 2012 is full of holiday-specific tips, including winterizing your humidor, giving cigars as gifts, traveling with cigars, and sharing favorites.

Here’s wishing you a safe, happy, healthy, and cigar-filled winter. If you have any other articles, resources, tips, etc. to help us get through the cold months, feel free to leave a comment below.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

Being named “Whisky of the Year” is a kind of a big deal. But it was an even bigger deal when Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, a Canadian whiskey, was selected for the honor in the just-released version of Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible.

Predictably, this blew the mind of many scotch and bourbon fans who tend to look down at simple low-proof Canadian whiskey. Not to mention the low price ($26-35) and wide availability of Northern Harvest Rye compared to the kinds of collectible, super rare whiskies that many consider to be the best of the best (I’m looking at you, Pappy).

With all that in mind, I decided to try Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye to decide for myself if it is the best whiskey ever, or the most overrated. More likely I’d find it somewhere in between.

The 95-proof spirit features a light straw color and a nose with fresh banana bread, light wood, and spice. The palate is very smooth and balanced (smoother than you’d expect from 90-proof) with wood, baking spices, and a toned-down dill flavor similar to what you might find from Bulleit Rye. The finish is short and sweet.

First, let me be clear about what Northern Harvest isn’t. It isn’t the best whiskey I’ve had in the past year (or even month). It isn’t the best rye, either. It isn’t even the best Canadian Whiskey for my taste preferences (I prefer Lot 40, which features similar flavors but with more intensity.)

That said, not being “the best” doesn’t make it bad. In fact, it has a lot going for it. It’s pleasant, balanced, smooth, approachable, and affordable.

There’s a theory that Murray chose this as his Whiskey of the Year to bring awareness to a well-made, widely distributed Canadian whiskey; a nudge of sorts for drinkers to check out what Canada has to offer, and also to prompt Canadian whiskey makers to unleash their potential. (You could say naming a Japanese whiskey Whisky of the Year last year did similar things for Japanese single malt.) Not to mention, by forgoing a rare single malt or bourbon, this year’s Whisky of the Year is something you’ll actually be able to find on shelves.

Pair it with a mild- to medium-bodied cigar so the balanced flavors don’t get overwhelmed. Try a Mexican San Andrés-wrapped maduro like the Illusione *R* Rothchildes. A good $4 cigar and a fine sub-$30 whiskey… What’s not to like about that?

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys