The Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 530th in the series.

1) This week, Scott Gottlieb—a 44-year-old physician, clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine, and internist at Tisch Hospital—was confirmed as the new commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Gottlieb takes over the agency at a crucial time for premium cigars, though cigars are not expected to be his top priority (according to the Los Angeles Times, he will first and foremost focus on the epidemic of opioid drug use). That said, we know cigars are on Gottlieb’s radar; his vocal criticism of FDA authority over cigars is the reason cigar industry trade groups have supported his nomination to head the agency. Yesterday, Cigar Rights of America (CRA) reaffirmed its support of Gottlieb in an email. “Confirmation of Dr. Gottlieb is a welcomed sign for the premium cigar industry. CRA looks forward to communicating with Dr. Gottlieb on addressing the bureaucratic overreach in the regulation of premium handmade cigars, consistent with sentiments he expressed in an op-ed that appeared in the New York Post.”

2) In that same CRA email yesterday, the organization is calling for 100,000 petitions to Congress to support an exemption for premium cigars from FDA regulation. “Take action now, and let your voice be heard. Contact your member(s) in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate today and ask that they support H.R. 564 and S. 294, respectively… Don’t just sign the petition, spread the word. If you are a consumer, send the link to your friends. If you are a retailer, share it with your customer base. Let’s grow the numbers and make sure Congress hears from all of us.” The petition can be found here.

3) Minnesota state representative Greg Davids is pushing a budget compromise deal that includes lowering taxes on premium cigars, but Minnesota Governor  Mark Dayton is opposed to the deal. Under current rates, cigars are taxed at 95 percent of the wholesale price with a maximum tax of $3.50. Davids’ tax bill would cut the maximum tax to 50 cents. “At a Capitol press conference on Tuesday, the governor repeatedly mentioned the cigar tax cut being added after the state’s revenue commissioner had been told she had the final version of the bill. Davids called the governor’s statement false, saying that the commissioner had been warned more things may be added to the bill. Davids noted the cigar tax language was part of the House tax bill… He said he backs the tax cut because Minnesota’s taxes on cigars are among the highest in the nation.”

4) Boat International Magazine has a few tips for smoking a cigar on a boat, which isn’t always easy given wind, waves, and humidity.

5) Inside the Industry: Gurkha Cigars announced last week its acquisition of the American Caribbean Cigars Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, the company’s first factory. Gurkha’s partnership with the factory began five years ago. Currently, five million Gurkha cigars are produced at the factory each year.

6) From the Archives: Few words are more frightening to a cigar collector than “tobacco beetle.” You’ll learn how to prevent and deal with the pests here.

7) Deal of the Week: We recommend Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door for just $45. Available boxes include a mint julep set, fine bar accessories, shaving kits, wine, workout gear, coffee kits, and more. You can skip or purchase every month. Sign up today.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Scott-Gottlieb.com

For more than a decade, Davidoff seems to have been looking to add a full-bodied cigar to the Davidoff line. Known for its classic, complex, balanced cigars that tend toward the milder end of the spectrum, various additions over the years have been aimed at consumers who appreciate Davidoff but want a fuller-bodied cigar.

Recent “Black Label” releases—Davidoff Nicaragua, Escurio, and Yamasa—as well as previous releases—Davidoff Millennium, Maduro, Puro Dominicano, and Puro D’Oro—all were marketed in part as Davidoff’s answer to consumers seeking a bolder Davidoff. From a branding and blending prospective, it’s a fine line to walk: something new without betraying a carefully cultivated image and profile. (Success has been mixed: Maduro and Puro D’Oro have been discontinued along with some Millennium vitolas, while Nicaragua was just expanded to a box-pressed line.)

This year, another bolder Davidoff offering was introduced: the 702 Series. For the line, the the company took seven popular White Label vitolas and swapped out the traditional Connecticut wrapper for an Ecuadorian-grown Habano.

The deep brown wrapper was originally featured on a limited edition 2009 Toro Especial cigar and was created by Davidoff as a hybrid of three Cuban seeds. The binder and filler for each of the seven 702 cigars is the same as the non-702 version.

I smoked three of the 2000 size (5.1 x 43). The cigar features an Ecuadorian binder and Dominican filler. The suggested retail price is $15.80.

The cigar starts out with a burst of caramel and cinnamon sweetness, but soon settles into a more traditional combination of roasted nuttiness, café au lait, and warm, well-aged tobacco.

With a perfect draw, solid ash, and even burn, the cigar delivers medium-bodied flavors from start to finish. With the exception of occasional black pepper there isn’t much spice, though towards the final third leather and biscotti flavors emerge.

As mentioned above, Davidoff’s challenge has always been staying true to what makes Davidoff so appreciated as it caters to consumers whose tastes tend toward fuller-bodied flavors. By bifurcating its Black Label and White Label lines, Davidoff has finally settled on a successful formula.

The addition of the 702 Series adds a new twist, but ultimately fits into the White Label line as a medium-bodied cigar that is subtly complex and exquisitely balanced. Davidoff cigars are always priced as premium cigars but they usually deliver, and the 702 Series 2000 is no exception, which is why it earns a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

While the future of premium cigars may be clouded by the uncertainty of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, one thing is clear: Prices are going to continue to rise.

Whether it’s a result of higher taxes, fees, wages, materials, transportation, inflation—or a combination of all of these—you can expect to pay more. That isn’t always bad. I think even the most fervent cheapskate would be hard-pressed to begrudge raises for low-paid Central American laborers and farm workers.

Still, costlier cigars can certainly impact many smokers. Looking for ways to maintain your level of enjoyment without breaking the bank can be tricky. So here are a few points to bear in mind as you try to keep your spending down.

Don’t buy hype. Frequently, you’ll hear or read complaints that some expensive cigar or other is over-hyped. That same objection could be raised about many low-priced smokes as well. Bundles will be pitched as being like a higher-priced brand or as seconds from a major manufacturer with only cosmetic imperfections. Maybe that’s true sometimes. But sometimes someone wins the lottery, too.

Don’t gamble. Sure, you’ve loved every cigar put out by such-and-such a company. That doesn’t mean you’ll love the next one. Be sure to sample a stick or two of any cigar before investing your hard-earned cash in a box. Better to miss out on the latest rare, limited edition than to have 19 of them sitting unsmoked in the bottom of your humidor as you hope (pray) they’ll improve with age.

Read carefully. Quite a few low-priced cigars use short filler. That’s not automatically a disqualifier, but you should be aware that short-filler smokes may, by nature, be inconsistent from stick to stick, burn faster and hotter, and have a looser draw than long-filler cigars.

Try shorter vitolas. Robustos and coronas usually cost less than Churchills, double coronas, or those monster ring gauge behemoths. Sure, you won’t get as long a smoke, but you’ll likely get more bang for your buck.

Save up and stock up. This is, for my money, the best approach. Make sure you’re on the email list for your local B&Ms and the big online retailers and check their sale offerings. Be ready when there’s a markdown on one of the cigars you truly enjoy, whether it’s at your local smoke shop’s annual sale or an online, daily discount. Also, be prepared when manufacturers alter packaging or strike items from their catalogs. Retailers rarely want old inventory on hand and frequently reduce prices to move it.

–George E

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 light brown extension to the original well-received MBombay Gaaja Toro is a subtle, complex delight. It’s generally medium-bodied, featuring a honey sweetness and gentle spices with bits of tea and nuts. An Ecuadorian hybrid wrapper and filler that includes Peruvian tobacco helps the Gaaja stand out. At $15.50, it’s an expensive smoke. But it’s one I recommend you consider the next time you want to splurge.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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.”

Shaped like a large shot gun shell and packaged in a box that looks likes a 25-pack of shells, Zombie Super Shot is the Viaje Zombie blend in a Super Shot shape that sells for around $7 per cigar. The cigar features savory leather, earth, and chalk flavors with hints of creaminess. Towards the final third of the 45-minute smoke, the cigar adds charred bourbon barrel notes. Well-constructed with lots of smoke combustion, this is an easy cigar to recommend to fans of full-bodied Nicaraguan smokes.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 529th in the series.

1) In response to multiple legal challengess, including a lawsuit brought jointly by the Cigar Association of America (CAA), Cigar Rights of America (CRA), and the International Premium Cigar and Pipes Retailers Association (IPCPR) that was filed in July 2016, the FDA on Monday agreed to push back all future tobacco regulation deadlines by 90 days. This applies to deadlines that were scheduled to hit within the next 90 days (including the date to apply for substantial equivalence), but not to deadlines that have already passed. In a press release, IPCPR CEO Mark Pursell praised the news, stating, “This is certainly good news for our retail and manufacturing community, given the nature of the rules the industry is facing, and the uncertainty they create. This gives everyone, the industry and the administration alike, time to revisit the regulation, to determine the best path forward.” Meanwhile, attorney Frank Herrera, whose boutique law firm specializes in cigar trademark and FDA compliance issues, told StogieGuys.com he thinks “the new administration is causing the FDA to be cautious and to reevaluate these deeming regulations with a fresh look. I don’t believe the deeming regulations will be wiped away. Rather, the FDA was previously shoving these regulations down our throat without any pause for reason. The arguments made in litigation are sound and demand the FDA reevaluate the regulations. Had the regulations been solid, the FDA (under any administration) would have pressed forward with summary judgment.”

2) Several notable cigar makers took to social media this week to react to the news about the FDA delay. “I know I should be happy, but I gotta admit I am kind of pissed off,” said Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT). “I just spent well over 80 man hours preparing DTT’s warning label plan submittal to comply with the original May 10 deadline! Plus $$$ on legal counsel. Our government has simply no understanding or care for the burden these type of regulations place upon us small business owners.” Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac agreed. “From where I’m sitting, not much has changed in terms of the risk and uncertainty to my business since May 2016. Clearly, there is a lot of work being done and a lot of resources being invested that may change something in the future, but a short delay nine days before a compliance deadline doesn’t help a great deal…”

3) Inside the Industry: General Cigar announced the appointment of Sean Williams as a full-time ambassador for the Cohiba brand. Williams is former owner of El Primer Mundo. “We have brought Sean on board as part of the continued expansion of our experiential platforms,” said General Cigar President Régis Broersma. “Our focus is on deepening retailer and consumer engagement around this pivotal brand in our portfolio. With Sean, we are gaining a passionate cigar maker who is also a connoisseur of the finer things in life.” El Primer Mundo will continue with Williams’ partner Will Bolling at the helm.

4) Today is Cinco de Mayo. Here’s a rundown of related content: Thoughts About Mexican Tobacco on Cinco de Mayo. Cigar Spirits: The Perfect Margarita Recipe. Cinco de Mayo Pairings with Corralejo Tequila.

5) From the Archives: Enjoying a cigar is one of life’s great, simple pleasures. Just a little technical expertise can go a long way. In that spirit, here are a few tips to help ensure you’re properly cutting your smokes.

6) Deal of the Week: The cigars are a mystery, but you do get a lot of them. They’re all name brands, not house brands or no-name bundles, and they come for less than $3 per cigar. These Grab Bags tend to sell out fast, so if you need to fill up your humidor on the cheap, act quickly.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this Friday but not into slamming tequila shots and drowning yourself in light Mexican beer? We’re here to help.

Armed with three bottles of Corralejo Tequila (Silver, Reposado, and Añejo), we’ve selected three drink and cigar pairings with cigars featuring the increasingly popular Mexican San Andrés wrapper.

Corralejo, made in the Guanajuato state of Mexico, is one of just a handful of companies granted the right to produce tequila outside the spirit’s best known home in Jalisco. Made with 100% blue weber agave, the company uses unique production techniques—employing the Charentais method (commonly associated with cognac distillation) for second distillation—which takes place in an Alembic copper pot still imported from Tomelloso, Spain. Even if you’re not familiar with Corralejo brand by name, you may recognize the colorful red, white, and blue bottles.

Corralejo Silver Maragarita & Undercrown Corona ¡Viva! by Drew Estate

First off, I’m a big believer that sour mix in margaritas is only useful to cover up harsh, bad tequila. So please skip it. Instead, go with this simple recipe that uses only fresh squeezed lime juice, quality tequila (in this case, Corralejo Silver), Cointreau or Grand Marnier, and ice. If that’s too tart for you, a splash of simple syrup can be added, but nothing more. Serve it on the rocks or up strained into a cocktail glass. Personally, I skip the salt.

If such stories are to be believed, the Undercrown blend was created by the rollers responsible for making Drew Estate’s popular Liga Privada No. 9. Made with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper along with a Connecticut-grown stalk-cut Habano binder and Nicaraguan and Brazilian filler tobaccos, the cigar produces roasted coffee, sweet cream, and nutty flavors along with copious amounts of highly aromatic smoke that stands up well to a well-made margarita.

Corralejo Reposado El Diablo & Casa Turrent Serie 1901 Robusto

If you’re not the margarita type, El Diablo is a simple yet tasty tequila cocktail. Just shake 1.5 oz. Corralejo Reposado tequila, .5 oz. crème de cassis (I used a small batch Cassis made by the Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery in Virginia), and .5 oz. fresh lime juice, then strain into an ice-filled highball or Collins glass. Add 2–3 oz. of ginger beer (I had some Goslings on hand) and garnish with a lime wedge.

The Turrent family is the most prominent when it comes to Mexican cigar tobaccos. (Over the years, there have been a number of Turrent-branded cigars, and they also make the well-known Te-Amo line.) Their 1901 blend uses three types of Mexican tobacco, including a San Andrés maduro wrapper, along with Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar’s dry richness, woody spice, and meatiness contrast nicely with the sweetness of the El Diablo cocktail.

Corralejo Anejo Tequila Neat & La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

Though better known for margaritas or shots, fine tequila is best enjoyed neat or maybe with a single ice cube. Corralejo Añejo is no exception. Pale straw in color, the tequila features aromas of fresh agave, lemon, and vanilla. The body has light oak, buttered corn, pear, and a little pepper spice. The finish is clean. All in a bright, crisp, very smooth tequila that, at about $40, stacks up favorably to many higher-priced tequilas.

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor is one of my favorite San Andrés cigars. It has a dark, oily wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The most prominent flavors are coffee and roasted earth, and there is also a nice bit of complexity with dry bittersweet chocolate and a hint of nuttiness. Medium-bodied and well-balanced, it neither overpowers nor is overpowered by the subtle, smooth flavors of straight Corralejo Añejo.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys