The Stogie Guys

These days there are no shortages of cigar reviews online. Seems everyone has an opinion and wants to share.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But before you read every cigar review out there and take each as gospel, let’s keep in mind what a review is…and, just as importantly, let’s keep in mind what a review isn’t.

First off, a review can only be as good as the limited inputs that created it. That means whatever review you’re reading is first and foremost limited by two important factors: the reviewer, and the cigars sampled.

Be weary of reviews of based on just one cigar. Cigars are, by nature, a finicky product. What harvest was used? What year was the cigar produced? How long were the cigars aged after they were produced? Under what conditions were the cigars kept? These are just some of the factors that determine how a cigar smokes.

That’s why the first thing I look for in a cigar review is how many smokes were sampled. It’s also why I regularly smoke three or more cigars before writing a full review. (Our Quick Smokes, on the other hand, are upfront about the fact that they are based on just one smoke.) Particularly when it comes to construction, and also when it comes to flavor, a cigar can vary  greatly from stick to stick.

My standard operating procedure is to smoke three cigars of the same blend and size. If all three reveal similar characteristics I go ahead and write my review. If significant variation is detected, on the other hand, I try and smoke at least two more cigars before giving my take. And in the rare circumstance that fewer than three samples make up a review (cigars that are hard to procure, for example) I always explicitly state that in written review.

While the number of samples is an important factor in how much weight to place in a specific review, perhaps the largest and most under appreciated factor is the limitation of just who is doing the tasting. Smokers have a wide variety of palates and preferences, and failing to account for such preferences makes most cigar reviews useless.

Here at StogieGuys.com, we deal with this by assigning a name to each review. Our hope is  that, over time ,you can appreciate the subtleties of the palate of each reviewer since every time you read a review you learn a little more about that person’s preferences and biases.

And speaking of biases, don’t think that just because a “panel” has reviewed a cigar that such biases are eliminated. Cigar Aficionado‘s reviewers are a very small subset of cigar smokers, and they represent just as particular of a viewpoint as any particular reviewer here on StogieGuys.com or on any other site. I’m reminded of one prominent cigar veteran who told me he thinks that some cigar makers specifically blend their cigars to the tastes of CA‘s reviewers.

This brings me to to perhaps the most controversial aspect of cigar reviews: ratings. A rating of 95 in CA can be a goldmine for the company that makes that cigar. But I’m still not clear about what the difference is between 95 and 92 or, for that matter, 90 and 88. (Not to mention the fact that of the thousands of cigars reviewed by Cigar Aficionado in nearly two decades, only two have have been rated lower than “average to good commercial quality.”)

That’s why we employ a rating system that doesn’t pretend to know a 2-point difference out of a scale of 100. And why we place more emphasis on what is said within the review as opposed to the final score.

The lesson is that any cigar review can only be the result of a limited set of experiences by one or a few reviewers. Treating a review as anything more than a limited set of opinions misses the point. Reviews are guideposts, not gospel.

While experienced palates will have common experiences, they will always be limited in their usefulness. Ultimately, the only palate that matters is the one smoking the cigar, and the “best” cigar is the one you like the best. Nothing more, nothing less.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Flickr

Some call it a sinus infection. Others call it the common cold. The medical community recognizes it as a “viral upper respiratory tract infection.” No matter what the name, the symptoms are usually the same: runny nose, sore throat, mild fatigue, and possibly a fever. And, like the summertime blues, there ain’t no cure.

The average adult experiences two to four colds per year. I got my first (and hopefully last) case of the 2010 cold this weekend. In typical fashion, it came overnight with a scratchy throat, stuffed up my nose for a few days, and left just as quickly as it arrived. No big deal, but enough to frustratingly cause me to cancel a few weekend activities.

One activity I usually cut back on while sick is cigar smoking. I’m not really concerned that cigars will prolong the cold’s duration (although doctors say smokers tend to have longer colds—but then again, doctors say a lot of things). I just find cigar smoking a lot less enjoyable when my throat is sore or my nose is clogged.

I’d never attempt to review a cigar when my nose—the best cigar tasting instrument I have—is out of whack. Recently, though, I conducted an experiment. I fired up a Rocky Patel Vintage ’90 Toro to see if I could identify the flavors I normally associate with this cigar (cocoa, spicy wood, etc.) I couldn’t.

Not even close. I could have been smoking pretty much anything and it would have tasted like chalky, billowy air. As expected, this was a reminder of the huge role our sense of smell plays in cigar tasting and how important it is to routinely smoke through the nose.

Aside from being an impediment to appreciating premium tobacco, my cold also reminded me that I’m far from addicted to tobacco. I went a solid five days without smoking (and I’ve gone much longer under different circumstances, like when I was training for a marathon). Never once did I experience cravings, headaches, nausea, anxiety, or other symptoms common to those trying to quit cigarettes. Sure, I missed not being able to thoroughly enjoy a cigar. But it wasn’t an epic battle to lay off the leaf for awhile.

Now I’m feeling much better. I took my nose for a test drive with a 601 Red and everything seems to be back to normal. Health permitting, I’m looking forward to catching up on some new reviews and Quick Smokes in the weeks to come.

The next time I get a cold, I’ll probably get lots of sleep, drink lots of fluids, and avoid cigars—at least expensive ones. I suggest you do the same.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

Late in 2009, Pete Johnson released Verocu Tubo under his Tatuaje brand. The Tubo marks the fourth vitola released in the Verocu extension of the Havana VI line. It  retails for $11 per stick.

My colleagues have reviewed the other three vitolas: Verocu No. 1, Verocu No. 2, and Verocu No. 9. The No. 1 and No. 2 earned the coveted five-stogie rating while the No. 9 wasn’t nearly as successful.

The Verocu Tubo is a torpedo (6.1 x 52) that comes in an aluminum tube modeled after the Cuban Partagas Serie P No. 2 Tubo.

Immediately out of the tube this Nicaraguan puro smells of cedar, leather, and spice. The oily, dark brown wrapper is mottled with black spots and rough to the touch. The cigar is firm with no soft spots.

The draw is easy but not overly loose. The burn is mostly straight but the outside layer of the bright white ash, probably the wrapper leaf, is very flaky.

Those that have smoked either the Verocu No. 1 or the Verocu No. 2 will find the same core of leather, cedar, and spice that they are familiar with. The cigar starts out with a lot of spice up front, fading quickly to the background only to reemerge in the final third. The smoke is creamy and leaves a wonderful cinnamon aftertaste on the palate.

I really enjoyed this cigar and continue to believe that the Verocu blend is Pete Johnson’s finest. The Verocu Tubo displays amazing complexity. Its singular drawback is a slight metallic taste, akin to licking a 9-volt battery, that comes and goes throughout the cigar.

If that taste fades with age maybe the Verocu Tubo will be worthy of five stogies. For now, though, it doesn’t quite live up to its older brothers’ reputation, earning four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys

We all recognize Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic as the top growers of premium tobacco. Indonesia, Cameroon, and a few others might also make the list. But Morocco isn’t a country widely associated with cigars.

Miles away from mainstream (literally), Felipe Gregorio—a cigar maker with a résumé that includes selling helicopters in the Middle East and crafting a blend for Frank Sinatra—has branched out to cultivate tobacco in northwest Africa.

True, his path to cigardom took a fairly traditional route through Honduras and Nicaragua. But now, with a Dominican factory (Tabacalera Real de Felipe Gregorio) and a boutique shop in Miami, Gregorio is growing tobacco in Morocco for his “Moroccan Series.”

This unique line of cigars includes four different blends named for the region of Morocco in which their tobacco is grown. Imilchil, according to Felipe’s website, is a village in central Morocco that’s “located at an elevation of 2,119 meters in the valley of Assif Melloul (‘white river’). The tobacco grown at this altitude is very sweet.” The blend features 30% Imilchil tobacco, a Connecticut wrapper, and olor leaves from the Cibao Valley. Four vitolas are available.

I sampled two Amirs for this review. Measuring five inches with a 54 ring gauge, this plump robusto has a rough foot that exudes sweet aromas of honey. The pale wrapper is extremely delicate and prone to tears if mishandled. Thankfully, the double bands are loose and easy to remove and the cap clips neatly.

While toasting the foot, the Amir yields a unique incense-like resting smoke that’s aromatic and floral. The taste, intensely cedary at first, settles into a mild profile of vanilla, almond, and steak seasoning. Sharp on the finish, the combined effect, oddly enough, reminds me of jasmine rice.

The Amir’s outstanding construction enables you to enjoy this distinctive flavor without worrying about combustion deficiencies. Its burn is nearly perfect, its draw clear, and its gray ash holds strong.

While I may not remember these physical properties several weeks from now, I won’t soon forget the Imichil’s one-of-a-kind taste. Such a matchless, enjoyable flavor easily makes this my favorite Felipe Gregorio to date. So, for a unique experience on the mild side of the spectrum, I highly recommend purchasing a box for $130 at Casa Felipe (the Imilchil 30/70 Amir’s exclusive online distributor). It earns four and a half 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’ve had this Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona resting in my humidor for over a year. With a clean light brown wrapper and a classic white, gold, and red Hoyo band, it’s a good looking smoke. The double corona is woody and earthy with a bit of spice and a hint of cream. Unfortunately, there is also lingering bitterness that comes and goes. Construction was pleasantly uneventful with an even burn and clean draw that produces an abundance of smoke. While certainly not a bad cigar, at $16-20 each I’d expect a little 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.”

Word is that Roberto Juarez of Bravo Cigars recently teamed up with Gene Arganese to re-blend his smokes. I haven’t had the opportunity to try a new Bravo yet, but I’m still a fan of the old Colombian puro version. The Toro, measuring six inches with a 50 ring gauge, boasts top-notch construction and a mild, creamy profile of oak, vanilla, honey, and toast. Great for a relaxed morning with coffee or lazy afternoon with a cold beer.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: 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. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The new Cohiba Behike is expected to hit non-U.S. stores in mid-June. Lauded by some as the finest cigar ever produced in Cuba or elsewhere, Behike uses a rare “medio tiempo” leaf and is being advertised as the “new standard among smokers worldwide.” Its name comes from the Tiano word for sorcerer or doctor. While the blend’s three sizes will retail for $36-57 apiece, high demand and low supply make black markets likely in countries where Cubans are legal—and almost certain in America thanks to the trade embargo.

2) The “CAO Invitational” golf tournament, sponsored by Famous Smoke Shop, will tee off Friday, April 16, at the Whitetail Golf Club in Bath, Pennsylvania. The cost of admission ($70 per person) includes greens fees, a post-round dinner, and a CAO goodie bag complete with smokes and swag.

3) Inside the Industry: All but two of the cigar rollers at the El Credito factory in Miami have been let go, Cigar Aficionado reports, as General Cigar transitions the famous space where La Gloria Cubana was created into a cigar lounge. The Cuban Stock Cigar Company is increasing its distribution of Exquisito, Chubbys, Cuban Stock Vintage, Joya de Havana, and Delicioso cigars to 130 stores nationwide.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame examines the science of cigar flavors. Stogie Review lights up the Illusione 88. Cigar Inspector inspects the Velazquez. A Cigar Smoker smokes the CAO Criollo. Tampa Cigar Examiner examines the Upper Cut by Punch. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve found yet more unpublicized deals from Cuban Crafters. There are a number of discounts, but our favorites are boxes of the Cameroon Cabinet Toro for $70, Cubano Claro Lonsdale for $60, and La Carolina Pyramid for $70. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr