The Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Criminalizing the act of smoking inside tobacco shops is ridiculous at best and tyrannical at worst. But that’s exactly what some Vermont politicians are pushing for in a bill that would aggressively expand the Green Mountain State’s longstanding smoking ban. “If the right to smoke a cigar, pipe, or other tobacco product in…a cigar store is legislated away,” says Chris McCalla, legislative director for IPCPR, “then these same lawmakers will be voting to eliminate these businesses and the jobs and taxes that go with them.”

2) Meanwhile, in Nebraska, an IPCPR-supported bill was signed into law by Gov. Dave Heineman on Wednesday that excuses cigar bars from the state’s smoking ban. In order to qualify for the exemption, 10% or more of an establishment’s revenue must come from the sale of cigars or other tobacco-related items.

3) Inside the Industry: Don Pepin Garcia is expanding his My Father line with two new sizes—a Cervantes (6.5 x 44) and an Eminentes (5.6 x 46)—both of which retail for around $9 per cigar. Newman’s Nicaraguan puro line, El Baton, is also adding two new sizes, a Robusto and a Double Torpedo. In anticipation of the SCHIP tax that hit on April 1, cigar makers imported almost 50% more cigars in March 2009 than they did in March 2008, the last month before the tax hike went into effect.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Cabaiguan Guapos Maduro. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Siglo Limited Reserve. Cigar Inspector inspects the Sancho Panza Molinos. Cigar Spy tries the Cruzado. Matt smokes a La Gloria Serie R Maduro.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Mega Sampler III” features 16 fine cigars for the bargain price of $30. You get to try smokes by Gurkha, Rocky Patel, La Flor Dominicana, La Gloria Cubana, Camacho, Cusano, Cuesta-Rey, Alec Bradley, Hoyo de Monterrey, and CAO, all for under $2 per stick. Pick yours up here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

The Montecristo Petit Edmundo, launched in the summer of 2007, remains one of the most exciting sticks to come out of Cuba in the past few years. I was, and still am, a huge fan of that five stogie-rated masterpiece, on board with the bandwagon that ensued when Cigar Aficionado awarded the pudgy smoke a rating of 94.

Before the Petit Edmundo hit the market, though, there was the Edmundo vitola. It, like its shorter and younger offspring, was named for Edmond Dantès, hero of The Count of Montecristo. That adventure novel, as I wrote in my review of the iconic Montecristo No. 2, was the inspiration for the brand’s name because it was a popular choice of rolling floor lectors when Montecristo was established in 1935.

When the Edmundo came out in 2004, it was the first new size to be added to the Montecristo lineup in over 30 years. Composed of tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo district in the Pinar del Río Province of Cuba, it measures 5.3 inches by 52 ring gauge and sells for approximately $11-14 per stick when bought by the box of 25 or 3-pack.

Unlike the Petit Edmundo, which boasts a fine oily sheen, the Edmundo is drier and wrinklier with a few green spots (also known as “frog eyes”). But it is by no means unattractive. The cigar has a nice reddish hue, a firm feel, a tightly rolled cross section, and a perfect cap.

Smooth spice, nuts, and leather dominate the outset—quite a bit of flavor for a cigar that has very little pre-light aroma. And, reminiscent of the Petit Edmundo, floral hints are also present. As the relatively tight draw opens up after the first inch, the flavors mellow and take on a meaty characteristic. Then, just before that taste overstays its welcome, the profile turns bolder and finishes with a full-flavored pepper spice down the stretch.

All the while the burn line weaves in and out, meandering but not causing any problems. One of the two Edmundos I smoked for this review required a few touch-ups from my torch, and both featured solid gray ashes that held firm until tapped.

I enjoyed this Cuban thoroughly, albeit not as much as the Petit Edmundo. In some ways it was a little greener, a little less complex, and not quite as creamy as its shorter cousin. While that may be due to aging differences, I’ll likely never know; I didn’t buy a whole box of Edmundos so I have no idea when they were rolled and boxed. Still, without that knowledge, I am confident in awarding the Montecristo Edmundo four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

“Damn right your dad drank it.” That’s the on-the-mark tagline of Canadian Club whiskey, a spirit everyone’s heard of but seemingly few under 40 have tried.

Before this review I had tried the original Canadian Club, a six year whiskey, but not its more mature sibling, the Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old. This whiskey is aged 12 years in re-charred oak barrels and created with corn and rye, combined with rye malt and barley malt.

The resulting spirit has a vibrant orange-bronze color. On the nose the Canadian Club Classic is soft with a creamy sherry aroma reminiscent of eggnog.

When I got down to tasting, I found a smooth body with cream, vanilla, bread, and oak. It reminded me of some of my favorite American ryes—not surprising considering that Canadian whiskey is traditionally made with a high percentage of rye. In addition, there is a subtle woody spice and the finish is dry and smooth.

With it’s vanilla, cream, and woody flavors, there is plenty to pair up with a fine cigar. I’d recommend the Arganese Edición Especial 2008,  Isla de Cuba Classic, EO Cubao, Oliva Series G, or Romeo y Julieta Vintage, all which have prominent cream or cedar notes. If you’re enjoying this whiskey in Canada, or some other country where Cuban cigars are widely available, I’d suggest a lesser known Cuban smoke: the Por Larrañaga Panatela.

All in all, I was quite impressed with the Canadian Club Classic. Canadian whiskey is often overshadowed by the fine bourbon and scotch being produced, but this representation shows that Candian whiskey can also be a great sipping spirit.

Given that a bottle is a reasonable $25, it won’t be devastating if someone uses it to make a cocktail. In fact, I bet the Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old would make an excellent Manhattan. Personally, though, I’d take it neat.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In addition to all the smoking bans and tobacco taxes, today’s cigar smokers, particularly those who often travel by air, are confronted with a relatively new nuisance: the growing number of air carriers that charge for checking luggage.

I experienced this unfortunate burden this weekend when my travels took me from DC to Minneapolis. Liquids aside, I had a hard time figuring out how to avoid that $15 fee for the first checked bag due to my love of the leaf and desire to bring along cigars.

Torch lighters, you see, are expressly prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration as a carry-on. And, while the TSA makes no specific mention of cigar cutters on its website, it does ban other similar items like scissors and box cutters.

So what’s a frequent-flying cigar enthusiast to do? Here are a few tips that might make your trips a little easier and a lot cigar-ier.

Light cheap. Since they may or may not be confiscated, don’t pack expensive cigar paraphernalia in your carry-on luggage. In lieu of a fancy lighter, for example, bring along a Ronson Jetlite. I haven’t had mine taken away yet but, if it is, I’ll only be down a few bucks. Or, better yet, skip bringing a lighter altogether and instead take a few wooden matchbooks from a restaurant or hotel in your destination city.

Punch cut or plastic. When it comes to cutters, opt for a simple keychain punch cutter or a plastic guillotine. Either is easy to get past TSA officials and, if confiscated, will set you back next to nothing. And don’t sweat it if you end up without a traditional cutting implement at your destination; everyday items like fingernail clippers, while imperfect, often get the job done without incident if handled with care.

Ziploc to the rescue. While good for the golf course or the trunk of your car, those cigar travel cases that are sold online and in magazines can be too bulky for a simple weekend plane trip—especially since overhead storage space is at a premium these days. Instead, I pack my goodies in a simple Ziploc bag with one of those little humi-packets that often come in shipments from retailers. And I prevent damage to the sticks themselves by wrapping the bag in softer items (i.e., clean boxer shorts) that I planned to bring along anyways.

You can go a long way with these three rules of thumb but, as always, I don’t have all the answers myself. Feel free to share your own airport travel tips below.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

A $1-per-ounce tax on cigars has passed the Florida State Senate, but only after an amendment was added that would lessen the damage to the Sunshine State’s historic cigar industry. That amendment exempts cigars produced in Florida that are shipped out of state from the tax.

Padilla, Don Pepin Garcia, Tatuaje, J.C. Newman, and La Gloria Cubana are just some of Florida’s many cigar producers. Tampa’s Ybor City and Miami’s Little Havana have longstanding historic ties to the cigar industry, and both are the centers of cigar culture in the United States.

According to Jeff Borysiewicz, owner of the Florida-based Corona Cigar Company and board member for Cigar Rights of America, the hike will result in a 50 cent to $1 per cigar increase on the retail price of cigars, on top of a similar increase already in effect due to the recent federal SCHIP tobacco tax increase.

The amendment is considered a partial victory since it will exempt the estimated 85% of Florida-made premium cigars that are shipped out of state. However, after just being hit by the SCHIP tax, that percentage is little solace to Florida-based retailers who, if the Senate tax becomes law, will have raised the price of many cigars by over one dollar in just a few months.

Last week, cigar smokers took to the streets as part of protest organized by Cigar Rights of America. Over one hundred protesters showed up to demonstrate their opposition to tobacco taxes and warn of the devastating impact that more tax hikes could have. One Florida state senator predicted as many as 10,000 jobs would be affected by an increased cigar tax.

Fortunately for the Florida cigar industry, the tax is far from certain at this time as an alternative budget proposal from Florida House leadership doesn’t include any new tobacco taxes. Both state houses of government have large Republican majorities.

Republican Governor Charlie Crist has also made statements suggesting he would be opposed to tobacco tax hikes.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I had heard a lot of good things about this Corojo-wrapped Nicaraguan puro, not the least of which was my colleague’s December 2007 of the Belicoso vitola. But while I agree that the medium-bodied flavor of wood, leather, vanilla, coffee, and spice is appealing, I remain unconvinced of this six inch by 54 ring gauge cigar’s lofty price tag of $12 per single.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

This five inch by 54 ring gauge smoke is an attractive torpedo featuring primarily Honduran tobacco blended with other Central American and Dominican tobaccos. It has an herbal earthy flavor with a hint of spice and a creamy aftertaste. Not overly complex, but well-constructed. By no means a bad smoke, but I can’t say it offered much that excited me.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys