The Stogie Guys

You’d think cigars produced by an industry superstar would display his name prominently. But there’s no trace of the Rocky Patel name on the Cruz Real black and gold band, a not-quite-value, not-quite-premium brand that’s sold exclusively by Famous Smoke Shop.

Launched early this year, Cruz Real is handmade under the supervision of Nestor Plasencia in El Paraiso, Honduras. “We worked long and hard on getting it just right, and finally came up with a decadent, creamy blend that’s still affordable,” says Rocky. “You’re really gonna enjoy this cigar.”

The five Connecticut vitolas—Corona, Lonsdale, Churchill, Robusto, and Toro—sport a U.S. Connecticut wrapper, a Mexican binder, and longfiller tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican. Each size is also available in a darker Sumatra wrapper.

The classically sized five inch by 50 ring gauge Robusto is smooth and clean with a crisp prelight aroma of sweet hay. Soft to the touch, it sells for $104 per box of 20 and is supposed to be a toasty, medium-bodied smoke for those with an eye for quality and value.

The initial blast of salty spice is enough to catch me off-guard. I just don’t expect such power from this delicate, unassuming stick—at least not from the very get-go. The flavor quickly mellows, though, to take on a mild profile of oak, butter, and onion. Smooth and gentle.

The dry saltiness diminishes significantly after the first third, leaving a well-balanced taste. This is where the Cruz Real Connecticut is at its best, before an unwelcome bitterness creeps in during the last inch or so.

With an excellent burn, a great ash, and a clear draw, this 50-minute smoke has physical properties that far exceed those of many pricier sticks. If only the taste offered more of the complexity or character I was hoping for.

Still, if this young cigar doesn’t improve with age, it remains an affordable, reliable golf course companion. I give the Cruz Real Connecticut Robusto a respectable rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When it comes to top shelf bourbon, A.H. Hirsh holds a special place in the hearts of many connoisseurs. With every sip of the stuff, there’s a little less of it around that can never be replaced. Literally.

A.H. Hirsh is the last of the bourbon made at Michter’s Distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Today, a series of whiskey is made under the Michter’s name, but none of it comes from the original Pennsylvania distillery.

Originally distilled in 1974, A.H. Hirsch is the oldest pot stilled bourbon available in the U.S., at least since the 20-year-old version sold out. Today it is distributed by Preiss Imports, which bought all the remaining reserves of the Michter’s Distillery when the historic Pennsylvania site went bankrupt in 1988.

Given those limited reserves, it is no surprise that A.H. Hirsch is quite expensive and getting pricier every year. Two years ago bottles were available for around $80. Today, with decreasing supply and Preiss’s decision to raise the wholesale price as their reserves dwindle, expect to pay well over $100 for a 750 ml bottle.

The 34 year old bourbon—after 16 years it was transferred to steel barrels to stop it from aging any further, hence “16-year-old”—comes highly praised. According to renowned F. Paul Pecult’s The Spirit Journal, A.H. Hirsch is the only bourbon to receive the “5-Star” rating.

With all that high praise I, needless to say, was excited to try this bourbon. After pouring a few fingers of the copper-colored spirit, I was greeted with an abundance of vanilla.

The bourbon is refined and balanced with tons of oak and fruit and hints of mint, walnut, and maple syrup. The finish is long and spicy, with pepper, oak, and cedar. While the nose is strong straight out of the bottle, just a drop of water opens up the flavors, letting apricot and other subtle notes shine through. I would not, however, recommend spoiling this spirit with ice.

When it comes to pairing the A.H. Hirsh 16-Year-Old Reserve with cigars, you’d be hard pressed to go wrong with any good stick. For me a cigar with an abundance of cedar, such as the Montecristo Petit Edmundo or a Fuente Sun Grown, do particularly well. I should say, though, that such earthy cigars as an EO 601 Green or a Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Rubusto also paired well.

Ultimately for bourbon lovers, of which I consider myself one, I would suggest getting your hands on some A.H. Hirsch. If the prospect of dropping a Benjamin on a bottle of bourbon is too much for you, find a good establishment with Hirsch on their spirit list and drop the $20 for a pour. It’ll be well worth the opportunity to taste this historic bourbon before it is too late.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Talk to Dr. Paul Garmirian and his son, Kevork, for any length of time and one thing becomes abundantly clear: They have as much passion for PG Cigars as they do contempt for the industry’s pervasive gimmickry.

The PG philosophy, after all, isn’t about publicity stunts, bikini-clad models,  creative marketing schemes, or the next big thing. It’s about blending finely tuned cigars to meet the most discriminating of palates. In fact, the Garmirians shared with us how, during the height of the cigar boom, they refused to sell a stash of prized Dominican leaves at a significant profit because they were patiently aging them to perfection. This is one example of the sacrifice that must be made to create cigars that look, taste, and feel like pre-Castro Cubans.

As we learned how Paul—a cigar traditionalist and pioneer ever since he wrote The Gourmet Guide to Cigars in 1990—emphasizes excellence over higher income and accelerated growth, we were reminded of a July commentary written by George E. The article calls for the industry to address the vital underlying issues of quality and consistency instead of rushing flashy duds to market. It struck a note with those of us who would like to see manufacturers focus on doing one thing right instead of a lot of new things halfass. Reading it today, we realize it was a sin for us not to mention PG Cigars—but now we know better.

From their humble yet exquisite headquarters in McLean, Virigina, Kevork and Paul were nice enough to impart their wisdom and share their passion. The following was taped after they closed their shop on one chilly November evening:

Many thanks to Kevork and Paul for their time, generosity, and willingness to participate in StogieGuys.com’s first Cigar Insider video. We encourage you to check out the list of authorized PG retailers on their website and explore their many wonderful cigars.

–Patrick A & 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.

When I reviewed this 5 and ¼ inch by 50 ring gauge cigar one year ago, I found it to be a “well-balanced, expertly crafted, complex smoke.” It still is. But the last twelve months in my humidor seem to have worn away much of the original taste of raisin, vanilla, and roasted nuts. What’s left is an empty, lifeless flavor profile that’s too mild for its own good—and not nearly worth the $12-19 price range. I plan to hold onto the rest of my Château Grand Cru PGs to see if they improve.

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.

After having a pleasant, though not fantastic, experience with the Robusto from this line, I’ll admit it has been a bumpy road with these Cuban Classics. Some that I’ve smoked have tasted unrefined and not up to Don Pepin’s usual standards. Others, like this lovely Belicoso (and the others from the same box), have been magnificent. It has delicious peppery spice and a core of cedar earth. To top it all off, the physical properties were also superb.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: 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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Want to win a dozen of Rocky Patel’s finest cigars? Want to try the Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo that received a rating of 95 from Cigar Aficionado? Enter our “What Do Cigar Rights Mean to You?” contest and these fantastic prizes can all be yours.

2) According the Cigar Association of America, the industry’s manufacturers trade group, cigar imports were down over the first 9 months of 2008 when compared to 2007. The decrease is almost entirely dues to a drop in cigars from the Dominican Republic, as imports from Honduras and Nicaragua are up or even. These three countries account for 99 percent of the cigars imported into the U.S.

3) Inside the Industry: A number of new releases first announced at the IPCPR have recently been shipped to stores. Felipe Gregorio’s newest line, a Dominican Puro called the “Petrus Prestige,” is in stores now. Rocky Patel’s Renaissance and Cameroon Especial have recently shown up at retailers. And Don Pepin’s “My Father” line has been released, although reportedly only 50,000 will be made this year.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews Azul Luna Polo. Cigar Jack smokes the Tabacos Baez. Keepers of the Flame torches up a Romeo y Julieta Vintage Maduro. Stogie Fresh tries a Los Blancos Sumatra.

5) Deal of the Week: Turkey day may have come and gone, but Cuban Crafters still has a number of Thanksgiving Specials online. Included are StogieGuys.com favorites such as Cabinet Selection and La Carolina. Get yours here while the deals last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

StogieGuys.com will be taking tomorrow off to enjoy that most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. (We will return Friday for your regularly scheduled Friday Sampler.) Known for an abundance of great food, Thanksgiving is a perfect time to enjoy cigars with gathered friends and family.

As we did last year, today we’re listing the one cigar we’ll each be firing up after the big meal.

Patrick A: Call my pick corny or contrived, but this year I’m picking the CAO America Monument. Other than the obvious patriotic connection to our nation’s greatest holiday, this torpedo-shaped behemoth packs enough coffee, pepper, and spice to help me make room for coffee and pumpkin pie. I just hope I can stay warm long enough to enjoy this twice-wrapped cigar’s fine physical properties and well-balanced smoothness.

Patrick S: While not quite a U.S.-made cigar like last year’s selection, I’m still going for a stick with a significant American pedigree: the PG Gourmet 15th Anniversary Blend Belicoso Extra. The last time I had one on a full stomach following an good meal it served me very well. Tomorrow, this balanced yet full-flavored masterpiece will be paired with a some fine American small-batch bourbon for a fantastic post-turkey pairing.

George E: I’m planning to light up a powerhouse puro that will easily cut through the afterglow of any large meal and leave its own lovely memories. The Serie 601 “Red” from EO Brands, reviewed nearly two years ago, continues to satisfy with complex, smoothly blended flavors and Nicaraguan strength that pleases rather than overwhelms. Whether your after-dinner routine revolves around a cup of coffee and quiet contemplation or friends and football, this cigar will enhance any experience.

All the best from the StogieGuys.com family to you and yours for a happy, cigar-filled Thanksgiving!

– The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr