The Stogie Guys

The latest release from EO Brands stands apart from the company’s highly praised 601 series, though they’re all blended by Pepin Garcia and rolled in his Nicaraguan factory.

Visually, there’s the rough Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra wrapper. More importantly, the Cubao’s flavor profile is different with not as much pepper and a complexity that is enhanced by a smoothness and a little dryness—reminiscent of some good Cubans.

According to EO partner Erik Espinosa, the response since the IPCPR introduction has been exceptional. The first shipments went to four shops on a Monday and reorders were in just eight days later, he said.

I met Espinosa recently at a Cubao event at MJM Fine Cigars. An old hand at these kinds of affairs, Espinosa entertained smokers with stories, jokes, and cigar conversations. I’d been lucky enough to smoke a couple of Cubao robustos earlier, and was primed to buy a box before I arrived.

The robusto is a 5.5 inch stick with a 52 ring gauge that I bought individually for $6.80. (It is important to note that the No. 6 is slightly larger than the No. 4, which Patrick A and Patrick S jointly reviewed a few weeks ago, even though both fit into a loose definition of a robusto.)

A box of 20 is under $120. So far, all that I’ve smoked have burned evenly, had good draws, and consistent flavors. The Nicaraguan filler and binder burned slowly and produced thick, white smoke.

EO creates an interesting juxtaposition with the old-world look of distressed wooden boxes and simple paper bands combined with 21st century bar code labels on the cellophane of each stick.

When looking to create new blends, Espinosa said, it is getting more and more difficult to secure adequate supplies of top-quality tobacco. “I could make the greatest cigar in the world,” he said. “But if I can only make one box of them, what good is that?”

I truly enjoy the Cubao. I find it to be a flavorful medium-strength cigar that rewards attention each time with complexity and consistency. I give it four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

For former real estate entrepreneur Paul Garmirian, it all started with The Gourmet Guide to Cigars (1990). He spent nine years researching and writing the book, landing solid cigar contacts in the Dominican Republic and gaining the confidence to produce his own blend.

The very first PG cigars were officially released nationwide at a dinner in Chicago in 1991. Since then, according to U.S. News & World Report, they have become favorites among many politicians and celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Letterman, and the last three presidents.

Paul expanded his operations in 1991 with the introduction of Gourmet Series II. Offered in Torpedo and Robusto—and later in Connoisseur and Belicoso Fino—the blend features a Connecticut shade wrapper and Dominican binder and filler tobaccos, all handmade in Santiago.

The 5 inch, 50 ring gauge Robusto has a suggested retail of $237.50 for a box of 25 or $38 for a four-pack. Relatively firm to the touch, I found rich, salty notes off the head after a clean clip and conspicuous wrinkles and veins across the pale brown wrapper. The overall feel is one of quality and craftsmanship.

The opening puffs are salty with a parched oak flavor and some hints of cream. I was surprised by the overpowering dryness of the smoke, especially given PG’s commitment to balance, a running theme at their recent “Cut and Taste” event at Morton’s. Fortunately, after the first few minutes I found more parity with the additions of smooth butter and red cedar spice. The mild- to medium-bodied profile works well on its own, but I find is best enjoyed as a complement to drink and cuisine.

While the flavor is enjoyable, the $9.50 per cigar price tag is primarily justified by the cigar’s construction. I smoked two Robustos for this review, each with clear draws, solid ashes, and burns as straight as you’ll find on any cigar.

All told, my rather obvious conclusion is that this cigar isn’t a great choice if you’re trying to save money. But if you’re operating with disposable income to spare—or if you just need a special treat—this choice offers subdued elegance and balance. I give the Paul Garmirian Gourmet II Robusto three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

After devoting two Stogie Spirits articles to scotch and having both be blends, I thought it was time that I turned my attention to a single malt. Compared to many scotches, the Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year is relatively easy to find, and the price is $40-50 a bottle—quite reasonable considering the lofty prices that many single malts fetch.

But the Balvenie Doublewood isn’t an ordinary scotch. Halfway through the twelve-year distilling process the scotch is transferred from one barrel to another, hence “Doublewood,” as explained on Balvenie’s website:

The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. During its period of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt—the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour.

The description is apt. The Balvenie is far smoother than many single malts with little of the burning that sometimes accompanies the initial smell. Instead, on the nose I find oak, vanilla, and honeycomb. The color is a medium brown caramel.

On the palate, I find more of the wood notes, with oak and subtle cedar. There is a touch of citrus (orange peel perhaps) and some sherry flavors, likely imparted by the sherry cask. The finish is long and balanced.

My overall experience with this scotch can be summed up in one word: smooth. From the nose to the body and the finish, the whiskey is balanced and never harsh. This makes it a very approachable single malt for those just getting acquainted with Scotland’s single malts, but it also has plenty of complexity for the more seasoned scotch drinker.

That combination of smooth but complex makes the Doublewood versatile when pairing with cigars. Anything from a mild/medium to full-bodied cigar would make a solid accompaniment and, in a rarity for a single malt scotch, I even think that it can stand up to the sweetness of some maduros.

Two Cuban cigars that I enjoyed with the Balvenie Doublewood were the robusto-sized Bolivar Royal Corona and the Cohiba Maduro Magicos. But don’t think for a minute that only Cuban cigars will pair with this single malt. I would also recommend the Alonso Menendez, Arturo Fuente King B, Ashton VSG, Padilla Miami, or a San Christobal.

–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.

As I fired up this four and 7/8 inches by 46 ring gauge Nicaraguan puro, I was reminded of the words of my colleague, Jon N, who lent his talents to Keepers of the Flame for a guest review. “This little cigar has a bit of a Napoleon complex,” he wrote. “It’s short, but it’s rugged and ready to rumble.” I couldn’t agree more. From the prelight notes of sweet cocoa, the earthy taste of leather and black pepper, and the fine physical properties, the Padrón Delicias Maduro is a hearty 50-minute smoke. You can rumble with one of these for around $3 apiece.

Verdict = Buy.

–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 an excellent experience with the Nub Connectiut, I gave this slightly smaller 3 and 3/4 inch by 58 ring gauge Habano-wrapped Nub a whirl. More full-bodied than the Connecticut, it had strong cedar flavors with an earthy finish and flashes of spice. Unfortunately, there was also a slight chemical flavor that seemed to be dueling with far more pleasant notes of bittersweet chocolate. There were two noticeable imperfections with the construction: The wrapper was a bit veinny and multi-colored, particularly around the cap, and the burn started quite uneven, only to correct itself.

Verdict = Hold.

–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) If you visit Tampa next year, you’ll have the opportunity to take a trip into cigar history at an extensive exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center (pictured). According to an article in the Tampa Tribune, the Center—scheduled to open in December—will feature displays of old ads, a recreation of the atmosphere of Ybor City in the 1920s, and audio recordings of early residents.

2) Boston is aiming to outright forbid the sale of tobacco in certain areas, including college campuses, hookah bars, and pharmacies. Cigar Aficionado reports the overzealous move “not only would force Beantown cigar bars to shut down, but also would prevent new ones from opening.”

3) On the other side of America, Walgreen Co. has filed a legal challenge in California state court against a San Francisco ordinance that bans tobacco sales in drug stores. The pharmacy chain “alleges the new law is anticompetitive and unconstitutional, because it doesn’t ban tobacco sales at grocery stores and wholesale clubs that also have pharmacies.”

4) Inside the Industry: Master cigar maker José Séijas will be making a series of appearances as he introduces Mi Dominicana, Altadis’ new Dominican puro. Three new limited edition Cuban cigars are ready to be released: Cuaba Pirámides, Montecristo Sublimes, and the Partagas Serie D No. 5. While Hurricane Gustav didn’t do much damage to the crops in the ground when it blew over Cuba last week, it did wreak havoc on many binder and filler tobacco curing barns.

5) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Hoyo Excalibur Legend. Stogie Review lights up a Habanos Puros Fuerte. Keepers of the Flame reviews the Litto Gomez Chizel. Stogie Fresh weighs in on the Old Henry Toro.

6) Deal of the Week: Once again Cuban Crafters has some great specials, this time in honor of the start of football season. Included are some Stogie Guys favorites like the Cabinet Selection and La Carolina. Check them all out here.

– The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Tampa Bay History Center

Not to be over-simplistic or anything but, when it comes to cigar bands, stogie enthusiasts fall into one of two categories: those that trash ’em and those that hoard ’em. For reasons heretofore unexplained, I fall into the latter category.

I never had a good reason to carefully remove each paper ring that adorns the many sticks I’ve smoked over the years, cautiously straightening them under the weight of my torch lighter and haphazardly placing them in old, wooden cigar boxes (pictured). Like most pack rats—and this is the one and only item that qualifies me as such—I guess I always thought I would need them one day.

But that day hasn’t come, and my mound of ornate and colorful bands keeps growing. So what do brothers of the leaf do when they’re up to their necks in cigar bands?

Well, some trade them in for other (arguably more useful) stuff. Bandwagon USA accepts cigar bands, as long as they’re on a pre-accepted list of manufacturers, in exchange for all sorts of items—from flasks and money clips to polishing appliances and luggage. Even some retailers, most notably United Tobacco, are in on the game, allowing fans of their products to trade in bands for company T-shirts, humidors, and LCD TVs. This option seems to be best for smokers who find little or no inherent value in the cigar bands themselves.

Many smokers, however, do and therefore go out of the way to stash away their stockpiles. While the International Label, Seal and Cigar Band Society said back in 1994 that the popularity of U.S. cigar band collecting was dwindling, a quick search on Ebay reveals some are still willing to pay cash, albeit very little, for hundreds of bands. My understanding, though, is that you can’t get into this hobby expecting a big payout.

The final cigar band option, if you’re not going to commit them to the trash, is to use them for decoration. I’ve seen homes with framed assortments of bands on the walls and, depending on the décor, it could work. My dream is to one day have a smoke-filled study complete with wooden bookshelves, dark green walls, and leather chairs. Perhaps portions of my collection could be on display there.

But I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with my bands yet. One thing is for certain, though: I will hang on to a select group that were smoked on memorable occasions because (try not to laugh) they carry some sentimental value. Maybe I’ll trade in others for a cigar store Indian for my future den or a ridiculous coat. What will you do?

–Patrick A

photo credits: Stogie Guys