The 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.”

Since the 2008 IPCPR Trade Show, I’ve been reporting on the pending release of this cigar; almost three years later, it has finally arrived. The Julius Caeser is an attractive-looking cigar, with an Ecuadorian wrapper and a “smooth, robust blend of Central American tobaccos.” The profile, far from the “robust blend” that’s advertised, is medium-bodied with cedar, honey, and cream. But that mildness doesn’t make the Pyramid a bad cigar. In fact, I found it to be a well-constructed and enjoyable.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

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. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Regulation of premium cigars by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration promises to bring decreased innovation, stifled free speech, and other maladies to the handcrafted tobacco industry. We’ve been writing about this threat since it became apparent in 2007. But a new resolution, introduced in the House of Representatives, would keep premium cigars out of the reach of FDA regulators. Called the “Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act” (House Resolution 1639), the measure is principally sponsored by Bill Posey (R-FL), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Candice Miller (R-MI). Its importance cannot be overstated. “We can assure you, nothing could rip the soul of the cigar industry apart like FDA actions,” reads a press release from Cigar Rights of America. “CRA looks forward to working with IPCPR and other industry allies to advance this legislation.”

2) An Associated Press article, widely syndicated on Wednesday, discusses how cigar enthusiasts are becoming increasingly motivated to act against smoking bans—especially those that criminalize smoking in businesses dedicated solely to the enjoyment of premium tobacco. “After years of victories, there are signs that anti-smoking forces are encountering some resistance,” reads the article.

3) Inside the Industry: Saints and Sinners, a “members-only society” for Tatuaje fans, is set to launch May 1 with annual membership fee of $150. The list of participating retailers for Miami Cigar & Company’s second annual Nestor Miranda Day promotion can be found here (purchase any cigar at one of these retailers on May 6 to receive a free smoke from Nestor Miranda).

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the entire Cigar.com Exclusive line. Cigar Fan lights up the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Cuba Libre One. Smoking Stogie smokes the La Aurora Broadway. The Cain F Lancero jumps into the top ten at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: Fans of mild Dominican cigars should check out this special. $29 gets you five each of the Macanudo Hyde Park and Cusano Cuvee Blanc; or pick up ten of each for just $50.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: FDA

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Lawmakers in Macon are gearing up to tighten smoking regulations in the Georgia city. Despite a state law that limits smoking in most workplaces, the proposed ordinance—which faces a vote on April 19—would criminalize smoking in “bars and nightclubs, any hotel rooms, health care facilities, and almost every other indoor location except private houses,” according to the Macon Telegraph. “No less authority than the Federal Reserve Bank…is on record showing that smoking bans cost jobs and hurt businesses while putting them at a disadvantage to other competing businesses,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR, in a press release.

2) In commemoration of Smoke Inn’s 15th anniversary, Padrón has created the new 1964 Anniversary SI-15 (6 x 60), which is made exclusively for the Florida-based retailer. Today marks the cigar’s national debut. If you can’t make it to the West Palm Beach location of Smoke Inn to try the cigar and meet the Padrón family, you can pre-order the SI-15 online.

3) Inside the Industry: May 6 has been declared the second annual National Nestor Miranda Cigar Day, an occasion when all authorized Nestor Miranda Collection retailers will be giving away cigars to visitors at no charge. Ted’s Handmade cigars is introducing “Hopz,” the first handmade cigar aromatically seasoned with beer hops and designed to be paired with a flavorful ale.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie lights up a vintage Davidoff Dom Pérignon. Stogie Review reviews an Illusione 4/2g Slam. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Monte Pascoal. Cigar Fan fires up a Padilla Miami Maduro Edición Limitada. Velvet Cigar questions the marketing practices behind some online exclusive cigars.

5) Deal of the Week: Taxes may be due Monday, but Cuban Crafters is trying to give you a break with some Tax Day Specials. Pick up a box of 25 Cupido Criollo Dobles for just $55, or a box of 25 Cabinet Selections for $60.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: IPCPR

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Jose Oliva, CEO of the Oliva Cigar Co., has announced his candidacy for the Florida House of Representatives as a Republican. Oliva is a “founding sponsor” of Cigar Rights of America and, according to his campaign website, an advocate of lower taxes, smaller government, and business-friendly policies. The election to fill the vacant seat for which Oliva is vying will be held May 24.

2) Cigar Rights Alerts: New York lawmakers rejected a proposed cigar tax cap, which would have limited state excise taxes to $1 per cigar. An Indiana Senate committee has killed a proposed smoking ban bill. Louisiana politicians are clamoring for a 10% tax increase for cigars. Anti-cigar zealots in California aim to increase tobacco taxes by 70% and dismantle premium cigar shops’ exemption from the statewide smoking ban. South Carolina legislators are mulling a variety of smoking ban proposals.

3) Gary Arzt RIP: On Saturday, the cigar world lost Gary Arzt, a tireless and passionate advocate for cigars. Gary (1941-2011) wrote regularly about cigars and was fiercely loyal to his friends, as evidenced by his guest commentary written for our site. Everyone who knew him can attest to the fact that his passing is a great loss for the cigar community.

4) Inside the Industry: Tabacalera de Garcia, the world’s largest cigar factory, is now open for tours. The factory in La Romana is where the Dominican version of such brands as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and many others are made. Details can be found here.

5) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie fires up a 10-year-old Padrón 1964 Maduro. Cigar Fan smokes an Alec Bradley Prensado. Stogie Review reviews an Avo 85th Anniversary Limited Edition 2011. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Avalon Numbers Series 46. The Illuione 68 is now the number two cigar at YourCigarRatings.com.

6) Deal of the Week: This special from the Corona Cigar Co. features the Montecristo White and Punch, both in tubos. $29 gets you 5 of each, or $50 gets you 10 of each.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Cigar Rights of America

Sometimes you see something and you have to try it. Such was the case during a recent visit to the local spirits store. I hadn’t planned on picking up any scotch, but decided to check out the scotch section to see if anything new had arrived.

When I saw a Talisker I hadn’t seen before, I knew I would be picking it up. Talisker, from the Isle of Skye, has long been a favorite of mine with it’s distinctive smokey and peaty flavors.

Talisker 1996 is a unique expression of the Talisker Single Malt. Distilled in 1996, after its normal aging it is finished in an Amroso sherry cask. Not inexpensive, though not extremely pricey by scotch standards, it sells for $80.

The scotch is a deep chestnut brown color. The nose is peaty with tar and fruit notes.

As is characteristic of Talisker, peaty and smokey flavors dominate. But underneath is an added sweet element, with rich dried fruit and toffee. The finish is long and spicy with a hint of chocolate.

All in all, this distinctive single malt is a new favorite of mine. With it’s double cask aging, it simultaneously has the classic salt water peat flavors I’ve come to expect and enjoy from Talisker coupled with a hint of sweetness that reminds me of a fine bourbon.

Not surprisingly, the Talisker Distillers Edition 1996 makes for an excellent pairing with a fine cigar. The rich but balanced flavors go well with a diverse group of premium smokes. Mild- to medium-bodied cigars like the Cuban H. Upmann No. 2 or the Berger & Argenti Entubar Natural work well. So do refined, full-bodied smokes like the Paul Garmirian Symphony Connoisseur or Tatuaje La Verite.

If you’re a fan of full, peaty scotches like Talisker or Laphroaig, I highly recommend picking up the Talisker Distillers Edition 1996, pouring yourself a few fingers neat, and lighting up your favorite cigar.

–Patrick S

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. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) As usual, a number of tax hike and smoking ban proposals threaten to damage cigar rights in a variety of states. In Indiana, the Senate needs to reject the statewide smoking ban that has been adopted by the House. In South Carolina, versions of a statewide ban are under consideration by both legislative bodies. In Texas, lawmakers continue to pave the way for a statewide ban through backroom negotiations. In Nebraska, a new bill would boost cigar excise taxes. And in Kentucky, politicians are aiming for a statewide ban and higher cigar taxes. Be sure to contact your state representatives if you live in any of these states, and be sure to check the CRA and IPCPR websites often for legislative  action alerts, petitions, and ways to stand up for your cigar rights.

2) General Cigar is introducing a new blend called the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary. The cigar (5 x 50) features a proprietary Connecticut corojo wrapper around a Connecticut broadleaf binder and long-filler tobaccos from Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. It will sell for around $6.50.

3) Inside the Industry: The Rocky Patel Decade Edición Limitada is now available in select locations. La Aurora has announced Para Japón, a special blend that will debut later this month and benefit relief efforts in Japan.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Monte Pascoal. A Cigar Smoker fires up the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Smoke Inn exclusive. Smoking Stogie lights up the San Lotano Habano. Over on YourCigarRatings.com, the Liga Privada T-52 breaks into the top ten.

5) Deal of the Week: Citizen Cigar is featuring 10-15% off all Nicarguan smokes. Included in the sale are cigars from Drew Estate, CAO, Oliva, Don Pepin Garcia, and even Padrón. A full list of discounted cigars can be found here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Cigar Rights of America

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) China’s Ministry of Health is imposing new, far-reaching smoking regulations on the planet’s most populous country. Starting May 1, smoking will be banned in most public places, including hotels, restaurants, parks, and pedestrian walkways. “Beijing has long said it is determined to tackle the country’s smoking problem but has so far met with little success,” reports the Wall Street Journal. “In fact, the new regulations come months after China missed a Jan. 9 deadline to restrict indoor smoking, set when Beijing signed the World Health Organization’s 2005 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2006.” It is not yet clear how the Chinese government intends to enforce the law in a country where  previous smoking regulations have gone largely ignored.

2) Tickets for Famous Smoke Shop’s annual Cigar Expo are now on sale. The theme of this year’s event, held August 26-27 in Pennsylvania, is “Cigarnival,” and attendees will be treated to “a carnival-like atmosphere replete with carnival games and performers, all they can eat and drink, plus the world’s leading cigar makers, and plenty of cigars to smoke.” Click here to purchase tickets.

3) Inside the Industry: Padilla is teaming up with Oliva to create a limited edition cigar for Oliva’s Studio Tobac project that is scheduled for an August release.  The next ProCigar, the Santiago-based Dominican cigar festival, will be held on February 19-25 of 2012. Camacho is a releasing a series of limited cigars for select retailers called Super Limitados.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes the My Father Edición Limitada 2011. Stogie Review reviews the Man O’ War Puro Authentico. Cigar Fan fires up a La Gloria Cubana Serie N. Nice Tight Ash checks out an Illusione 888 Candela. The Padrón 1964 Principe Maduro is a  top ten cigar over at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: Loyal StogieGuys.com readers can use the discount code “stogieguys” to subscribe to The Cigar Network magazine at 15% off the cover price. Just enter the code at checkout (seen here).

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr