The Stogie Guys

[Editors’ Note: The following is a guest review authored by Chris Verhoeven, a friend of StogieGuys.com who is a cigar enthusiast extraordinaire.]

When I think of candela cigars, I usually think of sweet grass and caramel flavors with a dry bitterness. But that’s not what you get with the Illusione 88 Candela.

Apparently, when Dion Giolito was making his limited release Illusione Maduro cigars, he decided to make an even smaller batch of candelas to prove that it’s possible to make a good one. The Illusione Candela 88 and hl are the result. I was intrigued by the idea and picked up a 5-pack of the 88 (reputedly the better of the two) to see if he had succeeded. Being exceedingly rare, I went to my go-to rare cigar hookup at Uptown Cigar and purchased them for $8.50 per stick.

Visually, this is a stunning cigar. This robusto-sized smoke (5 x 52) features the standard white Illusione band which plays nicely off its deep olive wrapper. The veins, compared to the delicate wrapper, are rugged and give an otherwise smooth cigar some character. The head is finished in a beautifully executed triple cap.

The cigar bolts out of the gate with a strong spice—not a typical black pepper spice, but something new and difficult to explain. This quickly takes a backseat and becomes a tingle on the palette. The rest of the first third is dominated by a creamy taste with undertones of peanut.

As it progresses into the second third, the creamy profile remains but the distinct peanut flavor regresses into a less recognizable, but still enjoyable, general nuttiness. The tingling on the palette almost disappears at this point.

The final third brings hay flavors with a mild sweetness that seems familiar from the early parts of the 88 Candela, as if they had always been there, hiding in the background. Although the cigar has some of the dryness I’ve come to expect from other candelas, this dryness is in no way overpowering or unpleasant.

Despite its composition, the cigar has a respectable medium body and produces bountiful smoke, which holds my interest for the full hour it takes to smoke the stick. All the while the burn doesn’t waver much and the ash holds firm.

It seems Dion Giolito has proved it’s possible to make a whole-heartedly enjoyable candela cigar, and I hope he considers releasing more of them in the future. My only complaint comes in the form of the final third of the cigar, where the profile loses some of its complexity. Despite that fault, I’m confidently awarding the Illusione 88 Candela four stogies out of five and announcing that this cigar is well worth the effort to track it down.

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

–Chris Verhoeven

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) Politicians in Utah are seeking to curtail underage smoking by outlawing flavored tobacco statewide. The original version of their proposed bill criminalized flavored tobacco of any kind, but a newer version exempts cigars, targeting pipe tobacco instead. “We have always been against the sale of any tobacco products to anyone under the age of 19, and there are plenty of laws that already prevent that,” said Fred Cvar, owner of The Tinder Box in Salt Lake City, in an IPCPR press release. “HB0170, unfortunately, also would prevent the sale of virtually all pipe tobaccos to our mature adult customers. Such tobaccos, cut and blended especially for use in briar and meerschaum pipes, have been enjoyed…since the 1600s.”

2) State lawmakers in Washington are mulling a bill that would decriminalize smoking in select cigar shops and lounges. Only 100 exemptions would be granted statewide, each paying $15,000 to the government annually. Smoking inside bars, restaurants, lounges,  tobacco shops, and other places of employment has been illegal in the Evergreen State since 2005.

3) Inside the Industry: Tatuaje is releasing a petit lancero version of the Black Label that will be exclusive to  the Minneapolis Tobacco Grove shop. Jim Colucci, an executive vice president at Altadis, has announced his retirement after a 34-year career with the company. Casa Magna is releasing a new Lancero size. Drew Estate is launching Ratzilla, a version of the Dirty Rat that measures 6 inches with a ring gauge of 46 (we reported the possibility of this new vitola at the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans).

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Regusto Churchill. Tiki Bar examines the Casa Fernandez Arsenio Maduro. Smoking Stogie smokes a pre-release Drew Estate Liga Privada L40. Cigar Fan fires up a Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros. Stogie Fresh smokes the Tatuaje Verocu Tubo. The Padrón 1964 Principe Maduro is now the top cigar at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: Altadis continues promotions for its Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve, offering four sticks for just $7.95 (including shipping). An ad in the March Men’s Journal advises readers to log on here and order the quartet.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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) One week after politicians in New York voted to criminalize smoking in the city’s parks, beaches, and other outdoor areas, two Boston city councilors are proposing a similar law for their city. “Mayor Thomas M. Menino [pictured], a strong supporter of smoking bans in bars and restaurants and of the elimination of cigarette sales in pharmacies, has not taken a public position on the councilors’ proposal,” reports the Boston Globe. “In an interview, the mayor’s top health aide, Barbara Ferrer, was noncommittal about the possible restriction but said she and the mayor are ‘excited to hear more.’”

2) Whoopie Goldberg’s one celebrity who isn’t pleased with New York City’s new outdoor smoking ban. “I’m tired of being treated like some damn criminal,” the actress said on The View, where she’s a regular. According to an article in the Toronto Sun, Goldberg noted that smokers deserve some respect: “You can’t keep treating people like they don’t matter.”

3) The fourth annual ProCigar Festival took place this week in Santiago. The event is the Dominican Republic’s version of Cuba’s Festival del Habano (which kicks off later this month) with factory tours, golf, educational seminars, cuisine, and plenty of cigars. This year’s sponsors included Davidoff, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, La Aurora, El Credito, and many others.

4) Inside the Industry: Fonseca announced it’s 120th Anniversary cigar, a one-size line made with Dominican wrapper and binder tobaccos with a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Habanos S.A. has announced the appointment of Jorge Luis Fernandez Maique to the position of co-president.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. Smoking Stogie smokes the Graycliff Espresso Elegante. Your Cigar Ratings features the 601 Blue Robusto. Cigar Inspector inspects a Monte Pascoal. A Cigar Smoker checks out La Aurora Gran 107.

6) Deal of the Week: This Hurricane Sampler includes 12 cigars for just $40. Included are sought-after cigars from Diesel, Man O’ War, Gurkha, and Padilla.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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) For cigar enthusiasts, New York may be the most inhospitable major city in the country. Politicians in the Big Apple this week voted to ban smoking in many outdoor areas, including parks, beaches, and Times Square. “The smoking ban will cover 1,700 parks and 14 miles of public beaches plus boardwalks, marinas, and pedestrian plazas…,” writes the Associated Press. “The expanded smoking ban will give the city’s Parks Department the power to slap violators with quality-of-life summonses, which are tickets for minor offenses…that typically carry fines of under $100.” Smoking inside bars and restaurants has been illegal in New York City since 2003.

2) Meanwhile, in Connecticut and Maine, the right to enjoy cigars in private clubs is under attack. Lawmakers in those states have introduced bills that would ban smoking in the few places where smoking is still permitted. One Connecticut politician said the move is intended “to insure the public is protected.”

3) Inside the Industry: Gary Hyams stepped down as chairman of CAO on Monday, becoming the fourth executive to depart the company in three months. Ashton is releasing a new La Aroma de Cuba size called “Marquis”. La Aurora is adding another 107 vitola called “Gran 107” (7 x 58). Last night,  former quarterback and current ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski hosted a pre-Super Bowl cigar party to benefit the Jaws Youth Fund, which partners with the United Way to help at-risk youth.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a Warlock. Tiki Bar tries the Viaje Holiday Blend 2010. Smoking Stogie smokes the Drew Estate Double Signature. Stogie Review reviews the Oliva Master Blends 3. Cigar Inspector inspects an Avo Tesoro. Stogie Fresh lights up My Father Le Bijou.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve rated the Cubano Claro four out of five stogies, and now is your chance to pick up this cigar at a deep discount: a box of 20 for just $59.99.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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 Minnesota introduced House File No. 188, which would provide modest yet much-needed relief from the state’s restrictive smoking ban. If passed, the law would grant an exemption for bars that meet certain ventilation regulations and have separate dining areas. “This is a step in the right direction,” reads a CRA press release. “The bill is currently in the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee. We hope you let committee members know of your support.”

2) We finally have a Facebook page, where you can interact with other readers, comment on discussions, and more. Also, be sure to join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our newsletter.

3) Cigar Rights Alerts: New Mexico politicians proposed a bill that would boost the state’s cigar tax from 25% to 57%. The Indiana House endorsed a statewide smoking ban, but other legislative hurdles have yet to be cleared. A Nebraska judge declared the state’s smoking ban exemption for cigar bars and cigar shops to be unconstitutional, on the grounds it is “special legislation” for a specific group.

4) Around the Blogs: Tiki Bar smokes the Drew Estate Liga Privada JD4. A Cigar Smoker reviews the Davidoff 2000. Cigarfan enjoys the Toraño Single Region Serie Jalapa. Cigar Inspector evaluates the Ashton VSG Enchantment. Smoking Stogie fires up a Punch Serie d’Oro No. 1.

5) Deal of the Week: Famous Smoke Shop is offering free UPS ground shipping when you buy any box or bundle from almost 200 brands, including Tatuaje, 601, Perdomo, Oliva, Rocky Patel, La Flor Dominicana, CAO, Davidoff, Pinar del Rio, and more. Click here to peruse the possibilities.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

The storm that hit the Washington area last night not only blanketed snow on the region and made the evening commute hellish, it also knocked out power in much of the area. That means we aren’t able to post today’s regularly-scheduled article. While we wait for power to be restored, we’ll leave you with the following question: What cigar do you turn to when the weather gets really cold?

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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) John Anderson and Matt Krimm, proprietors of W. Curtis Draper, this week announced the purchase of Bethesda Tobacco, a cigar shop located eight miles away from their Washington location. The move marks Draper’s first foray outside DC in its 123-year history. Paul Spence, formerly a sales manager with CAO, has been named managing partner and general manager of the Bethesda store, which will be renamed W. Curtis Draper Bethesda. “John and Matt are true tobacconists,” said Mike Copperman, former owner of Bethesda Tobacco. “I wouldn’t entrust Bethesda Tobacco, or its customers, to anyone else.”

2) On January 14, President Obama announced more relaxed rules for interactions with Cuba. While the new policies fall far short of ending the embargo, they ease restrictions on travel and allow for U.S. citizens to send money to Cubans more frequently. Unfettered travel still isn’t allowed, but the State Department will issue more visas for “purposeful travel” including journalism, education, religious, and humanitarian travel.

3) Inside the Industry: The Jameson Cigar Co. is introducing the SouthBound Series Latitude, a Pennsylvania broadleaf-wrapped blend that will be offered in bundles of 20 for $62-64. Miraculous Templar, a new Dominican manufacturer, has debuted its inaugural blend, with each of the line’s three sizes available in 50-count boxes with either a Sumatra or a Maduro wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the San Lotano Habano. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Gran Habano Gran Reserva. Cigar Fan smokes the Montecristo Cabinet Selección. Cigar Inspector inspects a Dona Flor Reserva Especial.  The Illusione cg4 and the Fuente Añejo No. 46 top the list at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: Citizen Cigar is featuring two awesome specials. Orders over $65 earn a free five-pack of Don Pepin cigars (Blue Label, Serie JJ, Serie JJ Maduro, Cuban Classic, and Vegas Cubana). And orders over $120 earn a free five-pack of Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Maduro Torpedos in addition to the Don Pepin sampler.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: W. Curtis Draper