The Stogie Guys

The story of La Caridad del Cobre is one of collaboration, persistence, and trademark law. It’s also one of good tobacco, as evidenced by my colleague’s review of the boutique manufacturer’s inaugural blend.

This year, company founder and intellectual property attorney Frank Herrera launched a new extension of his young brand. It’s called “La Charada” (Spanish for “the charade”).

The concept is derived from the old Cuban lotto system, in which players would choose numbers that corresponded to objects from their dreams. Each of the seven La Charada vitolas is named and numbered accordingly.

The ominously named “Muerto Grande” measures seven inches with a ring gauge of 54. When I asked Herrera why he chose such an intimidating size, he said “because torpedos are bad ass. So bigger torpedos are bigger bad asses.” Fair enough.

Along with the three other maduro sizes in the La Charada portfolio, the No. 64 boasts a toothy Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper leaf with binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic. Made under the direction of Luis Sanchez at La Tradicion Cubana, this immense torpedo is fairly soft in the hand with thin veins and a pre-light aroma of rich syrup and spice.

Clipping the tip of the sharp cap reveals a moderate draw. Once lit, the cigar tastes of heavy leather, sour cream, and espresso with a peppery spice on the finish. The bountiful resting smoke is aromatic and cocoa-like.

As the draw opens beyond the midway point, the profile takes on creamier characteristics—a nice, welcome change that adds complexity and depth. The combustion qualities include a white, sandy ash that holds well off the foot and a fairly straight burn that requires a few touch-ups along the way.

This is a smooth, medium-bodied cigar that’s a joy to smoke if you have a lot of time on your hands. While straightforward and fairly consistent, I never lost interest in what it has to offer.

And its $7 price tag means you get a lot of tobacco for your money. I look forward to trying the three Ecuadorian Sumatra-wrapped “natural” vitolas in the La Charada blend. Meanwhile, this “bad ass” cigar earns three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: 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.”

Launched in June, this new Dominican puro by Augusto Reyes features a nearly flawless light brown wrapper. The cigar starts an initial burst of unpleasant leathery bitterness. Fortunately, after a few minutes, it settles into a more balanced combination of cream and wood. Also evident are hints of leather and roasted peanut. Construction is excellent, particularly the draw, which has just the right amount of resistance. This medium-bodied smoke shows some potential, but I’m disappointed with the bitterness, both out of the gate and occasionally after.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: 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.”

The newest offering from Abe Flores of Pinar del Rio is the 1878 Cubano Especial. This line features a Brazilian arapiraca wrapper, a Dominican criollo ’98 binder, and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The Robusto (5 x 52) is a little spongy with an overly loose draw. The resulting flavors fall flat with unbalanced sweetness in the first third. Approaching the halfway point, the draw tightens and the taste improves with chocolate sweetness, woody undertones, a light basil flavor, and good amount of black pepper spice. My guess is that the second half is a better representation of what this cigar can be. For now, though, I can’t fully recommend this Jekyll and Hyde act.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick M

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. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is banning smoking in “huge swaths of government-controlled outdoor spaces,” including Times Square. “We have to do something about this, because even out in the open air secondhand smoke can be dangerous,” Bloomberg told Fox News. The move follows a dangerous trend of smoking bans extending beyond indoor locales to outdoor settings, private cars, and even private homes (see below).

2) Smoking Ban Alerts: Tacoma officials are mulling a proposal that would criminalize smoking in apartment buildings. Ithica politicians are hoping to extend a city law that already bans outdoor smoking in parks, bus shelters, and natural areas. Menlo Park is one step closer to new regulations that would outlaw smoking in multi-unit residential buildings and restaurant patios.

3) Charles Mysak, a cigar-smoking book vendor on the streets of New York, offered some excellent advice to his fellow lovers of the leaf. Dismissing a question about the health impact of his cigars, Mysak told the New York Times: “Ignorance and indolence is the primary problem. If you take care of the mind, everything else follows.” Read the rest of his story here.

4) Inside the Industry: The new La Aurora 107 Lancero, which can be ordered by retailers on Twitter, is hitting shelves at select technology-friendly cigar shops. A very limited Opus X BBMF is now available as part of special humidor with proceeds going to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Viaje Fifty Fifty Red Label. Cigar Inspector inspects the Cohiba Behike 52. Tiki Bar kicks back with an E.P. Carrillo Core Blend. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Viaje Satori. A Cigar Smoker smokes a My Father Limited Edition 2010.

6) Deal of the Week:  Well worth a look is this Don Pepin Elite Selection sampler, featuring some of the legendary cigar maker’s finest smokes. Included are two each of the Tatuaje Havana, 5 Vegas Miami, Cuban Classic, and San Cristobal—all for under $40. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

La Flor Dominicana president and founder Litto Gomez has an ad in the latest issue of Cigar Aficionado that passionately makes the case against anti-cigar legislation.

The two-page ad features a message and pictures of unhealthy foods, wine, whiskey, coffee, and cigars surrounding a photo of Litto Gomez smoking. The message reads:

It’s Time to Speak Up

Every single one of the foods or substances you see here may end up killing you…if you abuse them. But if we take them with moderation, they are harmless and make our lives really enjoyable. For some draconian reasons, our law makers have singled out cigars. Why? I remember the reason was secondhand smoking. But, in parks? in the open air?…what is this!! If we let them get away with it, they will continue to take away pleasures of our life. As adults, we have the right to choose our lifestyle. As I recall, it was called freedom, and that’s what makes America the best country in the world. If you don’t smoke and think that this does not concern you…think again, because one day, after they are done with cigars, a fat congressman while munching on his french fries will write a bill taxing your favorite food. We should not let them legislate our lifestyle. It’s Time To Stop Them.

I am Litto Gomez.

This is my personal opinion. I am a concerned citizen that believes in freedom of choice. I teach this to my children.

Ads like this cost well over $10,000, so it speaks volumes that Litto chose to run the ad. And demonstrating that the message is what’s most important, he didn’t even identify his company in the ad.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Let’s face it: As much as we deplore snobbery, we’re all guilty of various forms of cigar arrogance from time to time. Even the most tolerant of cigar enthusiasts is bound to scoff at something (flavored cigars, for example).

But not all cigar-related condescension is justified. Some things from the cigar world have amassed undeserved reputations. Below, in no particular order, are my top five:

1. Inexpensive lighters and cutters. In my experience, wooden matches, modestly priced cutters, and other cheap accessories often get the job done just as well as their expensive counterparts. Does it look ridiculous to clip a $20 smoke with a double guillotine cutter that cost $12? Maybe. But not nearly as ridiculous as losing a $100+ cutter between your couch cushions. Understated, easily replaceable cigar accessories are the mark of a true aficionado.

2. Altadis and General Cigar. I’ll be the first to admit that my favorite cigar manufacturers are small, boutique operations. But that doesn’t change the fact that two of the biggest premium tobacco outfits also make a lot of tasty, widely available, well-made, relatively inexpensive cigars. So it’s a mistake to outright dismiss everything made by Altadis or General.

3. Mild cigars. Some cigar fans condemn all mild cigars and elevate most bold, full-bodied powerhouse sticks to legendary status. This practice can only be perceived as a misguided attempt to prove one’s manhood. Mild cigars, as my former colleague once wrote, “can and should remain part of a well-balanced collection. We should not consider ourselves too macho, too old, too cool, or too proud to smoke mild or medium sticks.”

4. Online cigar retailers. In these discouraging times of restrictive smoking bans and outrageous tobacco taxes, it’s vital to support brick and mortar tobacco shops. Heck, many new cigars are purposefully relegated to tobacconist shelves. While this is a noble cause, let’s not forget that online retailers serve an important role. They provide competitive auctions, affordable deals, and enable customers to buy smokes from the comfort of their homes. They also make some rare smokes easier to find. So frequent your local shop and lose the guilt when you occasionally buy via the web.

5. Bundle cigars. Cigar boxes are truly a work of art, elevating the importance of presentation to a level unrealized in other industries. If cost is your concern, though, consider buying by the bundle. Many good cigars come bunched in bales of cellophane instead of colorfully decorated Spanish cedar boxes. However untraditional and unattractive, this strategy cuts on cost, and the savings are often passed on to you, the consumer. Nevermind the connotation that great cigars have to come from beautiful boxes.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Don Pepin Garcia burst on the scene when Tatuaje, a cigar made for Pete Johnson, first started garnering high praise and plenty of buzz. By the 2007 industry trade show, Pepin, formerly a top cigar man in Cuba, had established himself as one of the most prolific makers of non-Cuban cigars. That meant he was ready to release his first solely produced limited edition cigar.

Called El Centurion, the blend was originally available in just three sizes: Guerreros (robusto), Gladiadores (toro), and Emperadores. The latter is a belicoso that measures 5.5 inches with a ring gauge of 52. It features a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan-grown Cuban seed criollo ’98 and corojo ’99 leaves that have been aged three years.

It’s a very attractive smoke with a few veins and muted sheen. The large red, orange, and gold band is ornate, and notable because only a very small script signature lets you know that this is a Don Pepin Garcia smoke.

Just 850 boxes of each size were ever produced, all of which reportedly sold out on the first day El Centurion became available. Few remain today. A handful of places still sell them for $12-15 each. (I got mine from CitizenCigar.com, which sells boxes for $230.)

El Centurion starts off with plenty of cedar along with cream and graham cracker sweetness. Adding to the complex blend are subtle pepper, paper, coffee, and bread flavors. The profile is medium-bodied but dense with flavor. It’s a deliciously complex cigar that is is well-rounded and balanced from start to finish. Time seems to have done wonders.

Each of the three samples I smoked before writing this review demonstrated excellent physical qualities. Particularly notable was a razor thin black burn line, a sign of a well-aged smoke.

This cigar reminded me of a cross between two others made by Don Pepin Garcia: My Father and the Tatuaje Reserva SW. Those are two fine smokes. And while I’ve sampled nearly all of Garcia’s creations, I must conclude that this is his finest masterpiece. (The only line I’ve yet to smoke is the new My Father Limited Edition.) With high priase like that you can probably guess how this cigar review ends. This is a special cigar that unfortunately will never be made again. That’s why it earns five stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. A list of other five stogie-rated cigars can be found here.]

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys