The Stogie Guys

Before passing away at the age of 91 in April, Alejandro Robaina was an ambassador for Cuban cigars, a voice for independent farmers on an island wrought with government control, and one of the most respected leaf growers in the world. He was also a mentor for aspiring cigar makers like A.J. Fernandez.

Fernandez spent most of his life under Robaina’s tutelage in Cuba. Now head of the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, he crafts such blends as Man O’ War, Man O’ War Ruination, Rocky Patel’s Fusion, and the Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary.

Fernandez’s portfolio expanded in 2009 with the launch of Diesel. This new prominently advertised brand should be familiar to those on the mailing lists for Cigar.com and Cigars International—the exclusive Diesel retailers.

As the name suggests, Diesel is, according to marketing materials, “the cigar equivalent of a thick, juicy porterhouse.” Its Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper and three-year-old filler tobaccos from Nicaragua’s Jalapa, Condega, and Estelí regions are intended to impart bold, powerful flavors.

Only one size is available: a torpedo (5 x 56) that’s ominously called “Unholy Cocktail.” It is a densely packed rifle shell with a dark, rustic exterior and pre-light aromas of cocoa and coffee beans. One can’t help but feel slightly intimidated.

While spicy at the outset, though, the Diesel is tempered by a creamy cashew taste—a sensation that smoothes out the base flavors of black pepper, damp earth, leather, and espresso. Most of the cigar’s kick comes from its salty aftertaste. The overall effect is full-flavored yet only moderate in strength.

Not much changes as the straight burn slowly approaches the halfway mark and the white ash builds wonderfully off the foot. Despite expecting a flavor bomb to suddenly explode, the Unholy Cocktail is consistent to the nub.

Some liken a fine cigar to a harmonious symphony. To me, the Diesel is more like a ZZ Top song—unpolished, familiar, simplistic, repetitious, and somewhat heavy. But it’s also catchy. And the price rocks. Boxes of 30 sell for just under $100, rendering the Unholy Cocktail a smart buy if you’re looking for a cheap full-bodied torpedo. This new smoke 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

Back in February, I praised the Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon as a New York bourbon that proudly stacks up with “the best Kentucky has to offer.” Made of 100% corn, that unique spirit is a bit of a departure from the standard bourbon.

The Hudson Four Grain Whiskey is a more traditional bourbon. Along with a majority of corn (all bourbon must use over 50% corn) the bourbon also uses rye, wheat, and malted barley.

All four grains are combined then pot distilled two times before aging. Like the Baby Bourbon, the Four Grain Whiskey is aged in Tuthilltown’s signature small barrels, which come in two, three, and seven barrel sizes. The result is a spirit that ages far quicker than traditional bourbons (which are aged in much larger 53-gallon barrels) because there is more surface area per ounce of spirit.

The result is a deep copper-colored spirit. It is well-framed in a stout 375 ml. bottle that sells for around $45, a high price for half of a normal bottle.

After pouring a few fingers in a glass, I found a sweet nose with honey and a hint of orange peel. On the palate, the Four Grain reveals a smooth taste with sweet graham, plenty of creaminess, nuts, vanilla, and a bit of pepper. Unlike the Baby Bourbon, other muted flavors are present that combine for a balanced spirit with a warm, lingering finish.

Not surprisingly, the Four Grain Bourbon goes great with a fine cigar, and I found cedary medium- to full-flavored smokes pair particularly well. A few suggestions include the Tatuaje Gran Cojonu, Cuban Montecristo Petit Edmundo, Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum, and the EO Cubao.

While I slightly prefer Tuthilltown’s Baby Bourbon to its Four Grain edition, that preference doesn’t mean the Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey isn’t excellent. Bourbon drinkers who appreciate flavor, subtlety, and balance should go out and grab themselves a bottle.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One could do a blind review of the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio but there wouldn’t be any point. With it’s large perfecto shape, peculiar light wrapper on the foot, and even more peculiar head, there’s nothing like it.

The Mysterio features an immaculate pigtail head and a natural habano wrapper tip. In between is a dark, ultra-oily oscuro wrapper leaf that’s so shiny I half expected to see my reflection in it. Underneath these dual wrappers are binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic.

The Mysterio by La Flor Dominicana is as much a piece of art as it is a cigar. But don’t dismiss this well-constructed seven inch by 54 ring gauge perfecto as a gimmick. Litto Gomez didn’t create these cigars just to show off his artistry. It still is meant to be smoked.

Once lit, the perfecto starts out with burst of pepper. It then settles into a full-bodied combination of oak, espresso, and roasted nuts. Despite it’s formidable flavor profile, the cigar has impressive balance, with a cedary, dry finish.

Given that only master cigar rollers can construct this remarkable cigar, it should come as no surprise that its physical properties are impressive, including a sturdy ash, even burn, and an easy draw that produces volumes of cool smoke.

Between it’s unique looks and $15 price tag, you won’t likely be making the LFD Mysterio a regular smoke. But when you’re looking for an excellent full-flavored cigar that can start a conversation even before it’s lit, it would be hard to make a better choice than the mysterious-looking Mysterio. That earns the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio Oscuro a commendable rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I think of tasty, consistent, well-constructed cigars that don’t break the bank, a few choice brands come to mind. Oliva is always near the top of the list.

The Oliva Cigar Co. has only been around for about 15 years but, in that relatively short time, it has built a well-deserved reputation for quality and affordability. The brand’s foundation consists of blends like the Habano-wrapped Serie V and the Cameroon-wrapped Serie G—two highly-rated cigars that can be found for under $5 apiece. The Serie V Maduro Especial, although more expensive, is another fine specimen from this decorated Nicaraguan manufacturer.

Last year, Oliva diversified its portfolio by launching Connecticut Reserve. This mild-mannered blend was introduced at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show in August. It comes in five sizes: Churchill (7 x 50), Lonsdale (6.5 x 44), Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50), and Torpedo (6.5 x 52).

I recently purchased a five-pack of Lonsdales for $22. With a golden Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a pre-light aroma of sweet hay, and a firm feel from head to foot, this slender vitola makes a great first impression.

The cigar’s cap clips neatly to reveal a clear draw with just a bit of resistance. Then, once lit, the initial taste is of spicy oak and creamy almond. The Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos combine to make the first third bolder than expected.

At the halfway mark of this 80-minute smoke, the medium-bodied flavor settles into the mild spectrum. But, even as smooth cream becomes the dominant texture, the finish remains peppery and sweet—an appealing interplay from light to nub.

Remarkable the Connecticut Reserve Lonsdale is not. I can’t see myself reaching for this cigar if I’m in the mood to celebrate. It simply doesn’t have the complexity of fine tobacco that has been aged to perfection. And its definable flavors can be found in many other Connecticut-wrapped smokes on the market (i.e., the Camacho Connecticut).

That said, the consistency and construction this new Oliva offers—including a solid gray ash and a set-it-and-forget-it burn line—can rarely be found for such an affordable price. I’m happy to keep a handful of these in stock as morning or mid-afternoon cigars to pair with coffee. That justifies 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

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.”

Savinelli is better know for its pipe offerings than its cigars, but this Corona Gorda (6.6 x 46) shows that cigars aren’t being neglected. The Nicaraguan puro features a perfectly smooth, dry, medium brown wrapper. Impressive construction is highlighted by a flawless draw and even burn. The flavors are mostly earthy with some raisin and sawdust, leaving a dry finish. While certainly not a bad cigar, it loses points for leaving my mouth feeling awkwardly dry.

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 following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

This robusto (5 x 52) has an oily wrapper that’s medium-to-dark brown with a fairly rustic look. The heaviness in the hand speaks to a fully-packed stogie, but also contributes to a tighter draw than I’m comfortable with, at least at the beginning. Flavors range from cocoa powder and coffee at the start to strong coffee and earth near the end. This is a full-bodied smoke that tastes great; I enjoyed it more than the 888, but not as much as the MJ12, although the sticker price of $8.40 makes it much more attainable.

Verdict = Buy.

–Submitted by David Jones of The Tiki Bar Online

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) This month marks the fourth anniversary of StogieGuys.com. Publishing daily since May 2006, our readership has grown steadily as we’ve brought you over 1,400 days of reviews, news, commentaries, tips, and interviews from the world of cigars. The entire StogieGuys.com team is extremely grateful for your loyal patronage and feedback. (To thank you for your continued readership, we’ll be giving away more great prizes to subscribers of our free email newsletter. If you aren’t already signed up, please do so here.) Here’s to four more great years!

2) Despite the efforts of anti-tobacco zealots, Kansas politicians failed to pass a tobacco tax hike that would have included a 300% tax increase on cigars. “This outcome may not have been possible without the earnest efforts of IPCPR’s Kansas retailers, an essential component of the overall lobbying efforts,” said a press release from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

3) Forgetting politics, there’s one aspect of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s résumé we can all get behind. A former cigarette smoker, Kagan said in the past that she smoked the occasional cigar, though recent profiles didn’t clarify whether she’s still a sister of the leaf.

4) Inside the Industry: La Flor Dominicana’s Air Bender is growing by two sizes: “Poderoso” (a corona) and “Villano” (a lancero). Angelenos, the cigar line made by Fuente for God of Fire/Prometheus, is expanding with the addition of a Gran Toro (6.5 x 52) and  a Double Robusto (5.75 x 52).

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the new E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2010. Smoking Stogie lights up a Behike 54. Cigar Inspector fires up a Graycliff Chateau Gran Cru. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Paradigm 262. Stogie Fresh smokes the Davidoff Puro D’Oro.

6) Deal of the Week: Now is a great time to check out CitizenCigar.com, a new Tennessee-based retailer that is introducing itself with a sitewide sale. Everything is currently 10% off with free shipping. Click here to peruse their selection.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr