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.”

If appearance were the standard, the Serino Wayfarer Corona Gorda (6 x 46) could compete in any contest. Rich, oily Ecuadorian Corojo ’99 wrapper. Perfectly placed triple cap. Nicely done band. Even the first few puffs are pleasing. Unfortunately, the rest of the cigar doesn’t measure up. This was primarily due to a sourness that, while not overwhelming, was too prominent to allow other flavors to make their mark. The sour note also lingered on the finish. I plan to try one or two more in the line, perhaps different sizes, because I feel like there’s promise. But until that promise is better fulfilled, it’s difficult to recommend a buy.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

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.”

Described as a “classic old fashioned cigar” by Julio R. Eiroa, Aladino makes full use of Honduran-grown Corojo tobacco, the wrapper leaf once used extensively in Cuba. It makes for an interesting medium-strength smoke. The predominant flavors are a moderate level of spice and natural tobacco sweetness. Along the way, I also found some charred wood, nuts, and a little leather. Aladino comes in many sizes, each said to be blended for a somewhat different strength level. The Robusto (5 x 50) sells for about $10.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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.”

This cigar is another in Oliva’s budget presentations, going for about $5 each by the box of 20. It’s got an Indonesian Sumatra wrapper with an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan filler. My first impression was a not-too-pleasant mineral/medicinal taste, which backed off a bit but never fully went away as I later encountered some spice and a little leather. It burned OK, but smoke production was average at best. I like a lot of Oliva’s cigars, but this Toro (6 x 50) didn’t live up to others I’ve smoked.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

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.”

This cigar from Jochy Blanco’s Tabacalera Palma is a budget-priced smoke that punches far above its weight. With a smooth Ecuadorian wrapper and Dominican filler, this robusto-sized  (5.25 x 50) treat delivers flavors of hay, cream, citrus, and an occasional bit of cedar. Strength is mild, as you’d expect, and performance is first-rate. At about $5 a stick, La Galera Connecticut is a definite addition to almost any smoker’s to-try list, especially if you enjoy a cigar with a cup of coffee.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Who doesn’t love a lonsdale?

Well, a lot of cigar smokers, I guess, since the long-ish, thin shape has become less and less popular through the years. Its once-prominent place in humidors has declined even more rapidly with the ascendance of large ring gauge smokes.

But the lonsdale remains an elegant and tempting shape.

This recent offering from Cornelius & Anthony keeps the tradition alive and is a welcome addition to the three sizes of the initial line the company introduced a couple of years ago.

The cigars are rolled in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood at the well-known El Titan de Bronze factory. The Cornelius Lonsdale is the traditional 6.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 42.

As with other C&A cigars, it features two bands, with the thinner one identifying it as Cornelius. The MSRP is $13.50. (The lonsdale name, by the way, comes from an English nobleman, the fifth earl of Lonsdale, who reportedly spent as much as £500 a week on cigars.)

The wrapper is an oily light brown Ecuadorian Habano. The binder is also from Ecuador, while the filler is a mix of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos.

Like its sibling, the Cornelius Lonsdale begins with a pleasant mixture of sweetness and spice. The sweetness recedes as the cigar burns down, and charred wood and cedar move forward. In the final third, a peppery note comes through as well.

The draw, which can sometimes be a concern with thinner cigars, was excellent in both of those I tried. The cigars also produced a great deal of thick, rich smoke and held their ashes tightly.

The Cornelius Lonsdale paired perfectly with black coffee, and I imagine it would complement any number of drinks (except those that are very sweet).

All in all, I found this vitola a bit more complex and balanced than the Toro I smoked earlier. Strength in all of them was squarely in the medium range.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Cornelius Lonsdale and recommend it for almost any smoker. I rate it a strong four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

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.”

This Ecuadorian oscuro-wrapped blend from La Palina starts boldly with a strong pepper blast befitting its Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Though it never goes away, the pepper backs down somewhat after an inch or so as flavors like coffee, leather, and cedar move forward. Introduced in 2016 in three sizes, Nicaragua Oscuro is rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s Nicaraguan factory. I paid about $8 for a single Toro (6 x 50), though you can find them online for just a shade over $5 each in a box of 20. It is a satisfying smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: La Palina