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.”

Another line in the collaboration between Ashton and cigar master Don José “Pepín” Garcia, the Quintessence quickly announces its heritage with a nice pepper blast. That dials back after about an inch as a fruity sweetness comes forward. The two flavors shift dominance throughout the rest of the Belicoso (6.5 x 54), joined on occasion by wood and leather. The smooth Ecuadorian Habano wrapper covers Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. As you’d expect from a Pepín-produced cigar, performance is excellent. There’s a lot to like about Quintessence—the Robusto was Cigar Journal’s 2016 cigar of the year—especially with a price tag under $10. (By the way, if you’re curious about the differences between belicosos, torpedos, and pyramids, check out this page from StogieGuys.com friend Doc Stogie.)

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Ashton

This new vitola in the Classic line from Bombay Tobak won’t be crowding the shelves at your local B&M. In fact, it is intended to be available only as one of five cigars in MBombay’s new Sample Pack, though some retailers may split them apart for individual sales (MSRP $11.95).

The Torpedos have a smaller production level than other MBombay Classics. According to brand owner Mel Shah, there are two primary reasons for this: (1) the difficulty and time required to properly roll the shape, and (2) the fact that the cigars are aged for more than 14 months before heading to market.

So, the bottom line is you may have to do a little searching to find this cigar. Judging from those I’ve smoked, it will be well worth your while.

The tobaccos include an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and filler from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. The Torpedo, a 6-inch cigar with a ring gauge of 52, features an unfinished, closed foot. As with other Bombay Tobak cigars, it is rolled in Costa Rica.

There’s not a lot of differences from the original Classic—which received four stogies when we reviewed it in 2016—but that little bit is notable.

While both are smooth, the Torpedo is a bit stronger, especially in the second half. (Overall, I’d rate the strength as mild in the first half, medium thereafter.) And both are creamy with cedar notes, but the Torpedo also evokes some citrus and other fruity sweetness for added complexity.

On the other hand, they were identical in performance. Excellent burn, excellent draw, and great smoke production.

If you purchase the sampler, the other four cigars are the Mora Toro, Habano Robusto, Corojo Oscuro Robusto, and a Gaaja Toro.

The Classic Torpedo is a welcome addition to the MBombay line, and I think any cigar smoker will enjoy it. It earns four and a half 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.”

Made for the Two Guys Smoke Shop chain in New Hampshire, Perdomo’s Moolah is a mixed filler Nicaraguan puro with a small price tag. The Toro (6 x 50) sells for $3.59 (or $69.99 for a box of 25). Performance is fine, with a good draw, straight burn, and a great deal of smoke. It’s flavor where Moolah falls short. Few are discernable. The cigar is generally sharp, dry, and has a scratchy back-of-the-throat finish. But Moolah isn’t masquerading as something it’s not, so the buyer should be well aware beforehand of what’s in store.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The first thing that stands out about this cigar is the wrapper, a beautiful light brown Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf stretched over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The large band around it has Crux’s trademark medieval-reminiscent typface on a red background balanced by a white strip below with the cigar’s name in gold. It is an impressive presentation.

The next strong impression comes after lighting up. There’s none of that typical Connecticut grassy characteristic. Instead, the dominant flavors are natural sweetness and toast. Around the second third, light pepper and cedar mingle in and remain through the rest of the Robusto (5 x 50, $10).

Though it will certainly appeal to the large segment of cigar smokers who prefer milder cigars, Epicure is by no means an old-school Connecticut. Rather, it’s what I think of as a “millennial Connecticut”: a blend that manages to create smoothness and flavor without a significant grassy component in a mild- to medium-bodied smoke.

Like other Crux cigars, this one is rolled by Plasencia. Performance is first-rate. In both of those I smoked, the burn was slow and straight, the ash held tightly, and there was a lot of smoke production.

The line was introduced in 2016 but didn’t ship widely until last year. It comes in three sizes in addition to the Robusto: Corona Gorda (5.375 x 46), Robusto Extra (5.75 x 54), and Toro (6.25 x 52).

With a milder blend, Epicure fills a spot in the expanding Crux lineup that’s been highly praised, including numerous strong ratings at StogieGuys.com for many of their smokes.

This one is no exception. And I would urge anyone to give Epicure a try, even if you primarily smoke high-powered cigars. With the right circumstances and attention, I believe this cigar will satisfy most smokers. I rate it four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Crux / 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.”

With a flawless Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a partially covered foot, this cigar makes a great first impression. This entry also features something of an unusual combination for A.J. Fernandez: a Cameroon binder covers his Nicaraguan filler. It’s a medium-strength cigar with lots of flavor, including cedar and nuts. The Robusto (5 x 52) retails for around $7. I would have liked greater smoke production and a little better burn, but, overall, this is an enjoyable cigar and worthy of a recommendation.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I approached this cigar with trepidation. I’m a huge Cornelius & Anthony fan. I recently awarded the Aerial robusto five stogies, and I’ve rated others highly as well.

I’m not, however, a fan of Mexican San Andrés tobacco, the leaf used as wrapper on the Señor Esugars line. But there have been a few cigars with San Andrés in the blend that I’ve enjoyed, usually because they haven’t had what I think of as the tobacco’s typical taste.

So, I had to wonder how this would turn out.

The line comes in four sizes, ranging from a Gordo (6 x 60) down to a Corona Gorda (5.5 x 46). The Robusto has an MSRP of $9.75.

Aesthetically, this 5-inch, 52-ring gauge robusto is stunning. The dark wrapper is virtually flawless with a slightly gritty feel. Its pre-light aroma did seem pretty typical of Mexican tobacco.

That was confirmed when I lit it up; along with a bit of spice was the dirt taste I so often associate with San Andrés. As I smoked down, there was also some coffee, nuts, and, occasionally, spice and sweetness. At about the halfway point, the Mexican dominance dropped a few degrees and the flavors became more balanced.

The filler is Nicaraguan and the binder is an undisclosed U.S. leaf. Like other Cornelius & Anthony smokes, they’re rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory and feature double bands.

And, like other C&A cigars I’ve smoked, Señor Esugars perform flawlessly. The two I tested burned evenly, had excellent draws, and produced lots of smoke.

The cigar’s unusual name has a somewhat winding origin. Brand owner Steven Bailey’s dog is named Oscar, but nicknamed Mr. Sugars. Señor Esugars evolved from that. The cigar box showcases a fine line drawing of Oscar (sporting a derby and holding a cigar lengthwise in his mouth) and a smiling Bailey in the background.

This, for me, is the toughest sort of cigar to review. It’s definitely well made and utilizes quality tobacco. For someone who’s a fan of San Andrés tobacco—and, obviously, lots of folks are, judging by the leaf’s popularity boom in recent years—I think Señor Esugars should definitely be on the try-it list.

But, for my palate, the flavors just aren’t quite there. I rate it three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: C&A Cigars / Stogie Guys

As always, the StogieGuys.com list of the absolute best cigars we smoked throughout the year is small: just four. That is, though, the same as in 2016. In fact, through the years, the number of five-stogie cigars has been relatively consistent.

Another constant in our five-stogie ratings is diversity. This year’s list, for example, features the debut of MBombay, a stellar line of cigars rolled in Costa Rica for Californian Mel Shah’s Bombay Tobak, and Cornelius & Anthony, a firm with longstanding ties to the tobacco business but is relatively new to premium cigars.

On the other hand, you’ll spot the familiar name Tatuaje. This marks its 10th five-stogie cigar, quite a few more than any other brand.

In order to achieve a five-stogie rating, a cigar must be better than good. As we note in the explanation of our rating system, a five-stogie cigar is “tasty, complex” and “truly an occasion.”

Here’s a chronological look at this year’s top-rated cigars:

MBombay Gaaja Maduro Torpedo: While this is the first cigar from MBombay to score five stogies, it is not the first to be rated highly. Two others got four stogies and one received four and a half. The Gaaja Maduro was introduced early in 2017 and made a strong impression. Our review called it “delicious,” “harmonious,” “well-balanced,” and “up there with the finest.” It also urged readers not to be put off by the $15.50 MSRP: “This is one not to miss.”

Tatuaje Reserva Broadleaf Collection Havana Cazadores: When Tatuaje’s Pete Johnson introduced a 100-cigar collection rolled in Miami with a price tag of $1,200, the brand’s devotees were captivated. One of the distinguishing features of these cigars over similar earlier releases was the use of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper rather than an Ecuadorian. The review found this lonsdale-sized smoke featured “tempered strength that walks the fine line between balance and full flavor.” It also called it “a perfectly constructed combination of full Nicaraguan flavors with the restrained richness that Connecticut Broadleaf provides.”

Cornelius & Anthony Aerial Robusto: In just a few years, Cornelius & Anthony has created an impressive line of cigars. The Aerial—rolled at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Nicaragua—has a creative combination of an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan filler and an unnamed U.S. binder. The Robusto has a $9.25 MSRP. As the review noted, “…the first few puffs are bursting with spice and a strong finish. By the start of the second third, the spice has backed off and tobacco sweetness moves to the fore. In the final third, the spice amps up again, mingling with leather and a light earthiness.”

Muestra de Saka Nacatamale: Since reentering the cigar business in 2015, Steve Saka, with his Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, has knocked ‘em out of the park like Aaron Judge: a five-stogie rating in 2015 followed by numerous four-and-a-half rated smokes. This year’s entry comes packed in a wooden coffin with an MSRP of $15.95. “What makes Nacatamale so outstanding—and, yes, it is absolutely outstanding—is not any individual flavor,” said our review. “This cigar is a great example of how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.”

You can find all 58 five-stogie rated cigars with reviews dating back more than a decade here.

Here’s to many more wonderful cigars in 2018!

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys