The Stogie Guys

A sibling of Holt Cigar Co.’s house brand created by Don Pepin Garcia, the Gold Label takes its name from the light brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. But if it were receiving medals for the taste/price ratio, I think it could be in contention for gold as well.

With the Connecticut wrapper, it is, as you’d expect, a bit milder than the original corojo-wrapped Old Henry. But only a bit, and in some ways the Gold Label blend accentuates the pepper and spice from the Nicaraguan filler. I used a V-cut to slice the pointed head perfectly, and my lips were tingling before I put flame to the foot. To me, it’s a medium strength cigar that’s full of flavor.

The Belicoso is a 5.5-inch stick with a 52-ring gauge. It’s the only one of the line’s five sizes I’ve tried, and each Belicoso was excellently constructed. They burned straight and even, with a draw that was the way I like it, not loose or tight and full of smoke.

I’ve been a fan of the original Old Henry since the first one I smoked. I suggest you check my colleague’s 2008 review for a somewhat different view. One interesting note: The prices seem to have actually gone down since then!

I think they’re pretty darn good cigars, especially considering the price. Holt’s lists the Belicoso at $5.50 for a single, but it’s more than a dollar cheaper than that by the box of 25.

When you consider that the catalog giant often throws in some freebie with an Old Henry box order, it’s nearly unbeatable. (I remember once they threw in a couple of coffee cups, and I was so disappointed when they arrived because they had the Holt’s logo and not the great looking visage of Old Henry I was expecting.)

I usually have Old Henrys on hand, and now I think I’ll alternate the original with the Gold Label. I find it tough to rate. I’d have to say I don’t think it’s complex enough to be a four-stogie smoke, but I think it deserves a good bit better than a fairly routine three stogies. I guess I’ll split the difference and go with three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George

photo credit: Holt’s Cigar Co.

This bargain basement bundle cigar from Holt’s Cigar Co. is sometimes the subject of speculation on cigar forums. Its origins offer a lot for those drawn to intrigue.

First, they’re produced by Jose “Pepin” Garcia (the J.P.G. in the title), the master blender behind quite a few of Holt’s/Ashton big name cigars, such as La Aroma de Cuba and San Cristobal. Second, the Overruns are said to be rolled “in the heart of Little Havana” where Pepin established his reputation—this despite the fact that Don Pepin’s operation moved from Miami to Doral, Florida, sometime back.) And finally, the Overruns name lends itself to the belief that the cigars are somehow related to one of Garcia’s high-priced, more famous cigars.

Sorry, but I’m not buying it.

I picked up a bundle of the 5.5-inch, 44-ring gauge Coronas for $44.95 out of curiosity. And they turned out to be about what I’d expect for such an inexpensive cigar from a quality shop. That is a well-made, relatively OK stick that tastes to me like it is composed of lower quality, less finely prepared tobaccos.

I found a little of Don Pepin’s signature pepper, but the degree of harshness is far more than you’ll experience in any of his high-quality productions. It’s the kind of cigar I would smoke but would never miss if I didn’t ever light it up again.

If you’re looking for a cigar to hand out to semi-smoking friends at poker games or on the golf course, use as a yard ‘gar, or light up as a fishing companion, this is not a bad choice. If you think you’ve discovered some Tatuajes or Blue Labels going for under $3 apiece, I think you’ll be disappointed.

This cigar rates three stogies out of five.

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

–George

photo credit: Holt’s Cigar Co.

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.”

Early this year, my colleague gave the Toro in this line a sterling four-stogie rating. The 5-inch, 50-ring gauge Robusto is right there with it. Blended by Don Pepin Garcia, this smoke has some of his familiar touches, such as spice and pepper. But it’s no one-dimensional cigar; the array of flavors and changes create a terrific smoke. El Tiante cigars aren’t available everywhere, so don’t miss the chance to try one when you get it.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This addition to the line that introduced many smokers to Oliva comes after years of rumors. There’s a lot to live up to for a stick that bears the name of the 19th century patriarch of the storied tobacco family, in addition to that of the highly regarded Serie V moniker.

Melanio does the job. It’s a fairly strong cigar that’s both tasty and smooth, combining an Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra-seed wrapper with a mix of Nicaraguan filler in a Nicaraguan binder. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better constructed cigar, from the sharp burn to the excellent draw. Two standout components are massive smoke production and a fine, lingering finish to treat the palate.

Another job the Melanio accomplished was to get me smoking an Oliva again after a long, long layoff. I like and have smoked many of its offerings, but it’s been a while. Much of the company’s focus and attention seems to have gone into other projects, such Nub and Cain, and I think that’s helped divert me as well.

One criticism I have for the Melanio is Oliva’s decision not to use cellophane. The wrapper is delicate and seems to be easily banged up. In fact, selecting a stick from the boxes of ten, featured for the five Melanio vitolas, can be a challenge.

Perhaps reflecting the trend toward larger ring gauges, the rectangular-pressed Churchill is a 50 rather than the more traditional 48, though it is the standard seven inches in length.

I found this size a good showcase for the Melanio’s offerings. I probably shouldn’t say this because I don’t really have enough experience to make a competent observation but, hey, we’re all friends, right? This cigar struck me as a great, old-fashioned smoke, one your grandfather would have enjoyed and you will, too.

At around $12, this cigar is higher-priced than many Olivas. I think you’ll find it worth the extra money. It earns 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.”

At 7 inches in length with a 58-ring gauge, only a tad below an inch, this cigar lives up to its name, which can be translated as “the chief” or “the boss.” And with an MSRP of about $7, it could fall into the bargain category when computed by tobacco per dollar. Unfortunately, it’s all a bit too much. What’s enjoyable in a smaller vitola (see my 2010 review of the Churchill) can become tiresome after so much. It also suffers from the typical big ring gauge disease of PBS (Poor Burn Syndrome). The Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler mix crafted by My Father Cigars for Ashton makes for a good cigar. I’d just recommend trying one of the other ten sizes.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

Fans of hot young blender A.J. Fernandez won’t be disappointed with his newest release, a powerful, complex cigar that delivers a first-class smoking experience. The six-vitola line debuted this summer and recently began hitting retailers’ displays, often alongside Fernandez’s popular San Lotano lines.

The Pinolero makes a strong first impression with its colorful band reminiscent, to me at least, of Antonio Gattorno’s style. The scene depicts two women, I believe, grinding corn. That would tie it to the cigar’s name, which I understand is a term that refers to someone from Nicaragua and derives from pinol, a corn-based flour.

After lighting up, you cannot help but be impressed by a volume of smoke so thick and abundant it rivals a refinery fire. And the flavors…Not to go too far off the deep end, but I couldn’t help but think of a double helix as I smoked. There’s a spicy thread that runs throughout the stick while flavors of leather, syrup, hay, and herbs run around it.

It has the smoothness of well-aged tobacco, the delicacy of expert blending, and an intriguing complexity as it changes from start to finish.

The toro is a 6-inch stick (the robusto is pictured right) with a generous 52-ring gauge and a smooth draw. Pinolero is a Nicaraguan puro with the filler identified as “Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Fernandez family secret.” The toro retail price seems to be around $8 a stick.

On the negative side, the ash is thin and flaky. Don’t let it go far or it will end up in your lap. And the burn isn’t great. Not so bad that it required frequent touch-ups, but nowhere near razor-sharp. This isn’t a cigar you’ll want to nub; the flavors can turn harsh near the end.

Overall, I was impressed with the Pinolero and will certainly plan to smoke many more. I give the A.J. Fernandez Pinolero Toro 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.”

The first thing you have to do with this cigar is decide whether to smoke it or load it into the bay of a B-2 bomber. It’s big. Huge. The full inch of a 64/64 ring gauge, made explicit by a tape measure band. Obviously, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has decided that if consumers want large ring gauge cigars, he’ll oblige, though he’s said that limited tobacco means only about 125,000 sticks will be made this year. Oddity aside, though, how is the Inch? Very good, really. Like most massive sticks, the burn can be a problem. But the rich filler mix and fine Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper produce a smooth, full-bodied, and tasty smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A