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.”

This line, introduced a few months ago, celebrates both Rocky Patel’s upscale Burn cigar lounge in Naples, Florida, and the similarly named lounges he sponsors in about three dozen U.S. shops. It comes in three sizes and boasts “prorietary” Nicaraguan filler and binder with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. The Robusto has traditional dimensions (5 x 50) and lists for about $7.50. It’s full in strength but not particularly complex. While construction and performance were excellent, I was put off by a harshness that overwhelmed the flavors.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

I like cigar boxes. Especially when they’re filled with cigars. But to be honest, 20 or 25 sticks are more than I often want.

It’s not that I (usually) buy boxes of cigars that I don’t thoroughly enjoy or that I quickly grow bored with them. No, the fact is that I rarely smoke more than one cigar a day. Factor in the occasional off day, trips to a shop where I’ll purchase a cigar to enjoy there, and the general variety of smoking, and a box of 20 could easily take me a couple of years to finish.

What generally happens is I’ll end up with a box from which I’ve smoked down to the last six or eight, and I’ll transfer them to another container. Then, likely as not, I’ll sort of lose track of them. If I were more organized, I’d call it aging.

That’s why I applaud what seems to be a growing trend for cigar makers to market their wares in boxes of ten. This seems to be particularly true of special editions and limited releases.

For example, when Nestor Miranda teamed up with the Garcias to create the excellent Grand Reserve Torpedo, they sold the 10,000-stick run in boxes of 10. I’ve read that the recently announced successor will also come in boxes of ten.

Jameson Cigar Co. is another maker that’s into tens. Its two sizes of Santos de Miami come in divided boxes of ten.

When Don Pepin unveiled his 2011 Limited Edition he struck close, packaging 12 of the 6.5-inch Toros in his characteristic heavy, thick boxes.

Among the newest releases in a ten-pack is Tatuaje’s Little Monsters. Of course, with the popularity of that series, Pete Johnson could probably release them in boxes of 100 and still quickly sell out.

You might say I’m making far too big a deal of this, and if I only want ten cigars I should simply purchase singles. That’s true. But a box not only keeps the cigars together; it protects them and shows you what’s in your humidor.

Besides, as I said, I like cigar boxes.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This cigar boasts a lovely wrapper, excellent construction, and more flavors than you’ll find in a collection of three-star restaurant menus. This Illusione vitola, introduced in 2010, has become a favorite since I smoked my first one only a month or so ago.

I’ve read that the blend has no ligero and that seems believable. Le Matin is no nicotine horse choker. Instead, it’s a medium strength, complex cigar that, to me, can compete with any cigar in the world.

In fact, if there’s someone who’s convinced Cubans are the only ones worth smoking, I recommend Le Matin. Pour whatever you like to drink, light up this 6.75-inch lightly pressed cigar, and prepare to spend 90 minutes or more enthralled. The 46 ring gauge Nicaraguan puro burns slowly and cool with a tight ash.

It’s difficult to enumerate the flavors without sounding like a tasting wheel. There’s a sweetness in parts that lingers on the finish, a variety of floral notes, a bite at points that complements the spicy notes, and coffee undertones sprinkled throughout.

Like other creations of Don Giolito—interestingly, another cigar master and musician—Le Matin isn’t the easiest cigar to find. Frankly, I don’t think I’d seen it until recently when I quickly stocked up.

At around $11 per stick, the price may be a bit steep. But I can only tell you it’s worth every penny. If you aren’t initially committed to giving Le Matin the time and attention it deserves, you’ll probably find yourself abandoning whatever plans you had to focus on the cigar shortly after lighting up.

When Cigar Aficionado named Le Matin No. 7 on its list of top cigars for 2010, the magazine wrote about Giolito’s “impeccable quality.” I can only concur. For me, this is, without question, a smoke worthy of a rare rating of 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.]

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This new cigar line is made by Oliva for Famous Smoke Shop and highly touted for strength. It’s also getting a public relations push, with samples being sent out by Famous for reviews, which is how I came to smoke these.

“Vindicator by Oliva cigars are an all-Nicaraguan blend of triple-fermented ligero and viso long-fillers in Habano-seed binders and wrappers,” reads the Famous website. “The smoke is full strength and impressively bold up front. Settling into the medium-plus range of body, they become almost deceptively smooth, with dark tobacco flavors balanced by a light sweetness.”

The Robusto (5 x 50) is a nice looking cigar, though the band strikes me as a little cheesy, like something you’d find drawn by a junior high school student on his notebook.

I didn’t detect much aroma from the Habano wrapper or from the foot before lighting. The performance of those I sampled was fine, with an even, steady burn, a strong ash, and good smoke production.

If I hadn’t known in advance, though, I would not have guessed Oliva as the manufacturer. The Vindicator had a harshness and a sharp edge I don’t associate with Oliva cigars. It also lacked the depth of flavor typically found in Oliva’s best.

The Vindicator line comes in two other sizes, a Toro (6 x 50) and a Churchill (7 x 50). Prices for the Robusto range from $5 for a single to $3 each in a box of 20.

The Vindicator is not a bad smoke. It just isn’t a really good one, either. If you’re the sort of cigar smoker who runs through several sticks a day, you might find an occasional spot for this one. Or if you want something while you’re working in the yard or garage, this could be worth a try.

I give it three stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

My approach to aging cigars has gone from haphazard to chaotic. I frequently forget to use stick-on labels to date my purchases or give much thought to what might benefit from serious time in the humidor.

It’s not that I don’t believe some cigars benefit from aging. I’m just not organized enough to do it well. How I envy those of you who meticulously record your stash in a database.

But, as they say, even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while. And when I pulled this 6.25-inch, lightly pressed maduro out the other day, I noted on the sticker attached to the yellowing cellophane that it had spent a bit over two years in the humidor. While I’ve long been a fan of all the 601 colors, the Serie Blue isn’t my top choice, and I suppose that’s why it had gone unsmoked.

But now I wish I had more. The aroma of the Habano wrapper and the Nicaraguan filler was deep, rich tobacco with a hint of chocolate. It clearly lived up to Cigar Aficionado’s description as “both gorgeous and delicious” when CA ranked it sixth among the top cigars of 2009.

The flavors were a rich blend of coffee, cocoa, and that appealing maduro sweetness. It burned perfectly, produced lots of smoke, and had a buttery smooth finish. It wasn’t dramatically different than one from the shelf, but aging had created a subtlety and depth that pushed it to another level.

This was Don Pepin Garcia’s first maduro and he clearly knew how to make it shine. It is brilliant with two years of age..

At around $7 a stick, I’m awfully tempted to buy more and see if I can duplicate this experience in 2014. That is, if I can remember to mark them when I buy them and then refrain from smoking them along the way.

With a full two years of age on it, I rate this EO 601 Serie “Blue” Toro a full 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.]

–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.”

Introduced as a new line by Gurkha, the Wicked Indie comes in four sizes, including the Churchill (7 x 50), the only one I’ve seen or tried. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper covers a Nicaraguan binder and filler. And they combine for a nice pepper blast in the first third. Things settle down a bit after that with a little yeast and sweet tobacco. Smooth, short finish. I’d like to try this in the Robusto format where I think quicker development might make for a more interesting smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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 entry in the lower price Nicaraguan puro sweepstakes. Called a Robusto Grande with a 54 ring gauge and measuring a shade over 5 inches in length, it runs about $5 per stick. The cigar has some strength and isn’t particularly complex, with predominantly woody flavors and lots of smoke. The name, if you’re curious, honors master blender Arsenio Ramos. Worth a try, but I’d be surprised if it makes a lasting impression.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: N/A