The Stogie Guys

Pitchers are often advised to “mix it up.” Without some variations in speed and movement, pitches will become virtually routine to even a mediocre major league hitter, no matter the velocity or break. I have much the same feelings toward smoking cigars.

A heavy-duty La Flor Dominicana Ligero is a different experience when you smoke it after a diet of CAO Golds and Ashton Classics than it is when it caps a week filled with sticks like Cain and El Cobre.

I was struck by this recently after purchasing a box of one of my favorites, Pete Johnson’s Havana VI torpedoes, the Aristas. They’re great cigars and I’ve liked each one I’ve smoked. But after cracking open the box and smoking them for a week or so straight, I felt something missing. I went to other cigars for a few days before selecting another of the Aristas. And, as you no doubt expect, I found that experience more enjoyable.

Now, I know there are cigar smokers out there who light up the same cigar time after time. Virtually any retailer can tell you about customers who come back regularly and pick up a box of, say, Montecristo or Davidoff Aniversario. If they’re out of stock, the smoker will grumble and refuse to try something else.

And I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. After all, if there’s one golden rule of cigar smoking it’s that you should smoke what you like, whether it’s a Black & Mild or La Palina. My aim is just to put another possibility out there, a suggestion that I believe could enhance smoking enjoyment.

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When Patrick A awarded a five-stogie rating to the Avo Limited Edition 2011 Diademas, a reader wondered what other cigars had garnered such a great grade.

So, I thought it was time to round up the top-rated cigars from 2010. You can catch up on previous years here and here. Going through the Stogie Guys Review Archive, I found four fives in 2010.

The limited-edition Davidoff Colorado Claro Short Perfecto was reviewed by Patrick S, who found it subtle and full of flavor. “In so many cigars, saltiness is a sign of a lack of balance—but here that flavor contributes to what makes it such a distinct and enjoyable smoke,” he wrote.

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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.”

Nearly three years ago, I reviewed the San Cristobal Supremo and found it “flat and unexciting.” I always wanted to revisit the line and finally got around to it, recently smoking several of these robusto-sized Clasicos (5 x 50). They’re impressive. The prelight aroma is so rich and sweet I was tempted to take a bite out of the stick. But lighting up was a better idea. I enjoyed a complex array of flavors, a good burn, and lots of smoke. I then decided to give the longer Supremo another try and was disappointed again. I’ve not even seen many of the eight vitolas in this Nicaraguan puro line, but I don’t think I’ll try any others. I’m sticking with the Clasico.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Ashton

In a business imbued with tradition, things certainly can change quickly in the cigar world. For the latest example, look at Mexican tobacco.

Not long ago, you’d be hard pressed to find a cigar blender or manufacturer outside Mexico who would openly admit to having that country’s tobacco, much less using it in a premium cigar. Outside New York, someone lighting up a Te-Amo seemed a rarity.

Now, you’ll find “Mexico” proudly displayed on cigars and touted in ads. Exhibit A: the band on Pepin Garcia’s latest La Reloba: “Selección Mexico.”

In fact, Pepin’s widening use of Mexican tobacco may be a large part of its growing acceptance, especially the heavy San Andreas wrapper leaves that can be rolled natural or fermented further to produce a maduro. One of the first non-Mexican cigars I recall announcing its Mexican component was the Pepin-blended Murcielago from EO Brands in 2009.

Among top-of-the-line sticks said to include Mexican tobacco is the Avo Limited Edition 2010. Although Avo’s site doesn’t disclose the components, several retailers list a Mexican Sumatra binder.

We shouldn’t be surprised. Among cigar trends in recent years, such as large ring gauges and powerful smokes, the expanded experimentation with tobacco grown in different countries is among the strongest. Brazil and Costa Rica have quickly moved from exotic to nearly commonplace. There’s even a line using Louisiana pipe tobacco specialty perique leaves in cigars.

Mexico itself is getting in on the act, with the country’s leading tobacco family, the Turrents, releasing and promoting new blends. Perhaps the image of foul-tasting Mexican cigars has begun to fade. After all, it’s been over a decade since the country changed its tariffs on the importation of tobacco, making it feasible for blenders there to create something other than a Mexican puro.

I applaud all the experimentation and greater disclosure of ingredients. And even though I usually don’t like Mexican tobacco, I’m occasionally pleasantly surprised. If blenders weren’t willing to take a chance with new tobaccos—and ignore sometimes long-standing opinions—smokers wouldn’t get a chance to enjoy new and different cigars.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

It’s hard to imagine a part of the country where the Fuentes are held in higher regard than they are around Tampa. You’ll find a wide array of their cigars in just about every shop on both sides of the bay.

Cigar enthusiasts speak of meeting the father or son at their Tampa Sweethearts shop in Ybor City with a tone you might expect from a golfer who went to play at a Jack Nicklaus course and found himself in a foursome with the Golden Bear. From the little contact I’ve been lucky to have with the Fuente family and employees, they well deserve the adulation.

Of course, they make some great cigars. Here at StogieGuys.com, it’s obvious that we’re quite taken with them. By my count, we have done full reviews on 18 Fuente cigars to date, from Curly Heads to Opus, as well as quite a few Quick Smokes and other mentions. I’ve personally written more than once about how much I enjoy the Double Chateau Sun Grown.

Recently, I have been smoking its sibling, the natural Double Chateau with the distinctive green band at the foot. Like all of the sticks in this line, they are encased in a thin cedar sleeve, which can do double duty as a spill in lighting your cigar. At 6.75 inches long with a ring gauge of 50, natural Double Chateaus are generally available for around $6-7 apiece.

What you get for your money is an hour or more of pure pleasure. From the first view of the lovely blonde Connecticut wrapper to the final deposit in the ashtray, the Double Fuente is a medium-strength marvel. It also has the common characteristics of Fuente’s premium cigars: smooth, creamy smoke; blending that leaves no trace of harshness; attention to detail in presentation and construction; and an excellent burn. It’s the sort of smoke you can linger over, picking out flavors as you go along, or simply sit back and enjoy.

It is, I suppose, a testament to how our tastes change. While I’ve smoked these off and on for years, it’s only lately that I feel I have come to really appreciate how good they are.

Not all of us are able to afford some of Fuente’s high-dollar specials and rarities. But that doesn’t meanwe’re precluded from enjoying great Fuente cigars. Just light up any stick in this line. I rate the natural Double Chateau 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.”

One of four differently wrapped cigars in the “Premiere Selection” lineup from Los Blancos, the Criollo offers some pop and softer spice. With Nicaraguan filler, the $7 Torpedo (6.5 x 52) is a slow-burning cigar that fits comfortably in the mid-range of strength. A fine complement to a cup of coffee and a colorful sunset.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

There’s so much (mis)information about this Davidoff line floating around that I didn’t want to review these until I satisfied myself that I had the straight stuff. A conversation with Michael Herklots, general manager of Davidoff’s New York stores, provided answers to my questions.

First and foremost, these long-filler handmade cigars are not Davidoff seconds, mistakes, or throwaways. “It’s a brand, just like Avo is a brand,” Herklots said. The natural’s Connecticut shade wrapper and Dominican filler is a specific blend, one that’s repeated year in and year out just like any other cigar, he said.

After going through about half a box, I have found them every bit as consistent as cigars costing three or four times more.

“We really try to go out of our way to clarify that it is not a second,” Herklots continued. He explained Davidoff ‘s strategy to control cost: simple bands and simple boxes coupled with little promotion.

And keep the price down they do. If you look around online, you can find a box of 25 of the double corona-sized No. 1 (7.75 x 48) for about $75. The Private Stock brand also includes several vitolas in maduro as well as medium-filler cigars that are even less expensive. All are parejo shapes.

If you like mild cigars, I urge you to try this cigar. Make no mistake, though. You won’t close your eyes and think you’re smoking a Davidoff Classic. While I find a little of those special Davidoff characteristics in the Private Stock, the cigar is nowhere near as complex, rich, or flavorful. But, then again, it’s a $3 cigar.

While I don’t usually favor mild cigars for newcomers because they may not get enough taste, the flavors in this case lead me to make an exception. I’d probably recommend one of the smaller sizes, though.

I plan to keep a box on hand for when I’m looking to enjoy a mild cigar. It’s tough to beat, and for me it rates four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys