Archive by Author

Guest Quick Smoke: Casa Magna Colorado Corona

26 Jan 2014

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 following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

Casa Magna

This Nicaraguan puro is very reasonably priced at around $5-6 per stick. The wrapper is a rich, deep brown with a fair amount of oil and only a few veins. There are a couple of construction problems with both the draw and the burn, and the ash also is not particularly stiff. Nonetheless, what the Casa Magna Colorado Corona lacks in construction, it makes up for in flavor and price. It starts with a burst of pepper and then mellows into a sweet combination of wood, leather, and caramel. The finish is largely coffee-based with some spices thrown in for complexity. Despite the problems with construction, this cigar is plenty enjoyable, particularly at its reasonable price. Definitely check this one out if you are looking for a nice cigar to enjoy on a budget. Having earned four stogies out of five from Patrick A, this one is perfect for regular smoking.

Verdict = Buy.

– Denis, a.k.a. Cigar Inspector

photo credit: Cigar Inspector

Cigar Spirits: Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

23 Jan 2012

[Editors’ Note: The following is written by Martin, a friend of StogieGuys.com who lives in Scotland and writes at WhiskyCritic.com.]

Oh dearest, dearest pocket. I sincerely hope you can forgive me once more for digging too deep, collecting the very last you had to offer, for no reason other than my own decadence. Forgive, and recover. I’m sure most, or at least many, fellow whisky lovers of less than unlimited means will have been in a similar situation at least once: You know you shouldn’t buy something, but equally you know that there is absolutely no chance of you not buying it.

Well that’s the situation in which I now find myself. I was in the shop the other day to pick up a couple nice beers and, as I approached the till, my eye immediately went to the lovely selection of whiskies stashed behind it—the sneaky buggers always know how to get you, don’t they? Put yummiest stuff by the till and any flesh and bone human is instantly rendered unable to do anything but make an unplanned purchase.

That is basically the unnecessarily long story of how I ended up buying a bottle of Aberfeldy 21 Year Old, at just over £90 ($140) for the bottle.

I had been wanting to try it for quite some time and my local pub hasn’t had it in stock, so my basic line of reasoning (ever so refined, as always) was, “Why the heck not?” With my quite considerable expense in mind, expectations were high. The nose on the toffee-colored spirit didn’t disappoint, presenting a bouquet of flowers, oak, and an exotic sweetness which I can only describe as somewhere between Brazil nut and coconut. So far so very good. The palate is light and has a bit more kick to it, starting off with a pinch of spice, followed by heathery honey, oak, and sweet citrus—which I suppose might make it orange, though I’m not sure I actually want to be that precise about it. Oh well, too late now! As for the finish, it’s basically long, dry, and carries a mild spiciness all the way through, and it’s delicious.

The question which will undoubtedly be on everyone’s mind at this point (assuming you all share my exact thought pattern) is: Was it worth the ninety-odd pound? The answer is yes, and no, and maybe, and oh I don’t know! I don’t have any regrets because it is a delicious whisky—very nicely balanced, very drinkable, all in all very pleasant. But then again, it is a quite expensive whisky, and I can’t say that I wouldn’t be able to get an equally nice bottle for half the price. It’s a tough call, but if you like a light, well-balanced, slightly sweet and spicy whisky, and it’s within your price range, then I’d say go for it.

-Read more from Martin at WhiskyCritic.com.

photo credit: The Whisky Exchange

Guest Quick Smoke: Partagas Serie D No. 5

8 Oct 2011

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 following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own, please contact us.

The Partagas Serie D No. 5 was released as a limited edition in 2008 and, format-wise, it’s basically a shorter version of the bestselling Serie D No. 4. Rumor has it that it will be available as a regular release this year (although I haven’t seen it in B&Ms yet). Flavor-wise, however, it’s definitely a different blend. In 2009, I found it rather rough, whereas Patrick S was more than satisfied, giving it 4.5 stogies. Today, I am happy to report that the flavors on my samples have settled down a bit and, even though the cigar obviously has more room for aging, the Serie D No. 5 is ready to be enjoyed. Give it a try if you can.

Verdict = Buy.

Submitted by Denis, a.k.a. Cigar Inspector

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Guest Quick Smoke: Kangaroo Alley Joey

10 Sep 2011

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 following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

I stopped in last night to my usual smoke shop and the owner suggested I try a new cigar he just got in over the weekend called Kangaroo Alley. The one I tried is called the Joey. It’s a robusto (5 x 50) with a Habano wrapper and Honduran tobacco. The owner said they’re handmade in Danlí, Honduras. The Joey starts off a little slow but, as you settle into this cigar, it packs a nice kick. Not a smoke for the meek. It has hints of cocoa and spice, a nice even draw, and it holds its ash very well. All that was missing was a glass of scotch or top shelf tawny port. Pretty cool presentation too; instead of a box the cigars come in a velour pouch. Check your local tobacconist for Kangaroo Alley, or buy directly from the source.

Verdict = Buy.

Submitted by James B. Guyton of Pittsburgh, PA

photo credit: N/A