The Stogie Guys

The year is 1980. The U.S. boycotts the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union. Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” is topping the charts. President Jimmy Carter bails out the Chrysler Corporation. Yours Truly is three years away from being born. And the Cameroon wrapper on this cigar is harvested.

Yes, you read that right. General Cigar launched the Cohiba Edición Diamante in December 2011 as an ultra-premium line with a wrapper that pre-dates the Reagan Administration. Originally, two sizes were available in the $22-25 range: Robusto (5 x 50) and Toro (6 x 54). Two new vitolas have since been added: Gigante (6 x 60) and A (8.25 x 49). All four feature an Indonesian binder and Dominican Piloto Cubano filler.

But the real star of the show is the ancient wrapper. “It is a widely held belief that the 1980 crop of Cameroon wrapper tobacco remains one of the most exemplary leaves ever cultivated,” reads a General Cigar press release from the summer of 2011. “In the more than thirty years since this outstanding tobacco was harvested, General Cigar’s tobacco masters have cloistered these rarified leaves, nurturing them for the perfect occasion. That time is now…”

You’d expect a cigar with a 33-year-old wrapper to look old, and the Cohiba Edición Diamante Toro does. Its wrinkles, green splotch, lumps, and dry, toothy exterior all suggest age. But don’t get me wrong. This is a great-looking smoke that I’ve had the pleasure to admire through my glass-top humidor. It begs to be smoked. And it’s not exactly like any additional age is going to make much of a difference.

So with no reason to further delay this Toro’s fate, I light it and take note of its flavors. The outset is characterized by a dry, woodsy profile of oak, cream, and toast. The body borders on mild-medium yet there’s ample cedar spice on the lips—particularly on the aftertaste. Faint sour notes come and go, as does a fleeting sweetness. The texture is bready and the resting smoke has a pleasant, sugary aroma.

The Toro’s construction is flawless, as one might expect from General Cigar (especially on a stick with a price tag north of $20). The burn is straight, the draw clear, and the white ash holds well off the foot. Smoke production is above average with each easy puff.

Given its price and age, it’s impossible to light up the rare Cohiba Edición Diamante without high expectations. While my experience with the Toro didn’t disappoint, I can’t quite say this cigar is worth double the many excellent smokes that can be had for half the price. Still, there’s some undeniable novelty and intrigue associated with smoking such an ancient specimen. All this adds up to a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Released earlier this year by Altadis USA, Monte is the newest blend in the storied Montecristo portfolio, which includes Classic, Platinum, Epic, and White, among others. It is being sold as the strongest Montecristo to date.

In addition to its strength, Altadis is also drawing attention to Monte’s dual binders. “The Monte’s signature feature is the inclusion of two binders: a spicy Dominican Olor combined with a strong and aromatic Nicaraguan Corojo, which adds strength, firmness, and complexity,” reads the Montecristo website. “This brand new offering from the Grupo de Maestros is the most robust Montecristo yet, putting a revolutionary twist on a revered classic.”

Paired up with those dual binders are aged Dominican filler tobaccos and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that’s dark, oily, and virtually veinless. Three vitolas are made in the Dominican Rebublic: Conde (5.5 x 48), which retails for $8.95 and features a pigtail cap; Monte (6 x 60), an extra-large smoke that runs $9.50; and Jacopo No.2 (6.1 x 54), a “square-pressed” torpedo that costs $9.25.

I smoked several Jacopo No. 2s for this review, each provided to me by Altadis. This is a unique-looking smoke in that the box-press has four equal sides (as opposed to the traditional box-press that creates more of a rectangular effect). The recognizable brown and gold Montecristo band is complemented by a second Monte band of black and red. With its symmetry, relatively sharp corners, perfectly pointed cap, and extremely clean wrapper, the Jacopo No. 2 makes a good first impression.

While lighting the cigar, I notice the torpedo cap and the square-press significantly concentrate the draw on the tip of the tongue. This leads me to hypothesize that the other Monte vitolas might have a very different taste.  As far as the Jacopo No. 2 is concerned, though, the initial profile is one of dried berries, white pepper, and oak. The texture is bready and the strength is medium-bodied. The resting smoke is toasty and sweet.

As the cigar progresses, the dried berry flavor really comes to the fore, and I find myself constantly reminded of strawberry—a taste that’s very unique in the world of non-flavored premium cigars. I also find the draw, which is a tad stiff at the outset, opens nicely after the first third, yielding much better smoke production. Throughout, the body remains medium with a short finish, and the burn stays wonderfully straight.

While I don’t agree Monte is “the most robust Montecristo yet” (I recall the Cabinet Selección was much more intense), I have to say it is a complex smoke with flavors that aren’t easily found elsewhere in the premium cigar market. That, combined with good construction and great presentation, earn the Jacopo No. 2 an excellent rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

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.”

I was a big fan of the 601 Serie “Red” line that was manufactured under the EO Brands umbrella by Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega before the duo split up in the summer of 2012. Until recently, I had a stock of these smokes on hand. Remarkably, only yesterday did I try the new 601 Red Label Habano that’s made by Espinosa Cigars. I was pleased to find it smoked just like the original: lots of pepper spice, excellent combustion qualities, a toasty texture, and a superb aroma. Looks like I’ll be re-stocking my supply.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Espinosa Cigars

Talk about an attention-grabbing presentation. Psyko Seven from the Ventura Cigar Co. comes enveloped in a white prescription form enticing you to “medicate your mind” with this six-country blend of tobaccos. It’s signed by “El Diablo Blanco.”

Listed on the form are the tobaccos that comprise Psyko Seven: Dominican Hybrid, Nicaraguan Ligero, Mexican Sumatra, Peruvian Pelo de Oro Viso, Honduran Holancha Seca, and Pennsylvanian Ligero. Underneath is a smaller, traditionally sized white band with Ventura’s trademark “V” cutout.

Like Project 805, Psyko Seven was launched at last summer’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas and is aimed at serving “the new generation of cigar smoker out there.” It bills itself as a mild- to medium-bodied experience “with distinct transitions.” Four vitolas are available, all made by Henke Kelner in the Dominican Republic: Robusto (5.5 x 50), Toro (6.25 x 48), Gordito (4 x 58), and Gordo (6 x 60).

Beneath its two white bands, the Robusto has a beautiful, moderately oily Cuban-seed Dominican wrapper that has a yellowish hue to it. You have to pay close attention to see the seams in the exterior leaf. The foot gives off only faint notes of hay, syrup, and cinnamon.

After a single wooden match, a bready profile emerges with notes of cream, almond, and oak. The body leans toward the mild end of the spectrum. What the Psyko Seven lacks in power it makes up in balance and uniqueness. The Robusto is captivating enough to maintain my attention throughout its duration, and it does so with depth and a toasty texture that isn’t too common. But I do not find any distinct transitions.

The cigar’s physical properties are superb. Expect an even burn, a stable ash, a smooth draw, and good smoke production with each puff. The resting smoke has a sweet gingerbread-like aroma that enhances the overall experience.

This is the best cigar I’ve had from the Ventura Cigar Co. to date, and one I’d like to try in other sizes. The asking price of $7 for the Robusto is more than fair. Whether you like the marketing angle or not, the quality of Psyko Seven can’t be denied. It earns an excellent rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Aside from our sunshine-advantaged friends in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and the like, winter is a tough time for cigar smokers in the U.S. Unfortunately, winter is coming fast.

Humidors will require extra attention to keep from becoming too arid. Shipping cigars will become a riskier endeavor. And, worst of all, the wrath of government-imposed smoking bans will hit the hardest as aficionados clamor for rare indoor refuges from the cold.

In the not-too-distant past, back when I was living in Northern Virginia, there was no statewide smoking ban. This freedom resulted in options. Many bars, restaurants, etc. on their own accord were either completely smoke-free or not welcoming of cigars. I always respected that. But I also appreciated the less-numerous venues that catered to cigar smokers. In the winter, they became havens to escape the cold.

What a novel system. People who wanted to smoke or be around smoke could. People who wanted a smoke-free environment could have that, too. Isn’t choice great?

Nowadays, Virginia’s statewide ban prevents the market from dictating the availability of smoke-friendly locales. My current home of Chicago is no different. And chances are, wherever you happen to be reading this from, your national or local government is imposing laws that prevent business owners from catering to your needs. As I see it, your options for the cold winter months are as follows:

— Tough it out and smoke outside.
— Severely limit your smoking to fewer cigars and/or smaller cigars.
— Purchase a paid membership at a club that allows indoor smoking.
— Smoke at a tobacconist (cigars you purchased at said tobacconist).
— Equip some portion of your home for smoking.

I’ve done the latter, though I still regret the fact that I had to do the latter. I lament that gone are the days when you could cozy up to the bar at a steakhouse for an after-dinner smoke. I hang my head because I know there are destinations in my neighborhood that would allow cigar smoking if the government didn’t prevent them from doing so. I assume you share these concerns.

So what are your plans for the winter?

–Patrick A

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.”

Launched in the summer of 2012 by Tom Lazuka and Christian Eiroa, Asylum Cigars now boasts several lines, including Asylum, Asylum 13 (which is apparently the best-seller), The Ogre, and Schizo. Asylum 13 is a Nicaraguan puro with a clean, oily Habano wrapper. It comes in three sizes including Fifty (5 x 50), which is priced favorably at $5 for a single. The robusto-sized smoke has a full-bodied, aggressively spicy profile of that quickly transitions into a creamier, more balanced flavor of red pepper, dry wood, cashew, and leather. Don’t let the transition fool you, though. In all, the Asylum 13 Fifty packs a big punch. It also packs big quality for the money, making it an easy recommendation.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Chances are you, like me, are recognized among your friends as somewhat of an expert on cigars. Granted I’m using the word “expert” as a relative term here. And chances are, from time to time, these friends—ranging from occasional smokers to non-smokers—will ask you to recommend cigars for gifts.

This happens to me fairly regularly. The request goes something like this: “Hey, Patrick. You know a lot about cigars. Well I have a [relative, family member, etc.] I want to buy a few smokes for. [He/she] smokes cigars. Can you provide some recommendations?” This request usually comes around Christmas, a birthday, a wedding, a graduation, or the birth of a child. Such timing is a little funny to me because it’s been a long time since I’ve associated cigars with celebrations. I don’t need—and I usually don’t have—a reason to fire up a smoke.

At any rate, I’m always happy to oblige requests like these. Even if, in my head, my first reaction is, “You know I have a website loaded with searchable information, tips, etc., right? Did you happen to look there before asking me?” Of course I never actually say that.

So then I start to pepper this requester with questions. What does this person normally like to smoke? How often do they smoke? Do they own a humidor, or did you just see him/her smoking a cigar at a wedding once? How many cigars did you want to buy? How much are you looking to spend?

As I’m asking these questions, I realize the requester had given no thought to any of this, and has little knowledge of the third party’s perceived interest in cigars. I realize the requester was hoping I’d say, “Go here and buy them this,” and that would be the end of it. And as I think aloud about this, I start to better understand why so many cigar companies are now offering so many pre-packaged gift sets of smokes.

With little knowledge of the third party for whom I’m recommending cigars, and usually working within the confines of a restricted budget, I never suggest a box purchase. I’ll either point to a few legit online samplers of five or ten cigars or, time permitting, I’ll accompany the requester to a local tobacconist and help them select cigars I know almost any cigar smoker will like.

That’s exactly what I did a few days ago when a co-worker asked me to help him pick a few smokes for his stepfather. We strolled over to Iwan Ries & Co., a shop in Chicago’s Loop that’s been open for business since 1857. I actually really enjoyed talking with my co-worker about cigars, answering his questions, and picking out some excellent smokes. I left the shop with the satisfaction of helping someone else—and with a nice little sampler of my own.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys