The Stogie Guys

This year’s International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show had some definite trends. Here are the most notable ones from the 80th annual convention:

Ecuadorian Wrappers Everywhere

When we visited Drew Estate in May, Jonathan Drew called Ecuador the “Land of Milk and Money.” Given the number of Ecuadorian wrappers at this year’s Trade Show, it would be hard to argue. It seemed like every other new release featured an Ecuador-grown wrapper.

Mostly it was Ecuadorian Habano, but there was plenty of Ecuadorian Connecticut too (and to a lesser extent Ecuadorian Sumatra). I think this can be attributed to two factors. First, quality Ecuadorian wrapper is widely available at reasonable prices, or else it wouldn’t be so widely used (while other popular wrappers like Connecticut broadleaf cost more if you want top quality). Second, the consumer market for Ecuadorian wrappers (particularly Habano) is expanding. Personally, I’m pleased with the development since Ecuadorian Habano has been a favorite of mine for many years—long before the current hype.

Big Guys Stepping Up their Game

Altadis USA and General Cigar always sell more cigars than the smaller brands and boutiques that get disproportionately more attention at websites like this one. (After all, while numbers are hard to come by, we’re told Macanudo is still the best-selling cigar brand with Romeo y Julieta running second.) But this year it seemed that both large companies were not content to rest on their laurels.

The Altadis booth was notably busier than the two previous years (when, at times, it seemed like a ghost town). In the past, Altadis USA seemed like nothing more than a holding company for Cuban cigar trademarks, waiting for the embargo to end. General Cigar (Swedish Tobacco Group) has been more proactive, but it often played into the stereotype as a big company oblivious to the hard-core cigar smoker, focusing instead on the larger middle of the market. This year both companies seem to be doing a better job of meeting the expectations of the most frequent and discerning smokers while still appealing to the more occasional cigar smokers. At least on our site, both the new Montecristo Epic and the CAO Concert have already earned high marks from my colleagues as interesting, complex cigars, and there may be more high ratings to come.

The 6 x 60 Size is Here to Stay

One of the most interesting conversations I found myself having repeatedly was about the introduction of 6 inch by 60 ring gauge cigars. Practically no cigar maker really seems to prefer the format, but it’s hard to find any new blends that don’t include the “Gordo” (6 x 60) size.

Nearly universally, cigar makers and brand representatives I spoke with said they personally liked smaller sizes, usually coronas, lonsdales, and lanceros (or sometimes robustos and toros). But the Gordo size was far more common than any of those smaller ring gauge sizes. There was no getting away from the large ring gauge format for a simple reason: they sell. Nearly everyone says that behind the toro and robusto, the Gordo is the next best-selling cigar size. So, like them or not, Gordos will be an industry staple going forward.

–Patrick S

photo credits: 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 new cigar is the second under Gurkha’s East India Trading Company—a fascinating historical name that has been in use for centuries, but Gurkha was somehow able to register as a trademark. Like so many new cigars from the show, it features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The binder is Dominican while the filler is from Nicaragua. The size (6 x 60) is large, but not as uncomfortable as many similarly sized cigars due to the box press. Medium-bodied, well-balanced with plenty of that distinct Ecuadorian Habano flavor, it’s a cigar I would smoke again, especially since it costs about $6.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I had planned on providing more coverage of the new releases unleashed at the IPCPR Trade Show today, but decided after pre-IPCPR coverage, live updates from the show, and post-show coverage that yet more coverage will have to wait for next week. Instead, I decided to sit down with some bourbon and, of course, a few cigars.

My bourbon of choice on this warm summer evening is the Willett Pot Still Reserve. The unique pot still-shaped bottle reminds you that it’s made with a pot still, although the first step in the distillation uses the more common column still.

The 94-proof bourbon is bottled from a single barrel (mine is bottle 100 of 263 from barrel 8,564). I purchased it for about $40. Willett is an old name in bourbon making, harkening back to just after prohibition, but the Willett distillery was converted to ethanol and gasoline production during World War II, after which it closed. Today Willett, introduced in 2008, is made by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky, which makes other bourbons like Corner Creek and Michter’s.

The light, amber-colored whiskey has a crisp nose with apple, oak, and some lingering pepper. It’s woody on the tongue. With 6-7 years of barrel aging, the bourbon shows off a combination of apple, cherry, oak, buttered corn, and toast flavors. It’s not a hefty bourbon, but it isn’t overly light either. Try it neat or with a splash of water.

While I don’t see this replacing any of my staple bourbons (Booker’s, Knob Creek Single Barrel, Hooker’s House, Blanton’s) it’s still very pleasant. I paired it up with the new Cuenca y Blanco cigar (introduced this past week by Joya de Nicaragua) and very much enjoyed the result. Bourbon enthusiasts should consider doing the same.

–Patrick S

photo credits: Stogie Guys

The 80th annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Association Trade Show may have ended yesterday (and I departed Orlando on Sunday morning), but there’s a lot of info I collected there that didn’t make it into our three days of live coverage (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3). Because there is so much more than I had time to report on from Orlando, today is part one in series of updates filling in more details learned at the IPCPR Trade Show:

La Palina

Bill Paley’s La Palina brand has been growing. Not only is the line in over 250 shops (as of day one of the show), but the brand’s offerings are also expanding. La Palina debuted two new lines at the show: Maduro, made at Raices Cubanas and featuring a similar blend to the El Diario line but with a Mexican San Andreas wrapper; and La Palina Classic, made at Abe Flores’ factory in the Dominican Republic using a Brazilian Habano wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. Particularly intriguing is the new KBII (“Kill Bill II”) a longer (6 x 40) version of the “KB” which is available in boxes of 30 (pictured above). The original “KB” is also now available in boxes of 30, in addition to the four-pack that it originally came in. Paley tells me his next cigar, which he’s already working on, will be his first made in Nicaragua.

Nat Sherman

Nat Sherman is a classic name in the tobacco industry that sometimes gets overlooked when it comes to premium cigars. Mike Herklots, formerly of Davidoff NYC, is aiming to change that with the Timeless Series. The original Timeless is made at the MATASA factory in the Dominican, and two new sizes debuted at the Trade Show (a petit lancero with a pigtail cap, and a short perfecto) which brings the line up to six sizes. A new Nicaraguan Timeless debuted at the show. It is made at Nestor Plasencia’s factory and will come in three sizes to start. I smoked one on the floor, and found a heavy, earthy cigar with plenty of spice that should be a hit with Nicaraguan cigar fans. Herklots also emphasized that their core lines are all price-protected now (limiting the amount that they can be discounted), an effort to make the cigars more friendly to brick and mortar retailers who might be reluctant to carry a cigar that can be heavily discounted online. Also of note, Nat Sherman was raffling off a box of four pre-embargo Bolivar cigars (pictured above) with the proceeds going towards the IPCPR’s legislative efforts.

Tiant Cigar Group

Legendary Cuban Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant didn’t have any new cigars to debut at this year’s show. The brand is now up to 150 shops nationwide, and while New England is still the highest concentration, they tell me they are seeing growth in Florida and elsewhere. Originally, they planned on introducing two new cigars at the show, but I’m told they were still being finalized and they are now shooting for a September or October release. The new blends, like the originals, will be made at Don Pepin Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory. They will expand the company portfolio with one being the strongest cigar yet and the other being milder than either of the two original lines.

Room 101

As I mentioned in my preview of the new cigars I had tried before the show even opened, Room 101 is about to start shipping Daruma. Not too much to add to my previous report on the cigar (which features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Brazilian binder, and Dominican and Honduran filler) except that Room 101 head honcho Matt Booth was raving about the Lancero size (7 x 38), his favorite of the line.

Check back in the next few days for more information from the show. In the meantime, let us know what you think of these new releases.

–Patrick S

photo credits: Stogie Guys

Last night I arrived in Orlando to attend the 80th annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Association Trade Show, where cigar makers gather to debut their new releases. I’ve attended every year since 2008 and, for the first time, I find myself not in either Las Vegas or New Orleans.

Today I’m attending the seminars IPCPR holds before the show officially opens, including one on cigar politics and another on scotch and cigar pairings. Instead of traditional updates, I’ll be updating the StogieGuys.com Twitter feed. So check back often for the latest. Updates will also appear below (along with my latest photos uploaded via Instagram):

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With the trade show just around the corner (it opens on Thursday), announcements about new releases are coming fast and furious. Instead of our traditional preview article (which would be longer than ever this year), I thought I’d cover some of the new cigars debuting at the show that I’ve already smoked.

Room 101 Daruma

The newest Room 101 blend comes in five sizes (4 x 42, 4 x 48, 7 x 38, 7 x 48, and 5 x 60) ranging from $6.25 to $10.25. It’s an interesting blend containing an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Brazilian mata fina binder, and Honduran and Dominican filler (utilizing corojo, criollo, and pelo de oro tobacco).

My Take: I smoked one in the “Papi Chulo” (4 x 42) size. It has a unique edge to it that’s hard to put my finger on, and it’s dominated by lots of charred oak and clove notes. Definitely full-bodied.

A. Flores Serie Privada

Via press release from Pinar del Rio: “A. Flores Serie Privada will be released with a Habano Ecuador wrapper and a Maduro Habano Ecuador wrapper. Both cigars will be comprised of Nicaraguan Habano binders as well as Nicaraguan Habano and Dominican corojo filler.” The cigars come in 24-count boxes featuring three vitolas with MSRPs in the $9.75-12.75 range: Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54), and Churchill (7 x 58). The Robusto and Toro are box-pressed, while the Churchill is not.

My Take: I smoked one of the Maduro Habano Ecuadors in the Robusto size at Famous Smoke Shop’s Cigarnival event and thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember noting the medium- to full-bodied flavors with excellent balance.

J. Fuego Edición de Familia 2012

Jesus Fuego gave me the details on the Edición de Familia when I saw him at Cigarnival. The cigar features a ten-year-old sun-grown Sumatran wrapper  around Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. It is the most limited (150 boxes of 10 in each of the three sizes) and expensive cigar Fuego has released. It won’t ship until November. The 2012 is the first of what Jesus plans on becoming an annual release.

My Take: Great balance in this smoke. I’d put it squarely in the medium-bodied range. It features a little spice, and heavy bready flavors.

Drew Estate Liga Privada Único Serie Papas Fritas

A highly anticipated new release, “Papa Fritas” (pictured with the prototype “Black Rat” and “Big Black Rat” bands) is a Liga Privada-based blend that will sell for around $6 each. It’s a mixed-filler cigar (5 x 53) with a twisted cap. It uses the same broadleaf wrapper as the original Liga (using smaller second cuttings) and a Habano binder. Sixty percent of the filler is “picadora” using the cuttings from Liga Privada cigars, while the rest of the filler is split between viso and ligero.

My Take: Based on the one sample I smoked (given to me during my visit to Drew Estate in May), it’s certainly similar to the LP blend, but it doesn’t smoke exactly like one. I’m not sure if that’s due to the short-filler or the blend, but either way it’s a tasty cigar.

My Uzi Weighs A Ton +11

This is the second MUWAT without a 60 ring gauge (the first being the Baitfish). At $8 each, the smoke (5.5 x 52) will come in packages of ten, similar to the original My Uzi. Reportedly, the blend will be a little stronger than the original, but not as much as the Baitfish “EF” blend.

My Take: While not officially confirmed, I’m almost certain I smoked one of these in Nicaragua (given to me by Jonathan Drew while touring the Joya de Nicaragua factory). For me, it’s the perfect combination (in terms of both size and blend) of the original Uzi and amped-up Baitfish blends.

Recluse by Iconic Leaf Cigars

There’s mystery surrounding this new boutique cigar maker. Its website says “Iconic Leaf Cigar was founded by two very well-known and well-respected legends in the cigar industry [that] have chosen to keep their identities private.” The box-pressed cigars, made with the entubaro method, are being released in ten sizes. They feature a unique combination of a Brazilian wrapper, Cameroon binder, and Dominican filler.

My Take: I’ve smoked the Toro and found it to be a very interesting cigar, heavily influenced by the Cameroon binder. It features cinnamon-like spice and leather. With a very oily wrapper, this is a cigar I look forward to smoking more of.

 In addition to these cigars, read our reviews of the following cigars, each of which are being released at the IPCPR Trade Show: Dona Flor Puro Mata Fina Robusto, Santos de Miami Haven Parejo, and Dona Flor Seleção Robusto. Our coverage of the 80th annual IPCPR Trade Show will start Thursday with live updates.

–Patrick S

photo credits: 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 highly-anticipated new release from last year’s IPCPR Trade Show seemed to lose its buzz when the man responsible for blending the cigar, Willy Herrera, left El Titan de Bronze (the Miami factory where the cigar is made) for Drew Estate before the cigar even came to market. Still, the Casa Miranda Robusto has been growing on me of late. The “made in America” cigar features an Ecuadorian wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The flavors are classic, no-frills, and designed (in my opinion) to appeal to cigar aficionados—it’s woody, earthy, and dominated by what can only be described as warm tobacco notes. The medium- to full-bodied Robusto is notable to me in that the more I smoke it the more I enjoy it. Originally selling for an MSRP of $10 per cigar, if you have the chance to pick up a box for half that (as I did), I’d strongly suggest you consider it.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys