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 stubby, Nub-esque cigar was released by Miami Cigar & Co. last Summer. The Nicaraguan puro is 4 inches long with a 58 ring gauge, and according to reports it was originally a house blend for the company. The wrapper is a bit splotchy, but the cigar is extremely firm and well-constructed. It starts out creamy, nutty, and cedary, almost completely lacking the spice I would expect from an all-Nicaraguan smoke. Around the midway point the flavors shift as the cigar becomes more full-bodied with cocoa and earth notes. Ultimately, I can’t say I disliked the Calibre 58, but this particular stick struck me as slightly uninspired.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One hundred years is a long time in any business, particularly if the business has never left the family. That’s the case for Barclay Rex, a New York tobacco shop founded in 1910 by Vincent Nastri, a pipe maker from Salerno, Italy.

In celebration of this impressive accomplishment, the Nastri family, owner of two of the three Barclay Rex locations (and part owner of the third), asked Pete Johnson to create an exclusive Tatuaje cigar. The result, introduced November 2010, is the first in Tatuaje’s Exclusive Series.

Only 195 boxes of 25 cigars were made, each featuring a band that combines the gold trim front of the La Verite with red, white, and blue sides similar to the Tatuaje RC. I was fortunate enough to pick up the final box of this exclusive smoke over Thanksgiving weekend for $250 (or $10 per cigar).

The cigar is striking with a dark, extraordinarily oily wrapper. It features firm construction with notable details including a closed foot and a pigtail cap. Probably due to the closed foot, the first few draws are knock-you-over powerful. Were the rest of the smoke equally powerful, I don’t think I’d be able to finish it.

Fortunately, it isn’t. Still, the Barclay Rex 100th Anniversary is a powerful, full-bodied cigar. Earth dominates along with plenty of spice, espresso, and dark chocolate. Construction is excellent.

The complexity is deep and long. Near the midway point, a sweeter honey-cinnamon edge develops. Later, in the final third, a red pepper spice dominates, even as the strength falls off slightly.

It’s a wild roller coaster of a ride, and a most enjoyable one, particularly at $10 each when so many limited edition cigars go for considerably more. My only regret is not picking up more of these fine smokes when they were available.

With ample complexity, full-bodied flavor, attractive looks, and a reasonable price, it’s easy to give the Tatuaje Barclay Rex 100th Anniversary a 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.]

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve written before that bold, rich beers can be a great pairing for a fine cigar. I’m not talking about your generic, mass-produced Bud, Coors, or Miller product; I’m talking about craft brews made with an abundance of flavorful hops and malt.

The Delaware-based Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is an example of a company that takes flavorful beers seriously. I’ve long been a fan of their 60 Minute and 90 Minute IPAs, which are (as you might have guessed) continuously hopped for 60 and 90 minutes, respectively.

My enjoyment of Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA is one reason why I was excited to try the Dogfish Head Squall IPA. At one of Dogfish Head’s “Alehouses,” Squall was described to me as the traditional 90 Minute Imperial Pale Ale bottled unfiltered and bottle-aged.

The result is an aromatic brew with a deep, slightly cloudy copper color. The nose is hoppy with an inviting grapefruit tinge.

Squall reveals many classic flavors from Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA: rich, sweet maltiness, dried fruit, and pine. Added to the mix is a creaminess that the standard 90 Minute lacks.

This is a rich beer with both power and finesse. It goes great with cigars that are similarly powerful yet refined. The Nicaraguan spice in the Tatuaje Black, Illusione, and Padilla 1932 fit the bill.

–Patrick S

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.”

Last year, P.G. Cigars celebrated it’s 20th anniversary and introduced the limited edition Symphony to commemorate the occasion. Originally introduced in a Toro, the blend will soon be expanded to include a Short Robusto and this large Salomones size that will sell for around $20. Wrapped in an oily, medium brown wrapper, the Salomones has an elegant presentation. Roasted earthy notes dominate and are complemented by a subtle combination of oak, molasses sweetness, and wine-like tannins. The expertly constructed blend bounces around from full-bodied to medium and back, making for an entertaining two hours.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

State legislatures all around the country are in session, and that means cigar rights are in danger. From coast to coast, bills are being considered that would curb the rights of cigar smokers. Fortunately, Cigar Rights of America and the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association are keeping cigar smokers updated. Here are a few of the bills from around the country to watch out for:

California is considering a bill that would ban smoking statewide in all indoor locations except private residences. SB 575 would ban smoking in all retail tobacco businesses, private clubs, hotel lobbies, bars, taverns, banquet rooms, warehouse facilities, and employee break rooms.

Kentucky is considering a bill to ban smoking in all indoor locations except private residences. Polls show Kentucky residents are evenly split on the proposed legislation.

Indiana is considering a bill that would ban smoking nearly everywhere, including cigar bar. While current cigar shops are exempt, future shops may not be.

Nebraska legislators are considering a bill (LB 436) that would severely increase the price of cigars. The bill would boost the wholesale tax on cigars and other premium tobacco products by 225%.

Maryland is considering two bills that would dramatically increases the cost of cigars. If both bills pass, tobacco excise taxes would increase by 500%.

Texas is considering a state-wide ban on smoking. The bill, introduced by a Dallas-area Republican (demonstrating that anti-Cigar Rights legislation is bipartisan), would prohibit smoking in indoor areas of most businesses, health care facilities, and sporting venues.

Washington is considering HB 1246, which would limit cigar smokers’ choices and make tobacco sales less consumer-friendly. The bill bans the sale of any tobacco that has a “distinguishable flavor or aroma other than tobacco”, including flavored or infused cigars, such as Acid, and flavored pipe tobacco. The bill would force tobacco to be kept behind a counter at most tobacco retailers, though dedicated cigar shops appear to be exempt.

As you can see, anti-cigar legislation is moving all around the country. It is critical that lawmakers hear from their constituents if these measures are to be defeated. And this is just a small selection of pending legislation. To keep up-to-date on all the anti-cigar legislation in your area, we recommend subscribing to updates from the CRA and constantly monitoring the IPCPR legislation page.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

A.J. Fernandez may be the best cigar maker you haven’t heard of. But not for long.

Born in Cuba where he worked with the legendary Alejandro Robaina, Fernandez has quickly gained fame making cigars for other cigar companies including Rocky Patel, Padilla, Graycliff, and Gurkha, as well as making exclusive cigars for catalog giant Cigars International (for whom he makes Diesel, Man O’ War, La Herencia, and other smokes.) At the 2010 industry trade show, Fernandez introduced his first solo national brand, San Lotano. (For more on San Lotano, read our reviews of the Connecticut and Habano.)

Via email (with translation help from company co-President Kris Katchaturian) I asked A.J. Fernandez about Cuba, Robaina, Niacaraguan tobacco, and his new San Lotano blend.

Stogie Guys: Growing up in Cuba, did you notice cigars playing a role in the country’s culture? How did you first become involved with the cigar industry?

A.J. Fernandez: I noticed it a lot. It is an integral part of our culture. I come from a generational family of tobacco growers. I was born and raised in San Luis, Cuba (this is in the Pinar del Rio region). This part of Cuba is known worldwide because most every local is involved directly or indirectly with tobacco. Mostly, I remember when I was a child helping my grandfather stripping the leaves. I have always loved the natural aroma of tobacco. I guess, you could say, it is in my blood.

SG: You’ve been described as the protégé of the “Godfather of Cuban tobacco,” Alejandro Robaina. Tell us about what made him so special. What was the most important thing he taught you about cigars?

A.J.: That is a fine compliment. Too much, even. He was a great man and mentor. But I won’t say that I am the protégé of Alejandro Robaina. Our families had a longstanding relationship with each other. We had great respect for him… I idolized him. We would often get together and I would listen to everything he had to say. I suppose one concept that I always keep close to me is to continually tinker with different (leaf) blends. You never know what you might fall upon.

SG: What made you decide to leave Cuba? Why did you settle in Nicaragua?

A.J.: My father wanted to keep my family close together. He came to Nicaragua in 1997 to run the fermentation process for his nephew, Nestor Plasencia. I joined in Nicaragua shortly thereafter. I used that golden opportunity to become independent, utilizing the knowledge which I brought from Cuba to begin my own factory.

SG: You use a lot of Nicaraguan tobacco in the blends you create. What is it about Nicaraguan tobacco that you think makes it so special?

A.J.: In my opinion, the Nicaraguan tobacco is totally unique. Hey, it’s beautiful. Why? It combines the perfect balance of aroma and strength. I am very proud of the quality of leaf here. It is a gift from above to work with such high quality product.

SG: Tell us about the new San Lotano blend, you first independent, nationally distributed cigar line.

A.J.: San Lotano is crafted from carefully selected Cuban-seed leaves. The ligero is aged more than five years. This aging results in a naturally sweet aroma and fine balance. I also make it with lots of passion.

SG: What do you think about the quality of Cuban tobacco? What would you do if you had access to Cuban tobacco for blending today?

A.J.: People ask this question often. For me, Cuba has very rich and complex tobacco. If I were given the opportunity to mix it with my Nicaraguan product? Oh man, we would have some highly sought-after blends.

SG: Besides those you make, what are some of your favorite cigars to smoke for your own enjoyment?

A.J.: What a difficult question. Like asking what my favorite food is. There are so many excellent lines today, both new and old. I would hate to leave something out. Naturally, I am so busy making new blends I do not have a lot of time to smoke outside product. Was that diplomatic enough of me?

SG: Give us the one-sentence pitch: Why should a cigar smoker who has never smoked one of your cigars try one?

A.J.: It is not only in the exacting method in which we ferment our tobacco, which gives great balance to our blends, but also in the passionately intense supervision of the rolling process for that perfect construction.

Thanks to A.J. Fernandez for taking the time to talk to us. For more information on his cigars, visit AJFernandezCigars.com.

–Patrick S

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.”

Eight months ago, I found this attractive Cuban robusto to be too inconsistent and too young tasting to be worth the trouble, but I did note that it showed some potential after “some serious aging.” With that in mind, I lit up another from the same batch to see how it was developing. The cigar has improved, but I think it will be be better still with more age. Some of the bitterness has dropped off revealing a balanced, medium-bodied flavor of cream, cedar, paper, and toast. The construction is significantly improved, with an even burn and an easy draw requiring no re-lights. Despite it’s shortcomings, I’m becoming increasingly confident that after another 6-12 months in the humidor, this Cuban will develop into an excellent smoke.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys