The Stogie Guys

[Note: The following is one of a series of articles regarding StogieGuys.com’s recent visit to Nicaragua as part of Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari. Read all our Cigar Safari articles here.]

Visiting Drew Estate last week, one year after my prior visit, it would have been hard miss the company’s growth. According to Drew Estate CEO Steve Saka, the company is now the third largest premium cigar company in the United States behind only General Cigar and Altadis (as determined by the Cigar Association of America).

One year ago while visiting, I was told they were planning a large new “pre-industry” facility for fermentation, aging, and sorting tobacco. Today, the frame of a massive $3.7 million airplane hangar-like structure is standing (pictured above and below from each end). The plan is for it to be operational by this September and, if current projections are correct, it will be at 100% capacity by 2015.

Liga Privada capacity is increasing too. I was told the company shipped twice as many Ligas in 2012 as it did in 2011, and the number will increase again this year. Given that it can take two years for the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to be ready, that’s significant.

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It’s been too long since the StogieGuys.com team published a new list of Gold Star Smokes. As you might recall, this special designation celebrates cigars that we feel are worthy of strong recommendations. They don’t necessarily have to be five stogie-rated—just commendable smokes we turn to time and again.

Co-Founder & Editor in Chief Patrick A

For years I’ve been singing the praises of the fantastic cigars at Tesa, a Chicago-based boutique with Chris Kelly at the helm. While Tesa creations can be a little pricey (justifiably so, in my opinion), the relatively new Picadura King Connecticut Robusto only costs $4-5. That makes it a bargain if you like complex, mild cigars to pair with morning coffee. Look for subtle, harmonious flavors of oak, sweet hay, cream, and roasted nuts. And the physical properties are perfect, which is what I’ve come to expect from all cigars from Tesa’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Co-Founder & Publisher Patrick S

Last week I was in Nicaragua visiting Drew Estate and the experience only heightened my appreciation of the Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto. Many people like this cigar when it’s hard to find (and usually it is), but I found myself with a virtually unlimited supply (at least for a few days). It didn’t make me like the cigar any less. If anything, the opposite. Smoking multiple Robustos each day, I thoroughly enjoyed the heavy, sometimes gritty texture it leaves on the palate, resulting in earth and dry chocolate flavors, with just the right amount of sweetness. Tasty, always well-constructed, and still unlike any other cigar available, it’s a Gold Star selection.

Tampa Bureau Chief George E

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The ways to judge a cigar are many and varied.

Perhaps the most common criterion is taste, which is sensible since that’s what tends to make the biggest and most lasting impression. Many smokers will tell you that’s really all they care about.

But try convincing yourself of that when poor construction begins to intrude on the experience. A bad burn will invariably corrupt the delicate mix of tobaccos and alter the taste, while overheating from frequent relights can leave a bitter, charred flavor. Similarly, a poor draw creates frustration and diminishes pleasure.

Many other factors can come into play. Consider size (“I don’t like big ring gauges.”) or availability (“I’ve got to have that latest limited edition.”). Some smokers automatically resent, and reject, high-priced smokes; others believe there’s no good cigar on the market for less than $15 or $20.

I began thinking about all this the other day as I sat smoking an Arturo Fuente Queen B.

What an excellent cigar. And one that, surprisingly, we’ve never reviewed. This, incidentally, isn’t that review. It just struck me that the Queen B affords an ideal example of what a cigar can offer. In this case, one can select almost any way in which to pass judgment and the Queen B will reign supreme.

Part of the Arturo Fuente Chateau line, construction is impeccable. Price? Only about $6 before state taxes. Size? The 50 ring gauge is one that will satisfy most smokers. Taste? Complex, balanced, varied. Strength? Not too strong, not too light. Availability? It may not be on every retailer’s shelf, but it is a regular production cigar.

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea.

Then there was a Cuban Classic robusto from Don Pepin that’s been in my humidor a bit over two years. Judging that one by the pre-light aroma from the wrapper would make any smoker break out the blue ribbons. Frankly, it seemed almost a shame—almost—to light it up. But it smoked as nicely as it smelled.

Cigars have a great deal to offer. If we don’t avail ourselves of what is there, we’re missing out.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

Those who hate all tobacco are constantly trying to equate premium cigars with “Big Tobacco,” which they view as an an evil not seen since the Galactic Empire in Star Wars (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away).

Which should, but won’t, make them feel a bit uncomfortable about being on the same side as Big Tobacco when it comes to FDA regulation of cigars. A recent article in The Hill makes it clear that when it comes to the bill to stop the FDA from expanding its oversight to include premium handmade cigars, the biggest of cigarette companies stands with the tobacco control groups that detest everything about Big Tobacco:

Cigar companies are going up against tobacco giant Altria, the parent company for Philip Morris USA, which backs expanded FDA oversight and opposes Posey’s legislation. “We believe cigars are a product that are made for adults, have health issues related to them, and have tobacco. We believe the FDA asserting its jurisdictional authority over them is appropriate,” said David Sylvia, a spokesman for Altria.

Altria, it’s worth noting, originally supported the original FDA bill to regulate tobacco because, according to Forbes, the bill “solidifies the position of the producer with the greatest market share—Altria—which makes 50% of all cigarettes in the U.S.”

If Big Tobacco is the unmitigated evil that anti-tobacco zealots say they are, then maybe they need to re-examine their position, which is now the same as the Marlboro Man.

My own view of so-called Big Tobacco is more nuanced. First off, I believe cigarettes, like cigars, should be a legal product which adults should be free to choose to consume. I’d concede that there was a time when the largest cigarettes companies probably misled the public about the health effects of their products. But that doesn’t change the fact that tobacco is and should be a legal product in a free society, or that every smoker now understands that there are serious risks to smoking, especially cigarettes. (In fact, studies suggest smokers overestimate the health effects of smoking.)

Which brings me back to the politics of Big Tobacco, cigars, and the FDA. If cigarette companies’ position is that the bill stopping the FDA from regulation cigars should be opposed because all tobacco should be free from FDA oversight and they want cigar smokers as an ally in that fight, then I’d have some sympathy.

In fact, ultimately I agree with that position while realizing that in the short term it is politically impossible. So the best position right now is articulated by Glynn Loope of Cigar Rights of America to The Hill: “When Congress passed the original Tobacco Control Act, it was really to address two primary points: youth access to tobacco and chemical addition. Premium cigars don’t meet that criteria.”

But that’s not the position of Philip Morris USA, which is the quintessential “Big Tobacco” company. Philip Morris lobbied for the FDA bill, which apparently they feel is best for their bottom line by stifling their competitors, and now they are seeking to force cigars under the same onerous regulations.

All of which is a long way of saying, the next time you talk with someone who opposes the “Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act” to repeal the FDA’s authority to regulate cigars, feel free to ask them why they are taking the side of Big Tobacco against the little guy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: FDA

I subscribe to a newsletter about American whiskey called the Bourbon County Reader. (If you’re serious about bourbon, I recommend subscribing.) In the issue that just arrived in my mailbox, editor Chuck Cowdery observes the long-term trend of cheapening older product lines, especially those with more value-oriented prices.

He notes that over the years a number of bourbons have eliminated their age statement (which designates the minimum length of time that the contained spirit aged in new charred barrels), freeing the distillers to combine any combination of straight whiskey and giving distillers increased flexibility to ramp up production more quickly without the cost of longer aging.

Other bourbons have been watered down, often from bond strength (100-proof) to 80-proof, which is the lowest a bourbon can be without being labeled “diluted whiskey” (most notably, Jack Daniels was cut from 86-proof to 80-proof). The savings here are twofold: (1) adding more water means a barrel of whiskey produces more bottled spirit; and (2) since taxes are based on alcohol content, it reduces the per-bottle tax.

This got me thinking about cigars. Are older “legacy” brands being similarly cheapened? The answer is yes, almost certainly some are. The scarier part is that unlike bourbon, there’s no easy way to know which ones are.

Whereas bourbon labels have strict standards about what claims can be made, there is no similar standard for cigars. Of course most of the time there is no need to lie, because most cigar boxes and labels say very little about how the cigars are made or what is in them.

(I feel obligated to point out here that I certainly don’t want the government to increase regulation on cigars. Though I’ll admit the prospect of FDA regulation would be far less objectionable if I were convinced the goal was simply more information for consumers, and not actually government control over which cigars are available with the underlying goal of limiting the choices that adult consumers have.)

Considering that cigar makers have to produce the “same cigar” year after year, often in increasing quantities, some variation is to be expected. If it’s just the result of attempting to make the same cigar with the next year’s crop of tobacco, then I have no objection. (Though I’d still like a box or production date.)

The problem is when they attempt to make a similar cigar using lesser/cheaper materials, and pass it off as the same product. I suspect this accounts for at least some of the cigars that decline not long after being introduced. Perhaps they figure they can make a great cigar when introducing it to wholesale buyers, the public, and critics, then cut corners later and maximize profits. But the result is cheating their most loyal fans.

So what can a discerning cigar smoker do?

Take note of which companies keep quality and consistency high. In my experience, cigar companies that aren’t constantly releasing new lines (Arturo Fuente and Padrón certainly come to mind) do a better job. Also, the largest cigar companies seem to do well. Altadis, General Cigar, and Davidoff certainly have the capital to keep their products consistent and have invested millions into building their brands, which makes them less likely to risk long-term brand loyalty for short-term profit margins.

But there are always exceptions, for good or bad. Mostly it comes down to buyer beware, or at least be aware of the possibility that brands may have been diluted over the years.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Flickr

In this segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I voice my contemplations about babies, head colds, and going in on cigar purchases with friends.

Six Weeks Old

My son is six weeks old today. He has truly been a blessing, and it’s amazing how I’ve only known him for 42 days yet I couldn’t imagine life without him. That said, before he was born I remember selfishly wondering how his arrival would change the amount of time I like to spend smoking, writing, and reading about cigars. So far so good. I certainly have less time for my cigar endeavors, and the opportunity cost of this time has definitely gone up. But I’ve been able to keep a reasonable pace—even if jaunting off to Nicaragua this year is out of the question. Still, I wonder how other cigar enthusiasts who are fathers handle these considerations. To what lengths do they go to keep their children from being around tobacco? How honest are they with their children about their cigar smoking? What have they learned that I may be able to benefit from?

Sudafed Blues

For the past few days I’ve been battling what’s probably nothing more than the common cold. Annoyingly, the sickness hit right around a few key cigar-smoking opportunities that I had been looking forward to. I chose to pass them up. This got me thinking about this article I wrote almost exactly three years ago. The gist? Back then I concluded that head colds rendered cigar smoking completely pointless given my inability to taste or smell clearly. I stand by that conclusion after trying to smoke a Flor de Las Antillas yesterday. All I could sense was spice and heat. I got no nuance, balance, or interesting flavors. Needless to say I’m looking forward to ending this cold and celebrating with something nice.

Buying Boxes with Friends

Sometimes there’s no room in the budget for a box purchase. But splitting a box among friends is entirely within reason. While I know this is nothing new, I just started splitting boxes recently—particularly with smokes that are either very expensive or only sold in large-count boxes (30-40 cigars). The benefits are plentiful. On one hand, I get more variety and less per-purchase pain in the wallet. I also get to pay lower per-unit costs since cigars by the box are generally cheaper than singles. On the other, I get to compare tasting notes with friends and have great conversations. If you haven’t already adopted this practice, I’d highly recommend splitting a box purchase or two. And remember you don’t necessarily have to buy boxes online. Keep an eye out for discounts on boxes at your local tobacconist.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In this latest segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I ponder custom torch improvements, patio smoking at one of the country’s most desirable locales, and impending cigar industry price increases.

Jetlite Mods, Start Your Engines!

As any loyal StogieGuys.com reader knows, we’re fans of the Ronson Jetlite, a cheap, reliable butane torch. But just about anything can be improved, even this simple device. First, though, a disclaimer. I am simply noting this possibility. I’m in no way suggesting or recommending you do any of these things to your Jetlite. I’m sure it voids whatever warranty might exist, and it undoubtedly will render the lighter unsafe. So, make no mistake, if there’s a problem or accident, you’re on your own. That said, there’s a YouTube video that will explain step-by-step how you can modify your Jetlite. The procedures will make it easier to light and provide greater flame control. If you want to check it out, the video is here.

A Winner in Las Vegas

Good news for patrons of famed Casa Fuente: The shop expects the currently closed patio to soon be open again for smokers. A manager at the high-end Las Vegas shop told me they anticipate having the situation resolved without going to court. The patio was closed earlier this year, after a complaint reportedly from another tenant at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Smoking has continued inside Casa Fuente, but, as visitors know, that can get crowded. Casa Fuente, which became an instant international destination for cigar lovers when it opened in 2005, experienced a similar temporary patio blackout once before. That problem, too, was resolved.

Got to Pay to Play

Look for some cigar prices to go up later this year. Cigar news site Halfwheel has reported that some manufacturers have recently notified retailers of increases, and it seems likely others will follow. Higher production and transportation costs are hitting many cigar makers, and some will undoubtedly pass those along to consumers.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys