The Stogie Guys

For a dramatic moment, even though it didn’t compare to Dr. Frankenstein throwing a switch to bring his monster to life, I couldn’t help but hope for similar results when I lifted a Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sun Grown #60 from my humidor.

One of an extremely dry four-pack I bought for $5 or so about ten months ago, I’d been resting them to see how much life would return to the six inch by 50 ring gauge sticks. For the first couple of months, I kept them in a partially closed Ziploc bag with a water pillow-style humidification pack with the humidity level a notch or two above 70. Since then, they’ve been in with the rest of the singles.

As you may know, advice on restoring dried cigars is about as prevalent on the web as offers to get rich working with Nigerian officials. Nearly all the cigar methods focus on restoring moisture in one way or another.

When I bought these, I certainly knew what I was getting. The clerk went out of his way to warn me before that the cigars had gotten very dry. I just figured that for the price I’d see what happened. These cigars, which I’ve enjoyed many times, normally run about $45 for a properly humidified box of ten.

I wasn’t expecting much from this experiment. I’ve come to believe that while it is possible to get a measure of moisture back in a dry cigar, the loss of at least some essential oils is certain to adversely affect the flavor. As if to illustrate the point of irreversible change, when I removed the two bands their patterns were still clearly visible on the wrapper.

In all honesty, though, the cigar wasn’t bad. It had characteristics you’d anticipate: loose draw, fairly fast burn, and relatively dry smoke and finish. But it also retained a fair amount of taste, highlighted by cedar and leather. A harshness I don’t associate with this usually mild cigar was evident in the beginning, but it did not linger.

I plan to not smoke the three remaining sticks for at least six more months, maybe longer. I don’t know how much they’re likely to improve, but already I believe they are the best $1.25 cigars I’ve had.

–George E

photo credit: Video Detective

The Super Bowl just may be one of the best occasions of the year to smoke cigars. There are hours and hours of football-related television programming, lots of fried foods, plenty of adult beverages, and great gatherings of loved ones and friends.

Yesterday a few of my pals (Patrick S included) and I spent a good six hours at Shelly’s Back Room, pretty much the last cigar-friendly establishment in all of Washington. It is a “civilized cigar parlor” with numerous high-definition TVs, a cozy atmosphere, and an excellent menu. It was here that we witnessed one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

I don’t mind saying that we were smoking and drinking virtually nonstop throughout our entire stay. Included in my three-cigar extravaganza was a mild and creamy Ybor City Handmades Torpedo (the last from my November 2006 trip to Tampa) and a full and peppery J.L. Salazar y Hermanos Reserva Especial Robusto (full review forthcoming). Not surprisingly, Makers Mark seemed to go quite well with everything.

But we want to know what you were up to. When you get a chance, please leave a comment and let Stogie Guys Nation know where you watched the big game and what you smoked to celebrate one of the world’s greatest sporting events.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

After reading my recent review of the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 2 (Exclusivo Zona del Este), a reader asked what other cigars had received a heralded five out of five stogies rating. I directed him to our Stogie Reviews Archive where you can see all the cigars we’ve reviewed and the rating each received.

But I kept thinking about it. And it seemed to me that it might be worthwhile and interesting to list all the other cigars that have been awarded five stogies, the reviewer, and a bit from the review.

First, here’s the definition of what a five-stogie rating means, according to our ratings system: “These cigars are truly an occasion. We recommend you give these babies your full and undivided attention. If not, you’d better be at a wedding or some other significant celebration.” Now, on to the list.

The first cigar to achieve a perfect five was the Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3, which Patrick A called “one of the finest stogies I had ever enjoyed.” He praised it for a symphony of tastes that remained a smooth, graceful, and mild smoke. The only drawback, he wrote, was the price tag of around $13.

I praised another Ashton, the Classic Corona, for its finely mixed flavors, slow burn and creamy smoke.

Three Cubans grace the list. Patrick A found the Cohiba Siglo V to have the prelight aroma of “the subtle perfume of a delicate angel,” while the smoke itself yielded sophisticated floral notes as well as “complex salty and sour flavors complemented by an ever-present dark chocolate sweetness.”

Patrick S sang the praises of the Ramón Allones Specially Selected, a robusto with excellent construction, a sturdy ash, and a lower price than many of its Cuban counterparts. “Immediately after lighting,” he wrote, “I enjoyed an abundant amount of leather flavors paired with pepper, earth, and even caramel.”

The relatively new Montecristo Petit Edmundo was “gorgeous in every way,” according to Patrick A. Praising its complexity, he called it “a well-balanced, full-bodied, complex masterpiece.”

The Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Torpedo was also praised by Patrick A as a cigar that never disappoints and a bargain at about $8.75 a stick. It is, he wrote, “a slice of heaven.”

He also cited the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6 as a truly complex cigar whose flavors included a “taste that reminded me of moist chocolate cake.” Noting that at about $12 it isn’t an every day cigar, Patrick A said “this terrific smoke certainly qualifies for any celebration.”

Patrick S recommended slowly smoking the Coronado by La Flor Double Corona to savor “the perfectly balanced medley of flavors.” Costing about $8, he said the “tobacco treat…would stand out when pitted against stogies that cost twice as much.”

In addition to the previously mentioned pair, I awarded five stogies to the Partagas 150. I feel lucky to have gotten one of these very expensive, hard-to-find cigars and greatly enjoyed its subtle, complex flavors.

So, there you have it. The StogieGuys.com top ten (so far). Now, why not leave a comment with your top-notch picks?

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

A reader recently sent us a response he got from his senator, Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland. He had written to express his concern and disappointment over the proposed approximate 20,000 percent tax increase on cigars.

Here is part of the response he received from Senator Mikulski:

“I understand your concerns with the tax provisions in the recent version of the children’s health reauthorization legislation, which included a tax increase on large cigars to up to $10 per cigar. I agree that this would have placed an unfair burden on you or your business.

After reading your letter, I took action. I worked with my colleagues, in a bipartisan manner, and fought to drop the ceiling on large cigars from $10 to $3 per cigar. Though still an increase, I wanted you to know that I shared your concerns and acted accordingly.

You should know that I am extremely concerned for the over 12 million children without health insurance. I firmly believe that all children should have access to high quality, affordable health care and health insurance coverage.”

There are so many things wrong with this response, it is hard to know where to begin. First, Senator Mikulski (or, rather, her staff member who responds to constituent letters) includes a giant non sequitur by noting that she wants 12 million children to have health insurance through SCHIP.

Why do the massive costs of SCHIP have to be paid for by taxing an already heavily discriminated group like smokers? Or why it is a good idea to make health insurance funding dependent on people smoking? She never says. Nor does the Senator address the devastating effects that such a tax would have on the families of cigar factory workers in Central America.

But the biggest problem I have with this condescending letter is that it claims that she has addressed the “issue” by dropping the cap on the taxes from $10 to $3 – meaning that the tax increase will now be just 5,900 percent.

What she doesn’t mention is that her proposed tax rate lowers taxes for only the most expensive cigars, leaving taxes exactly the same for all cigars that usually retail for under approximately $8 – the vast majority of all cigars sold.

In short, this reply is the same political double-speak you’d expect from DC politicos: unresponsive and lacking in substance. An apt comparison would be telling someone that pleading not to be shot will result in only two bullets instead of six. Oh, thanks!

Just another reason why the cigar industry needs to get its act together and start doing a better job of fighting these unjust cigar taxes.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The holiday season is a time for get-togethers. If you’re lucky, and if the weather permits, at least some of the parties you attend will include some time in the backyard, patio, or other smoke-friendly location with the opportunity to smoke a cigar.

Many times, someone will ask if you have another stick. Or you’ll want to share your pleasure and make the initial offer. In either case, some of those who join you will be cigar newcomers, so you might want to plan a little in advance.

The most common recommendation is to offer a novice smoker a mild cigar, like a Macanudo or Dominican Montecristo. I disagree. I think you need something with more taste and interest. Otherwise, the new smoker’s reaction is likely to be, “Why am I sucking on these leaves? There’s just not much to it.”

Now, I’m not recommending you break out the Camacho Coyolars or powerhouse Joya de Nicaraguas. But there are many, many flavorful and interesting medium strength cigars that a newcomer could enjoy. If you need some suggestions, take a spin through the Stogie Guys Cigar Reviews Archive.

Interesting shapes, like the Punch Champion or diademas, can also make that first smoke more memorable. For length and girth, stick with smaller ring gauges and a length of five inches or less. Better that they end wanting more than wishing there was less.

So, spread the word. And the good cigars.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

As the year comes to close, people invariably look back. For cigar smokers, that usually means lists of the best new releases, top sticks of the year, and so forth. Well, I had an experience the other night that gave me a new perspective on how ephemeral that “best” designation can be.

My wife and I were meeting some friends for dinner at a genial bar/restaurant we’d chosen primarily for its large outdoor seating area. The night was typical for Florida in the fall, so just before we left I decided to grab a cigar. I picked up an H. Upmann, primarily because it was the first one I spotted that looked to be about five inches long, a length that seemed reasonable.

At first, things didn’t start well. I discovered the punch I’d recently put on my key ring had lost its metal cutting circle. As I prepared to bite the end off the cigar, a gentleman at the next table caught my eye and offered me the use of his guillotine. Then I recognized my second mistake: bringing only one cigar. I knew none of our companions smoke, so I didn’t even think about bringing another stick. As I thanked him for the loan of his cutter I could only apologize for not having another cigar, an apology he graciously waved off.

When I finally got down to smoking, though, it was great. I can’t recall enjoying one more. I’m sure the company, the weather, the friendly neighbor, and the food and drink all had a lot to do with it. Normally, I like most of the H. Upmann line OK, but I would never put them on my list of favorites. But in that setting that cigar was nothing short of terrific. It certainly made my top ten for the year.

–George E

photo credit: Altadis USA

The next time you snicker at someone recounting some exotic taste he encountered in a cigar, consider this: There are apples that taste like roses. Others are reminiscent of popcorn or fennel, while some gave forth the aroma of tin or cat urine. And there were lots of other flavors recounted by food writer Harold McGee, who recently was able to munch a vast array of fruit.

McGee, in a New York Times column, described many of the apples he tried at a U.S. Agriculture Department facility that maintains “the world’s most extensive collection of apple varieties and relatives.” He also spoke to scientists involved in experiments on apples for new tastes.

Now I like apples as much as the next guy, but it was the varied flavors McGee described that really grabbed my attention. He explained that some apples contain the cis-rose that creates the smell of roses, while other chemicals created different aromas in others.

So, is it really a stretch that some cigars may have a taste of, say, licorice? If apples can contain anise, there’s no reason to think it couldn’t be found in some tobacco strains. They’re all plants.

My point is the next time you’re rolling a mouthful of smoke around your tongue and you think you detect something new, don’t be surprised. Just keep your fingers crossed that it isn’t cat urine.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr