The Stogie Guys &#187; Quick Smoke

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Quick Smoke: Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 2

The Stogie Guys — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:00:10 +0000

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 rare treasure topped our ranking of the ten best cigars we reviewed in 2009—a list we emailed exclusively to subscribers of our free email newsletter. It’s easy to see why. The profile of red pepper, cinnamon, and roasted nuts is exceptionally complex, and the fine physical properties only add enjoyment. The cost may be high, around $16 apiece, but you can’t afford to pass up the chance to buy an LG Diez Small Batch No. 2 (6.25 x 54).

Verdict = Buy.

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Quick Smoke: Davidoff 6000

The Stogie Guys — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:02:33 +0000

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 robusto from the Davidoff Mille series features a pale, nearly vein-free Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut wrapper. Inside is a Dominican seco binder and Dominican seco and ligero filler. While distinctly mild in flavor, the 6000 features impressive depth. It has plenty of creamy flavors, along with subtle graham, honey, and cedar notes, albeit with little variation from start to finish. This is the only new addition to the Mille series in decades, and it’s a welcome one.

Verdict = Buy.

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Quick Smoke: Mederos Fifty 1 – Robusto

The Stogie Guys — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:00:09 +0000

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.”

My colleague reviewed this new corojo-wrapped cigar in early February, praising its construction and calling its flavors balanced yet somewhat lacking in complexity. I agree. The Mederos Fifty 1 demonstrates promise with a sweet core of cedar and cinnamon. I look forward to discovering how this cigar’s profile—particularly its meaty aftertaste—reacts to a bit of aging. For now, though, it earns its $6 price tag.

Verdict = Buy.

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Quick Smoke: 262 Paradigm Torpedo

The Stogie Guys — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:18:40 +0000

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.”

Relatively unknown, the 262 Paradigm line features a dark, smooth, nearly vein-free Brazilian wrapper. The Torpedo (6.25 x 54) is constructed well and slow-burning with a firm feel and a mouth-watering combination of roast cashews and milk chocolate. Medium-bodied and balanced, there’s little variation in the profile from start to finish, with the exception of coffee notes that emerge at the midway point. This $8 newcomer is a very impressive cigar that I don’t expect to be unknown for very long.

Verdict = Buy.

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Quick Smoke: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial (Cuban)

The Stogie Guys — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:00:08 +0000

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.”

When I reviewed this Cuban almost a year ago, I wrote, “Even though this is a fine, noble smoke today, something about the flavor leads me to believe it will be slightly better tomorrow.” I’m happy to report it is. The profile of graham cracker, honey, and caramel is more cohesive than I recall. And, as a bonus, gone are the burn issues that once plagued this otherwise well-built cigar. Now I can truly understand why the Especial (5.5 x 50) has been labeled the flagship Epicure.

Verdict = Buy.

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Quick Smoke: EO Cubao Maduro No. 6

The Stogie Guys — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:54 +0000

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.”

The original Cubao from United Tobacco (also called “EO Brands” after founders Erik Espinoza and Eddie Ortega) is an absolute gem. But I’m a little disappointed by the new Maduro version. Unveiled this summer and crafted by Don Pepin Garcia, it forgoes balance and complexity for sheer power. With a strong flavor of espresso and good construction, this is by no means a bad cigar. I’m unconvinced, however, that the Cubao Maduro No. 6 lives up to the prestigious EO pedigree.

Verdict = Hold.

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Quick Smoke: Bolivar Libertadores RE Francia (Cuban)

The Stogie Guys — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:20:47 +0000

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 immense double robusto (6.5 x 54) is a special edition Cuban released exclusively in France in 2006 and 2007. It had been aging in my humidor for almost a full year since I purchased it at the nearly 300-year old A La Civette cigar shop in Paris. Surrounded by a shiny but rustic wrapper, this Bolivar is surprisingly mild with nut and earth flavors. Then, at the midway point, cinnamon and pepper notes reveal a more medium-bodied profile. While the construction is excellent, I’m somewhat disappointed by this expensive Cuban’s lack of depth.

Verdict = Hold.

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Quick Smoke: Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve Toro

The Stogie Guys — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:00:23 +0000

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 representative from the seemingly endless line of Altadis’ Romeo y Julieta lurks at the lower end of the price scale. Unfortunately, it’s also at the lower end of the taste scale. With a fairly dark Nicaraguan wrapper and a mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler, the Habana Reserve seems to be an attempt to add a stronger smoke. And it is relatively strong. But the Toro (6 x 56) is also bland, one-dimensional, and bitter.

Verdict = Sell.

-George E

Quick Smoke: Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario Rosado Danno

The Stogie Guys — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:00:56 +0000

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.”

Making appearances on our lists of the Top Ten Cigars We Reviewed in 2009 and the Top Five New Cigars of 2009—both of which were recently emailed to our free newsletter subscribers—this Pepin-made cigar is a must-try. It sports a creamy, mouth-watering flavor of hazelnut and coffee with pepper on the finish. Balanced and well-constructed, the Rosado Danno (7 x 56) is well worth its MSRP of $9.

Verdict = Buy.

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