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.”

At 7 inches in length with a 58-ring gauge, only a tad below an inch, this cigar lives up to its name, which can be translated as “the chief” or “the boss.” And with an MSRP of about $7, it could fall into the bargain category when computed by tobacco per dollar. Unfortunately, it’s all a bit too much. What’s enjoyable in a smaller vitola (see my 2010 review of the Churchill) can become tiresome after so much. It also suffers from the typical big ring gauge disease of PBS (Poor Burn Syndrome). The Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler mix crafted by My Father Cigars for Ashton makes for a good cigar. I’d just recommend trying one of the other ten sizes.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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.”

George E beat me to the punch with his review of the new CAO Concert, which I also tried for the first time at the IPCPR Trade Show. He thought highly of the cigar and I agree, though I like the Amp (5.5 x 46) even better than the Roadie (5.5 x 54) he reviewed. Excellent construction, the norm on cigars made by General Cigar, is combined with the spice and bread flavors that I often identify with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The Concert blend isn’t all that different from the many cigars that rely on Ecuadorian Habano (rosado in this case) wrapper and Nicaraguan filler (though Concert also uses Honduran filler). It’s just a particularly well-done rendition of the genre with medium body, good balance, and a reasonable price ($5.75 for a single).

Verdict = Buy.

–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.”

After a hiatus that kept Dona Flor away from the U.S. market for years, the Brazilian company is back on American soil with a variety of lines, including Seleção and Puro Mata Fina. Included in Dona Flor’s portfolio is the CC Bahia, which is comprised of a golden Connecticut shade wrapper around mata fina and mata norte leaves. The Robusto (5 x 52) retails for $7.75 and has a nutty, creamy, slightly spicy taste that’s devoid of the chocolate or depth I was expecting from a cigar packed with Brazilian tobacco. It isn’t a bad cigar, but it’s hard to be overly enthusiastic about it given the number of fine Connecticuts on the market that sell for less. I guess you could say I’m on the fence.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

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.”

The first thing you have to do with this cigar is decide whether to smoke it or load it into the bay of a B-2 bomber. It’s big. Huge. The full inch of a 64/64 ring gauge, made explicit by a tape measure band. Obviously, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has decided that if consumers want large ring gauge cigars, he’ll oblige, though he’s said that limited tobacco means only about 125,000 sticks will be made this year. Oddity aside, though, how is the Inch? Very good, really. Like most massive sticks, the burn can be a problem. But the rich filler mix and fine Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper produce a smooth, full-bodied, and tasty smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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.”

Released by Pete Johnson last year, the 7th Capa Especial (5.9 x 46) boasts a rustic Sumatra wrapper around Nicaraguan tobaccos. Creamy nut, espresso, black pepper spice, and a bit of cocoa on the finish characterize the profile, which tends toward the full-bodied spectrum. No doubt there’s a lot going on here in terms of complexity and balance, and the physical properties—including a straight burn and a solid gray ash—are predictably excellent. You can’t go wrong with this cigar, which runs about $8-9.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

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.”

Consistently my favorite La Flor Dominicana blend, the Cameroon Cabinet features a Cameroon wrapper, Dominican binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. This corona (6.5 x 44) is perfectly balanced and medium-bodied with Cameroon sweetness, cocoa cedar, and honey. With an even burn and solid ash it’s a must try.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.”

This Pete Johnson creation, blended for Janny Garcia and produced at My Father Cigars, was among the most anticipated of the new cigars hitting retailers’ shelves after this summer’s industry trade show. Like Johnson’s earlier La Casita Criollo, this blend is built around Connecticut broadleaf, though it also includes Nicaraguan tobacco. But for me the broadleaf stands out. And, unfortunately, I find little appeal in it. In my mouth, there’s a dry, dusty earthiness that overwhelms everything else. But if you, like many others, enjoy La Casita, you’ll likely feel the same about La Dueña.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: N/A