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.”

When my colleague awarded this cigar a rare five-stogie rating in March, I knew I couldn’t wait too long to try it for myself. My first experience was a pleasant one, as the Rogue Rothschild (5.6 x 54) yielded excellent construction, bountiful tufts of smoke with each easy puff, and a solid profile of dark chocolate, nougat, black pepper, dry wood, and spice. I can’t quite affirm my cohort’s high rating, but this Berger & Argenti Entubar V32 is an easy recommendation, even though it costs $11 to $14 each.

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.”

I’ve written before about Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s knack for making cigars that hit just the right notes for me, but looking back I realized that there’s just one of his cigars that we never got around to writing up, the 2011 Short Run. From what I can tell, the cigar is very similar to the 2010 Short Run, with the exception of the wrapper: the 2011 uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper instead of the Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf that was featured in the first Short Run. The result is similar to the 2010 Short Run, only with a few twists. While it’s still cedary and toasty, it lacks some of the creaminess or balance that I enjoyed in the 2010, and there’s a very faint sourness that doesn’t quite hit my palate right. Still, with excellent construction and a reasonable price tag of around $6 each, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this cigar, even though I prefer the 2010 and 2012 Short Runs.

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.”

When my colleague awarded this cigar a 4.5-stogie rating in a full review about a month ago, I knew I had to try it soon, especially since I’m a big fan of Pinar del Rio. I was not disappointed. For $7, the Small Batch Reserve Maduro Robusto gets you dark, rich flavors of chocolate, coffee, and creamy nuts and outstanding construction. Fans of Brazilian-wrapped smokes should be especially sure not to pass up this cigar.

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.”

This cigar is another entry in the lower price Nicaraguan puro sweepstakes. Called a Robusto Grande with a 54 ring gauge and measuring a shade over 5 inches in length, it runs about $5 per stick. The cigar has some strength and isn’t particularly complex, with predominantly woody flavors and lots of smoke. The name, if you’re curious, honors master blender Arsenio Ramos. Worth a try, but I’d be surprised if it makes a lasting impression.

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.”

Flor de las Antillas, the latest highly anticipated release from My Father Cigars, has made it to cigar shop shelves. I grabbed the large 6.5-inch Toro—one of four vitolas—as soon as I could and was not disappointed. The wrapper was darker and oilier than most photos I’ve seen of pre-release sticks. It is not as strong as the stereotypical Pepin Nicaraguan puro, but it is every bit as flavorful, with a little pepper, bread, cedar, and graham cracker smoothly mixed. I was every bit as pleased as I hoped I would be, and I can’t wait to smoke more.

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.”

This is one of 15 exclusive cigars I received from Tatuaje when I signed up for Pete Johnson’s Saints & Sinners club for $150. Said to be similar to the Verocu, it combines Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos with a Habano Ecuador wrapper. The result is a smooth, medium-bodied smoke with spice, cream, and black licorice. The Proto 4 is a memorable cigar and my favorite among the other Protos I’ve smoked to date.

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.”

I can’t say I’d read much about the PIO Cigar Company when I lit up this sharply-pressed $8 offering. The wrapper is dark brown with multiple jet-black splotches, which takes away from an otherwise very attractive cigar. An easy draw reveals cedary wood and roasted nut flavors. The wrapper also imparts a slight spice on the lips. The cigar’s medium- to full-bodied flavors don’t vary much from start to finish, yet the construction is excellent and the flavor is enjoyable. Best of all, the Resurrection Robusto makes me want to try more offerings from PIO.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys