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.”

To say it would be easy to dismiss the American Eagles as a gimmick would be an understatement, but when I heard that Davidoff’s Henke Kelner blended the cigar, and that a portion of profits go to the Semper Fi Fund, I figured it was at worth a try. The cigar’s unique “camouflage” wrapper consists of Ecuadorian shade-grown Connecticut, Connecticut broadleaf maduro, and Central American candela, which surrounds a Dominican blend. The medium-bodied smoke has good balance, savory flavors, and its kept lively by the subtle changes in flavor that result from the different combinations of wrapper leaf you experience. At $10 each, its proof that a cigar can be a gimmick and a good smoke.

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.”

Finding cigars on store shelves that I’ve never heard of isn’t at all uncommon. But I was surprised when I walked into a shop with a small selection and spotted two open boxes of a cigar whose name I’d learned only a day earlier by reading Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list. The Aging Room Small Batch M356 Presto, a diminutive 4.125 inches with a 48 ring gauge, is a Dominican puro with burn problems and great flavors. There is terrific spice, a light finish, and an incredibly smooth experience. If you stumble across one, pick it up. Even if you have to pay nearly $3 over the $7.25 MSRP, as I did.

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.”

From Keith K. Park, the man who launched the high-dollar God of Fire, the Sencillo Platinum (Spanish for simple) is a Honduran puro aimed further down the line at the everyday cigar level. I found it milder than I would have expected, with earth and wood notes predominating. I had some minor burn issues and the draw was very open. According to the Sencillo site, each of the six sizes presents a different flavor profile. If you’re looking for something a little different, pick up one of these. The Robusto (5.25 x 50) lists at $7.95.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Sencillo

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 previous experiences with this Cuban have ranged from, “Eh, not worth the price,” to, “Excellent, as long as you age it for a year or more.” I recently gave the Exhibición No. 4 (5 x 48) another shot, this time with a specimen that had been in my possession for over a year. What a disappointment. The bland profile tasted of dry wood and ammonia. The physical properties were good, but who cares about construction when you invest $8-11 and a year of humidor space to get a crummy-tasting stick? I’m starting to think my good experiences with this smoke were mere anomalies.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”

What’s the difference between the Tatuaje Fausto Avion 11 and this prototype from Pete Johnson’s Saints & Sinners club? I can’t tell by searching online about the latter, and I’ve never tried the former. The makeup seems to be the same—Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos surrounded by a dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper—and the flavors are similar to those described by my colleague in his review of the Fausto Avion 11. These include pepper, dry wood, nuts, and some syrupy sweetness on the finish. If there is no difference, I’m inclined to put the Fausto Avion 11 on my shopping list because the Proto 3 is a delight.

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.”

The legendary Romeo y Julieta Churchill was joined by the robusto-sized Short Churchill in 2006. In 2010, this third Churchill variation was added, measuring in at 5.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 55. Technically a “montesco” size, this Cuban puro is surprisingly well-constructed, with a golden wrapper, firm feel, and triple-cap. It’s a very flavorful, medium- to full-bodied smoke with flavors of roasted nut, coffee, and cedary wood. With deep flavor, balance, and excellent construction, it’s the best Cuban cigar I’ve smoked in awhile (including the vaunted Cohiba Behike).

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.”

The Alec Bradley Prensado has gotten plenty of buzz lately after being named Cigar Aficionado‘s Cigar of the Year, but I’ve generally preferred the Family Blend, which was released around the same time. This time, I’m smoking the “VR1” size (5.5 x 50). It’s a medium-bodied cigar with good balance. The flavors are woody and roasted, and the construction is excellent. And yet, this particular cigar was uncharacteristically flat. I’m still a fan of this line (and even this size), but this single cigar just didn’t have the complexity I’ve come to expect from the Family Blend.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys