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.”

This “Just For Retailers” cigar was created by the same people behind Casa Frenandez, who also produce (on contract for others) such lines as Illusione, Viaje, and Alec Bradley Tempus in their Honduran Raices Cubana factory. The Titan (6 x 60, $8) features a Connecticut wrapper around what we can only assume is Aganorsa Nicaraguan tobacco. The profile is of cream, cedar, and sweet graham notes, but hardly any spice. Not a bad smoke, but the JFR Connecticut isn’t as good as the other JFR blends (Corojo and Maduro).

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

I recall this line as one of the leaders in full strength cigars when it came out in 2003. The complex blend, with its smoothness, pepper, and pop, simply blew me away. It was my favorite smoke for quite awhile, even as it changed a bit through the years. Somehow, though, I got away from it and hadn’t had one in a long, long time until recently. All I could do was wonder why I waited. I smoked several sizes, and enjoyed the robusto-sized Duma most. This Miami Cigar & Co. stick gets little notice and isn’t always easy to find. Whether, like me, you haven’t had one lately, or have never tried one, I urge you to light it up.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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.”

Caucus is exclusive to the DC-based Georgetown Tobacco shop. According to Georgetown’s website, its name was chosen to honor the efforts of Rocky Patel and others in the cigar industry who came to Washington to help reduce the SCHIP (State Childrens Health Insurance Program) tax hike, effectively limiting the tax from $3 to 40 cents per cigar. The Toro (6 x 50), fittingly made by Rocky Patel, sells for around $7 when bought by the box. It features a Sumatran oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan habano binder, and filler tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. It’s a medium- to full-bodied smoke with strong, sweet cedary notes with earth and pepper. With excellent construction, it’s well worth picking up the next time you’re at Georgetown Tobacco.

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.”

My exposure to the Cuban version of the Trinidad brand has been severely lacking, but I’ve remedied that lately with a few Robusto Extras. This vitola, which measures six inches long and comes complete with a pigtail cap, is a joy to smoke. Creamy notes are abundant and complemented by traces of cocoa and mint. Notably, though many Cubans seem to be plagued by inconsistent construction these days, this cigar always seems to burn well.

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 Cameroon Cabinet line is not La Flor Dominicana’s most acclaimed line, but it might be its best. With a Cameroon wrapper, Dominican binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, the Cameroon Cabinet No. 1 is a medium- to full-bodied smoke with immaculate balance. This corona (6.5 x 44) features classic Cameroon sweetness along with cocoa bean, leather, and cream. As it progresses, some cedary spice reveals itself. With an even burn and solid ash, it’s a most enjoyable and complex cigar.

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 new size of Davidoff’s Winston Churchill line is a well-constructed belicoso (4.5 x 46) version of the small Spitfire vitola. Medium-bodied and well balanced, the Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper imparts warm buttery flavors. It’s a tasty smoke with coffee bean, warm tobacco, and oak notes. Selling in tins of four for $23, this cigar a good way to enjoy the Winston Churchill blend in a compact, less time-consuming format.

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 interestingly shaped pyramid (5.5 x 58) comes complete with a box press, Nicaraguan wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It burns well, sporting flavors of cedar and spice. I mostly like the Campana Chica Torpedo, but it isn’t quite memorable enough to merit its asking price, which usually hovers around $11.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys