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.”

I enjoyed this robusto when it came out early last summer, enough to go pick up a box before they were gone. Eight months of age hasn’t made this cigar markedly better, but it certainly hasn’t made it any worse. I still found the same sweet honey and graham cracker flavors. And it still has excellent balance, a long toasty finish, and flawless construction. These cigars have been sold out for some time now, but if you’re offered one I wouldn’t recommend passing on the opportunity.

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.”

It’s tough to judge a cigar’s qualities when you can’t smoke it. That was my recent experience with two of these six-inch sticks. I tried every trick I could with the first Gurkha Vintage Shaggy—clipping farther down the head, massaging the length of the stick, using a poker. Nothing helped, and after I encountered even greater difficulty with a replacement provided by the shop, I didn’t have the energy to keep trying this $6-8 Dominican puro.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”

This cigar has been sitting in my humidor since the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show. The well-constructed robusto features a Nicaraguan wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos, as well as flavors of cedar, earth, coffee, and a bit of sweet toffee. It is medium-bodied smoke and relatively well-balanced. Given the approachable price point of about $5 per stick, I’m impressed with what the Augusto Reyes Sixth Generation Robusto has to offer.

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 stubby little stick packs quite a bit of flavor into four and a half inches. A Nicaraguan puro, it’s a little less powerful than you might expect. And a bit more complex, laying spice, coffee, and roasted nuts on the tongue. A great choice when you feel pressed for time.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Joya de Nicaragua

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.”

Someone generously gave me this value-oriented Holt’s house blend, which sells by the box for under $2 per stick. With a dark Nicaraguan wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and filler from four countries (Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Brazil), the Boardwalk Pyramid has the potential to punch above its weight. Ultimately, it features mostly earthy flavors with an unpleasant sour taste that goes in and out. And the medium-bodied smoke has nothing in the way of balance or finesse.  For the price I didn’t expect much (and it does have solid construction) but this cigar’s flavors just don’t deliver.

Verdict = Sell.

–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 Dominican puro was originally available in only one vitola: the robusto-sized “Iniquity.” Since, two frontmarks have been added, including “The Reason” (6 x 58). It features a Habano ’98 wrapper, a criollo ’98 binder, and a profile of dark coffee and cedar. While enjoyable, and despite its good construction, I can’t fully recommend this $6 cigar because, at times, it displays an overly meaty profile that detracts from its otherwise pleasant flavor.

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.”

When I first acquired this maudro-wrapped Churchill (7 x 52), it cost $180 for a box of 25—a price I was happy to pay given its flavor and quality. Now, almost two years later, the investment seems even wiser, despite the fact Cuban Crafters dropped the box price significantly. With perfect combustion qualities and a taste of cocoa, coffee, pepper, and black licorice, this is a fine smoke that ages beautifully, adding creamy notes with time.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys