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 new line by La Aurora features a medium brown Ecuadorian wrapper around dual binders (Cameroon and Dominican corojo) and a four-country filler blend of Peruvian, Dominican, Brazilian, and Nicaraguan tobacco. The well-constructed Gran Toro (6 x 58) immediately reveals milky chocolate notes with subtle earth, sweetness, and spice. It’s an extraordinarily balanced, well-rounded smoke. The thick—and apparently popular—super toro size is not my preferred format; I feel the Guillermo León is best in the Gran Corona and Belicoso versions of the blend. But that doesn’t mean the Gran Toro isn’t a very enjoyable  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.”

Just introduced at last week’s IPCPR Trade Show, this new extension of the La Aroma de Cuba line is made in Nicaragua by Don Pepin Garcia, like the other La Aromas. The box-pressed Magnifico (6 x 52) features a nearly flawless Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut broadleaf wapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. After an initial burst of heavy spice, it settles into a medium- to full-bodied profile with dry bittersweet chocolate, cream, and earth. It’s a tasty cigar reminds me of a slightly less complex version of the Padrón Serie 1926 Maduro—hardly a bad reminder. Construction and combustion qualities are excellent in this $8 smoke. Try it with some Zaya Gran Reserva, which will be featured as a pairing at Ashton events this fall.

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 I reviewed this cigar one year ago, I found it to be agreeable yet slightly disappointing given its pedigree and price point. Time has neither improved nor diminished the El Acere. It still carries a salty, airy flavor that overshadows its tastier notes of cedar and dark chocolate. It burns well enough but, for a cigar that retails for around $10 per single, I can think of many better balanced smokes worthy of my time and money.

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.”

Set to be officially released at the IPCPR show this week, this Corona (5.5 x 43) is a new addition to La Aurora’s recently-introduced 107 line. It features a relatively vein-free Ecuadorian wrapper around Dominican binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. Smooth medium-bodied flavors make for an interesting smoke, with leather, spice, graham, and warm woody flavors. Construction is superb, and this format is a perfect vehicle for this complex, balanced 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.”

PG Cigars is a great all-around brand, but my favorite blend from this old-school boutique manufacturer has to be the 15th Anniversary. It was first released in 2005 in only one size and is now available in ten vitolas, including the Short Robusto (4 x 50). A stout smoke, it boasts smooth yet full flavors as varied as cedar and melon to cinnamon and pine—all in harmonious cooperation. I can’t say enough about this complex, well-constructed cigar. Suffice to say it is well worth its price tag of about $12 apiece.

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.”

Davidoff’s first all-Dominican blend, the Puro Dominicano Robsuto, was rumored to be an early version of the new Puro D’Oro—Davidoff’s first new regular line since the 2008 Maduro blend. The robusto starts with a slightly unbalanced burst of black pepper, but soon settles into a mouthwatering blend of butter and almond with subtle spices. Construction is flawless, and while it doesn’t seem to have much in common with the Puro d’Oro, it is a interesting smoke that’s well worth a 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.”

A new cigar company celebrating its first anniversary, Mederos hits all the right notes if you’re looking for a sub-$7 smoke with excellent construction and a mild, complex flavor profile. The Fifty 3 – Torpedo (6.1 x 52) boasts tremendous physical properties with a savory taste of sweet cedar and cinnamon. Like the Fifty 1 – Robusto, this Nicaraguan puro is an easy recommendation.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys