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.”

The original Arturo Fuente line, often referred to as the “Gran Reserva” series, sports an affordable portfolio of vitolas in a variety of enticing wrappers. Among my favorites is this Selección Privada No. 1 (6.75 x 44). It combines a Cameroon wrapper with Dominican binder and filler tobaccos to yield a medium-bodied taste of dry wood and spice with a sweet finish. Smooth and aromatic. With good combustion properties, this $5 lonsdale is a trustworthy everyday smoke.

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 was fortunate enough to get my hands on a rare Liga Privada T52 at a Drew Estate event at my local shop. The unique stalk-cut “American Habano” Connecticut wrapper is a deep brown, the color of dark espresso, with plenty of oils and a few prominent veins. Tasting much how it looks, the robusto (5 x 52) features powerful yet complex flavors. Leather, coffee, cocoa, and black pepper are all prominent. Construction is as you would expect from a cigar that costs $10, with an easy draw, even burn, and notably firm ash.

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 soft, spongy, Connecticut shade-wrapped cigar has a brackish taste. While flavors of ginger and sweetness waft in and out, the overall profile, while mild, is dominated by an abrasive saltiness. Construction is flawless. I don’t dislike the Avo XO Trio Intermezzo (5.5 x 50), but I expect something a little less one-dimensional from the Davidoff pedigree.

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.”

This relatively new smoke from My Father Cigars is a Nicaraguan puro featuring an attractive matte brown Habano wrapper. A slightly loose draw reveals warm tobacco, sweet bread, raisin, and earth flavors. While the easy draw persists, the rest of the construction is flawless, including a notably sturdy light gray ash. La Reloba displays nice balance and a sweet cedary finish even though the trademark Don Pepin Garcia spice never comes. All in all, available for under $6, there is a lot to like about La Reloba.

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 large perfecto (6 x 58) was given to me by José Blanco straight from the La Aurora aging room, where it had been sitting for close to a decade. It features an oily and veiny Dominican corojo wrapper surrounding a Dominican binder and a Dominican, Brazilian, and Cameroon filler blend. It’s immaculately balanced with cream, cedar, nuts, and a hint of cocoa. Construction is also excellent on this stick which, if you’re lucky enough to find, I thoroughly recommend you 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 smoking acquaintance recommended I give this new inexpensive line a try, citing the Maduro version as the best of the bunch. Unfortunately, it didn’t suit my taste. Despite good construction and burn qualities, I found it harsh and lacking the typical maduro sweetness. With such a low price, I definitely plan to smoke Nick’s Sticks in its other varieties—Sun Grown and Connecticut—but I don’t think I’ll be lighting another Maduro.

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.”

Nowadays, La Flor is best known for bold, full-bodied blends like the Double Ligero. But the Premium Line, the company’s first series, is a light cigar featuring Dominican binder and filler tobaccos and a pale Connecticut shade wrapper. Construction on the Mambises (6.9 x 48) is absolutely perfect. Still, I can’t fully recommend this $6-8 cigar because the flavor is more dry and papery than it is creamy or nutty.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys