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.”

It has been awhile since I smoked this maduro made by Don Pepin Garcia for EO Brands. Earlier this year, the six inch by 50 ring gauge Toro was named the number six cigar of 2009 by Cigar Aficionado. While I may question some of the cigars on that list, there is no doubt that this smoke is a gem. It is a well-balanced, medium- to full-bodied smoke with an abundance of earth, coffee, and cocoa. Add in excellent combustion qualities, and I can heartily recommend the $8 Toro.

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.”

Distributed by Miami-based Pure Aroma Cigars, D‘Crossier is, according to President Isaias Santana Diaz, handmade in Costa Rica “with rigorous quality standards” and “guided by the principle of superior quality.” The Golden Blend Torpedo (6.1 x 52) is a fine example of such standards. Aside from being a gem in appearance, what with its red Ecuadorian wrapper and its firm packing of Dominican and Costa Rican tobaccos, this cigar sports a wonderful medium-bodied profile of sweet cedar, spicy pepper, and hazelnut. Balanced and expertly constructed. I highly recommend finding the D‘Crossier dealer near you.

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.”

El Museo is likely Litto Gomez’s most exclusive smoke, released to benefit El Museo del Barrio, New York City’s only Latin American museum. Wrapped in a lush, oily habano sun-grown leaf, the Dominican puro (6.75 x 52) features remarkable pre-light chocolate flavors. El Museo starts out with a burst of peppery spice followed closely by a full-bodied combination of cocoa, clove, and leather. It’s a powerful smoke, but balanced enough to not be overwhelming. Construction is flawless with a notably stable, dense, dark gray ash. Sure, it retails for around $30, but I’d be surprised if you didn’t find it to be one of the finest cigars you’ve ever smoked.

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.”

Available in a ten-pack exclusive to Cigar Rights of America (CRA) members, this limited edition cigar features the same components as the normal Reserva Figurados portfolio: a sun-grown Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. But this is a new size. Called “Regalias Perfectos” (6.25 x 57), it sports a slightly tapered foot, a belicoso-shaped head, and a wide body. The result is a smoke with lots of honey, graham, and cedar spice coupled with outstanding construction. Very similar to every other natural Reserva Figurados—and that’s OK in my book.

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.”

Before Tatuaje creator Pete Johnson released his new El Triunfador line, he was already making a cigar by very same name. Unlike the newer version, the original Triunfador (and Pete says he’ll continue to make it) features a dark, oily broadleaf wrapper and comes in only one size: a classic lancero (7.5 x 38). The cigar starts out with earth and meaty flavors with char. As it evolves, the well-constructed lancero reveals coffee and leather notes along with sweet honey undertones.

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.”

I always seem to have several Brazilias on hand and, by and large, I’m always impressed with their performance. CAO’s mixture of Nicaraguan tobaccos wrapped in a dark Brazilian leaf usually results in a full-bodied smoke of pepper, earth, and dark chocolate with good construction. But my latest experience with a Gol (5 x 56) suffered from a stale, meaty aftertaste and poor combustion qualities—curious, especially since it had been stored in the same humidor with my other Brazilias for at least a year. I’m hoping it proves to be a mere anomaly.

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.”

Before I lit it up, I knew little about this Dominican-made smoke that comes in a distinctive red individual box. The box tells me the cigar features a Connecticut wrapper, Dominican binder, and filler from Brazil, the Dominican, and Nicaragua. It’s medium-bodied smoke with bready flavors, a hint of sweetness, and a subtle metallic taste. The finish is long and savory and the construction is superb.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S