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 six-inch cigar, which came in the sampler that’s available only to CRA members, is a previously unavailable size of the original Casa Fernandez blend. It is built with Cuban-seed corojo tobacco grown in Nicaragua. The sungrown wrapper is clean with a fair amount of oils, and the smooth, medium-bodied flavor is reminiscent of roasted nuts, sweet caramel, and pepper. Delightful from beginning to end with nearly perfect combustion qualities.

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.”

This relatively new addition to the Montecristo line features a matte, vein-free Mexican wrapper and notes of cinnamon, dry cocoa, and grass.  It’s tasty, medium-bodied, and balanced with a hint of woody spice. Construction on this square-pressed Robusto is excellent, too, with and even burn and sturdy 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.”

I originally reviewed this Cuban Cohiba back in early 2008. While it was tasty and well-balanced, the Pirámides Edición Limitada 2006 was unworthy of its excessive cost. Today, after 20 months of aging in my humidor, this cigar still suffers from some construction problems. And the flavors of pepper, marshmallow, and dark chocolate aren’t as exciting as they should be to command a price of over $30.

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 five and a half inch by 52 ring gauge smoke features filler that is 50% Moroccan Azemour tobacco. The result is a medium-bodied smoke with a dry, cedary flavor and an interesting hint of plum. The taste is consistent throughout, which leaves it slightly one-dimensional. The construction is flawless, however, allowing this unique cigar to produce an abundance of aromatic smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

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.”

As far as I can tell, this 6.5-inch Ashton, which came in the sampler that’s available only to CRA members, is identical to the regular VSG Illusion. But I hardly have buyer’s remorse. While it would have been nice to try a new twist on the VSG, this blend of four- to five-year-old Dominican tobacco and an Ecuadorian wrapper is a box-pressed treat. The smooth, medium-bodied flavor includes notes of nuts, dry wood, sweet chocolate, and some pepper spice on the finish. The only flaw in this memorable 90-minute smoke is its slightly stiff draw.

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.”

This little demi corona features a veiny wrapper, and the cigar isn’t particularly firm. Still, it is expertly constructed, resulting in a 30-minute smoke with good combustion and a sturdy ash. After an initial burst of what seemed to be harsh and hot sawdust flavors, it settles into a pleasant medium-bodied profile with cedar and caramel flavors and a hint of peppery spice on the finish. But it lacks complexity, particularly given the high price these Cubans command.

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 summer, Te-Amo expanded on its four World Selection Series blends with a Nub-esque Gran Corto size (4 x 62). New format, same old Te-Amo problems. The profile turns from harsh to salty to uninteresting, characterized by a sour aftertaste. And it appears as though the Cuba Blend also suffers from the coarseness that plagues the Dominicana and Nicaragua lines. To top it off, construction is spotty at best, rendering this criollo-wrapped cigar unworthy of your time or its MSRP of $4.75.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys