The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I’ve had many good experiences with Arganese cigars over the years. In this particular case, however, and with this particular Robusto (5 x 50), I was left disappointed. Its blend of a Nicaraguan wrapper, Dominican binder, and Dominican filler tobaccos produced a dry, unbalanced papery taste with a salty harshness. Construction was admirable—especially for a $4-5 stick—but I didn’t enjoy much else.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

The Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Criollo Churchill is a big cigar (7 x 54) with a big band and a big taste—but a not-so-big price tag. I paid $7 for this nicely complex smoke with Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Enjoying a couple of these lately, coming on the heels of another good Perdomo experience, has increased my interest in exploring more of this Miami-based manufacturer’s lines. If you haven’t smoked many Perdomos, this is a good place to start. You’ll find a smooth blend of spice, leather, cedar, and coffee.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I always have high expectations whenever I light up a La Aurora, and this five inch by 50 ring gauge treat doesn’t disappoint. It delivers a balanced profile of dry vanilla, toasty spice, and that sweet finish that’s typical of Cameroon tobacco. What’s more, living up to its $8-11 price tag, the La Aurora Cameroon Robusto sports outstanding 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 take on a single cigar.

There’s no hiding that Cubao is a favorite cigar of mine. Every one we’ve reviewed has scored exceptionally, so I was excited to try the new maduro version of this Pepin/Espinoza/Ortega creation. Wrapped with an Ecuadorian broadleaf maduro wrapper, the Cubao Maduro contains a similar binder and filler blend to the original Cubao line. The new wrapper changes the profile significantly, adding more coffee and less woody flavors. But Cubao’s balance and intensity remains. While the overall construction is good, the ash is particularly impressive, which holds flawlessly for an inch and a half. I look forward to giving this cigar a full review in the future.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

With everyone focusing on all the new treats from this month’s IPCPR Trade Show, I thought it appropriate to reconnect with a great bang-for-the-buck release from last year: the ML3 from Arganese. This one’s an all-ligero blend with a dark Brazilian maduro wrapper and Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. Retail on the classically-sized Robusto is $5. When I reviewed it a year ago, I enjoyed this cigar’s solid construction and bold taste of dark chocolate, bitter espresso, and pepper. Not much has changed.

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 take on a single cigar.

Released two weeks ago at the annual IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans, this new extension of the non-Cuban Montecristo brand celebrates the storied cigar’s 75th anniversary. The new stick, which will retail for upwards of $15, has an inviting, deep brown, oily wrapper. Once lit, you’re greeted with a combination of cocoa, chocolate, and earth. The cigar’s medium-bodied and well-balanced flavors remind me of another limited Montecristo, the highly-rated Montecristo Cabinet Selección. With excellent construction properties, it’s a fine smoke worth trying, even if the price gives you some pause.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

This slender Altadis-made cigar (5.75 x 43) features top-quality construction. The taste, however, leaves much to be desired. Save for some notes of sweet hay and grass, I didn’t get anything out of this Ecuadorian Connecticut shade-wrapped stick. Sure, the VegaFina Corona only costs about $2-4 apiece. But you’d be better off spending twice as much for more flavor.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys