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.

It’s a sin that we haven’t reviewed a Rocky Patel Decade yet. I managed to try one Toro (6.5 x 52), however, when my dad picked up a pair from a local shop after Thanksgiving. This box-pressed beauty features a gorgeous Ecuadoran wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. It draws smoothly, burns wonderfully, and tastes of spice and creamy cocoa. Big on flavor, light on strength. Forgive the comparison, but the Decade almost feels like a cross between an Olde World Reserve and a Vintage. Not too shabby.

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.

Nearly a year ago, my colleague rated the Robusto-sized EO 601 Serie “Green” La Fuerza highly, calling it “one of the most full-bodied smokes I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy.” I couldn’t have agreed more, as the 601 Green rates as one of my all-time favorites. With that in mind I tried its larger brother, the 6 and 1/8 inch by 58 ring gauge Trabuco. The wrapper wasn’t quite as oily as the robusto, but it’s still attractive and nearly vein-free. The flavor had similar roasted coffee and nut flavors, but it wasn’t quite as full-flavored (if the robusto was a ten on the strength scale, this is merely a nine). Still, it is a meticulously balanced cigar for its strength with a base of cedar, earth, and leather. Just like its smaller cousin, this large toro had flawless physical properties.

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 take on a single cigar.

When I reviewed this 5 and ¼ inch by 50 ring gauge cigar one year ago, I found it to be a “well-balanced, expertly crafted, complex smoke.” It still is. But the last twelve months in my humidor seem to have worn away much of the original taste of raisin, vanilla, and roasted nuts. What’s left is an empty, lifeless flavor profile that’s too mild for its own good—and not nearly worth the $12-19 price range. I plan to hold onto the rest of my Château Grand Cru PGs to see if they improve.

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 take on a single cigar.

After having a pleasant, though not fantastic, experience with the Robusto from this line, I’ll admit it has been a bumpy road with these Cuban Classics. Some that I’ve smoked have tasted unrefined and not up to Don Pepin’s usual standards. Others, like this lovely Belicoso (and the others from the same box), have been magnificent. It has delicious peppery spice and a core of cedar earth. To top it all off, the physical properties were also superb.

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 take on a single cigar. The following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

After smoking the Upmann Magnum 46, I found that I was looking for a similar flavor profile in a shorter format that would be more suitable for winter smoking. Luckily I found it rather quickly with the Coronas Minor, a coronitas size that comes in tubos. Expect to discover a pre-light draw of beans and cocoa that develops into sweet herbal notes of tea and rich earth. The classic Upmann mustiness and twang becomes more pronounced after the midpoint. The burn is very good, especially for the cigar’s rather diminutive size (4.6 x 40). These wonderful little sticks can be found for around $5 each.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by John Fury of Severna Park, MD

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

I’d been eager to smoke this cigar ever since 5 Vegas Gold was recently chosen the best stick with coffee by Stogie Fresh readers. The light brown Connecticut shade wrapper was a nice contrast to the black coffee I poured for my test. Smoking several, I found a consistently loose draw and a rapid burn with lots of smoke. It’s a pleasant cigar, more mild than medium, and I didn’t detect any of the pepper others have noted. I’d agree it goes well with coffee and is certainly worth a try at the low price at which any of the sticks in the Gold line are usually available.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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.

I’ll admit I’ve never been a huge fan of mini cigars; they just don’t provide the complexities and subtleties of larger smokes. With that skepticism in mind, I recently purchased a box of 20 Brazilia minis for about $12. These little 20 ring gauge sticks have a veiny wrapper that isn’t all that attractive. The wonderful flavor is the same Brazilia profile of roasted coffee and cocoa. Not surprisingly, there wasn’t much depth in this ten-minute smoke but, all things considered, this is one of the better mini cigars I’ve tried.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys