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.

While many boutique and even mass-market premiums can very be hit-or-miss (Gurkha, for instance), I find most CAOs to be consistent, enjoyably challenging, and almost always rewarding. CAO’s L’Anniversaire Cameroon line is no exception. The robusto packs a stunning degree of complexity into a relatively small, box-pressed vitola. Gentle aromas of cedar and straw belie a multifaceted and medium-bodied flavor profile. I was able to taste cream, almond, lots of cedar, an excitingly full amount of pepper, and even some cinnamon in this lovely little stick.

Verdict = Buy.

–Jon N

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

This six inch by 44 ring gauge stick is made by Altadis, which lists the binder as Nicaraguan, the filler as Nicaraguan and Honduran, and the wrapper as Mexican morron maduro. It’s cheap; I found a box of 50 for about $65 on the web. Even so, my initial impressions were favorable. It felt fine, had a nice tobacco aroma at the foot, and began with a pleasant, fairly typical maduro taste. After an inch or so, though, it was bitter and harsh. Just past the halfway point, a rough finish kicked in as well, and I soon put it down with no thoughts of picking up any others.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.

A friend gave me this Honduran puro, which is better known in Europe than in the U. S. Wrapped in a light caramel brown wrapper, the Churchill was pleasantly aromatic. The flavor was mild with honey, sweet cedar, and some underlying pepper spice. With flawless construction, it is not surprising that this is Europe’s best selling Honduran cigar.

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.

This line could be considered the “boutique’s boutique.” While none of Pete Johnson’s cigars are overly available, the dark, honey-hued Cabaiguans can be even tougher to locate. Johnson told Cigar Weekly last year that he planned to make only about 80,000 of them at his Miami factory. The flavorful 5 and 1/4 inch by 50 ring gauge Robusto I had was quite enjoyable. Fairly complex and spicy, it was warm, toasty, and produced thick smoke with a great aroma. Among Tatuaje cigars, I still prefer the Havana VI line, but you won’t go wrong trying a Cabaiguan for a different taste.

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. 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.

Don Pepin has made a believer out of me. Every cigar I’ve smoked has been a wonderful experience, and the six and ½ inch by 52 ring gauge Tatuaje Conoju 2003 was no exception. The first few puffs have a signature Pepin bite to it – spicy and smoky. That transitions quickly into a smooth, buttery, silky smoke with hints of chocolate and just enough kick to satisfy the nicotine addict in me. The burn was nice and even, and the draw was easy.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by Sam Boyer of New York, NY

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

With classic looks and a classic size, this cigar earned an impressive four and 1/2 stogie rating when we reviewed it back in October. When I recently revisited it, I found the same full-bodied richness with plenty of pepper and earth. The construction was also top-notch, with a particularly noteworthy firm white 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 take on a single cigar.

It seems like ages since I reviewed this Dominican back in August 2006, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been enjoying more. The classic blend of Olor, San Vicente, and Piloto Cubano tobaccos yields a finely balanced, smooth toasted flavor in a compact five inch by 43 ring gauge format. The lofty price tag puts this cigar out of the everyday smoke category (don’t expect to pay less than $10), but sometimes you just have to treat yourself.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys