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.

This box-pressed toro is a tightly-rolled maduro featuring a flawless Nicaraguan wrapper. As per Robert Spoden’s advice, I enjoyed it with a glass of red wine (a nice Rhone) and found it a perfect accompaniment to this cigar’s full-flavored spiciness. It had a real kick, but it was never unpleasant or harsh. With its perfect construction, I can definitely recommend the Full Sail.

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 five inch by 50 ring gauge beauty is tightly packed with smooth, creamy notes of butter and hay. It’s not all mild, though, as spicy and nutty flavors add depth. With a Connecticut shade wrapper and aged Dominican tobaccos, the draw is firm, the ash is pretty stable, and the burn is spot-on. Expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $8, and expect to be impressed.

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. 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.

This handsome cigar (5.0625” x 38) comes with the signature gold Por Larrañaga band and is wrapped in a reddish cedar sleeve. After lighting I found a very faint flavor of cream with a hint of cedar. I actually wondered if maybe I’d made a mistake in buying this famously-mild cigar. A half inch or so later, though, all my doubts were gone. The flavor evolved into a soft, well-blended mix of caramel, cedar, tea, and smoke. This profile lasted throughout the 45-minute cigar, with the sweeter flavors most notable during the middle part of the smoke, and the final few puffs leaning more toward a dry, woody taste. There were occasional bouts of bitterness but I chalk these up to my being too eager to eek out every last bit of flavor from this beautiful cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by B. Brown from Providence, Rhode Island

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 this robusto-sized (4.75″ x 52) cigar aging for well over a year. The sungrown wrapper was nearly flawless with a fair amount of oil. Flavor-wise, I found earthy chocolate flavors not unlike the Toraño Signature series, with some additional pepper and coffee flavors. With virtually perfect construction, I can heartily recommend this cigar.

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.

Like so many brands that got their start during the cigar boom, Don Elias is on its way out. So now you can pick up five inch by 50 ring gauge robustos that used to cost $4 for under $1.50. Not bad for a mild, well-built stick with creamy notes of hay, but beware the frailty of the wrapper when clipping the head or removing the band.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editor’s Note: Don’t forget to enter the StogieGuys.com College Football Bowl Contest for a chance to win free cigars!]

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

This cigar was a Christmas gift from friends, but I had to have it a few days early. This lonsdale-sized (six and 5/8 inches by 44 ring gauge) smoke has a lovely Ecuadorian Connecticut shade grown wrapper. After lighting, I found a smooth, medium-bodied smoke with subtle pepper and hints of honey. The construction was flawless with a firm draw, an even burn, and a sturdy ash.

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.

If ever a cigar has the look and taste of a classic, this petite corona is it. The gorgeous four and 5/8 inch Nicaraguan puro with a 42 ring gauge provides about 45 minutes of pleasure. It’s a medium strength, incredibly smooth, and tasty stick. I paid $5 at a local shop, and it was a bargain. My recent experience was the first I’ve had with this Pete Johnson line of cigars, but it certainly won’t be my last. If you’ve tried the others, let me know if they’re as good as this one.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E