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 four and ½ inch by 44 ring gauge beauty may not be one of a kind, but it’s close. Rocky Patel’s OSG (Original Sun Grown) line is the product of very precise blending and a full-bodied Ecuadorian wrapper. In 2002, less than 50,000 were produced and – due to a change in ownership at the rolling factory – none have been made since. Despite some small cracks and tears in the wrapper, this is a nice cigar with strong notes of hops, leather, and malt. Rocky charges about $6 for one, and it’ll last you 30 minutes.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

Tags: cigars

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 here.

This beautiful Honduran Puro started off light as could be. I thought something was amiss – no flavor and tons of smoke. It settled into a spicy, medium-bodied treat after the first half, though. The four and ½ inch by 52 ring gauge cigar did have some uneven burning, but it self-corrected that issue without any help from my torch. In all, this is a nice way to get a larger-gauged, fuller-bodied smoke in 45 minutes. You can get these for under $3 apiece when you buy in bulk.

Verdict: Hold.

–Submitted by Sam Chisholm from Mendon, MA

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 a lot of house brands out there that are as low on quality as they are on price. The Private Stock La Reserva line by Tinder Box isn’t one of them. The six and ¼ inch by 46 ring gauge long corona is an expertly-constructed cigar with a smooth maduro wrapper and a firm body. For under $2 apiece, this stogie offers well-balanced cocoa and subtle fruit flavors, an excellent burn, and a stable ash. Its only weakness is a backdrop bitterness that becomes more apparent towards the end. Overall, the Tinder Box La Reserva No. 2 Maduro is a great value we can easily recommend.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A and Patrick S

Tags: cigars

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 here.

Today at lunch I lit up an Excalibur 1066, the fuller-bodied take on the classic Excalibur from Hoyo De Monterrey. The Dark Knight (five and ¾ inches by 54 ring gauge) I selected looked almost perfect, despite the cellophane wrapper which was covered in dust. As soon as I lit the thing there was a blast of foul smoke tasting of burnt hardwood. That, thank God, soon gave way to a better tasting, but still full-bodied, stream of dark coffee and cocoa flavors. The bitter flavor from the start still reared its head every once in awhile, making this one a little tough to keep going. Certainly not an everyday cigar.

Verdict = Hold.

–Submitted by Matt Kesler from Richmond, VA

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

I recently smoked a Macanudo Natural for the first time in awhile. The Robusto-shaped Lords featured the same mild flavors and solid construction you’d expect, but it wasn’t as balanced as other Macanudos I’ve enjoyed. While the Macanudo Lords certainly isn’t a bad smoke, I’d suggest you go with Hyde Park or Rothschild size instead.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

Tags: cigars

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 here.

Sitting outside on Saturday enjoying the warmth of the sun, I found this five inch by 50 ring gauge smoke to be full-bodied and extremely full-flavored. The wrapper is beautiful, a luscious tan Cuban-seed leaf grown in the black, fertile soils of Nicaragua. Inside, a hearty core of long-leaf tobacco awaits, ready to deliver an intoxicating experience. The flavor is incredible with sweet notes of cinnamon and leather. Building in spice and intensity, the cigar was flawless in construction and burn. A special cigar for special occasions.

Verdict = Buy.

–Submitted by Sam Chisholm from Mendon, MA

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

This massive eight inch by 50 ring gauge Dominican is a boutique smoke, rolled in the heart of mid-town Manhattan (of all places). Back in May 2006, the Robusto was the subject of a full review. With a mild, leathery flavor, notes of sweet hay, and a price of only $4 apiece, I can easily recommend this stogie. Perfect for a sunny morning. Order yours online here.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A