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 recently dropped by the Washington, DC JR Cigar store for a smoke. On the recommendation of a friendly sales associate, I picked up this thick toro (six inch by 54 ring gauge) featuring a lovely, deep brown, oily wrapper. The smoke was rich, earthy, and packed with flavor – perfect after a good meal.

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.

An excellent cigar. A complexity of flavors that ranges from woody to herbal, peppery to warm tobacco. Lots of smoke. The Churchill is a 7 inch by 48 ring gauge beauty with a classic, simple band. Camacho claims this Honduran Corojo puro line initiated the trend toward strong cigars when it was introduced in 2000. I don’t know about that, but it’s one you should definitely try if you enjoy full-flavored smokes. Camacho lists the Churchill at $5.60 per stick and $112 a box.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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.

This line, rolled in Honduras, is often cited as good bargain cigar. Cigar Aficionado included Gisperts in a sidebar of bargain smokes that was part of its Best Cigar of the Year package. I’ve smoked several sizes, the most recent being a 6 ½ inch by 44 ring gauge Lonsdale. You can find these for less than $3 each by the box, and only a bit more in a five-pack or individually. I wanted to like them, but my experience has been fairly poor with both the natural and the maduro. They burn poorly, produce little in the way of flavor, and leave a bitter aftertaste. Even at the cut-rate price, I don’t plan to add more to my humidor.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

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.

Way back in May this corona gordas was the first cigar we reviewed when it earned a three stogie rating. Now, with almost a year of aging, the JR Alternative of the Cohiba Sublime – a cigar that shares very little with the Cuban Cohiba except its name – is quite an impressive smoke. This 6.62 inch x 54 stogie’s deep earth and coffee flavors only got better with age. Plus, at just 30 bucks for a bundle of tewnty, these smokes are a real bargain. If you have the patience to age them for a year, you’ll be in for a real treat.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.

If you take a look at our Archived Reviews page, you’ll notice that we’ve rated Rocky Patel cigars very well. And rightly so. But what about Nording, Rocky’s stepchild? Well, this five and ½ inch by 52 ring gauge stogie is pretty respectable. The blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos produces a spicy, oily smoke. And at less than $4 per stick when you buy in bulk, the Robusto Maduro is a lot easier on the pocketbook than a Vintage 1990. Go ahead and give these a try.

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.

These Dominican rolled smokes – 4.25 inch by 44 ring gauge – come in a nifty little wooden box of four from JR at $12. As you would expect from Montecristo, the stogies sport excellent construction and a razor-sharp burn. Unlike other Montes, though, I’ve found these inconsistent. While they all tend to share a dry finish and an unusual biting spice taste (a sentiment that was echoed in our full review of the Kilimanjaro), some are warm and creamy while others are flat and acrid. I’ve enjoyed the good ones as quick smokes with coffee, but the others weren’t worth lighting up.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

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.

Made by Perdomo, this mild cigar featured good construction – an even burn and easy draw. Unfortunately it was seriously lacking in flavor. Which means that despite the bargain price of a buck a stick, overall this particular cigar came up short.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick S

Tags: cigars