The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

RoMa Craft Tobac’s Intemperance BA XXI line is one of my favorites in terms of consistency, flavor, and bang-for-the-buck. In fact, the A.W.S. IV has long been one of my regular go-to smokes. Until recently, though, I had never tried the Vanity vitola (5.5 x 37). This smaller cigar is well-suited to the cold winter months as it won’t require you to stand outside for too long. It sports a dark Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper around an Indonesian binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. I pad $7.25 for mine here in Chicago. It did not disappoint, exhibiting solid construction and a delicious profile of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cream, roasted cashew, and dry oak. Heartily recommended.

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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

 

Casa Fernandez makes some under-rated cigars and lately I’ve been feeling that this Miami-made robusto is one of them. The 5.25 inch by 52 RG Nicaraguan puro utilizes a Medio Tiempo Ligero wrapper and if you shop around you can find a box of 15 for around $75. The features medium-bodied flavors with bread, light spice, coffee and hints of citrus. With excellent balance, pleasant flavor, solid construction and a fair price it is a must-try for fans of Nicaraguan smokes.

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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Crux Cigars has rolled out another winner. This Toro (6 x 52) is a medium-strength, flavorful smoke that is, by turns, surprising and satisfying. For instance, you might expect that as a Nicaraguan puro, there’d be a lot of spice. There is spice, but it’s more often a background note than a dominant chord. StogieGuys.com has rated several Crux cigars highly, and this is another one not to miss, especially at a price tag of around $7.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Crux Cigar Co.

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This year Punch added the Gran Puro Nicaragua line, but today I’m smoking the original Punch Gran Puro, which is made with 100% Honduran tobaccos. The well-constructed cigar produces a nice combination of leather, hickory, pepper, and a subtle gingerbread sweetness. The Punch brand as a whole, and this blend in particular, have always offered up good value for the price, and this toro is no exception.

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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Let’s cut to the chase: This is one of the tastiest mild cigars I’ve smoked. The blend—Dominican and Nicaraguan filler under an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper and Dominican Criollo ’98 binder—kicks in a little spice to keep it interesting along with wood and an occasional touch of sweetness. I found virtually none of the grassy component often common with Connecticut Shade tobacco. But full disclosure: This cigar has been in my humidor for a couple of years and I can’t say how that might have affected it since I hadn’t smoked one previously. The Robusto (5 x 52) from Pinar del Rio is a bargain, available online at just a bit over $5 a stick.

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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”