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.”

I’m not sure how long this dark treat had been in my humidor, but it had been quite a while. It’s also been quite a while since we reviewed this not-so-easy-to-find perfecto—more than seven years. From start to finish, it’s a terrific, rich smoke, with classic maduro flavors of coffee, chocolate, and tobacco sweetness. Keep an eye out for it and enjoy.

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.”

In my estimation, this is the best blend in Miami Cigar & Co.’s Nestor Miranda Collection (the others being Connecticut, Maduro, and Habano), which was introduced at last summer’s IPCPR Trade Show. It’s a Nicaraguan puro with an oily, reddish Corojo wrapper and rich, medium- to full-bodied notes of roasted cashew, black pepper spice, leather, espresso, and hints of sugar. The Robusto (4.5 x 50) is my preferred size. You can find it for about $7 apiece—a nice value given the blend’s complexity and balance. And, as you would expect from the My Father Cigars factory, the construction is consistent and solid.

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.”

No major visible flaws on this Umbagog by Steve Saka’s Dumbarton Tobacco & Trust, despite using Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers that don’t make the grade for the higher-end Mi Querida, both of which are made at at the NACSA favtory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The large toro (6 x 56) features rich earth flavors with dark chocolate, bread, and black pepper. With an easy draw and flawless combustion, this is an easy cigar to recommend given its sub-$7 price tag. I may even prefer it to the more traditionally-sized Toro Toro vitola.

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.”

Once Matt Booth announced earlier this year he was ending his partnership with Davidoff and exiting the cigar business, it was only a matter of time before the discounts began on his Room 101 lines. I recently picked up a 10-pack of these robustos (5 x 50) for $2.25 each. At that price, the HN 305 is easy to like. With a complex blend of a Honduran Criollo ’98 wrapper, Brazilian Mata Fina binder, and filler from Honduras and the Dominican Republic, the flavors may not blow you away, but they also aren’t likely to disappoint. I’ve smoked several and all have performed excellently. Keep an eye out for a sale if you’d like to try something a little different.

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.”

One of the first cigars I smoked under the Casa Fernandez brand was Arsenio, which is named after Casa Fernandez master blender Arsenio Ramos. It’s a tremendous value considering $45 gets you a box of ten. In 2014, Casa Fernandez added a new Arsenio line called Serie Oro. Today I’m smoking the large Toro (6.5 x 54), which retails for just under $10. The Nicaraguan puro features a Corojo wrapper grown at an Aganorsa farm in Estelí. With a soft, box-pressed shape, the cigar produces medium-bodied flavors with plenty of graham cracker sweetness and black coffee notes. Construction is excellent. It is hard to beat the original Arsenio when it comes to valye, but the Serie Oro is a fine, balanced, well-made 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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This is one fine smoke. A dark maduro that melds the typical sweetness and coffee flavors with enough spice and strength from the Nicaraguan filler to keep it more than interesting. The newer cigars from Hirochi Robaina haven’t gotten nearly the buzz that his first releases a few years back generated. They also don’t seem to be particularly easy to find. When I picked this smoke up at a cigar shop I visit infrequently, it was the first time I’d seen it. But after enjoying this Corona Gorda (5.5 x 46, $7.95) treat, I have no doubt I’ll be on the lookout for more.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: HR Cigars

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 light brown extension to the original well-received MBombay Gaaja Toro is a subtle, complex delight. It’s generally medium-bodied, featuring a honey sweetness and gentle spices with bits of tea and nuts. An Ecuadorian hybrid wrapper and filler that includes Peruvian tobacco helps the Gaaja stand out. At $15.50, it’s an expensive smoke. But it’s one I recommend you consider the next time you want to splurge.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys