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 reviewed this musty, earthy, rich, well-constructed creation from Steve Saka’s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust back in October. Since, it has become a regular in my rotation when I’m looking for something full-bodied. The profile is characterized by a grainy texture, ample spice, and flavors ranging from espresso and cinnamon to damp wood and leather. The Mi Querida line is handmade at NACSA employing a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan tobaccos. If you haven’t tried the blend yet and are a fan of strong Nicaraguan cigars, you’re missing out. The Fino Largo (6 x 48) runs about $9 and is worth every penny.

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.”

Partagas Black is one of those cigars I used to smoke frequently but don’t anymore. I’m not certain why. When it comes to unique flavors, there’s little else on the crowded cigar market that tastes like this blend (and I mean that as a compliment). The Clasico is a large robusto format (5.25 x 54). The dark, oily, jet-black wrapper hints at the raisin, licorice, and barbecue burnt-end flavors that follow. Full-bodied, flavorful, and unique, my only complaint is the serious burn issues (probably due to the notably oily wrapper) that necessitate multiple relights.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

I often get asked to recommend cigars with great flavor, low price points, and relatively wide availability. My response always includes the *R* Rothchildes (4.5 x 50) from Illusione, which was released in 2013—and has maintained a welcome home in my humidor ever since. For only about $4, you get a balanced, medium-bodied profile with floral notes, cocoa, black pepper, sweet cream, and roasted nuts. *R* Rothchildes is made at Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) in Nicaragua with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Get yourself a box of 50 and keep them on hand for just about any occasion—or no occasion at all.

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.”

This cigar commemorates Oscar Valladares’ first blend: 2012 by Oscar, introduced (you guessed it) in 2012. Last year’s re-release comes in three wrapper varieties: Connecticut, Maduro, and Corojo. I’m smoking the box-pressed Toro (6 x 52), which uses a Honduran-grown Corojo wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras. Lots of woody spice, bread, clove, and some slight sourness. It’s well-constructed and full-bodied. Nowhere near as excellent as The Oscar or Leaf by Oscar, but worth a try if you like Honduran cigars.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

I lit this behemoth (6 x 58), a new line from La Palina, at the kickoff of an NFL playoff game and was still puffing well into halftime. It was an excellent smoke for the occasion. Starting with a burst of pepper, it added a toasty element after about a half inch. As the cigar burned, the pepper rose and fell while other flavors, including coffee and leather, came to the fore. The blend is an Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan filler and binder, it’s rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s factory. I paid about $9.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: La Palina

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 line from Caldwell Cigar Co. is billed as the maduro version of the Eastern Standard line, with an Arapiraca wrapper. The Toro (6 x 52), about $12.50, that I smoked kicked off with a very nice spice for about a quarter of an inch and then settled into more common maduro flavors like coffee and chocolate. It burned slowly and produced a great deal of smoke, except at several airy spots where the smoke almost disappeared. I also had trouble with the wrapper burn throughout. Not a bad smoke by any means, but it required too much effort for me.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: Caldwell 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 new offering from My Father Cigars immediately brings back thoughts of the early cigars made by Don José “Pepin” Garcia: opening with a blast of pepper; winding gradually down a bit to a creamy, rich taste; and building in strength along the way. Box-pressed and nearly covered with bands, The Judge, a regular production line, combines the My Father Nicaraguan filler blend with an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper. At about $12, it’s a bargain.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: My Father Cigars