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.”

For those who typically smoke stronger cigars, reaching for one draped in a shade-grown Connecticut wrapper is probably a rare occurrence. But I suggest mixing it up can be a positive experience, especially if you choose the right alternative. Like this bargain-priced blend released this year by La Aurora. With a Dominican binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, the Robusto (5 x 50, $5.50) has a bit more strength than you might expect, as well as a mix of flavors beyond the common Connecticut grassy notes. While the draw is loose, smoke production is excellent. An altogether enjoyable smoke.

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.”

When I reviewed this Punch in March 2015, my biggest complaint was “a sharpness that scratched at the back of my throat for much of the cigar.” After more than a year and half in my humidor, that’s gone and the Signature Robusto (5 x 52) has come into its own. A strong, spicy smoke with a slow burn, it was enjoyable from beginning to end. If you’re willing to invest the time—or can pick up Signatures that have been sitting awhile on your B&M’s shelves—I believe you’ll be rewarded.

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.”

When this powerhouse line debuted five years ago, it was made by Don José “Pepin” Garcia for EO Brands. After the company split, production moved to Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Estelí. Through the changes, it has remained a strong, distinctive Nicaraguan puro with a dark Habano wrapper. Most notably, the flavor includes hot pepper, spice, and a touch of coffee. The Napalm (5 x 52) retails for about $7.50 but can often be found for much less online. Whether you’re a committed fan of strong smokes (our 2012 review of the Nuclear vitola noted “the subtlety of an AC/DC song”) or just want an occasional injection of fire, light up a La Bomba.

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 take on a single cigar.

On Friday, news broke that the Obama administration ended the prohibition on bringing cigars into the U.S. for personal use. (An earlier change had allowed up to $100 worth of Cuban cigars to be brought back only by licensed travelers to Cuba.) This will certainly kick off a rush of people wanting to try their first (legal) Cuban cigar, but the question remains: Are they any good? I get asked that question frequently, and the answer I always give is as follows: Like non-Cuban cigars, some are exquisite, others quite bad, and most fall somewhere between. This Petite Edmundo has over half a decade of humidor time, which has resulted in a savory smoke with roasted flavors, light spice, and a slight creaminess. I suspect many people will be disappointed when they finally get their hands on a Cuban cigar as they wont live up to the hype, but this well-aged Montecristo didn’t disappoint.

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.”

Last summer, E.P. Carrillo introduced the Core Plus series, a lineup of four vitolas available in either Natural or Maduro wrappers. The robusto-sized Enchants format in the Natural selection comes complete with a dry, reddish Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. It sells for under $7. On the palate, it’s spicy, leathery, and considerably sweet. A prominent sugary note reminds me of Luden’s wild cherry cough drops, a medicinal flavor of which I’m not particularly fond. The burn leaves much to be desired, as my single sample required several re-lights to stay on course. I have been a fan of many E.P. Carrillo creations over the years, but the Core Plus Natural Enchants left me unimpressed.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”

Macanudo launched Estate Reserve in 2013 to challenge the perception that the best-selling brand in the U.S. is only for rookie cigar fans who haven’t yet graduated to fuller-bodied, more complex smokes. At the time, it was a very pricey ($16-18) three-vitola line, but now you can find it for considerably less if you poke around. I recently decided to fire up a No. III (5 x 50) that had been aging in my humidor for a couple years. The blend of Dominican tobaccos surrounded by a golden Connecticut Shade wrapper yielded mild flavors of almond, cream, dry cedar, and a little sweetness. It was not indifferent from how the cigar smoked when I first got it. This is no doubt an interesting mild cigar, but it’s hard to justify a full recommendation given the price, even if you can find the robusto-sized smoke for under $10.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

To celebrate a recent birthday, I fired up one of my favorite cigars: Illusione’s first Singulare release from 2010. More than half a decade since its release, “Phantom” continues to deliver. Medium-bodied with wood and earth along with hints of both sweetness and spice, the cigar is immaculately balanced. Of the 1,000 boxes made, I personally smoked through four or five, but I’m unfortunately down to my last few. At this year’s IPCPR trade show, Illusione announced the Singulare Phantom was being brought back as a regular production cigar. Needless to say, I’m very interested to see if they can successfully reproduce this masterpiece.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys