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.”

Introduced a few months ago at the industry’s annual trade show, Dusk is a four-vitola line from E.P. Carrillo that resides in “The Classics” level of the company’s recently revamped portfolio. It sports a dark, undisclosed wrapper from the United States, an Ecuadorian binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. Dusk is crafted at Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic. The Solidos format (6 x 60) retails in the $8 to $9 range and delivers a medium- to full-bodied profile that’s moderate on spice yet heavy on damp earth, cocoa powder, raisin, nut, and cream. The resting smoke is particularly sweet and mightily enticing. Construction is a bit lacking, though, with a burn line that tends to meander and a draw that’s a tad too tight for my liking. Still, this is a good cigar, and I suspect I will like it considerably more in one of the thinner vitolas.

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.”

This Viaje Oro Reserva VOR No. 5 is the cigar that put Viaje on the map for many people when it landed at number two on the Cigar Aficionado best-of list for 2010. Today, I’m re-tasting the six-year-old cigar to see how it has aged. (The VOR No. 5 was reissued in 2012 and 2013, but those can be differentiated because they featured a secondary band marked “Oro” and the Reserva band on the foot.) The cigar features wood, earth, and leather along with light cocoa and mild spice (cinnamon and nutmeg). The result is a cigar that, over the years, has become even more perfectly balanced, but still flavorful. Six years later you can still see why this was so sought-after.

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.”

A new offering from Tabacalera Palma in the Dominican Republic, La Galera pays homage to the craft of cigar making from start to finish. From the line’s name (“la galera” is a factory’s rolling room) to the individual vitola designations (each an industry-related name) and the incredible band (intricate scenes of a tobacco field and a lector at work), it’s an impressive presentation. The cigar also delivers on performance and flavor, with a complex blend: Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Dominican Corojo binder, and a mix of Dominican fillers, including Pelo de Oro. At just a shade over $6 for the robusto-sized Chaveta (5 x 50), this sweet-tasting, medium-strength smoke is definitely one to try.

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.”

At the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show, Leccia Tobacco, then distributed by General Cigar, debuted the rotund (wrestling fans should think more Rikishi than Rey Mysterio) box-pressed Frogsplash (4.5 x 79) as an addition to the Luchador series. In case you’re unsure, check out this demonstration featuring Sam Leccia of what a Frogsplash wrestling move is. The cigar, made at the American Caribbean Tobacco S.A. factory in Nicaragua, features a dark Nicaraguan wrapper, Habano binder from Nicaragua, and Ligero filler from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. Despite the awkward size, the flavors are enjoyable with black coffee, cedar spice, and cinnamon notes. The medium- to full-bodied smoke features excellent construction, although I had to search a while to find a large enough cutter. Those looking for Leccia Tobacco cigars should note that Sam Leccia has recently launched direct-to-consumer sales though his updated website.

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.”

Made by Jesus Fuego, this affordable cigar ($32 for a bundle of 12) shows off a nearly black Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper. Beneath are Nicagauan binder and filler  tobaccos. The result is a medium- to full-bodied cigar with charred earthy notes along with toast and a very clean finish. Despite some soft spots, the cigar burns fine. An above-average maduro at a fantastic sub-$3 price makes this an easy cigar to recommend for Broadleaf fans in search of a good value.

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.”

La Flor’s original Coronado was a StogieGuys.com favorite, gaining a five-stogie rating in 2007, as well as favorable Quick Smoke reviews. It was reintroduced last year in five reasonably priced vitolas. There’s a different band, but the blend is the same: a sun-grown Nicaraguan Habano wrapper with Dominican filler and binder. I found it every bit as enjoyable as the original.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: LFD

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 blend from the new lineup from E.P. Carrillo is part of what they deem their “Elite Series.” It sports an Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler. The large Gordo (6 x 60) was noticeably under-filled, resulting in a uneven burn that required multiple touch-ups. I found an interesting medium-bodied combination of almond butter, toast, earth, and cayenne spice. Flavor-wise, there is a lot of potential here, but the construction issues just detracted from the upside too much. When I try this blend again, I will probably be more inclined to go for a smaller ring gauge size.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys