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.”

The five-vitola MBombay Habano line made its debut in 2015, joining several other blends from Mel Shah’s house-brand-turned-national-release. It is made at Tabacos de Costa Rica with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Ecuadorian Criollo binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Peru. The Gordo (6 x 60, $12.50) has a balanced bouquet of flavors ranging from warm tobacco and roasted nuts to cream, caramel, and a gentle woodsy spice. It smokes OK, though the burn line tends to meander and the draw is a tad tight, especially for such a thick cigar. I suspect I will appreciate the other MBombay Habano vitolas considerably more; my enjoyment of this cigar is limited by its excessive girth.

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 toro-sized (6 x 54) smoke has the kind of salty flavor I sometimes crave, though I think that same saltiness also makes it unsuitable under certain circumstances. Fortunately, I knew what to expect before lighting up and prepared accordingly, keeping myself within arm’s distance of light sipping rum and a glass of cold water. I was rewarded with a satisfying experience: a medium-bodied profile with a salty taste that’s accented by notes of sweet cream, cedar, café au lait, and traces of trademark Davidoff mustiness. Construction was solid (notably, the Legato burns with an ultra-thick mascara). The Avo XO—which features an Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut-seed wrapper around Dominican binder and filler tobaccos—may not be for everyone all the time, but it’s a good asset to keep on hand if you know how to use it correctly.

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.”

Considering most of the rest of the revamped E.P. Carrillo offerings feature classic packaging, upon inspecting the band of the brand new Original Rebel maduro line, I thought this must be a new value or bundle stick. It isn’t. The 5.5-inch, 52-ring gauge cigar sells for just under $10. Rebellious is the name given to the maduro blend, as opposed to the Maverick, which features an Ecuadorian wrapper. Rebellious has a dark Broadleaf wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and Nicaraguan filler. The result is a rich cigar full of earth, powdered cocoa, subtle wood, and just a hint of red pepper spice. When it comes to flavor and construction, I was impressed.

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 year, Boutique Blends introduced the Aging Room F59 Quattro, the follow-up to the F55 Quattro (very highly rated by my colleague in a 2012 review of the Concerto size). The F59 Quattro is a Dominican puro that’s marketed as medium- to full-bodied. It’s comprised of Cuban-seed tobaccos that are aged for ten years. The box-pressed, torpedo-sized Maestro (6 x 52) retails for about $10 and features solid combustion qualities with rich, oily flavors of black pepper, cream, coffee, and peanut with cayenne spice on the finish. The strength is evident in the first third, impactful down the final stretch. Pick up the Maestro if you’re looking for a heavyweight companion to a high-proof sipping bourbon after a full meal.

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.”

Released in 2009, this cigar had the better part of the decade to rest. It was the second Tatuaje Black Label (said to be Pete Johnson’s personal blend), following the original, now somewhat mythical, Corona Gorda jar release. The torpedo-shaped cigar features a good bit of black pepper combined with paper and bread. Not as full-bodied as more recent Black Label Tatuajes, it is lighter with more straightforward spice. I’ve smoked quite a few Petit Lanceros and Corona Gordas recently, and although the Black Tubo is enjoyable, the more current vintage Tatuaje Black cigars are smoking better.

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.”

This isn’t the first time we’ve written about this cigar, and it probably won’t be the last, either. Because as much as it’s important to try the exciting and new, it’s equally important to connect with old favorites—particularly those smokes that offer great bang for the buck. The Flor Fina 8-5-8 (6 x 47) from Arturo Fuente costs around $5, yet it boasts a spicy, toasty aroma with notes of pine, nuts, and herbs. Construction is excellent. Work this smoke into your rotation the next time you have the chance, even if it isn’t sexy or trendy.

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 robusto-sized cigar had been in my possession for about 18 months. That modest amount of time seems to have done it some good. The Renegade (5.25 x 54) is creamier and nuttier than I remember, though all of the other flavors from my April 2015 review still hold true: bread, woody spice, earth, and a touch of bitterness on the finish. I paid $9 for this well-constructed Ecuadorian Habano-wrapped Dominican. That’s a fair price, and it’s a good value if you can exercise some patience. (For what it’s worth, if this were a full review, I would bump up my rating from three-and-a-half to four stogies out of five.)

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys