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.”

Ask and ye shall receive… a cigar. In my full review of the impressive PG 25th Anniversary, I wrote, “For now, this is a single-vitola blend, but PG’s 15th and 20th Anniversary blends were later expanded into multiple sizes, and I certainly hope the same happens for the 25th.” Sure enough, PG has already rolled out a Short Robusto size, with very limited numbers being sold at the brand’s flagship shop in McLean, Virginia, and a wider release to come later this year. As you might imagine, the flavors are nearly identical to the toro-sized Connoisseur, including oak, bread, savoriness, and a hint of sweetness. While I’d recommend starting with the Connoisseur if you’ve never had the PG 25th Anniversary blend before, the Short Robusto features all the depth and complexity of the toro in a short, more concentrated version.

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.”

First, it’s necessary to get past the gimmicky wrapped-in-a-cigar-leaf packaging. Fortunately, that’s not difficult. Just tear it off and, voilà, there’s a cigar. What I found was a nice-looking Honduran puro with typical toro dimensions (6 x 50). Billed as mild to medium in strength, the Leaf by Oscar Corojo brimmed with the leather and earth often associated with Honduran tobacco. Smoke production was excellent, as were the draw and burn. It’s not a flavor profile I’d want to smoke routinely, but a stick to reach for when something a little different would fill the bill.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Leaf by Oscar

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.”

Not to be confused with The Jekyll, which was Tatuaje’s Halloween smoke in 2014, The Jackal hit the market last summer as an exclusive to Chicago-area retailer Casa de Montecristo. It boats a beautiful Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper around Nicaraguan tobaccos. Only about 10,000 Jackals were made in a single vitola (6.75 x 56) with a torpedo-style cap and an unfinished foot. The profile is dry and oaky with cedar spice and hints of cocoa, black pepper, and creamy peanut. The only downside is the price tag of $13.90; you’ll get your money’s worth, though.

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.”

As a longtime fan of La Palina, I was looking forward to trying the Red Label, a line introduced in 2015. I knew it was a lighter complement to the fuller-strength Black Label. It wasn’t the lack of strength that made the biggest impression, though. It was the lack of flavor. For the Toro’s full six inches, about the only thing I experienced was an overwhelming hot, dry, grassy rawness. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler blend just didn’t suit my palate. Construction, burn, and draw were fine. Overall, however, I found the Red Label to be more of a red flag.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”

Earlier this year, Tatuaje’s Pete Johnson announced the Black line would be expanded to five sizes, all in similar 20-count flip-top boxes. One of the new sizes is Cazadores (6.4 x 43), which is one of my favorite sizes in the original Brown line, so I was interested how it smoked with the Black blend. I found a pleasant combination of bread and cedar, along with a honey sweetness and just a hint of pepper. The cigar starts off medium-bodied but bumps up to medium-full as it progresses. The new sizes of Tatuaje Black are just hitting stores this month. If you enjoyed the original offerings, the Cazadores is well worth seeking out.

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.”

I was a big fan of the Illusione Singulare 2014 when it first came out—it earned a rare five-stogie rating—so I wanted to see how it has aged. The annual release, which came out in late 2014, is a 5.5-inch, 54-ring gauge Nicaraguan puro with a Corojo ’99 wrapper (the same wrapper as the Illusione Epernay) over dual binders of Jalapa Criollo ’98 and Estelí Corojo ’99. The cigar burns flawlessly producing dense smoke with toast, cedar, and creaminess, although more cedar and less cream than I remembered. I’m not sure it’s any better than when I first smoked it, but the Anunnaki is still very enjoyable.

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.”

Joya de Nicaragua calls its Antaño Dark Corojo blend “the embodiment of the Nicaraguan ‘power’ cigar.” I am inclined to agree. This oily, toro-sized (6 x 52), Corojo Oscuro-wrapped cigar doesn’t hold back on richness, nicotine, or flavor. Black pepper, roasted nuts, black coffee, and woodsy spice dominate the palate, while background hints of cream and dark chocolate add balance. Expect to pay around $9 for this Nicaraguan puro. And—if strength is what you seek—expect to be satisfied.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys