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.”

My Father Cigars makes many outstanding cigars, which might make the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial a slightly under-the-radar offering. The Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped Robusto (5.25 x 52) has Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. It features rich, smooth flavors with powdery earth, dark chocolate, and oak notes, along with excellent construction. The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial doesn’t feature much spice, but it does have lots of classic deep maduro flavors, and even though it’s not the most complex cigar, it’s still quite 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.”

The fourth annual Oktoberfest limited edition from Quesada sports a new band and, for my taste, displays the best flavors yet. I’m a confirmed Oktoberfest fan—rating it highly last year and in 2012. This year’s Dominican puro shows a bit more spice and an added graham cracker sweetness. Das Boot (6 x 52) is a toro you shouldn’t miss.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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 consider the Cameroon Cabinet line to be La Flor Dominicana’s most underrated cigar, likely overlooked because it doesn’t fit into the same full-bodied profile the company is known for. The robusto-sized No. 5 features the same woodiness and light spice that I’ve come to enjoy from this line, but it lacks some of the cream and cocoa depth that made the No. 1 size my favorite. Construction is excellent. Maybe time will bring out the some added complexity in this robusto, but for now I couldn’t recommend the No. 5 ahead of he lonsdale-sized No. 1.

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.”

The corona-sized Dirty Rat may not be my favorite Drew Estate cigar—that honor actually might go to the Velvet Rat—but it’s up there. If you can track down this rare cigar, you’ll be rewarded with a balanced, full-bodied profile of dark chocolate, cream, black pepper spice, and earthy tones. The flavors are derivative of a Connecticut Havana-seed wrapper around a Brazilian binder and a filler mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. Construction is perfect, including Drew Estate’s trademark draw with copious smoke production.

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.”

Original 2003 Cien Años cigars aren’t easy to find these days. Fortunately, I have a few remaining from a box I purchased before they were re-released nearly a decade later. Made by La Aurora, the oldest cigar maker in the Dominican Republic celebrated 100 years in the cigar business with this Dominican puro, which sports an oily Corojo wrapper. The Robusto is a pleasant combination of bread, dry cedar, cream, and pepper. Despite the age, it still packs a punch with medium- to full-bodied flavors. Sometimes older cigars get dull with age, but this isn’t one of them. It’s still a flavorful, enjoyable cigar worth finding if you can. Just don’t count on the re-release being the same as the original.

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.”

Following my (very favorable) review of the Pinolero Maduro Toro (6 x 52) at the end of March, I wanted to see how six additional months in the humidor might change this cigar, which includes a Nicaraguan binder around filler tobaccos are part Nicaraguan Habano-seed and part proprietary. I found few noticeable changes, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The smoke still has a dense, sweet texture with flavors ranging from syrup and cocoa to espresso and brown sugar. I still think this is an excellent buy at about $8-9, but I’d say little is gained with short-term aging.

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.”

The latest in Viaje’s White Label Project—which releases cigars that, for one reason or another, wouldn’t otherwise get marketed—is a Nicaraguan puro petite lancero (6 x 40) that absolutely hits the spot. Opening with a strong pepper blast, the $8.32 cigar shifts in the second third to flavors of earth, leather, and sweetness. Then the pepper comes back into the mix in the final third as the sweetness drops away. Excellent construction, smoke production, draw, and burn. With a run of only 300 bundles, keep your eyes peeled.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A