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.”.

I was looking forward this new cigar from legendary blender José Seijas, but I was, unfortunately, quickly disappointed. I smoked two of the 6.5-inch, 54 ring gauge sticks at $8.50 each. The taste was good—Dominican spice, some coffee, and floral notes—and there was lots of smoke. But on the first Matilde Renacer Toro Bravo the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper exploded shortly after being lit. And, while the second stayed together, the burn was so bad it negatively impacted my experience. While I realize it’s likely these two smokes were an anomaly, I can’t recommend a cigar that performed so poorly.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”.

This cigar, with an Ecuador Habano wrapper, Brazilian Mata Fina binder, and filler from Honduras and the Dominican, may seem nothing like the Camacho blends of old. But it reminded me of the first Camachos I smoked, if not in taste then in attitude and approach. Flavorful, strong, forthright. At $7, the seven-inch Churchill is a bargain not to be missed.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Camacho

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.”

Sometimes you find a cigar in your humidor and you’re just not sure how it got there or where it came from. This Falto Terruño Hermanos, made in the Dominican Republic at La Aurora’s Santiago factory, is one of those mysterious cigars. The well-constructed robusto consists of a Dominican Corojo wrapper and binder around Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Cameroon filler. It features an interesting combination of chalky and woody flavors with a decent amount of red pepper spice, especially at the start, and a bit of sourness that fades in and out. It’s definitely dominated by the the distinctive Dominican Corojo flavor, so if that’s up your alley you’ll want to give it a try.

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.”

If you appreciate cigars for their aesthetic beauty as well as their flavor and smoking characteristics, you’ll agree the Belle Encre (5.4 x 42) is a sight to behold. This perfecto in the Tatuaje 10th Anniversary line has a unique shape, a gorgeous, milk chocolate-colored Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, and a super oily—almost velvety—texture. It’s a cigar that begs to be smoked. And when you do light it up, it doesn’t disappoint. The profile is balanced and complex with notes of woody spice, black pepper, warm tobacco, and a little creamy sweetness. This classic-tasting smoke is one of my all-time favorites from Tatuaje.

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 Liga Privada T52 from Drew Estate has been a staple in my humidor for a couple years now. Those of you who smoke it regularly know why. It consistently delivers expert construction with bold, full-bodied flavors of spice, coffee, leather, and black pepper. And the unique stalk-cut “American Habano” Connecticut wrapper is always mouth-watering. The Robusto (5 x 54) may be expensive at around $12, but it delivers time and again.

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.”

I’ll admit, I hadn’t realized this Cigar International smoke was no longer made by the Garcias until I was sent a sample by its new maker, G.R. Tabacaleras Co., which is run by Goerge Rico. (Then again, the 5 Vegas website still has the old version listed.) Now made completely in Miami (the old version had only one size made in Miami, while the rest were produced in Nicaragua) this is a traditional Toro (6 x 50) featuring a slightly mottled Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Nicaraguan filler. It’s medium-bodied and nicely balanced with cocoa and coffee. The draw is a touch loose, but overall I have no complaints about the construction. With a price around $5 by the box, it’s a good value on a well-made cigar.

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.”

In early 2013, Miami Cigar & Co. released two limited edition lanceros to celebrate company head Nestor Miranda’s 70th birthday. This Nicaragua edition was made at the My Father Cigars factory, while the Dominican edition was made at La Aurora. The cigar is a Nicaraguan puro with a dark, oily Habano wrapper. The result is a dark, rich cigar full of earth, peppery spice, syrupy sweetness, and powdery cocoa. Construction is perfect throughout the hour-plus smoke. At $14 it isn’t cheap, but it’s an exceptional cigar, and if you’re lucky enough to come across one, I’d highly recommend picking one up.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys