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.”

When I first tried this Robusto (5.25 x 52) back in 2010 (it was introduced in late 2009), I found its profile of spice, pepper, dry wood, and espresso to be a little monotone. Either my tastes have changed, which is entirely possible, or this cigar is much better. I picked it up at a local shop for $7.50 and was impressed with its chalky texture and tastes of spice and dry cocoa. It smoked perfectly, and the draw was notably smooth with tons of smoke production. My experience is a testament to the strategy of revisiting cigars.

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.”

Felix Assouline’s Limited Reserve Something Special comes with a price tag of $4.50 that ensures it isn’t limited to special occasions. The box-pressed line features an oily, reddish-brown Habano Criollo wrapper, Indonesian binder, and a combination of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobacco. It’s a medium-bodied smoke with powdered cocoa, earth, and slight tea flavors. For the price, the flavors are enjoyable and balanced, although the sample I smoked had an unfortunately tight draw.

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.”

Five dollars doesn’t go as far as it used to. Someone needs to tell this to Abe Flores, head of Pinar del Rio Cigars, who has built a portfolio of tasty, consistent smokes that don’t break the bank. Light up a dark, Brazilian Arapiraca-wrapped 1878 Capa Madura Robusto (5 x 52) and you’ll have a hard time imagining how a cigar this good can cost little more than $5. This medium-bodied treat is packed with Criollo ’98 tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and it boasts a balanced profile of creamy nut, cocoa, black pepper, and dry wood. What’s more, construction is perfect. And the easy draw—thanks to the entubado bunching technique—produces tons of flavorful smoke.

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 corona-sized Dirty Rat is one those cigars that I really enjoy yet don’t actually smoke too often. A large part of that is the very limited availability of this cigar, and the fact that when a store does get them in, they’re likely gone very quickly. The cigar bellows smoke as it imparts a complex blend of creamy earth, chocolate, and cinnamon and clove spice. It’s balanced, perfectly made, full-bodied, and complex, and certainly worth seeking out. It’s probably second only to the Velvet Rat as my favorite in Drew Etate’s Único Serie.

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.”

Fred Rewey, founder of the Orlando-based Nomad Cigar Co., will tell you that blending the Connecticut Fuerte line has been one of the toughest challenges in his company’s two-year history. That’s because his approach to the line was to create a standout smoke, not just another Connecticut on the shelf. The result is a four-vitola line that boasts a clean Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a filler blend from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The Toro (6 x 52), which sells for about $8, has near-perfect construction. Flavors range from cinnamon and white pepper to cream and roasted nuts. I think Rewey’s hard work is paying off.

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.”

 

Making a full-bodied cigar with a Connecticut shade-grown wrapper can be a challenge. Often, either the wrapper gets overwhelmed or there are significant bitter notes. Fortunately, A.J. Fernandez hits the mark with the San Lotano Oval Connecticut, made with Nicaraguan binder and filler, with additional filler from Honduras. The Robusto (5.5 x 54) features the unique oval shape Fernandez has created and marketed. It produces thick, creamy smoke along with notes of cedar, honey, and coffee. Construction is excellent, but most of all it’s impressive for being a full-bodied, balanced, and complex Connecticut-wrapped cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys