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.”

Yet another reason to patronize your local B&Ms: Who knows what you might run across. The other day, I was trolling through the humidor and spotted a just-opened box of Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2010. How often do you get to smoke an aged, limited edition stick for MSRP ($10 in this case)? If my humidor wasn’t nearly overflowing and my wallet nearly under water, I’d have bought them all. The stick, highly sought at each annual release, lived up to its stellar reputation, though draw and smoke production dropped off in the final third. But if you stumble across these, don’t hesitate to pick up one.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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 new release from Viaje Cigars fits what I often look for in a limited release: an enjoyable and memorable cigar, but not one I’d want to smoke too often. In this case, that’s partly price ($9.50 is fairly steep for a robusto), but more the strength and flavor profile. I can’t seem to find any information on the tobacco, but Leaded is strong, kicking off with a pepper blast and shifting to earth and leather midway. Then, it picks up with pepper and spice in the final half. It’s a tad rough, and the draw is loose. But the burn is excellent and smoke production top rate. If you have any interest in limited production smokes, be sure to pick one up.

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.”

This Nicaraguan puro is made for Miami Cigar & Co. by My Father Cigars. With a very dark, oily Oscuro Habano wrapper and a slight box-press, it’s a handsome smoke. The Añoranza continues to be one of the most full-bodied cigars in my regular smoking rotation. It features a powerful combination of dark earth, charred oak, unsweetened cocoa, and a bit of spice. There’s not a lot of nuance here, but plenty of intense flavor, which is why I enjoy it.

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.”

When 7-20-4 debuted (technically relaunched after a nearly 50-year hiatus) in 2009, it struck a chord with it’s throwback packaging and unique blend. The cigar has a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, a Colombian binder, and filler from Nicaragua, Mexico, and Honduras. I recently picked up a Robusto to see how it compares to the other sizes in the line. The Robusto is dominated by woody notes, combined with molasses, cinnamon, and clove. Medium- to full-bodied with excellent construction and a reasonable $6-7 cost, it’s easy to recommend.

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 behemoth Animal Cracker (6 x 60) features an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. It sells for $9.50. The cigar is billed this way: “Animal Cracker defines the large ring gauge as a successful wild hunt for big flavor and strength.” I’m largely inclined to agree. The perfectly constructed cigar features plenty of pepper, black coffee, and woody flavors. I was prepared to dismiss this cigar because I’m generally not a fan of thick smokes, but I must say I was impressed. Based on the one I smoked, it’s easily my second favorite from the Surrogates line.

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.”

Before I fired it up last night, this Gran Toro (6 x 54) had been resting in my humidor for almost two years. I liked the Small Batch Reserve Habano line when it was introduced by Pinar del Rio in 2012. And I’m happy to report some age renders the fine cigar downright excellent. With time on its side, the Brazilian wrapper combines with Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos to yield a more complex, balanced profile than if it were smoked right out of the box. Look for flavors of sweet wood, milk chocolate, cream, spice, and a little leather, and expect nearly perfect construction. The smart move is to buy a box of 24 for around $170 and resist the urge to dive into it for about 24 months.

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 thought I was out of this limited and hard-to-find Lancero edition of the Liga Privada Único Serie until I found this cigar in a box in the bottom of my humidor. The L40 (7 x 40) features a Connecticut stalk-cut Habano wrapper, Brazilian Mata Fina binder, and Nicaraguan filler. It’s a classic combination of cocoa, espresso, wood, and earth. It’s medium- to full-bodied, very smooth, and balanced. While not as powerful as other Liga Privada smokes, this is a must try for Lancero fans.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys