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.”

Back in 2003, La Aurora celebrated its 100th anniversary by launching a new line called 100 Años. The oldest cigar maker in the Dominican Republic chose only Dominican tobaccos for the blend, including an oily Corojo wrapper. The resulting profile—characterized by flavors of bread, dry cedar, cream, and pepper—is bolder than most would expect from a Dominican puro. True to La Aurora form, the Robusto (5 x 50) smokes very well. Even with a price tag north of $10, this is an easy recommendation.

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.”

 

Made by the Aganorsa kings from Casa Fernandez Nicaraguan, this Miami-made Nicaraguan puro features a Medio Tiempo Ligero wrapper. The Robusto (5.25 x 52) is well-made with admirable combustion qualities. The flavors are gritty, with plenty of wood spice, though the profile is a bit unbalanced. It’s not a bad smoke, but hardly the best from Casa Fernandez.

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.”

I first smoked this cigar when retailers handed them out last month as part of the company’s National Hex Day promotion. I’ve since tried two more. With a dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a pigtail cap, Hex stands out on the shelf. The robusto—5 inches long with a ring gauge of 52—is a good size to enjoy what the stick has to offer. While there’s little flavor change along the way, it’s an enjoyable trip from start to finish. Fine construction, lots of smoke, excellent burn. (See my colleague’s full review of the Hex Perfecto here.)

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.”

La Aroma de Cuba Edición Especial was the first La Aroma made by the Pepins, who currently make all four La Aroma blends at the My Father factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. (The previous version featured a Plasencia wrapper and was made in Honduras, although later production of that was also switched to Pepin’s factory and reblended.) The blend features an Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper surrounding Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The No. 55 size is the newest addition to the line and the largest ring gauge (55), with a length of 5.75 inches. It’s a classic, if simplistic, version of Pepin’s signature flavor profile: pepper, wood, and warm tobacco. It’s a pleasant cigar, but far from Pepin’s or La Aroma de Cuba’s best.

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.”

This is the latest in Toraño’s series of smokes based on blends created in the past. They twisted the 2004 blend, using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The filler is from Jalapa and Estelí, along with what Toraño calls “a rare Pennsylvania leaf” they discovered in 1998. It’s a full-bodied, smooth cigar with some spice and sweetness. The Toro (6 x 52), which runs about $7.50, is an excellent size for the experience.

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.”

When this cigar emerges from its simple two-piece white tubo, you might be gazing at perfection. The Connecticut wrapper is flawless, the aroma enticing, and the smoker’s level of expectation at its peak. The toro (6 x 50)—aptly described by Davidoff as “stronger and fuller-bodied” with an “elegant, harmonious blend”—is an absolute pleasure to smoke. Tasty, complex, lots of smoke, excellent performance. (Patrick S. reviewed this stogie back in 2008.) Mine was a gift. I have to confess I don’t buy a whole lot of $20 cigars, but I had no doubt this one was worth every penny.

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.”

Since its inception, I have been a member of Saints & Sinners, a Tatuaje club that annually sends participants exclusive cigars (as well as other Tatuaje-branded merchandise like wine openers, poker chips, and apparel). Part of the 2013 smoke kit was an Exclusive Series “Hassell”—Pete Johnson’s middle name. It’s a large perfecto (6.9 x 52) based on the Tatuaje Avion, with a twist. Like Avion, it has an Ecuadorian Habano maduro wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. But this time, the filler also includes tobaccos from another undisclosed country. The result is a medium- to full-bodied profile of dry oak, roasted nuts, black pepper, coffee, and ample earthy sweetness on the aftertaste. Construction is excellent. If you aren’t a Saints & Sinners member, finding this cigar will be exceedingly difficult. So, if anything, I hope this Quick Smoke encourages you to sign up.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys