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.”

 

The latest annual limited release from Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is an attractive toro (6.1 x 54) featuring a blend with a Mexican San Andres wrapper, dual Brazil and Ecuadorian binders, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. It’s medium-bodied, very balanced, and rounded. It has the taste of a well-aged cigar with a unique combination of hickory, bread, and oak. The finish is smooth. It also has excellent construction. Despite a wrapper that isn’t my personal favorite, it’s a very tasty, 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.”

One of the interesting things about cigar smoking is the ability to return to a smoke and see if your opinion has changed over time. I did a Quick Smoke on La Gloria Cubana Serie N JSB about three years ago, not long after my colleague’s full review. Recently, I smoked a couple I’d had in my humidor for who knows how long. Interestingly, my view of this Ecuadoran Sumatra-wrapped smoke hasn’t changed. It’s a dark, meaty smoke with a bitter finish. This La Gloria Cubana is still not for me.

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.”

Released as part of an exclusive sampler for Bespoke Post, the blend is billed as a “custom-made edition that the family enjoys for their personal use. It’s never been released to the public due to the limited availability of the tobaccos used in the blend.” That blend contains an Ecuadorian wrapper, a Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan filler, and comes in a single size (5.75 x 54). The well-made cigar features a medium-bodied blend with woody notes and a slightly astringent quality. It’s a pleasant enough cigar, but it’s far from my favorite E.P. Carrillo.

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.”

Part of Gary Griffith’s House of Emilio portfolio, the Epicurean Gonzo Vintage 2007 blend, owned by Steven Ysidron, consists of a dark broadleaf wrapper, filler tobaccos from Jalapa and Condega, and two binders (one Mexican San Andres, one Jalapa). The Lancero (6.5 x 38) is a downright wonderful smoke with notes of black licorice, dry wood, espresso, and sweet raisin. Quite complex and well-balanced. The texture is heavy and leathery, and the combustion qualities are excellent. This box-pressed beauty is an easy recommendation at its going rate of about $9.

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 picked these up 18 months ago for around $9 per cigar. First a five-pack, then a whole box. It’s a Nicaraguan puro with a pigtail cap and a bright Colorado-brown wrapper. The profile has lots of leather and wood, but it’s restrained and not over-the-top. It’s medium-bodied with balanced flavors, including a little creaminess and cocoa. With excellent construction, I can recommend it, although I think it was better before the aging.

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.”

Nat Cicco, a company best known for its value-oriented “Rejects” lines, openly invites you to compare this large (6.25 x 56) cigar to the ultra-expensive Cuban known as the Cohiba Behike, one of the most hyped, expensive, and rare specimens on the market. Let me settle the score by saying there really isn’t any comparison. The Behike is beautifully balanced with tons of depth and complexity, albeit at an exorbitant price; the Nat Cicco HHB 56 is a nice smoke that’s, quite bluntly, overpriced at $14. Now that isn’t to say I don’t enjoy the flavors of the HHB 56. Its Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers produce a mild- to medium-bodied experience that’s creamy, nutty, and well-constructed. In terms of return on investment, though, I’d say it should be priced at more like $7, $10 tops.

Verdict = Sell.

–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.”

We haven’t heard much from the Tiant Cigar Group of late, but when I came across this El Tiante Habano Rosado I felt it was time to revisit this Pepin-made cigar created for the legendary Cuban pitcher Luis Tiant.  The Robusto (5 x 50) has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler, a classic Pepin combination. The result is classic Pepin too: medium- to full-bodied with spice, woodiness, earth, and hints of clove. It’s well-constructed and nicely balanced. Not particularly unique, but a good cigar nevertheless.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys