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 Recluse blend is the first release from Iconic Leaf, a Florida-based company that launched in 2012. While the Toro (6.25 x 50) impressed me when I first reviewed it, I managed to hang onto one specimen for a little over a year. I fired it up recently and didn’t find age had altered the cigar much—but that isn’t necessary a bad thing since I liked it to begin with. Today, as before, the Brazilian, Dominican, and Cameroonian tobaccos produce a balanced flavor that’s cool and airy with notes of leather, chocolate, creamy nut, and baking spices. And the consutrction is impeccable, particularly the ultra-easy draw that gives off a generous supply of aromatic 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.”

I found it interesting that Camacho included a limited edition (100,000 cigars in 5 sizes) as part of its revamp of the line. The Toro is a 50-ring gauge, 6-inch cigar with an international mix of tobacco: Honduran wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Brazil. Costing about $10, it’s a bit expensive, and for me the strength came too close to overpowering the flavor.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

Last year was Viaje’s fifth anniversary, and I’ve kept this lightly box-pressed perfecto, created to celebrate that occasion, in my humidor since. The Nicaraguan puro is made at the Raices Cubanas factory just over the Nicaraguan border in Honduras. Many of Viaje’s special releases tend to be flavor-bombs, at the expense of the cigars’ balance. But this smoke is more refined. It’s medium-bodied, with woodiness, hints of pepper, and a slight syrupy sweetness. Construction is good, although you’ll need to clip a decent amount off the head to get a good draw. This cigar has been sold out for a year, but if you happen to come across one, pick it up.

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 it came out December 2010, I really liked the Broadway Series blend, which La Aurora launched as an exclusive smoke for New York tobacconists to help them combat the onset of onerous cigar taxes. So I was excited to find a Sumo Toro (5.75 x 54) in one of my humidors, which I likely received as a sample sometime in January 2011. The cigar is absolutely wonderful today with the Ecuadorian Sumatran, Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Peruvian tobaccos combining to produce a bready texture accented by notes of almond, white pepper, and a creamy sweetness. If you live in New York, or whenever your travels bring you to the Big Apple, definitely pick up a few Sumo Toros if you come across them. The price of $12.25 (taxes included) is high yet completely justifiable.

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’ve been consistently impressed with the smokes from Aging Room/Boutique Blends. The company produces quality, interesting sticks for a fair price. Which is why I was looking forward to trying their new Swag S Maduro, introduced in Las Vegas last summer. The Infamous vitola (6 x 54) features an attractive, toothy, oily maduro Nicaraguan wrapper around Dominican binder and filler. It has roasted flavors, coffee, unsweetened chocolate, and toasted oak, all paired with fantastic construction and medium-bodied notes that go excellently with either coffee or rum.

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.”

With a name like Straight Jacket, you’d expect a cigar strong enough to wrestle you to the ground and wrap you around the throat. Couple it with Christian Eiroa, one of the fathers of modern full-strength cigars, and it would seem an even better bet. Surprisingly, I didn’t find it that way. Oh, the six-inch Toro is powerful, a spicy $9 smoke with a bit of pepper and a long, satisfying finish. But if it’s strength you crave, I’d recommend Eiroa’s eponymous line. Just don’t ignore Straight Jacket. Or you’ll miss an immensely enjoyable smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A