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.”

This new perfecto from Aging Room is a super-premium smoke that’s not to be missed. A Dominican puro, the M21 Fortissimo measures 5.75 inches long with a ring gauge of 47 and costs $13. But don’t let that price tag dissuade you. The profile is complex and balanced with notes of dry oak, espresso, white pepper, cream, and peanut. Construction is perfect. Only 3,000 boxes of 10 cigars will be made, so don’t miss your chance to give it a try.

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.”

CAO’s newest offering is much more than a marketing scheme focused on muscle cars and pinup girls. Combining a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a Habano Connecticut binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, Flathead is a wonderful, balanced blend that has plenty of body yet little spice. The result is a rounded profile of cocoa, leather, and cream, and the physical properties are excellent. If you haven’t gotten around to trying Flathead yet, you’re missing out. The V554 Camshaft (5.5 x 54) is well worth the asking price of $7-8.

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.”

This limited edition version of the 601 La Bomba is the same blend as the original except it features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The cigar (6.5 x 54) is semi box-pressed, and only 2,000 boxes of 10 are available. For me, the maduro wrapper makes the cigar milder than the original. It’s still plenty full-bodied, though, with lots of earth, leather, pepper, and coffee. The cigar produces tons of smoke and has excellent construction. While I generally prefer a Habano wrapper to Broadleaf, I prefer this cigar to the original La Bomba.

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.”.

My tastes and preferences tend to change over time, but my appreciation for the Blue Label from Don Pepin Garcia never seems to waver. The robusto-sized Invictos (5 x 50) has been a mainstay of my humidor for years. It earned that spot for its affordability, consistency, and pleasing profile of pepper, leather, earth, and subtle sweetness. This isn’t the first time I’ve written about this cigar, and it probably won’t be the last.

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.”

This was a gift from a friend and, as best I can tell, it’s a custom-rolled Cuban cigar with Mexican origins based on the Montecristo 109 Conte regional blend. (This isn’t the first time we’ve evaluated a custom Cuban cigar.) The cigar is 7.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 50 and a notably rounded cap and closed foot. It features a medium-brown wrapper with relatively few veins. It claims to be a Cuban puro, and I’m inclined to believe that. The profile is sweet earth, with hints of cedar and honey. It’s immaculately balanced and mild- to medium-bodied with flawless construction. It’s certainly hard to procure (I honestly wouldn’t know where to get it) but I can’t recommend it more.

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.”

After more changes than Lady Gaga in concert, the 601 Red Label Habano is back to its glorious origin. While it would no doubt take a professional cig-archaeologist to adequately evaluate the band evolution, to my eye it looks a lot like the original, perhaps a brighter red. But what matters is the cigar. And Erik Espinosa has returned the lovely Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan filler to full strength and flavor. The opening reminded me of my first 601 Red, with a great pepper blast whipping my tongue like a rented mule. After a half inch or so, it settles down a tad while remaining a tasty treat to the end. If you haven’t tried the new 601 Red, you’re missing an excellent cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Espinosa Cigars