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 isn’t a cigar. It’s a time machine. From the first puff this Nicaraguan stick transported me back to the first Tatuajes I smoked. My taste buds were engulfed in a wonderfully smooth combination of spice, pepper, and warm tobacco flavors. This lovely $10 cigar (5.4 x 52) is simply terrific: strong without being overpowering, complex yet steady, and expertly constructed. I’d call this a must-try if you enjoy cigars from Tatuaje or Don Pepin Garcia.

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 is one of the better-looking cigars I’ve smoked in a while, with a flawless Nicaraguan Jalapa Colorado Habano wrapper. The Toro (6 x 52) also has dual Honduran and Nicaraguan (Jalapa) binders and Nicaraguan filler from Jalapa and Condega (2007 crop). The first few draws worried me with a hint of grassiness, but that soon dissipated revealing dry cedar and cinnamon along with flavors of earth, pepper, and savory notes. It’s a well-balanced, medium- to full-bodied cigar that’s both flavorful and rounded. For $9 it’s well work a try.

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.”

I got a shot at this limited release sooner than I expected, as a local shop scored several boxes at the IPCPR Trade Show. It’s a remarkable concoction of sweetness and strength, satisfying from beginning to end. My only complaint is a somewhat erratic burn, caused, no doubt, by the thick Mexican maduro wrapper. That’s the only flaw in this box-pressed torpedo that weighs in at 6.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 52. If forced to choose, I’d opt for the original Melanio, but this is a great cigar to put in the mix. It runs about $13 per stick and comes in 10-count boxes.

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.”

Black Label Trading is a new company with a skull-and-bone pirate theme and six debut blends. Redemption, the blend I smoked, is a Nicaraguan puro with a Habano wrapper that comes in two sizes: Robusto (5 x 54) and Gordo (6 x 60). A first in my experience, the large band on the sample I smoked seemed to be a final production band, but it also had the phrase “pre-release sample” across the top. The cigar sported lots of deep, dark flavors, yet it keeps a medium-bodied profile with woody notes. I expected an ass-kicker, but got a balanced cigar. Without knowing the MSRP, I think this is a cigar with some real potential. I’m looking forward to trying more from Black Label Trading.

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.”

Made for the St. Louis-based Table 36 by Nestor Plasencia, Integrity is a Nicaraguan puro with a Jalapa wrapper, double binders from Estelí and Jalapa, and filler tobaccos from Condega and Jalapa. The Corona Gorda (5.5 x 46) has a slight box press that, at least on the single sample I received at the IPCPR Trade Show, is very pronounced at the foot while hardly noticeable at the head. The result is a powerful, full-bodied smoke with earth and graphite, along with hints of clove and molasses. This was the first Table 36 I’ve smoked, and I’m looking forward to trying others.

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.”

El Bigote is proof a cheesy band doesn’t tell you much about a cigar. I picked up this cigar, made by Honduras Caribbean Tobacco, at the IPCPR Trade Show a few years ago. A dark brown wrapper surrounds the well-made torpedo. Rich earth and cedar dominate the medium-bodied and well-balanced cigar. With surprising complexity, this was very enjoyable.

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 colleague reviewed this new, single-size Drew Estate cigar back in July, but I only recently fired up my first Nica Rustica (6 x 52) to see if this Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped smoke agrees with my taste buds. I found a stark vegetal flavor with accompanying notes of black pepper and a dry, coarse texture. Bitter black coffee dominates the aftertaste. Construction is excellent, including the trademark Drew Estate draw and bountiful smoke production. The complexity doesn’t match, say, Undercrown, but at $7 it’s a good value and a nice change of pace. Drew Estate fans won’t want to miss Nica Rustica.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys