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.”

For a cigar that was said to be a limited edition, this one’s been around for quite a while. It’s a pressed multi-nation mix with a fair amount of power. I’ve smoked a few of the different 101s, but not enough to make a comparison. Maybe it’s just knowing the association, but this Conjura (Spanish for conspiracy, if you’re wondering) did remind me of the older-line Camacho cigars, especially with its flavors of leather and earthiness.

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 cigar (5 x 60) has been sitting in my humidor for a few years, probably since around the time my colleague wrote a full review. It features Nicaraguan viso and ligero, along with Dominican piloto cubano and olor, wrapped in a Brazilian arapiraca leaf. The cigar has a loose, easy draw. It’s slightly lumpy but still has excellent combustion. The flavors are leather, earth, coffee, and a hint of syrup-like sweetness. While I’ve never been a huge fan of this thick of a cigar, the Marco V Platinum is a well-made, pleasant smoke.

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.”

There are times I wonder whether Ernesto Perez-Carrillo is a cigar blender or a magician. I’m not sure he has a peer when it comes to turning out excellent cigar after excellent cigar. His Short Run 2013 is no exception. It kicks off with a combination of citrus and exotic spices, and that enticing, enjoyable combination pretty much runs from beginning to end. Made in just three sizes—Robusto (4.9 x 50), Corona Gorda (5.9 x 52), and a massive Double Robusto (6.25 x 60)—it features the trademark EPC quality construction, burn, and draw. With only 1,500 boxes of each vitola, this Short Run won’t be on the shelves long. Don’t miss it.

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.”

A little over a year ago, I tried this 2011 release from Miami Cigar & Co. for the first time. I was impressed. So imagine how pleased I was when I recently found a Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve that had been hiding in one of my humidors since early 2012. Firing up the Connecticut broadleaf-wrapped torpedo (6.1 x 52), I encountered a familiar profile of dry wood, spice, coffee, and caramel sweetness. The cigar performed much as I remembered it—including excellent construction—albeit with slightly mellower flavors than a year before. This was a solid buy at $9.50.

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.”

If memory serves, I received this cigar (7 x 47) as a pre-release sample back when it came out in 2009, only a little before my colleague reviewed the pyramid size. The now discontinued blend celebrates Louis Tiant’s 1968 season with the Cleveland Indians, a year in which he won 21 games. It has a Sumatra-seed Ecuadorian wrapper and a Nicaraguan Habano binder with three different ligeros from Nicaragua and seco tobaccos from both Nicaragua and Honduras. The result (after almost four years of age) is a medium-bodied smoke with an interesting combination of earth and a damp Davidoff-esque musty flavor. The legendary Cuban pitcher is now working with Don Pepin Garcia for his El Tiante lines, and while I also enjoy those cigars (though they are very different profiles) I would be pleased if I found a few more of these in the bottom of my humidor.

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.”

This Nicaraguan puro from Alec Bradley and made at Nestor Plasencia’s factory features a sun-grown Habano wrapper from Jalapa. The dark leaf is a stark reminder of the difference that location makes, as it’s one of the darker Habano wrappers I’ve seen (especially compared to Ecuador, which also grows a lot of Habano wrapper). It started out with a burst of bitterness, but fortunately that fades relatively quickly leaving blend dominated by dry earthy flavors. Construction was free of any problems. It’s a decent smoke at a reasonable price ($4.75) but hardly inspiring.

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 new release from cigar polymath Frank Herrera sports a wrapper from the increasingly popular tobacco fields of Brazil, paired with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. I’m always wary of Brazilian tobacco because I frequently find it shares a quite unpleasant dirt taste common to its Mexican sibling. And, quite frankly, this Toro (6 x 54, $6.50) did exhibit a bit of that, but not too much. If you’re a fan of Brazilian Arapiraca or just want to try something a little different, give this three-vitola line a chance.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A