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.”

Recently, I did a Quick Smoke on this cigar’s Natural sibling. With all the praise garnered by the Maduro, I thought I should give it a try, despite the fact that I’m not naturally a big Maduro fan. And had I remembered that the Maduro’s wrapper is Mexican San Andres, I’d have been even more inclined to pass. I found it to be an OK smoke, with some Maduro sweetness and good construction. But, for my taste, it doesn’t compare to the excellent Natural.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

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.”

Named for Drew Estate CEO Steve Saka’s favorite food, “Papas Fritas” (Spanish for french fries), this little cigar uses the cuttings of the Liga Privada No. 9 blend to create a small cigar (4.5 x 44) that sells in tins of 4 for $24 ($6 each). With a broadleaf wrapper and Brazilian binder, it produces loads of thick, white smoke. Cocoa, cedar, pepper, and earth all shine through in this little spark plug of a smoke. It’s medium- to full-bodied, well-balanced, and easy to recommend.

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.”

You don’t necessarily hear a ton about it, but I think the CAO Concert was one of the better new releases from last year’s IPCPR Trade Show. The Amp (5.5 x 46) features excellent construction and medium- to full-bodied flavors. The blend, an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper with Nicaraguan and Honduran filler, produces cedar, cream, coffee, and pepper flavors. Particularly noteworthy is the reasonable $5.75 pricetag.

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.”

Few cigar makers have as high a standing here at StogieGuys.com than Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. We’ve reviewed four E.P. Carrillo sticks: two four-stogie ratings, and two at four and a half. In all honesty, this terrific cigar would be right there, but I haven’t smoked enough for a full review. Billed as the strongest addition to its expanding line, the Cardinal Natural features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan filler and binder. The strength doesn’t come at you full bore, but rather evolves as you progress. The flavors are a complex, interwoven mix dominated by an earthy, woody, grassy combination that’s occasionally flecked with spice and sweetness. Pick one up.

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.”

For whatever reason I’ve waited until now to smoke this pre-release edition (hence the unofficial band) of the new La Hermandad by Sean Williams’ El Primer Mundo. The cigar is produced at Abe Flores’ Pinar del Rio factory in the Dominican Republic (as opposed to El Titan de Bronze in Miami where previous Primer Mundo cigars have been made). The robusto-sized Caballito utilizes a dark, oily Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler. The result is a rich, spicy smoke with a tasty combination of charred oak, black coffee, and mole spice.

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.”

Billed as an “old-world, medium-bodied, Cuban-style” cigar by Tatuaje’s Pete Johnson, La Riqueza (Spanish for “riches”) is a unique and wonderful smoke. The No. 4 (5 x 48) delivers a sweet aroma with a balanced, powdery flavor of dry wood, cocoa, and leather. The finish is spicy. The robusto-sized smoke also boasts a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, a slight box press, and excellent construction. Pick one up for about $8 and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys