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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

Though you wouldn’t know it from the band, which doesn’t mention Oliva, this cigar is made for Atlantic Cigar Company in celebration of their 15th Anniversary by the Oliva Cigar Company. It’s the fourth and final release in a series of exclusive blends for Atlantic’s 15th year. The $8.50 cigar features an attractive Ecuadorian Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, and it comes in a Diadema (6 .75 x 48) size that looks sleek and refined. I found cocoa, earth, and leather flavors, as well as a slightly damp flavor. Medium-full in flavor, the cigar struck me as just alright and hardly as good as either of the other Atlantic 15th Anniversary releases, or other cigars made by Oliva.

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 Quick Smoke is part of our “Win a Big Box of Cigar Swag” contest. Leave a comment and be subscribed to our free email newsletter to enter. Full details here.

I wouldn’t say I moved back to Chicago just to be closer to Tesa, a boutique shop west of the Loop with a portfolio of fantastic house blends. But being within a short trek of the remodeled tobacconist sure is a nice perk. Every time I swing by I pick up a Vintage Especial or two, a mild blend comprised of Nicaraguan tobaccos around a Connecticut wrapper. For my money, you can’t go wrong with the Rothchild (5 x 50), a robusto-sized smoke with excellent construction and a harmonious profile of oak, sweet hay, cream, and roasted nuts. It’s one of my favorite high-end mild cigars.

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.”

Named for Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca and José Blanco of Joya de Nicaragua, the new CyB brand (formerly called “Cuenca y Blanco,” as seen in my photo) has made quite a splash since it was introduced this summer. I can see why. The Torpedo Especial (6.25 x 52) has a balanced flavor of leather, cereals, cedar, and white pepper that’s derived from tobaccos from Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. It’s a departure from the Nicaraguan puros Joya de Nicaragua usually produces. With a slow burn and great physical properties, also a fine way to spend about $10.

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.”

Recluse by Iconic Leaf is one of the more unique cigars to have been released at the recent IPCPR Trade Show. Made in the Dominican Republic, the blend utilizes a Brazilian maduro wrapper, Cameroon binder, and Dominican filers. The Robusto (5 x 52) features an oily, textured wrapper. Clove, leather, coffee, and molasses all stand out in this well-made cigar that produces thick, powdery smoke. Unique and flavorful, it’s definitely worth 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.”

Released just before St. Patrick’s Day earlier this year—it has been aging in my humidor since then—this Candela features a notable bright green wrapper, with a shiny appearance that is a stark contrast from most double claro wrappers, which tend to be dry and matte. The cigar has roast nut and coffee flavors, and a bit of intermittent black pepper spice. While feint, the vegetable, grassy quality that is characteristic of Candela wrappers is apparent. Still it’s an enjoyable, well-made cigar, even though I can’t help thinking the same blend with a traditional wrapper (or even without the wrapper) might be even better.

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.”

The Single Region from Toraño was on my short list of the best new cigars at the 2010 industry trade show. For me, it has stood the test of time and improved with age. The Robusto (5 x 52) is the best vitola in the blend, exhibiting outstanding construction and a unique profile of tea, leather, and toffee before overstaying its welcome. I’m not sure when the next Single Region will be available, but I’m content to savor these Jalapas from El Estero until then.

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 have no idea how I ended up with these smokes, though I’m not surprised one sat in my humidor for two years. I don’t smoke many Rocky Patel cigars, and I have no idea how I ended up with this one, though I imagine it was in some giveaway or other. It’s a cheap smoke: $55 for 20 from Cigars International, which seems to be its home. With a corojo wrapper and Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, you’d expect some flavor. You’d be wrong. While not unpleasant, the R4 is monochromatic and, at this size in particular (7.5 x 52) boring. Burn, draw, and smoke production were all fine. Just not much taste. I also didn’t notice significant difference in the aged version and the younger one I smoked.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: N/A