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.”

Almost exactly three years ago, when it first came out, I acquired the Julieta size (7 x 47) from El Tiante’s La Leyenda line for $9. The blend celebrates Louis Tiant’s 1968 season with the Cleveland Indians, a year in which he won 21 games. It sports 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 is a lot of red and black pepper spice on the palate with background notes of coffee, sweet cream, and nut. The resting smoke and finish have a mushroom component that reminds me of Davidoff and Paul Garmirian cigars, and the construction is excellent. Time has improved this zesty Nicaraguan; I wish I would have purchased more back in 2009.

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 cigar burst on the scene a few years ago, as Oliva was establishing itself as a creator of full-bodied, premium cigars. Most of the company’s previous blends had been milder and toward the value end of the price spectrum. Years later, it’s still an excellent, consistently well-made cigar, even if it doesn’t have all of the buzz it once did. With cocoa, leather, espresso, and earth, along with excellent construction, it’s a cigar I turn to often. Although I think I slightly prefer the new Serie V Melanio blend, I can heartily recommend this cigar.

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 at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia under the direction of Carlito Fuente, Angelenos is a six-size line offered by God of Fire. The Robusto measures 5.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 50. Its golden Ecuadorian wrapper combines with Dominican binder and filler tobaccos to yield a mild flavor of cream, ginger, spice, dried fruit, and peanut. The result is a bready, satisfying smoke with excellent construction. With a price of $9.50, this is a nice morning to mid-afternoon cigar, and a great accompaniment to a cup of coffee.

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’ve had this little $4 Cuban (5 x 37) for a few years. Age hasn’t changed this cigar much, for better or worse. It’s balanced, mild, and smooth featuring nutty flavors and slight notes of wood and cream. The burn, ash, and draw present no problems. For a few dollars, it’s simplistic yet enjoyable, especially early in the day.

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 new line from Joya de Nicaragua, originally named Cuenca y Blanco, marks the debut blend from José Blanco after he left La Aurora. He’s the B; Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca is the C. They’ve put together a cigar that boasts a wide range of tobaccos: filler from Nicaragua and Peru, a Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a marvelous pre-light aroma. It’s a tasty, balanced cigar that isn’t as high-powered as the typical Joya de Nicaragua production. Weighing in at 6.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 52, the Torpedo Especial has a sharp head and excellent construction. At about $10, it’s a bit expensive, but well worth a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.”

This monster-sized cigar is 6.1 inches long with a 64 ring gauge (that’s one full inch in width). It sports a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos. The profile is of earth, oak, cocoa, and coffee. It’s full-bodied with little variation from stat to finish, which takes a full 90 minutes. At $10 each, less by the box, it’s not cheap, but then it’s a well-made, full-bodied smoke that will last most of a football game. Still, I prefer the Natural variation to the Maduro, which has more complexity to go with it’s large size and full-bodied flavors.

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 just might be the definition of a good-looking cigar that makes a great first impression. The Series H Maduro Robusto (5.5 x 50) from Emilio Cigars sports a beautifully dark ligero wrapper from Jamastran, an extraordinarily firm feel, and a rich pre-light aroma of dark chocolate and earth. Once lit, the wrapper combines with Nicaraguan and Costa Rican tobaccos to yield a full-bodied, complex taste of dark coffee, creamy nut, cocoa, and a touch of leather. It’s downright outstanding and well worth the going rate of $7 for a single.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys