In March I gave the Cupido Criollo Corto a well-deserved, glowing review as “one of the best sub-$3 cigar experiences I’ve ever had.” I’ve gone through plenty more since then because of the Corto’s delicious taste, excellent construction, bargain price, and short format.

The Commemorative vitola boasts the same blend of tobaccos—a criollo wrapper and Cuban-seed habano long leaf binders and fillers—in a larger, 5 inch by 54 ring gauge layout. Also a Nicaraguan puro from the Cupido Vegas field of Estelí, Cuban Crafters produces only 9,000 individually numbered boxes of 25 annually for under $70 each.

These smooth, oily, relatively dark criollos are box-pressed and sold as heady, deep cigars that are naturally sweet, spicy, and creamy. Take a few moments to enjoy the dark cocoa notes before striking the first match.

I’m convinced, by the way, that wooden matches are the ideal way to light cigars like the Corto and the Commemorative. The tiny foot makes it easy to establish an even light, and torch-brandishers will have a tendency to ignite more tobacco than necessary, a mistake that’s prone to ruining burns.

One drawback of this cigar’s unique shape is the tight draw you’ll experience on the first few puffs. Don’t worry; everything opens up nicely after a few patient minutes with lots of spice and a dry, woody taste. After the first inch or so the flavor begins to resemble black coffee and roasted nuts. I think seasoned cigar veterans will really enjoy this full-bodied (albeit one-sided) phase and noting how it smoothly transitions into a more balanced, floral taste in the last two inches.

I found few physical imperfections across the seven Commemoratives I smoked for this review. Expect a fairly stable ash and a burn that requires a few touch-ups here and there.

The Commemorative may not rate as exceptionally well as the Corto viotla in my book—namely due to the Corto’s virtually perfect combustion qualities—but it’s still another fine, under-priced smoke from the makers of Stogie Guys favorites like J.L. Salazar, Don Kiki (Brown and White), La Carolina, Cabinet Selection, and Cameroon. I give the Cupido Criollo Commemorative four stogies out of five.

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-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Despite the brand’s popularity among a considerable population of cigar smokers, I’ve steered clear of Puros Indios since my subpar experience with a harsh and physically flawed Piramide No. 3. But I’ve been told by a reliable source that the relatively obscure Double Maduro line is worth a look.

The blend is comprised of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Brazilian filler tobaccos rolled in an Ecuadorian binder and wrapped in an Ecuadorian sungrown Sumatra double maduro leaf. You’ll have a hard time finding these, including the 6 inch by 53 ring gauge Toro Especial, which retails for $55-70 per box of 20.

Like other blends in the Puros Indios lineup, Double Maduro is produced south of Danlí, Honduras, under the guidance of Rolando Reyes Sr. On a quick side note, Señor Reyes “claims to be the only factory owner who also retains the atmosphere of Cuban cigar factories of old by having a full-time lector read the day’s news and other literature to the rollers as they work.”

He also refuses to use chemicals or taste additives and “continues to inspect all cigars manufactured in his factory.” Maybe the inspection standards for physical appearance aren’t terribly high. The two toothy and rustic Toro Especiales I smoked for this review included some big veins and sloppy seams.

Taste counts much more in my book, though, so I lit up with an open mind. I was greeted with rich notes of pepper, cocoa, and nut that quickly transitioned into a deep tobacco flavor. Not unlike the Montecristo Classic, I also found a bit of marshmallow hollowness. But the Double Maduro—which on the whole I would describe as full-bodied but not strong—is far less complex, remaining largely unchanged until ramping up the spice at the very end.

Both of my Toro Especiales exhibited uneven burns that extinguished themselves from time to time, clear draws that produced ample tufts of smoke with each puff, and flaky and unstable ashes.

Altogether, despite the $2.75-3.50 per stick price, I wasn’t terribly impressed with this particular vitola. There are better values to be had. For homely appearance, pleasant yet less-than-enticing flavor, and unfortunate construction, I give the Puros Indios Double Maduro Toro Especial two and ½ stogies out of five.

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-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Devil’s Weed is an interesting and colorfully named cigar line recently released by the Molina Cigar Company. The brand seeks to honor the early history of mainstream tobacco use—beginning with Christopher Columbus’s introduction of the plant to Europe, and culminating in the condemnation of tobacco by the Spanish Inquisition (from whence the phrase “devil’s weed” originated).

The Jerez is a 6.25 inch by 46 gauge specialty vitola in the Devil’s Weed lineup, and it most closely resembles a belicoso. It is named for Rodrigo de Jerez, one of Columbus’ trusted lieutenants, whose penchant for the heretical herb famously landed him a seven-year sentence in a Spanish prison.

I’m a sucker for history and clever marketing, and Devil’s Weed offers plenty of both. Not only are the vitolas named for various 16th-century figures and places, but they’re presented in a fairly unique fashion: individually wrapped not in cellophane, but in logo-stamped brown paper. Molina Co. claims the paper offers better air circulation than plastic, and I can’t really argue that point one way or the other. Either way, it looks cool, and I dig it.

Remove the paper and you reveal a smooth, khaki-colored claro with minimal veins, a tiny bit of tooth, and practically invisible seams. The cap is a bit sloppily applied, but otherwise the Jerez is an almost flawless-looking stick. It turns out to be a mild-bodied smoke with lots of butter, very subtle hints of cedar, and some toast and honey on the finish and nose. The combustion and construction properties are excellent; the Jerez draws beautifully and requires no touchups or relights during its brief but relaxing 60-minute duration.

Ordinarily I’d consider this sort of mild, pleasant, everyday morning smoke—not outstanding, but certainly serviceable, delightful, and easy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be readily available individually. You have to buy Jerezes by the box, and at $121 for 25 sticks, that’s a price I’m not sure I’d pay. A more reasonable $4.50-5 seems about right for this stick, but I’d love the option to buy singles.

Ultimately, the Devil’s Weed Jerez is an uncomplicated yet enjoyable smoke that I wish were more readily available for value-minded consumers. I give it three and 1/2 stogies out of five.

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-Jon N

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As with many of Fuente’s high-end cigars, the Casa Fuente line carries with it a certain mystique. This blend, for instance, is available only at the Casa Fuente store at the Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the cigar lounge’s house blend, positioned and priced to rival the OpusX as Fuente’s most exclusive consumer offering.

Recently, Patrick S. and I smoked a few while kicking back with some surprisingly manly tangerine mojitos at the Casa Fuente bar. A quick word about those mojitos, actually: They’re quite strong, and it’s entirely possible that they may have affected my ability to judge the Casa Fuente double robusto accurately and clearly. Fortunately, the mojitos also compelled me to buy a few more sticks on my way out the door—so I’ve been able to smoke some later on, in the clear light of sobriety.

At any rate, this handsome cigar sports a leathery Cameroon wrapper and a secret blend of what I believe to be Dominican binder and filler leaves (reportedly the same binder and filler as the Opus X). It is impeccably constructed and rolled, as one might expect from a rare Fuente cigar. Smooth, firm to the touch, and oily as sin, this 6.5 inch by 52 ring gauge cigar exudes luxury. The pre-light smell is deep, rich, earthy, and slightly sweet. The cap clips easily, and the draw is firm but forgiving.

Upon lighting up, I detected a lot of earthy flavors and some faint pepper in what I’d call a medium-bodied smoke. Occasionally I’d get some leather notes, and every so often I’d encounter a cinnamon-sugar sweetness that was quite fascinating. This sweet-spicy profile was much more evident in the cigar’s aroma; its intoxicating smoke carried that mysterious “Fuente smell” that only seems to show up in high-end Fuente blends. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s got some cinnamon, some leather, and some vanilla to it.

While these flavors and smells were complex and enjoyable, they never varied. And that’s unfortunate. Many of the best Fuentes I’ve had wove different flavor profiles on and off the palate as they progressed. This cigar, however, played a much more consistent (and persistent) tune. Ordinarily I wouldn’t fault a cigar for lack of flavor transition. But when a stick carries a $25 price tag and is this hard to find, I expect not just good, and not just great, but practically sublime things.

For flawless craftsmanship, great flavor, and a beautiful nose, I’d be inclined to award the Casa Fuente double robusto a perfect five stogies. But I’m taking one away for lack of nuance. On the balance, this lovely stick gets four stogies out of five.

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-Jon N

photo credit: Stogie Guys

On the heels of my colleague’s thoughtful commentary that encouraged us to “not consider ourselves too macho, too old, too cool, or too proud to smoke mild or medium sticks,” I bring you this light-bodied creation from CAO.

Introduced in 1999 to celebrate the company’s first 30 years of business (1968-1998), the Cameroon blend sports a Cameroon wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The series was preceded by a L’Anniversaire Maduro version in 1998. Both have received high ratings from Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider—with several vitolas over 90 points—and both are considered to be box-pressed pioneers.

The Cameroon blend is touted as a mild to medium-bodied experience with “unique and distinctive notes of caramel, nuts, and sweetened coffee.” I was surprised to see several websites claim the series is one of the “most sought-after” premium cigars on the market.

The 5 inch by 50 ring gauge Robusto is characterized by a handsome, sepia-colored wrapper that often includes one prominent vein. It has a pseudo-spongy feel and an easy pre-light draw, but a cross-section reveals tightly packed leaves.

After toasting the foot and establishing an even light, the stick gets off to a worrisome start with a bland, paper-like taste and just a hint of the sweetness you’d expect from other Cameroons. The flavor thankfully builds over the next few inches to include notes of almond, graham, and honey.

While the overall effect is still pretty light and airy, there’s certainly plenty to taste, especially when a cedar spice adds into the mix down the stretch. The physical properties are admirable and in line with what I’ve come to expect from CAO. My take is this cigar’s smooth creaminess is well-suited to accompany a morning cup of coffee.

My only complaint is the price. Two of my favorite Cameroons, one from Cuban Crafters and the other from H. Upmann, sell in the $4-5 range; this Robusto goes for about $7.50 apiece or $115-130 per box of 20. Still, if you’re looking for something mild—as you probably should from time to time—this isn’t a bad investment. I give the CAO L’Anniversaire Cameroon Robusto three out of five stogies.

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-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

No suspense here. It’s one terrific cigar, a full-bodied corona gorda that more than matches the hype. From the Tatuaje-decorated ceramic container to the unclipped foot and simple cap, this cigar is designed to stand out.

Limited production and the luster of being Pete Johnson’s “personal cigar” put the Black on par with other highly sought sticks such as the Opus X and Ashton’s VSG. But with a price tag around $13, this Nicaraguan puro is far more affordable.

Prelight, I found surprisingly little aroma from the wrapper or the nearly closed foot. The brown wrapper was smooth with no large veins and the cigar felt a little soft from head to foot, but nothing stood out.

When lit, the cigar kicked off, as do so many of Pepin Garcia’s blends, with pepper. But what a pepper—not just hot, but full, rich, biting, and interesting. It was a taste that would build, fade, and build again throughout the cigar’s five and 5/8 inches. The flavors were complex and shifted often. Among those I encountered were leather, hay, dry cocoa, hints of ginger, and even at one point honey. Individually, the tastes would have been enjoyable; woven through with the pepper, they were great.

The draw on the 46 ring gauge stick was nearly perfect from beginning to end. The burn, which left a jet-black ring, was straight and required no attention. The ash was so tight that it required a tap to loosen it in the ashtray.

Perhaps most surprising was the fact that the Black never got harsh. And the finish was long and satisfying.

If you like full-strength cigars, smoke the Black if you can find it. I can’t imagine you won’t like it. I certainly did. In fact, I’d put it up among the best cigars I’ve had. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want it for my daily diet, even if I could afford it. There’s just a little too much power. Nonetheless, I can’t think of a cigar I would enjoy more occasionally. So, I can’t see how the Tatuaje Black deserves anything less than five out of five stogies.

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-George E

photo credit: Vitolas.net

On Monday my colleagues ran into Kinky Friedman, “a uniquely American character,” at the 76th Annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show in Las Vegas. The famous singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, and former Texas gubernatorial candidate was showing off a new size of his self-titled line of cigars and introducing a bundled blend called “Kinksters.”

As with all things Kinky—composer of such hits as “Get your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed” and “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore”—I look forward to checking out these new creations myself. But, for now, I thought I’d review a cigar that came out at last year’s IPCPR event: the creatively named Kinkycristo.

This torpedo-shaped stick measures in at 6.25 inches with a 52 ring gauge. Kinky says the shape “concentrates the flavors to the tip of the tongue, rolling sweet spiciness around the roof of the mouth finishing with a leathery freshness.” Handmade in Honduras with a habano wrapper, a Costa Rican binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras, it costs $150 for a box of 20 or $30 for a three-pack.

I smoked two Kinkycristos for this review and found that one of the caps (pictured) was a bit rough and unrefined. After clipping, I removed the top band immediately because it was glued too close to the head. Take care not to tear the fragile wrapper, which sports some lumps but few veins and virtually invisible seams.

While the texture and shape reminds me of the Montecristo Cabinet Selección Belicoso, the Kinkycristo is much less subtle and much more hearty. The flavor kicks off with bite and a tingly, spicy finish. It quickly notches up to resemble leather, warm tobacco, and charred steak—a manly experience that almost makes you want to lasso something—then builds again to a medium- to full-bodied finish with some bitterness.

Resist the temptation to touch-up the meandering burn with your matches or torch during the 90-minute smoke; it will correct itself in time. The easy draw produces heavy clouds of rich smoke, and the ash holds well for up to two inches.

When you get right down to it, after subtracting the gimmicks of the celebrity appeal and the gaudily designed band, this is an enjoyable outdoor smoke that’s unfortunately a tad overpriced (unless the novelty of smoking a Kinky creation is worth $5 to you). The Kinkycristo’s more admirable qualities earn it three out of five stogies.

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-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys