The Stogie Guys

It shouldn’t surprise you when I say that my colleagues and I aren’t fans restrictive smoking bans and excessive tobacco taxes. Many cigar producers, as we are, have become outspoken advocates against anti-tobacco zealotry. But few wear their freedom flag on their sleeve like Revolution Cigars.

Revolution Cigars is the maker of 262 Paradigm, a blend that honors the date (February 1962) that JFK hypocritically bought a shitload of his favorite Cuban cigars before signing a trade embargo against the communist isle. “Now you can smoke the legacy with 262 Cigars, post-revolution seed with pre-revolution flavor,” says Revolution’s website.

The website also comes complete with a “262 Manifesto” in defense of the freedom to smoke cigars. “Our voices must be heard,” it reads. “Our goals must be accomplished, not solely for the sake of our immediate cause, but for the many other liberties which are, even now, hanging in the balance.”

What better way to strike a blow against tyranny than to manufacture a cigar with the capability to captivate? That, it seems, is the goal of Revolution Cigars, and the reason for launching 262 Paradigm. This blend features a Brazilian wrapper, Honduran binder, and a filler blend of seco and ligero tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa paired with Cuban-seed cubito leaves from Colombia.

Three vitolas are available: Torpedo, Robusto, and a box-pressed Toro that measures six inches long. I sampled three of the latter for this review. Handmade in Honduras by Alec Bradley, each Toro included a white band across the foot, a dark and toothy wrapper, and potent, mouthwatering aromas of espresso and dark chocolate.

With such a delightful pre-light fragrance, I am thankful the foot lights easily and evenly with a single wooden match. Soft flavors of creamy nut and milk chocolate follow for the first several puffs. Then, after about an inch, these classic Brazilian tastes are augmented by a heartier backdrop of leather, black coffee, and spicy wood. Mighty delicious.

As the white ash continues to layer sturdily off the foot, I can’t help but draw comparisons to some of Padrón’s higher-end cigars. Sue me. Before you do, though, I challenge you to smoke a few Toros and tell me that you don’t notice striking similarities: a dark box press, a profile reminiscent of moist chocolate cake, subtle woody spices, and superb construction.

So all politics aside, I am very impressed with this savory newcomer. It tastes great to the nub, smokes like a champ, and is priced fairly at less than $9 apiece. I love cigars that look and smell great only to completely live up to or exceed pre-light expectations. The 262 Paradigm Toro from Revolution Cigars does that in spades, earning a well-deserved four and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Aging cigars is no guarantee that you’ll improve them. While years, or even decades, in the humidor can create magnificent smokes, it can also result in virtually tasteless tobacco long past its prime.

This particular Padilla Series ’68 Robusto had been in my humidor since fall 2007. I didn’t really know what to expect. I’d enjoyed a few of these more or less fresh and was hoping it would be at least as good. What I got was much better.

The prelight aroma was delicate with shades of tea and earth. From the start, the smoke was full and thick, the taste balanced, complex, and smooth.

I lit it outside on a beautiful spring afternoon, expecting to read and drink coffee while enjoying the cigar. Soon, though, I had abandoned my book and let the coffee go cold. I was lost in the pleasure of this rich cigar.

Of course, it’s often difficult to separate the cigar from the cigar experience. And the time and attention I devoted to smoking the five-inch Nicaraguan puro were amply repaid.

In this case, though, I couldn’t help but wonder whether what was clearly a good cigar—my colleague awarded it three and a half stogies when he reviewed it—became a great one because I was so attuned to it. With aged cigars, I believe there’s frequently a favorable mindset before the flame is struck.

These are the kind of questions I imagine Plato and Aristotle would have pondered if they had access to good cigars. I may be able to continue my philosophical explorations as well, since I think I have one or two of these left. I hope they are good as this one, which earns five out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. A list of other five stogie-rated cigars can be found here.]

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Back in 2008, General Cigar held an “election” between two cigars vying to become the newest addition to the Punch lineup. Upper Cut, revealed at the 2009 IPCPR Trade Show, crossed the finish line as the result of nationwide taste-testing, consumer feedback, and subsequent blend adjustments.

“Upper Cut by Punch boasts a taste reminiscent of the base brand punctuated by a profound flavor that highlights the cigar’s Nicaraguan components,” said Debo Mukherjee, vice of president of marketing for General Cigar, in a pre-IPCPR press release. “Considering that this blend was test-smoked and personally selected by tenured cigar smoking consumers nationwide, we are confident that it has all the makings of a ‘knockout’ at retail.”

This presumed “knockout” includes a rustic, oily Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Underneath are leaves from Ometepe, a volcanic island rising out of Lake Nicaragua with a tobacco production exclusive to General (the Macanudo 1968, La Escepción, and Hoyo de Tradición also feature Ometepe leaves). The outcome, according to General, “is a cigar that reveals an intriguing of range of flavors at the first draw and delivers a rich, balanced finish.”

Three sizes are available: Grand Corona (6 x 45), Toro (6.6 x 54), and Robusto (5.25 x 50). After removing the foot band from the sweet-smelling Robusto—General really seems to be boasting their Ometepe access—I’m struck by how different Upper Cut looks from the rest of the Punch lineup. From Deluxe and Gran Puro to Rare Corojo and Grand Cru, every other Punch blend comes dressed in a traditional and recognizable red and gold band. But General seems to be positioning Upper Cut as a distant cousin of Punch rather than a full-fledged family member.

I smoked three Robustos for this review. Once lit, each exhibited a wonderfully pleasant flavor of sweet wood, cherry, coffee creamer, and leather. Balanced and subtle with a warm, tingly spice on the finish. I would have loved the Upper Cut to maintain this profile to the nub.

But all good things must come to an end. As the trustworthy burn works toward the middle and the white, powdery ash holds beautifully off the foot, the taste begins to devolve. First the sweet wood begins to dissipate. Then a bold, meaty charcoal taste starts to overshadow the Upper Cut’s finer traits. The final third is a mere shadow of the Robusto’s promising beginning.

Only time will tell if age will improve this cigar’s second half. For now, taking into account its excellent construction and approachable price of $5-7 apiece, the Punch Upper Cut Robusto earns three stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The Avo Limited Edition 2010 was created to celebrate Avo Uvezian’s 84th birthday. Production is limited to 10,000 worldwide in boxes of 10.

The Super Robusto (5.5 x 55) features a gorgeous Ecuadorian sungrown wrapper. The binder is Mexican Sumatra and the filler consists entirely of ligero.

Pre-light the cigar smells of sweet tobacco, earth, grass, and raisins. It is slightly spongy but feels well-packed from head to foot. As you would expect from an Avo the cap is applied perfectly. The wrapper is oily and has some large veins. A pre-light draw reveals earth, wood, and a slight mint taste.

It takes a little bit of effort to get the cigar lit, probably due to the ligero filler. Initially there is quite a bit of spice combined with and earth and wood. The amount of spice is very surprising  for an Avo.

After about the first half of an inch, the spice begins to fade and the musty flavor that is typical of so many Avo cigars begins to emerge. The draw is excellent and the burn is straight. The smoke is creamy and has great mouth feel.

At about the halfway point the flavors start to change from earth and wood to coffee and chocolate. The burn grows a little ragged and requires and occasional touch-up. The spice that’s so prevalent early comes and goes throughout the smoke, but never reaches the same intensity as at the start.

The Avo Limited Edition 2010 is definitely not your typical Avocigar. It is definitely full strength, full bodied, and on the full side of medium in flavor. At around $15 per cigar the Limited Edition is  also not an everyday smoke but its complexity, construction, and flavors earn it four and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Before passing away at the age of 91 in April, Alejandro Robaina was an ambassador for Cuban cigars, a voice for independent farmers on an island wrought with government control, and one of the most respected leaf growers in the world. He was also a mentor for aspiring cigar makers like A.J. Fernandez.

Fernandez spent most of his life under Robaina’s tutelage in Cuba. Now head of the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, he crafts such blends as Man O’ War, Man O’ War Ruination, Rocky Patel’s Fusion, and the Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary.

Fernandez’s portfolio expanded in 2009 with the launch of Diesel. This new prominently advertised brand should be familiar to those on the mailing lists for Cigar.com and Cigars International—the exclusive Diesel retailers.

As the name suggests, Diesel is, according to marketing materials, “the cigar equivalent of a thick, juicy porterhouse.” Its Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper and three-year-old filler tobaccos from Nicaragua’s Jalapa, Condega, and Estelí regions are intended to impart bold, powerful flavors.

Only one size is available: a torpedo (5 x 56) that’s ominously called “Unholy Cocktail.” It is a densely packed rifle shell with a dark, rustic exterior and pre-light aromas of cocoa and coffee beans. One can’t help but feel slightly intimidated.

While spicy at the outset, though, the Diesel is tempered by a creamy cashew taste—a sensation that smoothes out the base flavors of black pepper, damp earth, leather, and espresso. Most of the cigar’s kick comes from its salty aftertaste. The overall effect is full-flavored yet only moderate in strength.

Not much changes as the straight burn slowly approaches the halfway mark and the white ash builds wonderfully off the foot. Despite expecting a flavor bomb to suddenly explode, the Unholy Cocktail is consistent to the nub.

Some liken a fine cigar to a harmonious symphony. To me, the Diesel is more like a ZZ Top song—unpolished, familiar, simplistic, repetitious, and somewhat heavy. But it’s also catchy. And the price rocks. Boxes of 30 sell for just under $100, rendering the Unholy Cocktail a smart buy if you’re looking for a cheap full-bodied torpedo. This new smoke earns three and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One could do a blind review of the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio but there wouldn’t be any point. With it’s large perfecto shape, peculiar light wrapper on the foot, and even more peculiar head, there’s nothing like it.

The Mysterio features an immaculate pigtail head and a natural habano wrapper tip. In between is a dark, ultra-oily oscuro wrapper leaf that’s so shiny I half expected to see my reflection in it. Underneath these dual wrappers are binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic.

The Mysterio by La Flor Dominicana is as much a piece of art as it is a cigar. But don’t dismiss this well-constructed seven inch by 54 ring gauge perfecto as a gimmick. Litto Gomez didn’t create these cigars just to show off his artistry. It still is meant to be smoked.

Once lit, the perfecto starts out with burst of pepper. It then settles into a full-bodied combination of oak, espresso, and roasted nuts. Despite it’s formidable flavor profile, the cigar has impressive balance, with a cedary, dry finish.

Given that only master cigar rollers can construct this remarkable cigar, it should come as no surprise that its physical properties are impressive, including a sturdy ash, even burn, and an easy draw that produces volumes of cool smoke.

Between it’s unique looks and $15 price tag, you won’t likely be making the LFD Mysterio a regular smoke. But when you’re looking for an excellent full-flavored cigar that can start a conversation even before it’s lit, it would be hard to make a better choice than the mysterious-looking Mysterio. That earns the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio Oscuro a commendable rating of four stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I think of tasty, consistent, well-constructed cigars that don’t break the bank, a few choice brands come to mind. Oliva is always near the top of the list.

The Oliva Cigar Co. has only been around for about 15 years but, in that relatively short time, it has built a well-deserved reputation for quality and affordability. The brand’s foundation consists of blends like the Habano-wrapped Serie V and the Cameroon-wrapped Serie G—two highly-rated cigars that can be found for under $5 apiece. The Serie V Maduro Especial, although more expensive, is another fine specimen from this decorated Nicaraguan manufacturer.

Last year, Oliva diversified its portfolio by launching Connecticut Reserve. This mild-mannered blend was introduced at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show in August. It comes in five sizes: Churchill (7 x 50), Lonsdale (6.5 x 44), Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50), and Torpedo (6.5 x 52).

I recently purchased a five-pack of Lonsdales for $22. With a golden Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a pre-light aroma of sweet hay, and a firm feel from head to foot, this slender vitola makes a great first impression.

The cigar’s cap clips neatly to reveal a clear draw with just a bit of resistance. Then, once lit, the initial taste is of spicy oak and creamy almond. The Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos combine to make the first third bolder than expected.

At the halfway mark of this 80-minute smoke, the medium-bodied flavor settles into the mild spectrum. But, even as smooth cream becomes the dominant texture, the finish remains peppery and sweet—an appealing interplay from light to nub.

Remarkable the Connecticut Reserve Lonsdale is not. I can’t see myself reaching for this cigar if I’m in the mood to celebrate. It simply doesn’t have the complexity of fine tobacco that has been aged to perfection. And its definable flavors can be found in many other Connecticut-wrapped smokes on the market (i.e., the Camacho Connecticut).

That said, the consistency and construction this new Oliva offers—including a solid gray ash and a set-it-and-forget-it burn line—can rarely be found for such an affordable price. I’m happy to keep a handful of these in stock as morning or mid-afternoon cigars to pair with coffee. That justifies a respectable rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys