The Stogie Guys

The late Nick Perdomo Sr. was, in the words of his son, the family’s “saving grace.” Formerly an employee in the Cuban cigar industry, he relocated to Nicaragua in 1995 to oversee his son’s once fledgling Miami enterprise blossom into a successful business. He did so occasionally donning a pair of holsters and loaded .45s.

To honor is “father, mentor, and hero,” Nick Perdomo Jr. introduced the Patriarch at the 2008 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. The cigar is, according to Perdomo’s website, “traditionally handmade in father’s favorite blends” and “comprised of exquisite tobaccos from the fertile Nicaraguan valleys of Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa.”

Patriarch is offered in three different wrappers—Connecticut, Corojo, and Maduro—and available in six traditional sizes. Included are the Churchill (7 x 48), Corona Extra (5.6 x 46), Epicure (6 x 50), Lonsdale (6.5 x 42), Robusto (5 x 50), and Torpedo (6.5 x 54). I sampled two Corona Extras in the Corojo format for this review. Each Nicaraguan puro sported an oily exterior leaf, a moderately firm feel, a tight cold draw, and pre-light aromas of honey and raisin.

The medium-bodied flavor, spicy and sandy on the palate, tastes of birch and peanut. There’s an underlying creaminess present that helps smooth out what would otherwise be a dry, meaty profile. Without it, the Patriarch would be ordinary at best and somewhat harsh at worst.

Instead, it’s balanced and satisfying with some nuance. And things get a bit more interesting at the midway point when dark chocolate and coffee notes enter the equation.

The taste, somewhat bitter in the final third, mellows as the cigar approaches its end. All the while the physical properties are admirable with an even burn and a solid ash that holds strong for up to an inch and a half. My only complaint is the persistent resistance on the draw.

Overall, the Corona Extra Corojo is a dignified yet simple treat. Fire one up with friends or family, recommends Nick Jr. Heck, given the story behind the smoke, it might make for a thoughtful Father’s Day gift. Whatever the occasion, I suspect it will neither dazzle nor disappoint, earning a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by Cigars Direct.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

“Symphony” is a fitting name for the newest creation from cigar traditionalist and pioneer Paul Garmirian. Its harmonious flavor calls to mind a complex, balanced composition that leaves the audience calling for an encore performance.

That’s high praise. Rest assured, however, that my admiration is well-deserved. I’ve come to expect big things from Garmirian’s boutique, and the 20th Connoisseur exceeds my expectations in every way.

This blend made its world premier in December at a highly anticipated PG event at Morton’s in Reston, Virginia. It was a rare occurrence. PG resists the temptation to come out with something new every year—a hallmark of the company’s dedication to traditionalism and disdain for slick marketing and over-extension.

Celebrating the brand’s 20th anniversary, Symphony was crafted by Henke Kelner of Davidoff fame and Eladio Diaz, his chief blender. It consists of four different filler tobaccos, a Havana-seed binder, and an exterior leaf that PG calls “greatest wrapper we have ever seen.”

PG, evidently, went to great lengths to top their 15th Anniversary blend, released in a Connoisseur size (6 x 52) five years ago and later expanded into a full ten-vitola line. Garmirian’s work makes a great first impression. The Symphony 20th Connoisseur, the only size currently available, is dark and silky with a mouth-watering pre-light aroma of hay and molasses.

From the first puff, the profile is full-bodied with a powerful yet smooth taste of wine, warm tobacco, cereals, and roasted nuts. The aftertaste has a lingering cedar spice and the sweet resting smoke reminds me of corn and pencil shavings.

This flavor, which persists throughout the two-hour smoke, commands undivided attention. I smoked two Connoisseurs for this review, both with nothing other than a beverage and my thoughts to keep my occupied. I never found myself even slightly bored. The subtleties and balance in taste are plenty entertainment for a serious cigar enthusiast.

As it should be with a cigar that costs $17 apiece. Thoroughly impressed with its performance in flavor and construction, the new Symphony 20th is a must-try while supplies last.  And that may not be for long. The Connoisseur is the only size that will ever be available and it will never again  be in production. Why? Because the filler tobacco includes a mystery leaf of unknown origin that had been aging in Kelner’s warehouse. It therefore cannot be replicated.

So, depending on demand, PG expects B&Ms to run out of the blend in one to two years (supplies at PG’s own boutique shop could last three to five years). But I wouldn’t wait that long to try this cigar, which is unquestionably worthy of our highest rating: five stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I confess. I did with this brand exactly what your mother and Bo Diddley warned you never to do: judge by appearances. OK, if a Cuban brand owner had his business nationalized after the revolution, can you really fault him for using the same name and artwork on his new production in another country? He’s got a legitimate claim, right?

With Siglo, though, we’re talking about a Cuban brand that wasn’t on the market until the 1990s. So it’s hard to see anything at work here other than crass commercialism and hope for buyer confusion. (Then again, Sigl0-maker Altadis owns a share of the Cuban cigar company Habanos, which introduced the Cohiba Siglo line in 1992—not to be confused with the Dominican Cohibas made by Altadis competitor General Cigar.)

I had been ignoring this cigar, a practice that was reinforced by a number of poor reviews I’ve seen online. But a recent positive review on Doc Stogie’s podcast convinced me to give it a try.

I was pleasantly surprised. First, I have to say I’ve smoked only a couple of Cuban Siglos. From my memory, the Altadis version, said to have been blended under the direction of Frank Llaneza, tastes nothing like them.

That, however, doesn’t mean it is an unworthy smoke. In fact, it offers a winter-time size for those chilly days when you want a cigar but don’t want frostbite: the No. I (4.25 x 44). The even-smaller No. XXI is available in tins.

There are eight other vitolas in addition to a maduro line. According to Altadis’ website, the regular line features an Ecuadorian Cubano wrapper around and a Nicaraguan binder and a mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler. Other sources have different information.

To be honest, though, what really makes this cigar stand out is the price. If you smoke several cigars a day or are looking for a cigar to enjoy when you’re doing something else, the Siglo is one to consider. It’s far better than a cheap yard-gar but only a bit more expensive. The No. I can be found for under $4, while the No. III, a 6.5-inch stick with a 44 ring gauge, runs around $5 or less.

While this is not a great cigar by any means, it isn’t one to totally ignore, either. I rate this stick three stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: JR Cigar

Fonseca, established in 1974 when the Quesada family opened a Dominican factory, has built a reputation for mild-tasting cigars anchored by its original Connecticut shade blend. These days their portfolio is a bit more diversified.

The move to attract stronger tastes began in 2003 when Manuel Quesada introduced the Serie F, a spicier blend with aged ligero filler. It is said that the Serie F is only slightly stronger than the original Fonseca—still a far cry from the Nicaraguans that have grown in popularity in recent years.

So Quesada upped the ante again when he created Habana Selección. This blend, the boldest of the Fonsecas, includes a Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binder and Cuban-seed seco and ligero filler tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic. It is finished with a Nicaraguan-grown habana criollo ’98 wrapper and a handsome triple cap.

The five inch by 48 ring gauge Cosacos is a fine-looking specimen, especially for a cigar that often sells for around $5. Once removed from its tissue wrapping, it reveals a smooth, somewhat oily exterior leaf and sweet pre-light aromas of honey and hay. Both of its red and gold bands peel away easily and without incident.

The initial flavor is of paper with a sharp, spicy aftertaste. While strength is immediately apparent, the singular profile leaves much to be desired. Thankfully, the taste mellows into a core of dry cedar and leather with a meaty texture.

Fonseca’s trademark construction is the finest feature of the Cosacos. The burn line is virtually perfect, the gray ash holds consistently for over an inch, and the smooth draw yields abundant tufts of cool smoke.

But construction simply isn’t enough to save this cigar from its uncomplicated, rather dull flavor. I find none of the cinnamon that other reviewers have appreciated. Even towards the end, when the taste intensifies to include a damp earthiness, the Cosacos has a hard time holding my attention.

Perhaps you’ll have better luck. Or perhaps you’ll find this cigar meets your needs as an accompaniment to some other activity like a round of golf or a backyard barbecue. In my book, though, the Fonseca Habana Selección Cosacos earns only two and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by Cigars Direct.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Whether or not you take Cigar Aficionado’s reviews seriously, there’s no denying that its pages are routinely splashed with praise for Cubans. A glance at the publication’s various “Top 25” lists, for example, reveals a cast of usual suspects from the forbidden island: Cohiba, Montecristo, Bolivar, and H. Upmann.

The magazine has been keeping such lists since 2004, amounting to six years and 150 cigars. Amazingly, not once is Hoyo de Monterrey mentioned, a renowned Cuban brand established by José Gener in 1865. Only the Hoyo Excalibur Epicure, an unrelated Honduran offshoot produced by General Cigar, was honored in 2007.

My, how times have changed. Seventeen years ago the Double Corona was Cigar Aficionado’s unofficial darling. By early 1993, this gigantic vitola had amassed 4 ratings of 94 or higher, including a whopping score of 99 for “some of Cuba’s finest tobacco and greatest workmanship.”

I don’t place a lot of stock in CA’s ratings, especially those from the pre-boom era. The industry has changed quite a bit since George H.W.’s single term in office. And now non-Cubans are rivaling, if not surpassing, many Cubans in quality.

But the Hoyo Double Corona (7.6 x 49) seems to have held its ground over the years. Some cigar enthusiasts consider it to be the best from a brand that includes the Epicure No. 2 and the Epicure Especial. They have no qualms about paying $16-23 for the opportunity to smoke one.

At first glance the Double Corona isn’t all that attractive. Aside from its intimidating length, it sports a lumpy wrapper with abundant discolorations and several large veins. The sharp band and the faint pre-light notes of hay, however, give a preview of the medium-bodied smoke that’s to come.

The first inch is characterized by a profile of honey, graham cracker, and a bit of leather. Complex and aromatic, it errors on the salty side but is otherwise balanced. The flavor at the midway point features floral notes, and the final third—my least favorite—has a slightly stale aftertaste.

Construction is better than what I’ve come to expect from Cubans. Throughout the two-hour smoke, the draw is clear, the gray ash is sturdy and reliable, and the burn requires only minimal attention. I found these characteristics consistent across the three Double Coronas I smoked for this review (all of which had been resting in my humidor for over a year).

In the end, this Hoyo is a tasty treat with just the right amount of spice, creaminess, and sweetness to merit an occasional purchase for a rare occasion. While I may not have liked it as much as the powers that be at Cigar Aficionado, the Double Corona is certainly worthy of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

To re-blend this stalwart line, Ashton turned to its favorite cigar master, Don Pepin Garcia. He did a lot of work. For starters, the wrapper is a Connecticut broadleaf as dark as many maduros. Then, on to the filler, where previously Honduran tobacco was mixed with Nicaraguan. The new blend is all Nicaraguan.

One thing that didn’t change significantly was the price. The Churchill (7 x 50) can be had for $6 or less. And, for my money, it’s the most flavorful of the line.

Unlike many Pepin cigars, this one does not begin with a blast of spice. That comes a little later, though less pronounced than in some of his other creations. What this medium-strength cigar delivers is a finely balanced array of flavors, ranging from cocoa and chocolate to pepper and sweetness.

It’s that development that makes the Churchill most appealing. The four shorter sizes also have larger ring gauges. I’ve tried them all but the Immensa—a five and a half inch stick with a mammoth 60 ring gauge. They just don’t flow quite as well and the Robusto, in particular, tends to get a bit bitter toward the end.

La Aroma de Cuba has a beautiful band, perhaps to make up for the rather lumpy, splotchy wrapper. Construction is fine, and I’ve encountered no burn or draw problems.

In fact, my only complaint is that the Churchill seems to be rolled a little light, leading to a somewhat fast burn that’s difficult to slow down even by letting it rest more than usual.

All in all, I like the new blend. I gave the old line three and a half stogies. This time, considering the reasonable price, I believe it rises to a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Ashton Cigars

One thing’s for certain about Rocky Patel: He makes a heck of a lot of cigars. Rocky’s flashy website doesn’t even bother to mention many of his blends, be they seasonal, limited editions, retailer exclusives, or what have you.

Still, for many cigar enthusiasts, any stick with Rocky’s name on the label is worth trying. Such trust is rooted not only in the blends that rocketed Rocky to success—like the Vintage ’90 and ’92 lines—but also in more recent winners, such as the popular and highly acclaimed Decade.

Among his lesser-known creations is the four-vitola Puro Cubano blend. The story here is that Rocky wanted to introduce a new full-bodied cigar before the SCHIP tax hike went into effect last April. To his dismay, however, the blend of Cuban-seed filler from Estelí, Nicaragua, and the Cibao Valley of the Dominican turned out milder than anticipated.

Rocky evidently thought the cigar was still worthy of his name. So today Puro Cubanos are readily available from online retailers at a relatively inexpensive price point.

The Robusto (5.5 x 50) sells for approximately $3.50-5 apiece when bought by of the box of 20. It isn’t the most attractive cigar on the planet. I examined two Robustos for this review, both of which included a Habano wrapper with large veins, small tears, and some discolored splotches.

The initial flavor, not unlike many cigars these days, starts with a hearty dose of black pepper spice. Powerful yet without harshness. This must have been what Rocky had in mind when he set out to make the Puro Cubano.

After a half inch, the profile mellows into a core of creamy oak. The taste is drier and more resinous than it is balanced or complex. It isn’t without charm, though, and I suspect many Rocky fans will be pleased with the Robusto’s medium-bodied bang for the buck.

That suspicion is reinforced by the Puro Cubano’s outstanding construction. Sure, this cigar may look like it’s going to have combustion deficiencies, but it smokes very well. Expect a sturdy white ash, an effortless draw, and a straight burn.

Seasoned cigar veterans still shouldn’t expect to be wowed. The flavor is too monotonous to merit 100% of your attention. So I’d save the Puro Cubano Robusto for occasions where the cigar will be a background complement instead of the main event. That’s why this Rocky Patel earns three stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by Cigars Direct.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys