The Stogie Guys

No non-Cuban cigar is surrounded by more mystique and hype than the Opus X by Arturo Fuente. Indeed, it’s legend stands with some of the biggest names from the forbidden island nation and, even though Fuente imports three-quarters of a million Opus X’s into the U.S. every year, the Opus is nearly as difficult to find as illegal Cubans.

The Opus X legend starts with its unique Cuban-seed rosado wrapper. When first planted on the Fuente estate in 1992, it was an daring experiment to see if premium wrapper could be grown in the Dominican Republic.

The Opus X line uses 100% Dominican tobacco (wrapper, binder, and filler), is cured in rum barrels prior to being rolled, then aged for at least a year before being boxed and shipped. Today, largely due to the success of the Opus X, there are a number of other Dominican puros on the market.

The Perfecxion No. 2 measures 6 and 3/8 inches with a ring gauge of 52.  The rosado wrapper is reddish brown with a slight sheen. The torpedo-shaped stick is extremely solid and firm.

Pre-light, it leaves a leathery flavor in your mouth with a bit of raisin. Despite its rock-solid construction, the draw is deliberate but not too difficult.

Upon lighting, it starts out medium-bodied then quickly evolves. Only one inch in, it turns into a full-bodied flavor bomb. Leather, sweet cedar, and pepper dominate while underlying raisin, cocoa, and earth round out the taste.

It all makes for a balanced, intense smoke, while the torpedo shape focuses the flavors on the palate just right. A sturdy ash and a relatively even burn round out the above average physical properties.

That brings me to one of the biggest questions about the Opus X: price. The suggested retail price for the Opus X Perfecxion No.2  is just $14, but you’re more likely to pay twice that much due to sky-high demand. (Occasionally you’ll find a place that sells the Opus X for around $14, but don’t expect them to last long on the shelf.)

Ultimately, no matter what price you pay, you get a fantastic smoke that lives up to the hype. That’s why it’s easy to give the Opus X Perfecxion No.2 our highest rating of five of 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 S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

A few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find a healthy supply of Casa Magnas for sale at my local tobacconist. It goes without saying that this relatively new brand has been rather elusive since it was launched at the IPCPR Trade Show in the summer of 2008 by Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plascencia.

Casa Magna seemingly went from obscurity to overnight sensation after Cigar Aficionado gave the Colorado Robusto a rating of 93 and named it best of the year. That underscores, for better or worse, the tremendous influence the magazine wields in the world of stogies.

While I’ve learned to take CA’s reviews with a grain of salt, I had every reason to believe this Nicaraguan puro would live up to its reputation. Nearly everything I’d heard or read—including a March Quick Smoke by one of my colleagues—was overwhelmingly positive.

My expectations only increased after I examined my two Toritos (4.75 x 60), each of which cost me $6.50 apiece. The red Colorado wrappers almost seem to glisten with dotted specks of oil and tooth, and the whole stubby frame is astonishingly firm.

That density gives way to an easy draw with spice on the lips. Then, even though the pre-light aromas of honey and earth suggest a medium-bodied profile, the first inch has a bold and hearty taste of fresh mulch and black cherry. Notes of apricot and nut add complexity.

Not much changes into the second or final thirds but, as you can see, there’s plenty going on here to hold the attention of discriminating cigar enthusiasts. The interplay between sweet and salty flavors is especially satisfying, as are the fragrances of the resting smoke.

Rolled in Nestor Plascencia’s Segovia factory in Estelí, the combustion qualities are characteristic of a much pricier cigar. The slow burn requires few touch-ups, the draw remains clear throughout, and the gray ash holds strong for two inches or more. As with any stick above a 54 ring gauge, though, the Torito’s girth is awkward and slightly uncomfortable.

But it’s clear to me that the Casa Magna Colorado is worthy of its lofty repute. Even if you don’t consider the blend to be the best creation of 2008, it deserves a spot somewhere at the top of the class. I look forward to trying the other vitolas and I give the Torito four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

“Operation Ortsac” (Castro spelled backwards) was how the Kennedy Administration referred to the plan for a potential military strike against Cuba in 1962. While such action never came to fruition, Ortsac will forever be associated with the frightening days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Washington’s strained relationship with Havana.

That tension helps explain why it has been illegal for Americans to buy Cuban cigars (or any other good or service for that matter) for almost 50 years. Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that a company has adopted the name “Ortsac 1962” for its flagship line, marketing it with camouflage print and military gear. Or maybe it’s just silly. You decide. Either way, I’m more concerned with how this relatively new blend smokes than how it’s marketed.

Launched this spring by The Cigar Agency the Ortsac 1962 blend includes a five-year-old Nicaraguan corojo wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of long-filler tobaccos from those two nations. It is available in three standard vitolas and packaged in “authentic 50-caliber ammo cans” of 72 sticks. No kidding. They’re also available in a more standard 20 count box.

The Toro (6.5 x 54) is an attractive, oily parejo with a well-applied cap. My samples included several prominent veins, subtle seams, and pre-light notes of milk chocolate and sweet caramel. This cigar has the look and feel of quality—especially after the foot band is removed.

With flavors of earth, leather, and cedar, the Ortsac 1962 Toro gets off to a solid start. A tad spicy but mostly on the lighter side of the cigar spectrum. And the physical properties are likewise promising, as a thick, black mascara leads the charge for an even burn and a powdery, white ash.

Then, about two inches into the 90-minute smoke, the burn line starts to require touch-ups and the taste takes a bit of a salty turn. But even though some creamy or sweet notes would help with balance, the profile is still satisfying and enjoyable with plenty of character.

While this $5-6 stick won’t utterly captivate seasoned cigar veterans, it won’t disappoint either. Its admirable construction and consistent medium-bodied profile makes it well-suited for the golf course, a road trip, or an evening  summer barbeque. For that, the Ortsac 1962 Toro 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

I admire a guy like Sam Leccia. It takes a lot of guts to go from being an employee with a steady paycheck to a true cigar entrepreneur. But that’s exactly what this Pittsburgh native did when he left his position as a sales representative at the Oliva Cigar Company to found his own lineup of smokes.

The concept for Nub was born of Leccia’s appreciation for the “dedication, passion, and manpower it takes to create a cigar.” It was during his time at Oliva, circa 2006, that he hatched the idea for “a high quality cigar that developed its optimum flavor extremely quickly.” He ultimately concluded that a short, stubby format provided for a cooler, tastier smoking experience.

After getting Oliva on board (Leccia reportedly rolled the prototype himself), Nub launched in the spring of 2008 with three blends: Connecticut, Cameroon, and Habano. Each includes Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.

The Habano blend is supposed to be the most robust and most complex of the lot. I paid $6.50 apiece for the two Nub Habano 464 Torpedos (4 x 64) that I sampled for this review, but you can find them for around $5.50 apiece online when bought by the box of 24.

This cigar’s stubby, pointed posture and firm feel makes it look like it could be discharged from a firearm. Despite its aggressive appearance, though, the reddish-brown 464 Torpedo is a very refined stick. Its well-crafted cap cuts cleanly to reveal a tight cross-section of tobacco and an even draw. Spice tingles the lips and the pre-light aroma of rich coffee, bitter chocolate, and leather sets the tone for the full-flavored experience that is to follow.

Even though the area of the foot is far bigger than cigars with more standard ring gauges, it’s surprisingly easy to establish an even burn line and get the gray, sandy ash to start layering. Take a few moments to enjoy the toasted scent of pepper and firewood before tasting the first puff.

Whether or not you believe in Leccia’s “sweet spot” theory, you can’t deny that Nub Habano packs a powerful punch from the get-go. The flavor has plenty of that deep tobacco taste with traces of pepper, oak, and espresso. Faint notes of sweet caramel add balance.

While I couldn’t force myself to stand the Nub Habano up on its ash—a pose that is prominently featured in Nub marketing materials—the excellent construction leads me to believe that I could have done so without incident. My samples included decent burns, well-fortified ashes, and excellent draws. It’s also worth noting that I especially enjoy this particular vitola because, given the cone-shaped head, it still feels like I’m smoking a cigar with a mere 48 ring gauge.

When it’s all said and done, and after the spice gently accelerates until there’s nothing left to smoke, I have to give Sam Leccia and Oliva a lot of credit for creating a unique, well-built cigar. I’m especially grateful that the Nub Habano 464 Torpedo maintains balance and nuance throughout the 45-minute smoke. For avoiding the pitfall of many full-bodied cigars—all strength and no complexity—this hearty gem earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Dion Giolito produces two of my favorite lines: Illusione and Cruzado. The latter, launched in 2008, is a criollo ’98 blend with one component of corojo 2006. This contrats Illusione, which is a corojo blend with one component of criollo.

All six of the Cruzado vitolas are relatively narrow with ring gauges ranging from 44 and 48. This approach is unique in a marketplace where wide girths seem to be the norm.

The Cruzado Marios (7 x 47) includes a criollo rosado claro wrapper. Right out of the box, this Nicaraguan puro smells earthy and leathery.

It sports a flawless triple pigtail cap. And, on both of the samples I smoked for this review, I noticed some moderately sized veins, which impart a rustic appearance that matches the band and box.

The cap clips easily and the pre-light draw is perfect. The first few puffs offer up some nice mild spice—earth and leather with a hint of chocolate on the finish. Definitely more toned down that Illusione, probably a result of the higher criollo-to-corojo ratio and the decision to use viso tobacco instead of ligero in the filler.

About one inch in, this Churchill-shaped cigar starts to mellow. The predominant taste is leather as the spice fades.

The ash is gray and flakey, holding firmly until the inch-and-a-half mark when I dumped it into the ashtray instead of tapping the foot. The profile changes again about a third of the way through with a sharp spice, less leather, and more earth. Then, down the home stretch, the spice fades and leather becomes dominant again.

While the burn becomes ragged at the halfway mark and requires a touch-up, this flaw may have more to do with the windy conditions than the cigar’s construction. One fault that I cannot excuse, however, is the fact that the band is adhered too tightly to the wrapper, rendering its removal impossible without causing a small tear. Fortunately this doesn’t impact the smoking experience.

At around $9 apiece, the Cruzado Marios is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours and competes very nicely with other cigars this price range. For that, it earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I checked out the Series Gran Cru No. 2 back in April, I said I was ready to add Tesa to my short list of favorite boutiques. Today’s review reaffirms that decision in a big way.

Located in a shop on the Near North Side of the Windy City, Tesa cigars are “meticulously blended by Chicago area resident Chris Kelly and crafted in the Tesa Cigar factory in Estelí.” Their flagship house blend, Vintage Especial, features a Connecticut shade wrapper with Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. Only 80,000 sticks of each vitola are made annually.

The Rothchild vitola (no, that’s not a typo; Tesa omits the “s”) is a classically sized robusto with five inch by 50 ring gauge dimensions. Like the eight other blends in the Tabacalera Tesa lineup, it comes dressed in nothing but its birthday suit—a move that some enthusiasts find annoying but one that I’ve always admired.

Why? Because naked cigars suggest two things about their manufacturers: (1) they likely care more about tobacco than marketing and (2) they have confidence in the reputation and appearance of their creations to move their products.

With a gorgeous, seamless, and nearly vein-free wrapper, I think Tesa made a smart move by not dressing up the Vintage Especial. The four samples in my humidor were attractive enough on their own merits to grab my attention and prompt this review.

The first few puffs are salty with little else going on. But as soon as the thick, shiny mascara starts to wind its way down the cigar, I am immediately reminded of two fantastic stogies: the Davidoff Grand Cru and the PG Gourmet. The thick, superbly balanced smoke yields a delicious flavor of oak, cream, buttery nuts, and sweet hay. Mild and harmonious.

With phenomenal physical properties that include a straight-edge burn, a sturdy ash, and the slightest resistance in draw, the Tesa Vintage Especial Rothchild is an absolute treasure. It encompasses everything I love about great Connecticut shade smokes—balance and intricate subtleties that reward attentive smokers.

As with the Series Gran Cru, however, this cigar’s singular drawback is its limited availability and relatively high cost. As far as I can tell, the only way to get your hands on one of these is to either visit the shop in person or purchase it from Tesa’s online store for $13.95 per single.

I hope you don’t let those barriers discourage you from seeking one out, particularly if you’re the kind of smoker who can appreciate milder creations. I certainly am. And for all the reasons listed above, I’m pleased to award the Tesa Vintage Especial Rothchild our highest rating of 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

As far as I’m concerned, the centerpieces of La Flor Dominicana’s extended lineup have to be the Coronado and the Double Ligero (the latter of which is especially tasty in the Chisel format). The company, operating out of the Dominican Republic and holding an office in Miami, has several other fine blends—including the Premium Line, LG Diez, and Reserva Especial—but those are the two that immediately come to mind when I think of La Flor.

Maybe that’s why I had been subconsciously avoiding the regular old Ligero blend before I embarked upon this review. Or maybe I was simply confused by the fact that this line includes two different varieties (three if you count the Double Ligero under the Ligero umbrella, as some do): an Ecuadorian Sumatra-wrapped “Ligero” and an Oscuro sun-grown “Cabinet.” According to one online retailer, both include an “extensively aged blend of Dominican ligero tobaccos to create a peppery, full-flavored smoke.”

I sampled two Ligero L-500 Cabinets for this review, a vitola that sells for around $5-7 apiece and measures five and ¾ inches by 60 ring gauge. Smaller sizes, specifically the L-250 and L-300, have scored ratings of 90 in Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider in recent years.

On the color scale, the L-500’s clean wrapper ranks between a natural and a maduro leaf. And that’s about how it smells pre-light, too—deeper and richer than a natural but not as sweet or chocolaty as a maduro.

Given the wrapper type and the use of ligero tobacco—leaves known for their strength and peppery taste—it comes as no surprise that this cigar hits the ground running. After establishing a thorough light, which takes some work, and after the gray ash starts to build solidly and evenly off the wide foot, the initial flavor includes lots of black pepper, earth, and spice.

The finish at this point is better-rounded than you’d expect. Still, the taste is as advertised: medium- to full-bodied and fairly powerful.

Either the profile mellows after the first few inches or my taste buds simply grow accustomed to the flavor. Regardless, I notice a significant decrease in spice. But don’t let that fool you; this stick still packs plenty of that ligero punch that many seasoned cigar veterans crave.

And that leads to my main complaint: the LFD Ligero L-500 Cabinet is too one-dimensional to earn a spot in my regular rotation. Although I’m guessing many of you may disagree, I just can’t find anything that exciting here. Maybe more balance—some sweetness or subtlety perhaps—would win me over.

For now, I’ll hang onto this for occasions that call for a cigar with plenty of flavor that doesn’t necessarily merit my full attention. An evening barbeque, perhaps. I’ll save the Coronados and Double Ligero Chisels as after-dinner companions. Slightly disappointed by what you get for the price, I give the La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-500 Cabinet three stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys