The Stogie Guys

In April, Gran Habano—the Florida-based operation of the Rico family—announced a few changes and additions to its portfolio of cigars. Chief among them was the introduction of the George Rico S.T.K. Miami Zulu Zulu Mas Paz Edition, which is made in Miami, features design work by artist Mas Paz, and will benefit an orphanage in Bogotá, Colombia. StogieGuys.com will be reviewing this cigar shortly.

In addition to the Mas Paz announcement, Gran Habano also added a few sizes, discontinued a vitola in the G.A.R. Red line, and changed some packaging. The Corojo No. 5 Maduro 2011 is among the lines that received a facelift. It’s dubbed “the strongest blend in the Gran Habano portfolio” and is comprised of a Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper around a Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

There are five Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro 2011 formats, all of which are made at the G.R. Tabacaleras Unidas S.A. factory in Honduras. Each retails in the affordable $6 to $8.30 range: Robusto (5 x 52), Gran Robusto (6 x 54), Imperiales (6 x 60), Czar (6 x 66), and Triumph (7.5 x 58).

The Gran Robusto is a large, intimidating smoke with a dark, rustic wrapper that has a few thick veins and protruding seams. The feel is moderately spongy throughout, yet the foot shows a cross-section of tobaccos that are pretty tightly packed. The potent pre-light notes remind me of milk chocolate and nougat.

At the outset, strength and spice are minimal but smooth flavors of cocoa, peanut, and cream are pronounced. There are also background hints of natural tobacco and leather. The texture reminds me of moist chocolate cake. Towards the midway point, tastes of cherry and a little coffee join in as the strength builds. The finale has added intensity along with some bitterness.

The smoke production is above average right from the start, with each puff yielding voluminous tufts of thick, aromatic smoke. Other combustion qualities are likewise admirable, including a solid gray ash, smooth draw, and straight burn line that requires no touch-ups along the way.

The story of this cigar is flavor—and lots of it—with minimal spice. It’s the kind of smoke you can pair with a full-bodied red wine, or perhaps with a mid-afternoon cup of coffee. Either way, I think you’ll be pleased by the sweetness, fruitiness, creaminess, and the wonderful notes in the resting smoke. My only complaint is some bitterness in the last third.

All told, I’m awarding the Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro 2011 Gran Robusto three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

A few weeks ago, I found myself in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a few hours to kill before a flight home to Chicago. Fortunately, the new and improved Twins Smoke Shop is just a stone’s throw from the Manchester airport. It boasts a fantastic new lounge and an incredible selection of smokes. Plus, the Granite State has no tobacco tax.

As I was getting some work done, enjoying a Nica Rustica, and sipping a little rum, proprietor Kurt Kendall (who also owns the 7-20-4 brand) let me know Pete Johnson of Tatuaje would be coming by for an evening event. I made sure to say hello to Pete, but I couldn’t talk much; it was time to head to the airport. However, I did ask Pete if there were any event specials I could cash in on before leaving.

His answer? “Yeah, but Kurt has a box of La Vérité Churchills from 2008 that still have the 2008 price tag on them,” said Pete. “That cigar is smoking incredibly right now.” Partly based on Pete’s recommendation—and partly knowing that La Vérité Churchills from 2008 are very hard to come by (only 30,000 were made)—I bought a box of 10 for $200.

As you may recall, Pete Johnson holds La Vérité (French for “the truth”) in high regard. “La Vérité Vintage,” as he calls it, brings a vintner’s approach to cigar making, employing a wrapper, binder, and filler all grown on the same farm. “Much like a single vineyard wine, La Vérité showcases the soil where the tobacco was grown,” read his website years ago. “The seed varietal varies from year to year based on the crop planted and the tobacco yielded.”

In the case of the 2008 La Vérité, all of the tobacco is from Don José “Pepin” Garcia’s La Estrella farm in Estelí. The Churchill (7 x 47) has an understated band of white, maroon, and gold with a matte, nearly vein-free, milk chocolate-colored wrapper and a perfect cap. The pre-light notes remind me of graham cracker, cocoa, and sweet hay.

Once lit, a mild- to medium-bodied flavor emerges with cream, subtle cedar, peanut, and honey. The balance is wonderful and the texture is bready. The taste is bright and vibrant. The energy is mellow, but there’s energy nonetheless. And the harmonious balance and subtlety render the Churchill highly enjoyable.

The flavor ramps up gradually as the cigar progresses, as does the smoke production (which is a little lacking at first). Graham cracker notes are the highlight of the midway point, with the finale witnessing a slight increase in spice. Throughout, the white ash holds firm, the draw is smooth with just a little resistance, and the burn line remains even.

Due in no small part to the age it has accumulated, the Tatuaje La Vérité Churchill 2008 is an exceptional cigar. It’s worthy of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In 2013, Davidoff launched a new line that was a stark departure for a brand so inextricably linked to the Dominican Republic: Davidoff Nicaragua, as it was (and is) called, a Nicaraguan puro crafted by Hendrik “Henke” Kelner.

“[Davidoff Nicaragua] is a major step for Davidoff to expand to a new territory,” said CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard at the time. “Davidoff’s mission is to bring aficionados delightful experiences regardless of territory.” For some, these statements hinted to further Davidoff expansion beyond its Dominican base.

Sure enough, this year Davidoff will be expanding to Brazil with a new line called Escurio. Escurio is intended to deliver “intense, spicy, sweet palate stimulation, coupled with the signature Davidoff refinement and sophistication.” It boasts an Ecuadorian Habano-seed wrapper, a Brazilian Cubra binder, and a filler blend that includes Mata Fina and Cubra tobaccos from Brazil paired with Dominican leaves.

Three Escurio sizes will make their debut at next month’s industry trade show: Petit Robusto (3.25 x 50, $8.50), Robusto (4.5 x 54, $15.90), and Gran Toro (5.5 x 58, $17.90). Each vitola will be sold in packs of 4 and 12.

Like Davidoff Nicaragua, Escurio sports a black Davidoff band, as well as a secondary band to denote the blend. Underneath is an oily, slightly reddish exterior leaf with a wrinkled texture and a plethora of thin veins. The pre-light notes at the foot are heavy on cocoa and sweet hay.

At the outset, the Escurio Robusto is airy, almost papery, with a very loose draw and tons of smoke production. Background notes consist of black pepper spice and espresso. After about a quarter of an inch, though, the cigar becomes more flavorful with a taste reminiscent of sweet cream, oak, dark chocolate, coffee, and natural tobacco. The resting smoke is particularly interesting, sweet, and mouth-watering.

Until the nub, the Robusto is silky—a sensation that’s offset by intense spice and red pepper. Construction-wise, the ash holds firm and the burn, while it meanders, is not an issue.

While the sizes are unfortunate—I’d prefer to see some narrower ring gauges—and the price points are intimidating, the Davidoff Escurio has much to offer in the way of flavor. Notably, it adds significant diversification to the Davidoff portfolio. I find it worthy of an admirable 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

This is one enjoyable cigar. The kind you light up, sit back, and savor. The Danno Habano is one of three 2015 limited editions commemorating Nestor Miranda’s late son, Daniel, that are hitting store shelves.

Each of Miami Cigar & Co.’s Danno cigars has been special since they debuted in 2009. This is certainly among the best I have had. I’d rate the strength on the upper end of medium, with deep, rich flavors that shift several times along the 7-inch, 56-ring gauge frame.

The Habano wrapper was grown in Nicaragua and is nearly flawless, with a small pigtail cap at the head. The filler comes from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. All three of this year’s Danno editions use a Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 binder. MSRP is $12.

The other two Dannos feature variations on the filler blend and sport different wrappers, one an Ecuadorian Connecticut and the other a Broadleaf Maduro. They’re rolled at Pepin Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua.

With only 1,000 boxes of each of the three blends produced, these will likely be difficult to find. In fact, Nestor Miranda had a six-shop East Coast tour in June to introduce the cigars and that undoubtedly put a dent in the inventory.

I smoked two for this review, both provided by Miami Cigar. The Danno Habano kicks off with pepper and cedar, joined by a sweetness that lingers into the second third. There, a toasty flavor comes on, with the pepper and cedar receding. In the final third, I picked up graham cracker as the pepper came back, smoothed out by tobacco sweetness.

The flavors are balanced, and the finish is silky. There’s no doubt concentration will pay off in what you experience with this complex cigar.

Construction generally was good, though the second one I smoked developed a small tunnel about halfway down that took a few minutes to run through and necessitated several relights. The white ash was incredibly tight, holding on both for nearly half the smoke before I tapped off.

I give the Danno Habano a high rating of four and a half stogies.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As I was perusing the selection at a tobacconist recently, a five-pack of Bait Fish caught my eye. After all, you don’t see too many cigars packaged in brown paper bundles.

I picked up a pack for several reasons. One, I know when I’m buying a Drew Estate product I’m going to have a good experience. Two, I don’t have enough smaller cigars in my regular rotation. Three, in most cases, I much prefer the concept of a five-pack to a full box of 20 or 25 smokes. And finally, the price point ($31.95, or $6.39 per Bait Fish) provides affordable access to high quality.

When My Uzi Weighs a Ton (MUWAT) was announced a few years back—presumably named for the Public Enemy song—MUWAT only came in three sizes, all with a 60 ring gauge (5, 6, and 7 inches long, respectively). Since, the team at Subculture Studios has released the smaller Bait Fish size (4 x 44). At first, Bait Fish was exclusive to online retailer New Havana Cigars, but in 2012 the line went national.

A quick refresher: MUWAT is made at the Joya de Nicaragua factory with leaf mostly from Drew Estate, including a San Andrés Negro wrapper, Connecticut Capote binder, and Brazillian Mata Fina filler, along with Nicaraguan filler from Joya de Nicaragua’s own tobacco stocks. It’s rolled at Joya de Nicaragua but was blended by Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate. This is probably why the Drew Estate name isn’t featured on the soft pack or the band; instead, you’ll find “Subculture Studios” and “by Subculture Studios and JDN.”

According to reports, the Bait Fish size in particular was tweaked to add more Ligero to create a stronger smoke. It certainly has the look of a little firecracker. The wrapper is oily and dark with a slight Colorado hue. The feel is moderately firm from cap to foot, and the pre-light notes feature cocoa, coffee, and earth.

After using a punch cut—the guillotine would likely remove too much tobacco from such a small smoke—and setting an even light, the Bait Fish opens with a medium- to full-bodied profile of chocolate, dry oak, natural tobacco, and faint white pepper spice. The taste remains mostly the same, but the intensity ramps up after only a half inch.

From there, this is definitely a full-bodied smoke, and a great way to get big flavor in a short amount of time. Construction is fantastic throughout, including an effortless draw, straight burn line, and massive smoke production.

When my colleague reviewed the Bait Fish three years ago, he called it “focused, intense, flavorful, and well-made.” I completely agree. I’d also add “good value” to the mix, even though some might say $6.39 is a lot to pay for a small smoke (I personally think that’s a fair price for this cigar). In my book, this little gem is worthy of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This cigar attracts attention. The white and copper colors in its two bands—one of them extra large—stand out against the dark wrapper.

After lighting up, the first impression might be a little off. The Legacy begins a bit unpolished, presenting a little back-of-the-throat sharpness. Fortunately, that doesn’t last long, quickly replaced by much more pleasant flavors of pepper and coffee.

One of two recent offerings from Tabaclera El Artista, the Legacy is available in two vitolas. The Gran Robusto I smoked is a 5.25-inch stick with a ring gauge of 54. The other size is a 6.5-inch Gran Toro with a ring gauge of 56. Prices are extremely reasonable, with MSRPs just $4.50 and $5.50, respectively, according to the company.

The Dominican company started in the 1950s and uses its own tobacco. The filler in the Legacy is Dominican Criollo ’98 and 1900, an El Arista exclusive. The wrapper is also the 1900, while the binder is described as “Dominican wine-fermented Criollo ’98.”

Three samples were supplied by El Artista, and they’ve been sitting in my humidor for a few months. I was most impressed with the higher-priced sibling, giving the Exactus Puro Ambar a stellar rating in a review earlier this year.

The Legacy, while enjoyable, wasn’t up to that level. As you’d expect, the Legacy was not a complex cigar. Medium in strength, the dominant flavors remained fairly consistent throughout.

Performance was something of a problem. One of the three I smoked developed a tunnel and didn’t smoke right for about a third of the length, while another required numerous relights.

I’d recommend giving the Legacy a try. El Arista appears to be adding additional retailers so you should check its website to see if there’s one near you. I rate this cigar a respectable three stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In the summer of 2011, Miami Cigar & Co. debuted Casa Miranda, a “small-batch, ultra-premium” line comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper around Nicaraguan tobaccos. Shortly after the cigar was unveiled, the man responsible for blending the highly anticipated release, Willy Herrera, left El Titan de Bronze—the Miami factory where the cigar was made—for Drew Estate before Casa Miranda even came to market.

Notwithstanding Herrera’s departure (and subsequent success with the Herrera Estelí line), Miami Cigar introduced Chapter Two in 2013. Unlike Chapter One, Chapter Two is made at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. It boasts a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper around tobaccos from Brazil, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.

Four sizes are available: Robusto (4.5 x 50), Corona Gorda (6 x 46), Toro (5.5 x 54), and Gran Toro (6 x 60). The Robusto retails for $6-7 and, like the other Chapter Two sizes, has a dark, beautiful wrapper that’s almost chalky in texture with a fair amount of oils. The feel is pretty firm throughout, which is interesting since the foot shows a less-than-tight packing of tobaccos. The pre-light notes are reminiscent of cocoa and earth. Overall, the Robusto looks and feels like a well-built smoke. And, for what it’s worth, I particularly like the band, which is understated and detailed.

The flavor gets off to a fast start with a medium- to full-bodied taste of espresso, dark chocolate, peanut, and dry wood right at the outset. There are also some sweet background notes of dark cherry and nougat. The texture is light and billowy, and the smoke production is excellent.

While the balanced flavors don’t change much—save for the introduction of leather in the final third—the intensity of the profile definitely evolves as the Robusto progresses. After the medium-plus start, the body is decidedly full-bodied by the midway point. And by the time you reach the nub, this little smoke has tons of Nicaraguan strength and spice.

With excellent construction observed across several samples, an approachable price point, and big, bold flavor condensed in a smaller format, there’s a lot to like about the Casa Miranda Chapter Two Robusto. It’s worthy of a very admirable rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys