The Stogie Guys

Just before the annual IPCPR Trade Show last August, Illusione released the “hl” (or “Holy Lance”) in both candela and maduro wrappers. Now, additional Illusione vitolas have started to spring up with candela wrappers.

When asked why he decided to make a candela-wrapped cigar, Illusione creator Dion Giolito said that he loves candelas, enjoys smoking them, and, naturally, wanted to make one of his own. Currently, the hl, 888, and 88 are the only candela-wrapped Illusione vitolas available.

The 88 Candela measures five inches long with a ring gauge of 52—the same dimensions as the original 88. Beyond the green wrapper, the cigar remains the same with an unchanged blend of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The wrapper is dull and lacking in oils. Pre-light, the cigar gives off a strong grassy smell, which is to be expected from a candela, as well as a hint of pepper and some earthy notes. The draw is a tad loose.

Upon lighting, the 88 Candela gives of a good volume of smoke that seems slightly less dense than the regular 88. Surprisingly, the initial flavors feature only a slight hint of grass with a core of black pepper, leather, and earth.

One of the biggest changes from the original 88 to the candela-wrapped variant is that a slight sweetness replaces the chocolate and coffee notes that are predominant in the original. The best way to describe this sweetness, which is present on the palate but much more noticeable through the nose, is that it tastes like what fresh cut grass smells like.

While the flavors remain mostly constant throughout, some tea flavors join in for the second half of the smoke. One of the other big differences between the regular 88 and the candela is that the candela has a dry, almost tannic finish, whereas the regular 88 has a creamier, denser finish.

Construction-wise, most of my samples required a number of touch-ups to keep the wrapper burning evenly.

All in all, the 88 Candela is a different yet enjoyable cigar. It doesn’t possess any of the harsh bitterness that’s typical of so many candelas. It’s also a great example of how a wrapper can really change a cigar. At almost $9, I don’t think I’d buy a box, but this Dion Giolito creation is a nice change of pace, worthy of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys

It’s so predictable it’s almost inevitable: After a few years of sustained success, cigar makers begin introducing limited edition cigars, usually annual releases. Dion Giolito’s Illusione brand is no exception.

But I’m not complaining. As I’ve written before, limited edition smokes can be the great because cigar makers need not worry about a long-term tobacco supply. Instead, small batches of top quality tobacco can be turned into a limited run.

Singulare will be an annual release from Illusione and the toro-sized (6 x 50) 2010 “Phantom” was the first such annual edition.  At the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show last August, Dion Giolito told us his plan was a different blend and size every year.

The Nicaraguan puro comes in boxes of 15 and sells for around $12 a stick. Being a limited run cigar, only 1,000 boxes were made. Before writing up this review, I smoked my way through most of a box that I was able to pick up for $150.

The Phantom features a velvety brown wrapper with a nice bit of sheen. Pre-light, the it imparts a tannic flavor on the lips.

Despite being a Nicaraguan puro, there’s much of that Nicaraguan zing. Instead, I got plenty of honey and graham cracker. A complex flavor profile, there’s also a touch of cedary spice, an earthy sweetness, and a certain chewiness that’s hard to pinpoint.

As the cigar evolves it becomes more medium- to full-bodied, yet the finish becomes shorter. Dion told us the Phantom was “the mildest cigar that he makes,” but I didn’t find that to be the case.

While the Singulare 2010 has many similarities to the Epernay (a medium-bodied smoke that I would classify as Illusione’s “mildest” smoke), I found a tanic edge to the Phantom that the Epernay lacked. More Burgundy subtlety than Bordeaux boldness, the excellence in this limited smoke comes out only when you focus on the complexities.

Those complexities have made the Phantom a staple in my humidor, at least until the 1,000-box run is exhausted. And it doesn’t hurt that at $12 each, it’s reasonably priced compared to many other limited smokes. That combination earns the Illusione Singulare 2010 Phantom LE a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

It’s hard to imagine a part of the country where the Fuentes are held in higher regard than they are around Tampa. You’ll find a wide array of their cigars in just about every shop on both sides of the bay.

Cigar enthusiasts speak of meeting the father or son at their Tampa Sweethearts shop in Ybor City with a tone you might expect from a golfer who went to play at a Jack Nicklaus course and found himself in a foursome with the Golden Bear. From the little contact I’ve been lucky to have with the Fuente family and employees, they well deserve the adulation.

Of course, they make some great cigars. Here at StogieGuys.com, it’s obvious that we’re quite taken with them. By my count, we have done full reviews on 18 Fuente cigars to date, from Curly Heads to Opus, as well as quite a few Quick Smokes and other mentions. I’ve personally written more than once about how much I enjoy the Double Chateau Sun Grown.

Recently, I have been smoking its sibling, the natural Double Chateau with the distinctive green band at the foot. Like all of the sticks in this line, they are encased in a thin cedar sleeve, which can do double duty as a spill in lighting your cigar. At 6.75 inches long with a ring gauge of 50, natural Double Chateaus are generally available for around $6-7 apiece.

What you get for your money is an hour or more of pure pleasure. From the first view of the lovely blonde Connecticut wrapper to the final deposit in the ashtray, the Double Fuente is a medium-strength marvel. It also has the common characteristics of Fuente’s premium cigars: smooth, creamy smoke; blending that leaves no trace of harshness; attention to detail in presentation and construction; and an excellent burn. It’s the sort of smoke you can linger over, picking out flavors as you go along, or simply sit back and enjoy.

It is, I suppose, a testament to how our tastes change. While I’ve smoked these off and on for years, it’s only lately that I feel I have come to really appreciate how good they are.

Not all of us are able to afford some of Fuente’s high-dollar specials and rarities. But that doesn’t meanwe’re precluded from enjoying great Fuente cigars. Just light up any stick in this line. I rate the natural Double Chateau four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When the man who made La Gloria Cubana a household name started his new family-run company in 2009, few “cigar people” I spoke with at the time doubted that he would be successful in his new venture. That Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, the passionate tobacco man and “mad genius” (as one industry insider described him to me), has another hit cigar is no surprise to anyone.

But few would have predicted Carrillo would produce not one or even two, but a handful of well-regarded cigars., in just two short years. Yet when you look at his many cigars (Edición Inaugural 2009, 2010 Short Run, Core Line, Edición Inaugural 2010, and Elencos) the Carrillos seem to have had the magic touch since day one.

With such an impressive line of hits, the occasional miss is to be expected. And so I tried a few samples of the new E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut, which is hitting shelves this month. E.P. Carrillo’s first Connecticut cigar features an Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The pale wrapper is veiny but the cigar is firm in the hand.

I sampled the Divinos size (6 x 52), which sells for $6.25. New Wave Connecticut also comes in a Robusto (5 x 50, $5.25), Corona (5.1 x 42,  $4.50), and a Double Corona (7 x 49, $7.00).

The Divinos starts off with with a delicious velvety richness. It’s a creamy smoke with lots of roasted cashew and buttery flavors. Quickly dispensing the “Connecticut wrapper equals mild” myth, the medium-bodied smoke has a lot going on with cedar, earth, and graham cracker notes underlying the dominant nut and cream flavors. It has a density of flavor not often found in Connecticut-wrapped cigars.

The cigar is well-constructed with an even burn, easy draw, and a sturdy salt and pepper ash. The Divinos doesn’t change much from start to finish, but there’s enough depth and complexity in the blend to keep you more than interested.

And that’s what will make the New Wave Connecticut yet another hit for the Carrillos, instead of the dud that they seem to be due for. It’s a Connecticut-wrapped cigar that even those who don’t usually enjoy Connecticut-wrapped cigars will enjoy. That’s why the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos earns a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

La Floridita is a Famous Smoke Shop exclusive that, according to a company representative, “has been performing very well for us. The name is well recognized by our customers as an outstanding value for their money.”

Given the success of the established La Floridita lines, including the Fuerte (Habano viso wrapper) and the Limited Edition (mata fina wrapper), it was a “logical line extension” to release a version with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Hence La Floridita Gold, which was introduced in March.

This blend comes complete with a Honduran binder and long-filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras. Like its brethren, it’s made by Nestor Plasencia and priced to move.

The Robusto (5 x 50), one of three traditional sizes, sells for $80 for a box of 20, $16 for a 5-pack, or $5.25 for a single.

This cigar doesn’t come at a super-premium price, and it certainly doesn’t make a super-premium first impression. But it also doesn’t look half bad, either. The exterior leaf has moderate oils and minimal veins, the feel is firm from head to foot, and the pre-light aroma is of honey and almond.

Once lit, the initial flavor is somewhat grassy with a base of cream, cashew, hay, and vanilla. The overall effect is mild with a taste akin to coffee with hazelnut creamer. While not complex, the profile is nice for the price.

If I were one to complain, I’d say the Gold Robusto tastes a bit green at this point. I’d be interested to see how it develops after a few months, or even after a year. Even so, today it tastes pretty good for such an inexpensive smoke.

That value is further illustrated by the combustion qualities, which are exceptional. The burn line is straight as they come, the white ash holds sturdily off the foot, and the draw is just about perfect. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Plasencia.

In full disclosure, Famous Smoke Shop did furnish the five Robustos I smoked for this review. But I always judge a cigar on its merits—presentation, aroma, flavor, complexity, construction, etc. In this case, the merits of the La Floridita Gold earn it a 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

The Miami-based Berger & Argenti company was established in 2009 as a partnership between brothers Michael and Albert Argenti and Enrique Berger. The outfit’s first lines included Exile Wired, Clasico, and Entubar.

The latter, Berger & Argenti’s flagship blend, made quite an impression on me when I reviewed it after returning from the 2009 IPCPR Trade Show. It had balance, complexity, and interesting flavors. It also had outstanding construction, due in no small part to the “entubar” process, which involves creating delicate “scrolls” of filler tobacco to ensure “chambers” of air flow.

The newer Entubar Quad Maduro—so named for its “cuadrado” press and maduro wrapper—was introduced at the 2010 IPCPR Trade Show. This line makes use of the same painstaking “entubar” procedure but employs a new, bolder blend of tobaccos. Included are Nicaraguan (viso and ligero) and Dominican (seco) filler leaves, a Nicaraguan binder, and a Jalapa-grown maduro wrapper that has been “aged eight years in seasoned oak barrels,” according to a press release.

Like the original Entubar, the Quad Maduro has a “channel” of ligero tobacco that extends a quarter inch beyond the foot, which creates “a startlingly unique ‘fuse like’ appearance that assures a superior draw, flawless conical burn with a long white ash, and a myriad of complex flavors channeled directly onto the palate.” A band around the bottom advises enthusiasts to “thoroughly toast entire cigar foot before smoking.”

It’s easy enough to establish an even light on the Double Corona (7.63 x 54). Once set, the dark cigar produces a full-bodied taste of earth and peppery spice. The profile then settles to include less heft, less spice, and flavors of nuts, leather, cream, and dark chocolate. Quite enjoyable with a chalky texture.

At the midway point and beyond, the Double Corona is decidedly medium-bodied. The flavors never really seem to change all that much, they just moderately intensify and retreat (depending on how quickly you smoke the cigar). Construction, as expected, is superb throughout the two-hour experience, with a near-perfect burn, a solid ash, and an easy draw that yields bountiful smoke.

Quad Maduro comes packaged in cedar boxes of 20 cigars and is available in three other sizes sizes: Corona Macho (4.63 x 48), Robusto (5.38 x 54), and Torpedo (6.88 x 56). The Double Corona retails for $12 apiece. This price point, in my opinion, is an accurate reflection of the quality of the tobacco and the labor-intensive “entubar” process. For its harmonious flavor, beautiful aroma, and notable combustion properties, the Entubar Quad Maduro Double Corona deserves four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

If you were to judge a cigar solely on its ability to win the game of cigar shop one-upmanship, then it would be hard to beat the Mercer Pinar del Rio Custom Cuban Sublimes.  You know, that never-ending competition to have the most impressive answer to the question of “what have you been smoking lately?”

Sure, the other guy may be able to say he’s smoking that vintage limited edition Cuban but, if you’re smoking the Mercer Pinar del Rio, you’ve probably still got him beat. After all, your cigar is a custom-rolled Cuban with an impressive story.

Offered exclusively by Mercer Cigars (La Casa del Habano) in Merida, Mexico, the Mercer PdR Custom Cubans are reportedly made completely from tobacco from Pinar del Rio’s most prominent cigar family (an apparent reference to Robaina family). The cigars are made exclusively for Mercer in three sizes (Canonazos (5.9 x 52), Piramides (6.5 x 52), and Sublimes (6.75 x 54)) and notably are shipped from inside the U.S. un-banded.

For this review, I smoked two of the Sublimes (and I also sampled one Canonazos). The large cigar has some serious heft in the hand and in the mouth. The Colorado brown wrapper has plenty of oil and the excellent construction is accented by a closed foot.

The cigar is well-balanced with quintessential Cuban sweet earth notes, in combination with coffee, toast, nutmeg, and dry cedar. The long finish shows some red and black pepper spice.

It’s an extremely harmonious smoke that’s firmly in the medium- to full-bodied range, though it trends towards the fuller end in the final third. While all around I am very impressed with this Cuban, the earthy sweetness of the cigar’s flavors really strike me.

The Sublimes smokes for a full two hours with a notably solid white ash. And, unlike many Cubans I’ve smoked, there are no burn or draw issues. That, coupled with complex, earthy sweetness, an excellent draw, and a not unreasonable price of around $15 each, makes this a fantastic cigar. That’s why the Mercer Pinar del Rio Custom Cuban Sublimes earns a most impressive rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys