The Stogie Guys

A week ago, I listed some cigar resolutions I had for 2014. Today I’m giving you my wish list for what I hope cigar makers will do for cigar smokers this year.

Get Creative

In understand cigar making and marketing goes in trends, but what I want the most is originality. Don’t just give your own twist on an existing formula, try something new that challenges the status quo. Last year we saw lots of San Andreas wrappers (we’ll probably see a lot more this year) and before that lots of Ecuadorian wrapper. While I like many of those cigars, I’m more interested in cigars that don’t just follow the trends. (Here’s a thought: What do the RoMa Craft, CroMagnon, and CAO La Traviata have in common? Besides being breakout hits, both use a Cameroon binder, something you don’t see very often. That’s not a plea for more cigars with Cameroon binders, but a reminder that cigar consumers will reward a good, unique cigar.)

Give Us Value

One of the most impressive cigars I smoked in 2013 was the Illusione Rothchildes. You’ll probably see a review of it in the coming months. What’s impressive about it is the value it provides for barely more than $4. It’s proof that you can produce an impressive cigar for well under $5, and that for the right price cigar smokers are willing to overlook an ugly wrapper if the flavor is good and sufficiently unique. If it were up to me, I’d have my favorite ten cigar makers all compete to create their best cigar that could be sold for under $5 at retail. But I’m afraid they are more interested in creating cigars that will sell for $10 each since there’s more profit in that.

More Info Please

A perennial plea from us is for cigar makers to disclose more information about the blends they release and for cigar brand websites to be kept up to date. Even though it can be frustrating, I get that sometimes people want to be vague about their ingredients to create some mystery, or because they don’t want their blend copied (even though I think that’s probably an overblown concern). But even more frustrating is cigar websites that don’t even have cigar lines listed that have been out for six months or more. Considering how easy it is for even a non-tech-savvy person to update a website, there’s really no excuse.

Fight for Our Rights

Every cigar event ought to include literature about Cigar Rights of America and a list of a few easy things every individual can do to protect cigar rights. Large cigar companies spend lots of money supporting the legislative programs of CRA, IPCPR, and CAA. It would cost almost nothing to have their reps insist that if you want your free event sample cigar, you also take a little literature about how to protect your freedom to enjoy that cigar. Given that one of the more likely regulations we might see from the FDA is a restriction on free samples and events, it’s not only relatively inexpensive, but highly relevant.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

There are cigars you can classify as everyday smokes, and then there are special occasion cigars. God of Fire falls into the latter category.

With so many excellent smokes on the market for about $10 or less, a cigar truly has to shine to prove itself worthy of double that cost threshold. The God of Fire Don Carlos 2009 Robusto does just that. Despite commanding a price of $20 apiece, it is a flavorful, balanced, and satisfying experience that performs time and again—rendering it an excellent choice if you want a special cigar and are willing to pay up.

I recently purchased two Don Carlos 2009 Robustos (5.25 x 50) for a total cost of just under $40. The Robusto is one of three formats offered in the Don Carlos series, the others being Robusto Gordo (5.5 x 54) and Toro (6 x 50). Each features an Ecuadorian wrapper surrounding Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. These cigars are complimented by the Carlito series in the God of Fire portfolio—four vitolas that are presented with Cameroon wrappers. The lines are blended by Carlos Fuente, Sr. and Carlito Fuente, respectively, and they are manufactured by Arturo Fuente for Prometheus.

The 2009 release of the Don Carlos series was aged for a minimum of three years after the cigars were rolled. Regardless of the release, though, the Don Carlos Robusto is said to be “the most distinctive of all the God of Fire cigars—and indeed one of the most distinctive cigars available anywhere,” according to the God of Fire website. “It has the most intense flavor of any cigar carrying the God of Fire label, though it is still best described as a medium-bodied cigar.”

The clean, moderately veined Robusto has rich pre-light notes of syrup and a perfect cap that clips easily to reveal a slightly stiff draw. Once lit, what follows is a dry, almost salty profile of cedar, coffee, sweet cream, and nougat. While the draw may be a little firm, the smoke production is excellent with each puff. The resting smoke has a terrific aroma that’s bright and sweet. And the construction—from the perfect burn to the solid ash—is immaculate.

Even as the Robusto progresses to the midway point and beyond, the strength always falls somewhere between mild- and medium-bodied. This is not a heavy-handed cigar with in-your-face flavors; rather, it’s a subtle, balanced blend that’s only fully appreciated with conscientious, deliberate puffs. Smoking through the nose is highly encouraged.

I may only light up a God of Fire by Don Carlos cigar a few times a year, but when I do it’s always special and worth the high price. Based on the two samples I smoked for this review, the 2009 iteration of the Don Carlos Robusto is worthy of an outstanding rating 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

These days there are plenty of bourbons and ryes that appeal to their esteemed heritage to justify a premium price point. It usually goes something like this: In 18XX, Captain John so-and-so was the first to create this amazing American whiskey, which was renowned for its special distilling techniques and smooth, complex flavor. Today, his great-great-grandson has re-created that recipe to introduce this special whiskey, which sells for $50-80.

Usually such stories are stretching the truth at best. This is particularly true of new whiskeys that tend to rely heavily on marketing hype to justify a higher price because they don’t make their own whiskey, but buy wholesale and need to sell it for more because they’re a glorified middle-man.

Rittenhouse isn’t such a whiskey. It’s a bottled-in-bond, 100-proof rye made by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, that sells for $25. (Heaven Hill also makes Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Larceny, Parker’s Heritage, and a number of other bourbons.)

The burnt umber-colored spirit features a fairly standard nose with vanilla, oak, and a hint of citrus. But it’s on the palate that the Rittenhouse gets interesting with fudge and marshmallow, orange marmalade, and hints of pine. Spice comes through on the finish, with wood and ginger zing.

This is an incredibly rich rye for just $25, with a lot more than just the woody spice you’d expect from a non-age statement rye. It’s perfect for a Manhattan (which, although it will likely be made with bourbon, traditionally rye was used) or other rye-based cocktails. I enjoy it straight.

Pair it with an earthy cigar like the Cuban Cohiba Maduro, Liga Privada No. 9, or Tatuaje Noella Reserva.

No matter what you choose, I highly recommend Rittenhouse as an American whiskey that provides tremendous value for an incredibly reasonable price. People seem to have caught on to how good Rittenhouse is, which is why it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find. It’s well worth seeking out.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Back in 2006 when I was starting to get into cigars, Mike Copperman of Bethesda Tobacco generously donated his time (and cigars) to give me a private session on cigar tasting. Copperman, now the legislative director for Cigar Rights of America, is about as well-versed in the field as anyone. His invaluable—albeit brief—tutelage made a huge impact on me.

I remember tasting cigars with Copperman at his Maryland shop, which today is another DC-area location of W. Curtis Draper. We were on the second floor of Bethesda Tobacco, in a small room with scant ventilation that assured the cigar smoke would hang heavy enough in the air to sting the eyes. On a muggy summer day we sampled sticks that were comprised entirely of Piloto Cubano tobacco, then Viso, then Ligero. Tasting these tobaccos independently instilled a great appreciation for the final cigar, which was a harmonious combination of all three: the Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3.

I didn’t know much about cigars at the time. But, thanks to Copperman, I really adored the Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3. It was a cigar I later reviewed, and it became the first cigar to earn a five-stogie rating on this website, which was only a few months old in the summer of 2006.

Hundreds of cigar reviews and almost eight years later, I still fondly revere the Davidoff Grand Cru line. For reasons including price and the need to constantly smoke different cigars for this website, I don’t smoke the blend often. But when I do, I love it. Flying in the face of today’s obsession with thick smokes, the five Grand Cru vitolas all have ring gauges less than 50. According to Davidoff, “only the Corona shape gives the Grand Cru the ideal ring gauge with which to enjoy this medium-bodied flavor.”

For this review, I bought a five-pack of No. 4s (4.75 x 41) for just under $50. Like the other sizes, the No. 4 is a gorgeous smoke with a clean wrapper, a well-executed cap, and faint pre-light notes of molasses and hay off the foot. After setting the burn with a wooden match, a bright, crisp, mild- to medium-bodied profile emerges with flavors of oak, peanut, cream, and earth. The finish leaves a surprisingly long-lasting sensation of spice on the tip of the tongue. The texture is dry and silky and the combustion properties are perfect.

I’m not sure it’s possible for me to write a completely unbiased review of a Davidoff Grand Cru cigar. Even when I do my best to set aside the memories and nostalgia, I can’t help but arrive at the same conclusion: This is a tremendous blend with exquisite balance and subtlety. Now keep in mind I’ve always had a soft spot for cigars at the milder end of the spectrum. Some cigar enthusiasts live for those full-bodied flavor-bombs and could never imagine paying $10 for a milder smoke—particularly one this small. Not me. I adore the Davidoff Grand Cru No. 4, and I can’t think of a more suitable rating than 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

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

 

This very unique limited edition cigar ($15) from RoMa Craft is rolled entirely by hand with a blend that seems to take a bit from each of their regular production lines: Ecuadorian Connecticut and Brazilian Ariparaca wrapper, U.S.-grown Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and Cameroon and Nicaraguan filler. Each box of 10 pyramide-shaped cigars features nine cigars with a closed foot and one without (I smoked the latter). The cigar has lots of dark earth and wood flavors, and a good bit of syrupy sweetness, though not much spice. Even though it’s made without any molds, construction is free of problems. The sweetness and wood go well with a wheated bourbon like the W.L. Weller 12 Year.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

With its Nub-like dimensions, snowflake foil wrapper, and unembellished Christmas tree secondary band, the limited edition Viaje Holiday Blend 2013 will stand out in almost any humidor. It’s also a standout in the taste department. A small, fat torpedo (4 x 60) with all-Nicaraguan tobacco, this year’s Viaje holiday release is a complex, slow-burning delight. Flavors range from pepper and sweetness to leather and cedar. My only complaint: a less-than-stellar burn. It’s also a bit pricy at about $10. But it’s well worth picking up to give yourself a post-Christmas present.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) Yesterday, Cigar Rights of America (CRA) sent around an alarming email newsletter detailing some of the state-based threats they’re up against in 2014. Impacted states include Kentucky, where Governor Steve Beshear (pictured) has announced his approval of efforts to ban smoking statewide in bars, restaurants, and other “public” places; Nebraska, where a bill has been introduced to increase cigar taxes from 20% to 31%; Missouri, where a statewide ban is being considered; and Wisconsin, where a cigar tax hike proposal has received bicameral support. Over a dozen other states were also listed. “Of course, these issues are in addition to the vast array of ordinances and proposals at the local level, and the pressing matter of the day, being on the cusp of FDA regulation for this great industry…,” said the CRA email.

2) To celebrate what the Sindicato Cigar Company is calling “National Hex Day,” Saturday, January 18 is your chance to get a free Hex cigar. “All consumers who visit participating retailers and repeat the phrase ‘Hex me!’ will receive a free Hex cigar, while supplies last,” according to Sindicato. “Participating retailers will have stick and box promotions for the day, along with limited edition Hex T-shirts for giveaways.” A list of Hex retailers can be found here, and our review of the Hex Perfecto can be read here.

3) Inside the Industry: Nomad Cigars is adding two new sizes to its S-307 line: a Gordo (6 x 58) and a Corona (5.5 x 44). Leesburg Cigars in Virginia is getting an exclusive Cabaiguan.

4) Deal of the Week: The Stogie Guys Sampler at Corona Cigar Co. has been updated. Just $30 gets you 7 cigars, including an Undercrown and the limited Avo Lounge cigar.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr