The Stogie Guys

Throughout his career, Abe Flores has made cigars for various brands, including his own boutique Dominican outfit, Pinar del Rio (PDR). He is regarded as one of the most sought-after cigar makers in the world. So he caught the industry’s attention when, in 2012, he decided to produce a cigar bearing his own name.

Called A. Flores Serie Privada, it comes in two wrapper varieties: Ecuadorian Habano (“Capa Habano”) and Maduro Habano Ecuador (“Capa Maduro”). These blends use “the oldest tobacco in the PDR factory, and for good reason, [as] they are a tribute to Abe Flores, who has become a major player in the world of premium hand-rolled cigars,” reads the PDR website. “The Habano wrapper delivers great complexity and a creamy, cool, medium-body cigar. Best way to describe this is creamy sweetness with a touch of spice at the finish…The Habano Maduro wrapper is a medium-body cigar that starts with some natural sweetness, then delivers some spice.”

Both versions have Nicaraguan Habano binders and filler tobaccos comprised of Nicaraguan Habano and Dominican Corojo. Sizes include Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54), and Churchill (7 x 58). In the $9.75-12.75 MSRP range, Serie Privada’s prices clock in higher than PDR’s other blends, which are very affordably priced (especially when you consider the quality).

I sampled three Serie Privada Capa Habano Robustos for this review. Common aesthetic characteristics include rustic, oily wrappers with only thin veins, a very soft feel from cap to foot, and faint pre-light notes of honey and hay. The caps all clip easily to reveal airy draws that are ultra-easy. Without even lighting it up, my concern is the box-pressed cigar is going to burn hot, harsh, and quick.

Hot or harsh the Robusto mostly isn’t. While there’s a lingering spice—especially on the tip of the tongue—the profile is a medium-bodied mixture of dry cedar, cinnamon, roasted nut, and a little sweet cream. The texture is light, billowy, and toasty. Black pepper and that trademark Nicaraguan zing play bigger roles as the cigar progresses. Towards the end some bitter notes come and go. The aftertaste lingers long after each puff which, I find, makes the Capa Habano an excellent pairing with sipping rum or bourbon.

My concerns about the smoke being too quick were also assuaged, evidenced by the average smoking time of 70 minutes for the Robusto. All the other physical properties are up to muster as well. The burn line is near perfect, the ash holds well, and the draw remains smooth throughout with each puff yielding ample smoke.

I’ve been a big Pinar del Rio fan for years, and I still think it’s hard to find a better bang for your buck than with many of the lines Abe Flores has created for PDR. The 1878 Cubano Especial Capa Natural and the Small Batch Reserve Maduro are among my favorites. For me, the Serie Privada Capa Habano Robusto is a fine smoke, but it falls a little short of my (admittedly high) expectations. While the flavors and construction are solid, the depth and complexity aren’t what I had hoped. All this adds up to a respectable yet tempered 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

With the fourth quarter just around the corner, it seems like a good time to check in on how I’ve been doing with my 2013 cigar goals.

There were three:

1. Concentrate more on the cigar I’m smoking.
2. Check out more limited editions.
3. Smoke more mild and medium-strength cigars.

I’d give myself a “C” on the first one. I think I’ve done better, helped by my efforts at achieving the second goal. But I’m still not where I’d like to be. As for No. 3, I flunked. I’ve had a few more of these, but not many. But I’ve also come to believe that this isn’t a realistic goal when I rarely smoke more than one cigar a day.

It’s goal No. 2 where I made considerable progress. I’m only guessing, since I don’t keep records on what I smoke, but probably a third of my 2013 cigars have been limited editions, including nearly every one I smoke at my local B&M.

I’ve had quite a few cigars I might not have tried otherwise, though I couldn’t bring myself to pull the $30 trigger on the 2013 Fuente Don Carlos Limited Edition 2013.

But others—from the Viaje Satori 2013 that was an unusual mix of spice and low power to La Flor Dominicana Chapter 1, where I found the chisel “cut” worked well for a change—were good experiences. You’ll likely see some here evaluated as “Quick Smokes.”

I haven’t liked them all by any means, but I have appreciated most. Whether the blend is truly limited or unique, for me, the cigars encourage a focus on the individual stick.

A good example is Eddie Ortega’s Wild Bunch series. I’ve had several and liked each one. Perhaps my favorite has been Wild Bill, a six-inch, oily stick with a pigtail cap and a light finish. Is it radically different from many other cigars? No. But does Wild Bill distinguish itself with fine taste and construction that repays attention? Absolutely.

And, after all, isn’t that what cigar smoking is all about?

–George E

photo credit: Ortega Cigars

On Saturday, Bill Spann’s tenure as chief executive officer of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) came to an end. Spann resigned his post with the Columbus, Georgia-based organization to spend more time with his family and take a job in his hometown of Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

Spann’s two years at the helm of IPCPR witnessed a reversal in a decade-long decline in membership, as well as the two most successful trade shows in the association’s 82-year history. “We are grateful for Bill’s efforts on behalf of the premium cigar and pipe industry,” said IPCPR Board President Finnie Helmuth. “His dedication to the industry, successful trade shows, and new legislative staff in Washington all speak to his stewardship of IPCPR. We wish him and his family a bright future.”

Spann elaborated on his decision: “My staff and many of our members know that I have been apart from my family each week since I took this position in July 2011. We fully intended to move to Columbus, but unfortunately the town’s size did not afford my spouse the career opportunities she required. I have great respect for our dedicated Board of Directors, our Associate Member Advisory Board, and our loyal and dedicated retail members and staff, but after more than two years of nearly constant family separation, the time is right to move on.”

When Spann was hired as CEO, he replaced Joe Rowe, who headed up IPCPR for a decade. Spann’s previous experience included a 20-year career with the Navy, serving as chief of staff of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and several executive roles within Governor Jeb Bush’s administration.

The IPCPR, perhaps best known for its annual trade show where cigar makers showcase their products for retailers and the media, is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of tobacco retailers and their suppliers. It was founded in 1933.

–Patrick A

photo credit: IPCPR

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 was a gift from a friend and, as best I can tell, it’s a custom-rolled Cuban cigar with Mexican origins based on the Montecristo 109 Conte regional blend. (This isn’t the first time we’ve evaluated a custom Cuban cigar.) The cigar is 7.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 50 and a notably rounded cap and closed foot. It features a medium-brown wrapper with relatively few veins. It claims to be a Cuban puro, and I’m inclined to believe that. The profile is sweet earth, with hints of cedar and honey. It’s immaculately balanced and mild- to medium-bodied with flawless construction. It’s certainly hard to procure (I honestly wouldn’t know where to get it) but I can’t recommend it more.

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.”

After more changes than Lady Gaga in concert, the 601 Red Label Habano is back to its glorious origin. While it would no doubt take a professional cig-archaeologist to adequately evaluate the band evolution, to my eye it looks a lot like the original, perhaps a brighter red. But what matters is the cigar. And Erik Espinosa has returned the lovely Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan filler to full strength and flavor. The opening reminded me of my first 601 Red, with a great pepper blast whipping my tongue like a rented mule. After a half inch or so, it settles down a tad while remaining a tasty treat to the end. If you haven’t tried the new 601 Red, you’re missing an excellent cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Espinosa Cigars

I’ve never been the type to own fancy cigar accessories. It’s not that I don’t appreciate them, it’s just that I’d rather spend my cigar budget on cigars than fancy humidors and lighters. That’s why I have two coolidors that functionally hold most of my cigars at a perfect humidity, and why my most used lighter is a three-dollar Ronson Jetlite.

So when Tampa Fuego asked me if I’d like to try out their cigar cases, I wasn’t sure I was the right person. The various cases I normally use (a five-count travel case, an aluminum 20-count case, a three-finger leather case) have all been throw-ins for cigars I’ve bought or events I’ve attended. Still, I agreed and have been using the cigar cases they provided (one made from Stingray skin, another in a tan “natural” smooth leather) for the past month.

Tampa Fuego makes their cases in America from a variety of exotic skins and leathers. They are handcrafted at their Largo, Florida, factory. In addition to their cigar cases, Tampa Fuego makes cases designed to fit Xikar cutters and a standard torch lighter. They are all sold individually or as a matching trio.

The quality of the products is obvious. They have a heft that is more significant than leather cigar cases I’ve owned, and the detail of the stitching suggests they would outlast any particular owner.

From a functional standpoint, I appreciate the large size of these cases. They can easily protect three double corona size cigars. I even put an “A” size cigar in one and it had ample protection. Other similar two-part leather cases I’ve had fail to hold a cigar much larger than a toro.

The prices of these make it clear these are luxury items. The stingray case sells for $350, while the leather cases go for $45. But that’s sort of the point: There are cheaper ways to protect and carry around your cigars, but these are eye-catching, luxury accessories.

They come in such exotic options as crocodile, alligator, python, lizard, beaver tail, and stingray, and they’re designed to turn heads. I certainly got more than a few comments and compliments about my cases over the past month, especially the black stingray case. Which is why I think they’d make particularly excellent gifts.

If you’re in the market for a luxury cigar gift, or something special for yourself, check out all of Tampa Fuego’s offerings here. Tampa Fuego has also offered StogieGuys.com readers 20% off through the end of October by using the code “STOGIE” at checkout.

In addition, make sure you’re signed up for our free email newsletter to be entered to win one of the cases I received from Tampa Fuego to write this review.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys