The Stogie Guys

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) Russia, the largest country in the world in terms of landmass, is moving forward with plans to ban advertising of tobacco products and outlaw smoking in most public places, including restaurants and cafes. “We have to move towards civilization, like the rest of the world,” said Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the main proponent of the legislation. According to the Associated Press, 40% of Russian adults smoke, and “smoking rates have shot up in the past two decades, fueled by extremely low prices for cigarettes…”

2) Tonight is the debut of the Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat, a new cigar from Drew Estate that measures 6.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 46 and a price tag of $14. Only 40 pre-release bundles of 10 will be sold this evening at Tesa, a Chicago retailer that has been a longtime supporter of Jonathan Drew. The Velvet Rat will be available on a larger scale in 2013. Patrick A will be at Tesa this evening to (hopefully) purchase a few Velvet Rats.

3) Inside the Industry: As part of its Punch tailgaiting promotion, Punch is giving away one six-pack of cigars every day. Following up on Tatuaje Anarchy, a Smoke Inn exclusive, the “Tatuaje Apocalypse” will be released in early December. Riverside Cigars in Indiana is hosting the national launch for the new 262 The Revere cigar line today.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Fernando León Family Reserve. Half Wheel revisits the Para Japón by La Aurora. Cigar Inspector inspects the Fuente Chateau Fuente. Cigar Coop smokes Freedom by Rocky Patel.

5) Deal of the Week: Corona Cigar (home of the Stogie Guys sampler) is offering a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Sampler” with 11 (or 13, depending on how you count them) cigars for just $40. Included are five Don Pepin JJ Maduros and five Cuban Classics, plus a Corona Cigar Dos Capas Culebra.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

If you’re concerned about the tyranny of the majority—and cigar smokers should be since we are the minority—then there is no greater danger than the referendum, that popularity contest that bypasses the legislative process for a quick “yea” or “nay” headcount.

We don’t have anything like it at the national level (be thankful for that), but state and local governments often employ referendums to enact policies. California is a national leader in policy-by-referendum (and also a leader in individual liberty abuses). Some of you will recall when, in early June, Californians headed to the polls to vote on Prop. 29, a measure that would have increased already-high cigar taxes in the Golden State by a whopping 73%, crushed cigar shops statewide, and paved the way for similar tax hikes in other states. While that measure was ultimately defeated by a razor-thin margin, the referendum threat looms large for cigar smokers in California and beyond.

That threat is very real right now in North Dakota and Missouri, two states that are taking advantage of the upcoming election to enable their citizens to vote away cigar rights. In North Dakota, a statewide smoking ban with no exemption for cigar shops is at stake. The outlook is bleak, according to the NBC affiliate in Bismarck, which is projecting a solid 62% to 35% split in favor of the law that would criminalize indoor smoking in virtually all “public” places. “CRA will be spreading the word through shop owners like Todd Pryor of Great Plains Smoke Shop that this referendum is an affront to small business, property rights, and the patrons his shop serves,” said J. Glynn Loope of Cigar Rights of America.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, Prop. B will increase the state tax on cigars by 15% if passed. We’re told the increased revenue will be earmarked for education and smoking cessation programs, but critics point to the ability of politicians to re-appropriate the funds. “CRA stands with state legislators like Missouri State Senator Jim Lembke of St. Louis, who opposes the tobacco tax increase,” said Loope.

In an “Action Alert” email, Loope re-emphasizes the threat of tyranny of the majority: “If you’re in Missouri or North Dakota, rally your cigar brethren for the November 6 election to defeat these measures…Both referendums need to be soundly defeated, but it is a very challenging task. It’s simple math, which is why our opponents like referendums. There are more of them than us.”

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

This addition to the line that introduced many smokers to Oliva comes after years of rumors. There’s a lot to live up to for a stick that bears the name of the 19th century patriarch of the storied tobacco family, in addition to that of the highly regarded Serie V moniker.

Melanio does the job. It’s a fairly strong cigar that’s both tasty and smooth, combining an Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra-seed wrapper with a mix of Nicaraguan filler in a Nicaraguan binder. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better constructed cigar, from the sharp burn to the excellent draw. Two standout components are massive smoke production and a fine, lingering finish to treat the palate.

Another job the Melanio accomplished was to get me smoking an Oliva again after a long, long layoff. I like and have smoked many of its offerings, but it’s been a while. Much of the company’s focus and attention seems to have gone into other projects, such Nub and Cain, and I think that’s helped divert me as well.

One criticism I have for the Melanio is Oliva’s decision not to use cellophane. The wrapper is delicate and seems to be easily banged up. In fact, selecting a stick from the boxes of ten, featured for the five Melanio vitolas, can be a challenge.

Perhaps reflecting the trend toward larger ring gauges, the rectangular-pressed Churchill is a 50 rather than the more traditional 48, though it is the standard seven inches in length.

I found this size a good showcase for the Melanio’s offerings. I probably shouldn’t say this because I don’t really have enough experience to make a competent observation but, hey, we’re all friends, right? This cigar struck me as a great, old-fashioned smoke, one your grandfather would have enjoyed and you will, too.

At around $12, this cigar is higher-priced than many Olivas. I think you’ll find it worth the extra money. It earns four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Allow me be upfront about a few things. Prometheus, the Los Angeles-based purveyor of smokes and accessories that produces God of Fire cigars, is indeed an advertiser with StogieGuys.com, as well as the generous sponsor of our most recent contest. And company head Keith K. Park did provide the cigars to make this review possible.

I feel the need to state all of these things for the record because I really, really like this cigar. Of course, my colleagues and I would never allow advertising, contest sponsorship, or complimentary samples to impact a cigar’s rating. We have too little to gain and far too much to lose—namely, your trust—to adopt that practice. Honesty has always been our policy. I hope this goes without saying.

Now on to the review. God of Fire is a super-premium brand with a base of cigars dubbed either “Don Carlos” (Ecuadorian wrapper) or “Carlito” (Cameroon wrapper). These cigars have been crafted by Arturo Fuente for Prometheus since 2004. In 2011, God of Fire expanded with the Serie B blend, which takes the sophistication and balance of God of Fire and presents it in a bolder format. Two sizes were released: Gran Toro (Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper) and Robusto Gordo 54 (Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper). Two more Serie B vitolas were introduced this summer: Robusto (Ecuadorian sun-grown) and Double Robusto (Connecticut broadleaf maduro).

The Serie B Double Robusto measures 5.75 inches long with a ring gauge of 52. It sells for $22 apiece and has the look of a cigar with such a lofty price tag. The wrapper is dark and toothy with only thin veins. The feel is very firm to the touch though the draw is clear.  The densely packed foot of proprietary tobaccos smells of cocoa.

Once lit, the medium-bodied profile yields flavors of raisin, dark chocolate, and espresso with a bit of pepper on the finish. The weight of the flavor is carried by the richness of the notes as opposed to the spice. So even though the Serie B is bolder than the Don Carlos or Carlito blends, it still falls into the category of smokes that derive their power from heavy texture than spice or nicotine.

As the Double Robusto progresses, I start to notice auxiliary flavors of black cherry, creamy nut, and a little dry wood. All the while the physical properties are just about perfect. The white, coarsely layered ash holds firm off the foot, the burn is straight and true, and the draw is easy with each puff producing ample smoke.

No, with a price tag north of $20 apiece, this isn’t an everyday smoke. But if you want to be wowed, and if you like the complexity of the Don Carlos or Carlito blends but need something with more body, the Serie B Double Robusto is a terrific smoke that won’t leave you with buyer’s remorse. That’s why it earns 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 this latest segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I contemplate an underestimated FDA threat, a resurgence in smaller cigars, and my favorite cigar routine.

The FDA Would Ruin Cigar Aesthetics

FDA regulations would have many detrimental impacts on premium cigars. Though I’m not sure it would be the most damaging, one that particularly worries me is restrictions on packaging. One of the best things about cigars is the artwork, the ornate boxes and bands that make the first impression about the cigars you are going to enjoy. But if cigars end up regulated the way cigarettes are, ugly government warnings will ruin the aesthetic beauty of a well-designed cigar box. It’s just another reason to support the important Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act in Congress.

Renaissance of Coronas

Maybe I’m just noticing it more, since coronas are often my favorite cigar size for a particular blend, but after a time when smaller ring gauge cigars were completely neglected, the classic corona size seems to be re-establishing itself as a staple size. For a while, it seemed many new cigars were limited to larger ring gauge sizes. Robusto, toro, Churchill, and the “gordo” (6 x 60). And while those sizes aren’t going anywhere (even though I’m seeing less Churchills than I used to), today a corona is increasingly included in that lineup. As a fan of smaller ring gauge cigars, I think this is a good trend.

My Saturday Morning Cigar Routine

If you’re looking for cigar routine, let me recommend my favorite time to smoke a cigar: Saturday morning. As often as possible, I make a strong cup of coffee, grab the paper (the Saturday Wall Street Journal, usually), and sit outside for a leisurely smoke. After a long week of full days, something about sitting around, doing a little reading, and just generally not being in a rush makes Saturday mornings my favorite regular smoking routine. Try it. It’s a great way to start the weekend before rushing to check items off your to-do list.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Flickr

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.”

My colleague already reviewed this new release from recently-formed Iconic Leaf. With a Brazilian maduro wrapper, a Cameroon binder, and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, it’s an interesting blend, distinct from most else on the market. The result is a unique cigar with lots of winter spices (nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon), coffee, and leather. Construction is excellent on the Toro (6.25 x 50). With medium to full body and balanced, unique flavors, the Recluse is a welcome new addition to the premium cigar world.

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.”

At 7 inches in length with a 58-ring gauge, only a tad below an inch, this cigar lives up to its name, which can be translated as “the chief” or “the boss.” And with an MSRP of about $7, it could fall into the bargain category when computed by tobacco per dollar. Unfortunately, it’s all a bit too much. What’s enjoyable in a smaller vitola (see my 2010 review of the Churchill) can become tiresome after so much. It also suffers from the typical big ring gauge disease of PBS (Poor Burn Syndrome). The Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler mix crafted by My Father Cigars for Ashton makes for a good cigar. I’d just recommend trying one of the other ten sizes.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: N/A