The Stogie Guys

All of us at StogieGuys.com would like to wish you a very happy Fourth of July. America’s 236th birthday is a wonderful occasion to spend time with friends and family. So we’ve decided to take our own advice and barbecue, see some fireworks, and smoke more than our share of celebratory cigars. We’ll return to our coverage of the world of cigars tomorrow. Until then, have a safe, relaxing holiday.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

I like cigar boxes. Especially when they’re filled with cigars. But to be honest, 20 or 25 sticks are more than I often want.

It’s not that I (usually) buy boxes of cigars that I don’t thoroughly enjoy or that I quickly grow bored with them. No, the fact is that I rarely smoke more than one cigar a day. Factor in the occasional off day, trips to a shop where I’ll purchase a cigar to enjoy there, and the general variety of smoking, and a box of 20 could easily take me a couple of years to finish.

What generally happens is I’ll end up with a box from which I’ve smoked down to the last six or eight, and I’ll transfer them to another container. Then, likely as not, I’ll sort of lose track of them. If I were more organized, I’d call it aging.

That’s why I applaud what seems to be a growing trend for cigar makers to market their wares in boxes of ten. This seems to be particularly true of special editions and limited releases.

For example, when Nestor Miranda teamed up with the Garcias to create the excellent Grand Reserve Torpedo, they sold the 10,000-stick run in boxes of 10. I’ve read that the recently announced successor will also come in boxes of ten.

Jameson Cigar Co. is another maker that’s into tens. Its two sizes of Santos de Miami come in divided boxes of ten.

When Don Pepin unveiled his 2011 Limited Edition he struck close, packaging 12 of the 6.5-inch Toros in his characteristic heavy, thick boxes.

Among the newest releases in a ten-pack is Tatuaje’s Little Monsters. Of course, with the popularity of that series, Pete Johnson could probably release them in boxes of 100 and still quickly sell out.

You might say I’m making far too big a deal of this, and if I only want ten cigars I should simply purchase singles. That’s true. But a box not only keeps the cigars together; it protects them and shows you what’s in your humidor.

Besides, as I said, I like cigar boxes.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

We’re one month away from 80th annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Trade Show, the convention where cigar makers from around the world gather to showcase their products, debut new creations, and interact with retailers.

As usual, StogieGuys.com will be covering the event to keep you abreast of the new smokes that will soon be hitting a tobacconist near you. Before we do that, though, I wanted to share three thoughts about what I’d like to see at this year’s trade show. After all, one month before the biggest cigar event of the year is an appropriate time to reflect on the state of the industry.

More Limited Editions

Many cigar makers, particularly those who don’t grow their own tobacco, have only enough tobacco to make a small run without sacrificing quality and consistency. So limited releases can be some of the best (if rare) cigars available. For that reason, I welcome more limited cigars, as long as they’re limited for a good reason and not just a marketing gimmick. Besides, if the FDA does end up regulating premium cigars, the disastrous, ill-conceived government approval process will likely be so costly that cigar makers will be forced to focus on large runs that they think would have mass appeal. I hope this doesn’t happen but, for this reason, I’d like to have the opportunity to collect more limited editions before the politicians and bureaucrats ruin everything. And if they get their way, you can bet they will.

More Support for Cigar Rights

Speaking of FDA regulation, you and I owe a lot of thanks to Cigar Rights of America (CRA), IPCPR, and all groups, individuals, and businesses who are fighting for the right to enjoy a cigar. Tobacco taxes, smoking bans, and harmful regulations will continue to pile up if they are not met with resistance. Recognizing this, many cigar makers have generously donated much time and money to the cause, and I hope this continues—especially at this critical juncture. Don’t forget that you can do your part as well. Make sure to support CRA and tell your friends and family to do the same. What happens over the next year at the federal level will have massive implications on the industry for years to come.

Focus on Comparative Advantages

Every year at the trade show it seems like every cigar maker has a handful of new lines to introduce. What’s new is sexy, and I understand this from a business standpoint. But we’re at the point where the market is saturated with new lines and blends. I can’t keep track of them all. And a lot of them, frankly, are duds that get forgotten before the summer’s even over. How many new cigars from last year’s IPCPR do you remember offhand? That’s what I thought. For this reason, I applaud those cigar makers who focus on a few lines and do them well year after year. Introduce a new blend when you’ve got something truly unique or when you’ve acquired an excellent crop of tobacco that you’ve never had before. Otherwise, focus on quality control and the blends you do best. This strategy may not be sexy, but I’d have to imagine it will yield good results in terms of revenue and reputation.

–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.”

One of the most recent Viaje limited releases by the prolific Andre Farkas, the Summerfest 2012 is a Nicaraguan puro (6.75 x 50) with an unfinished foot that fans out beyond the wrapper for the three-quarters of an inch. It’s $10, which is why I only picked up two of these, having not tried them before. It’s a medium- to full-bodied smoke (though it amps up slightly for he final third) with mild earth, coffee, a bit of cream, a touch of oak, and slight cinnamon spice. The Summerfest is extremely balanced and, after the wrapper-less start, it soon settles into an even burn and solid ash. All in all, it’s an excellent smoke and one I wish I had picked up a few more of.

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.”

Not to be confused with five-vitola Series Gran Cru line that has a criollo ’98 maduro wrapper, the Gran Cru Limited Edition is new to the Tesa portfolio. It was crafted by Chris Kelly as a one-size, box-pressed blend. Only 1,000 cigars were made, and Kelly tells me he sold almost his entire Gran Cru stash in a matter of weeks. So he has ordered his Estelí factory to produce more. I think that’s a wise decision. The Gran Cru—which boasts an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a criollo ’98 binder from Jalapa and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos—is a testament to Kelly’s outstanding talents. The smoke has incredible balance with a woodsy core complimented by cream, salty peanut, and coffee. With top-notch construction, I’m going to get my hands on more of these while they’re still available.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: 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) Anti-tobacco lawmakers and groups have been trying to pass a comprehensive statewide smoking ban in Indiana since 2007. In March, Governor Mitch Daniels finally signed a ban into law that criminalizes smoking in most workplaces in the Hoosier State, and that law goes into effect on Sunday. But it’s safe to say the anti-smoking zealots are less than satisfied since the law provides exemptions for bars, cigar shops, private clubs, and gaming facilities. They’d prefer smoking to be banned outright. So keep an eye on Indiana, as the new law expressly allows local governments to enact more stringent smoking regulations.

2) On the heels of the defeat of Prop. 29, more good news out of California. A bill that would have criminalized smoking in cigar shops and private clubs that are licensed to sell alcohol has died in committee. “Working with our state lobbyist, key area IPCPR retailers, and the Cigar Association of America, we worked with and educated the committee chair and leadership on this issue,” reads a press release issued by the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. “The chair of the committee will not bring this bill back up for further consideration.”

3) Inside the Industry: La Aurora is producing another 20,000 cigars in the 100 Años blend in three sizes. Cigar Aficionado has announced its 17th Big Smoke Las Vegas will be held November 9-11 at the Mirage. Oliva’s newest line, the Serie V Melanio, will be the most expensive Oliva yet at $8 to $14 per cigar, and it will hit U.S. tobacconists in September.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up an Oliva Serie V Lancero. Stogie Review reviews the Inferno by Oliva. Cigar Inspector inspects a Montecristo No. 4. Cigar Brief smokes the Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Noir. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Arturo Fuente Solaris Microblend.

5) Deal of the Week: Here’s a rare Tatuaje blend that Tat fans should grab up before it (inevitably) sells out. The limited edition cigar features a dark San Andreas wrapper and sells for for $108 for a 15-cigar bundle, or $40 for a 5-pack.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

During my college years, my father explained that there’s bourbon beyond shots of Jim Beam. His favorite bourbon, he told me as he shared a taste, was Knob Creek. The bourbon has been a favorite of mine ever since, even as I’ve tried plenty of other “craft” bourbons.

So when I saw Knob Creek was adding a third line (their second was a Single Barrel that I think very highly of) I knew I’d have to try it. I saw that it was on sale for $35 (normally $38 for a 750 ml. bottle) and quickly picked it up.

Knob Creek’s Rye was released this spring and quickly garnered praise, earning “Best Rye Whiskey” at the 2012 San Francisco Spirits Competition. The rye (which means at least 50& of the mash is made with rye, as opposed to bourbon which must be at least 50% corn) is bottled at 100-proof. According to its label it is “patiently aged” with the whiskies being as old as 9 years.

The result is a hearty rye with a deep amber color. The nose is filled with overwhelming spice and wood. The taste also reveals quintessential rye flavors: oak and pepper, with subtle dried fruit and tobacco. The finish is long, smooth, and savory.

Taken straight it’s spicy and explosive, but one or two ice cubes tames the beast. That makes it very versatile. It’s plenty good enough to drink on its own, but it also has all the makings of an excellent component to a Manhattan (a cocktail which, although regularly made with bourbon, is traditionally made with rye).

The spicy characteristics of this whiskey go great with a cigar. Almost any medium- or full-bodied cigar would work well, but I found the PG 15h Anniversary (pictured) and the Tatuaje Verocu to be particularly ideal pairings.

All in all, the Knob Creek Rye was highly enjoyable. It’s up there with the Bulleit Rye and Michter’s as my favorite rye whiskey, and certainly worth a try for anyone who enjoys or wants to explore rye whiskey.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys