The Stogie Guys

ROME ― Back in June, I wrote that a “cigar vacation” can be two different things. It can be a trip to a cigar-producing country like Honduras, Nicaragua, or the Dominican Republic, where you learn about the artisan craft of handmade cigars, visit factories and fields, and learn about premium tobacco in its native environment.

Conversely, a cigar vacation can be a trip to anyplace—cigar-producing or not—where you simply allow ample time to enjoy cigars in outstanding settings. That’s what I did when I traveled to St. Thomas. And that’s also what I’m doing as I write this from Italy.

When you think of cigars and Italy, CAO’s Italia line may come to mind. That blend has a bit of Italian-grown tobacco in the filler (and is otherwise mostly Honduran). Notwithstanding this anomaly, premium tobacco from Italy is quite rare. In the hours I’ve spent driving between Rome, Sorrento, and other locales in this country, I’ve seen plenty of vineyards and fields of olive trees, but I have yet to come across a single tobacco plant.

Still, I would argue Italy is a wonderful destination for a cigar vacation. The culture here in October is very outside-oriented, meaning all of the action is in piazzas, outdoor cafés, on balconies, at open-air markets, parks, and at seaside sidewalks. So even though an unfortunate smoking ban is in effect for indoor spaces, you’ll want to be outside anyways. That’s where you get the best views and the most entertainment.

Smoking is widely accepted outside. I’ve spent afternoons sitting at a sidewalk café with a glass of wine or a cappuccino, people-watching and enjoying a fine cigar. Space may be at a premium in Rome, Sorrento, or Naples, and the tables may be packed in tight, but the locales don’t seem to mind cigar smoke. They’re all too busy puffing away at cigarettes to notice.

Another reason Italy is a great cigar locale: The food is amazing, and nothing follows a great meal like a great smoke. The best cure for a belly full of cheeses and meats is a long stroll and a good smoke. You can’t argue with that.

I’m not sure I’ll ever be back in Italy. It’s crazy expensive, and there are so many other places I’d like to visit in the world. For the short time I’m here, though, I’m going to enjoy every moment and enjoy the premium cigars I brought along. And in my book that definitely qualifies as a cigar vacation.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

If anyone doubts that cigars can bring a diverse group of people together, just take a glance at the list of cosponsors for legislation to bar the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from regulating handmade premium cigars.

At a time when it seems Congress might have trouble agreeing that the sun will come up tomorrow, the list of about 90 proponents presents a bipartisan bonanza. Sure, most of them are Republicans, as you’d expect for a proposal to reduce regulation. But look further.

There’s Charlie Rangel, the New York Democrat excoriated by many smokers when he headed the Ways and Means Committee during SCHIP consideration. And Jesse Jackson Jr., the Chicago-area Democrat with a perfect 100 rating from the liberal Americans for Democratic Action, is on the list with the GOP’s Duncan Hunter, a Californian who got a 0 from the same group. Similarly, try to think of another bill that would have the support of both Brooklyn Democrat Ed Towns, cosponsor of an impeachment measure for President George W. Bush, and Republican Joe Wilson of South Carolina, the man who yelled “You lie!” at President Barack Obama during a joint congressional address.

My purpose here, though, is more important than simply pointing out an interesting situation. This is valuable, useful information.

If your representative or senators haven’t signed on, you need to let them know you want them to do so. And you should draw attention to the bipartisan nature of support for HR1639, known formally as the “Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011.”

It’s a rare politician who can resist the siren song of bipartisanship. Knowledge also demonstrates that you are an engaged citizen, and politicians know that not only do engaged citizens vote, they exert a lot of influence on others who vote.

At StogieGuys.com, we’ve devoted a lot of time and writing to this issue. You can go through the archives to find everything from analysis of the bill to tips for how to most effectively contact your legislators.

We’re staying on this because we believe it is vitally important. Not only is eliminating FDA regulation critical, the recognition of handmade premium cigars would make it easy and likely that they will be exempted from future tobacco regulations. All it will take is a line that says “except for cigars as defined in the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing …”

–George E

photo credit: UPI.com

Several years ago, I picked up a five-pack of cigars from La Aurora. The small white box, fashionably adorned with lions, contained one Robusto from each of the five Preferidos blends: Connecticut, Ecuador, Cameroon, Corojo, and Maduro.

The Preferidos series debuted in 1998 to honor Eduardo León Jimenes, the man who founded La Aurora in 1903. Initially, all Preferidos cigars were perfectos. About five years ago, though, La Aurora began to offer Preferidos in standard parejo shapes.

Since trying each of the Preferidos Robustos in the five-pack, I later bought several more to be able to write reviews. I reviewed the Cameroon in January, and now it’s on to the Connecticut, a golden-colored smoke with a shade-grown wrapper, a Dominican piloto binder, and filler from Brazil, Cameroon, and the Dominican.

The Connecticut Robusto has a dry, clean wrapper with a nice cap at the head and a tight cross-section of tobacco at the foot. The pre-light notes are classic Connecticut: sweet hay with a touch of almond.

Once lit, the cigar has a surprisingly spicy kick that reminds me of ginger. In the foreground of the profile is a hearty dose of dry oak. Some meaty flavors come and go, but there’s little of the traditional Connecticut taste, which usually includes nuts and cream.

Towards the midway point, the spice fades a bit, the oak becomes more dominant, and some of the flavors I had been anticipating—including almond—emerge. But the dry woodsy flavor remains an unwavering centerpiece.

Throughout the smoke, the physical properties exemplify the high standard that I’ve come to expect from La Aurora. The burn line is near perfect, the gray ash holds strong, and the draw is smooth.

The three Connecticut Robustos I bought for this review cost about $10 apiece at my local tobacconist. Notwithstanding this cigar’s outstanding construction, I simply don’t think it’s worth that price. I don’t mind that it doesn’t taste like other Connecticuts on the market but, at this price level, I expect more balance and a little less dryness and meatiness. Since you can spend $10 or less on many finer cigars—including cigars made by La Aurora—I’m giving the Preferidos Connecticut Robusto two and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

My 2009 article on pumpkin beers laid out the case for pumpkin beers as an excellent accompaniment to a fine cigar as the leaves change and the weather turns crisp.

Frankly, if these beers were available year-round, I’m not sure I’d enjoy them so much. But because they are available for a little over a month a year, just as fall is beginning, I have really grown to look forward to their appearance on my beer store’s shelves. Looking back, my favorite of the seven beers I wrote about continues to be Shipyard’s Pumpkin Head:

Shipyard Pumpkinhead: This Maine brew is actually a “malt beverage with pumpkin spice added” according to the label, but don’t let that fool you. The copper-colored beverage has the aroma of sweet pumpkin pie.

That may be partially because it was the first pumpkin beer I tried many years ago, while attending college in Maine (where Shippyard is brewed). For whatever reason, it holds a special place in my beer universe, which is why I was eager to try a second pumpkin beer from Shipyard: Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin (part of “Pugsley’s Signature Series”).

The beer pours a bright orange, slightly cloudy color. The nose consists of faint pumpkin; it’s far more raw pumpkin than pumpkin pie and clean for a beer that boasts a 9% ABV.

The flavors are a nice combination of nutmeg, hops, malt, cinnamon, and raw pumpkin. It’s well-balanced considering the high alcohol content.

A 22-ounce bomber of the Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin sells for around $10. At that price, I’d rather pick up a six-pack of their Pumpkinhead which, while lower in alcohol, has more pronounced pumpkin pie flavors.

Still, this beer is further evidence of my contention that pumpkin beers make for an excellent pairing with a good cigar. For this beer, a mild- or medium-bodied smoke goes great. I’d suggest the La Gloria Cubana Retro Especiale or the Alec Bradley Family Blend.

We’ve now looked at eight different pumpkin beers, but there are countless others. Let us know your favorites to pair with a cigar in the comments.

–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.”

I don’t know that I’ve ever had a smoother cigar. From start to finish, this expensive stick is a delight. Flavors weave in and out; the more attention you pay, the greater the reward for your palate. The Cameroon wrapper and Dominican filler and binder are an exquisite combination. With a mild to medium strength, this Fuente deserves all the praise it receives and is worth the high price tag. There’s no better celebratory cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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.”

Ever since Sam Leccia’s departure from Oliva, the brands he was primarily responsible for—Cain and Nub—have been in search of an identity. This Cain F Lancero, introduced as part of the Studio Tobac portfolio, is part of that move. It’s a full-bodied smoke with plenty of spice that’s clearly geared towards the full-bodied cigar smoker. It’s a sneaky strong Nicaraguan puro, with heavy bread and leather flavors. The construction was excellent, which is always particularly appreciated in the hard-to-produce Lancero size.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

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) Legal restrictions on tobacco by those who claim to know what’s best for us is hardly a new phenomenon. Today’s anti-tobacco lobbyists take many cues from the Anti-Saloon League which, over 100 years ago, pushed prohibition to ban all alcohol. That makes the latest documentary by Ken Burns on the push for, and failure of, Prohibition of interest to cigar smokers concerned about protecting their rights.

2) Las Vegas has a thriving cigar scene, but it hasn’t always been that way. This article details the ups and downs of the cigar business in Vegas over the past two decades, including interviews with Michael Frey, the man behind Casa Fuente.

3) Inside the Industry: Tatuaje has announced which 13 retailers will be receiving its highly sought-after Halloween cigar. This year’s cigar will be the Wolfman. You can find the list here. Wolfman will be a torpedo (7.5 x 52) reportedly based on the Cojonu 2009 blend, with Nicaraguan filler and binder and a Sumatran wrapper.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a La Flor Dominicana Colorado Oscuro. Smoking Stogie smokes a Cain Daytona 646 Maduro (pre-release). Nice Tight Ash checks out La Caridad de Cobre Maduro. Cigar Fan fires up the Camino Real.

5) Deal of the Week: This weekly special features 10 flavorful robustos for just $30 (or double up for $50). The deal includes five Ricky Patel Vintage 1990 cigars and five Punch Rothchild Natural cigars.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: PBS