The Stogie Guys

We’ve all seen them. They’re relatively rare compared to other cigar formats but can be found in cigar shops, online, and at events where manufacturers are eager to display their talents. They’re called “culebras” and, if you’re like me, they always seem to prompt the same question: Why?

Why in the world would anyone braid three cigars together like snakes engaged in some sort of weird ménage à trios? Why, with all the creative cigar shapes and sizes, do we need a twisted tobacco pretzel of cigars married by conforming shape and shiny ribbon?

And why three? Much like Schick and Gillette are ensnared in a razor blade arms race (re: Gillette’s Mach 3, Schick’s Quattro, Gillette’s Fusion), why haven’t cigar makers started to pack more sticks into culebras? More is better, right?

I suspect tradition has something to do with it. In the cigar business, tradition usually reigns supreme—as does legend. One explanation for culebras claims that 19th century cigar factories allowed rollers to take home three sticks per day. Naturally, the rollers twisted three together in an effort to bring home three times more tobacco than they otherwise could, and the culebra was born. Another (less fanciful) explanation suggests mere marketing creativity.

Whatever their origin, some culebras have stood the test of time, most notably with Davidoff, Illusione, and the original Partagas brand from Cuba. Intrigued, I recently shared a culebra from Pinar del Rio’s Selección series with two friends to see what all the hubbub is about.

First off, the drawbacks. Culebras take up more space in the humidor than three separate cigars otherwise would. They’re also difficult to travel with, prone to burn and draw issues, and often aesthetically damaged around curves. And they just feel like a damn gimmick meant to lure suckers.

That said, my inaugural culebra experience was a wonderful one. The presentation was spectacular and attention-grabbing for my two guests and I (you have to smoke a culebra with two other people simultaneously; it’s a rule). And since we were all smoking the same thing, the conversation centered on the flavor and physical properties of the Selección—both of which exceeded expectations.

So, when it comes to culebras, I guess shouldn’t be wondering “Why?” but rather “Why not?” For many of us cigars are about company and conversation. So while I can’t see myself regularly burning through culebras, I’m not going to dismiss them either. It’s a smart format to have on hand when you’re with two other cigar enthusiasts and you want a unique conversation-starter.

Three’s company? No. Sometimes three’s culebra.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When it comes to pairing my cigars with a spirit, I’ve always been more of a whiskey drinker with a tendency towards bourbons and scotch. But I find that rum is my preferred pairing in the summer heat, lately one rum in particular.

The Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 is made in Guatemala, where it is blended from rum made from concentrated first pressing sugar cane juice rather than molasses. The color is a dark mahogany, imparted from oak barrels previously used for bourbon, sherries, and Pedro Ximenez wines.

Zacapa is aged and blended based on the solera method, a system used regularly for fortified wine such as port and sherry. Under the solera system, barrels of the oldest rum are regularly mixed with newer rum but never bottled completely. The result is a spirit with a mix of 6- to 23-year-old rum.

With a quick swirl the Zacapa 23 shows off it’s long legs and releases a smooth and rich nose of toasted wood, molasses, fruit, and just a hint of spice. You’ll find that the words smooth and rich pop up a lot when describing this rum. It’s unavoidable.

The flavors are also (yes, you guessed it) rich and smooth. It has some serious sweetness up front but what really sets it apart is the complex mix of secondary flavors: vanilla, peaches, citrus, chocolate, bananas, figs, and cinnamon spice. The cornucopia of flavors maintains spectacular balance all the way through the finish, which lingers for 10 seconds before elegantly fading off.

This rum is plenty smooth enough to drink neat, although in the summer I prefer an ice cube or two. Don’t even think about wasting it with anything more than that.

Needless to say this is an excellent rum to enjoy with a good cigar. It could stand up to a spicy smoke like an Opus X, or just as easily pair up with a subtle smoke like a well-aged Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series.

Either way, this is a fantastic rum available at the incredibly reasonable price of around $40 a bottle. The only other rum in its class is the equally impressive Zaya Gran Reserva 12 Year, though you couldn’t go wrong with either one.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This cigar, blended by Jaime Garcia, stands out from the myriad sticks produced by My Father Cigars. For starters, it sports a dark, oily maduro Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, used only occasionally by Jaime and his father, Pepin Garcia.

And when you smoke it, you’ll find a flavor profile that differs significantly from what you expect from the house of Pepin.

The 54 ring gauge Toro does kick off with spicy notes. Mixed with the thick, woody flavor of the wrapper, though, it is a deep and sharp taste. From the start, the smoke is thick and profuse. The spice drops off after about half an inch and an earthy, damp hay taste takes over.

The taste changes aren’t finished yet. About halfway down the  six inch stick, you’ll begin to notice more and more of that typical maduro sweetness. The spice reemerges, too, and creates an interesting combination.

It’s a little difficult to find a lot of definitive information on these sticks. Having been introduced to the market late last year, but hitting most retailers’ shelves only recently, the My Father Cigars’ website doesn’t appear to even list them. The company’s site appears to be undergoing extensive work, though, and doesn’t have much information about anything.

I think it’s clear, though, that the filler is Nicaraguan. One site described it as a blend of tobacco grown by the Garcias and by the Oliva Tobacco Co. Despite some sites listing the binder as Nicaraguan, a press release about the cigar’s launch event at the Cigar Inn in New York confirms that it is Ecuadorian.

On the other hand, there’s no dispute about quality. It’s first rate, from appearance and construction to flavor and price. I paid $6 for the Toro, a small investment for a top-flight experience. I give this cigar four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Only a select few cigar outfits have impressed me like Tesa, a boutique manufacturer run from a fashionable lounge in Chicago. From the Gran Cru and the Havanitas to the Vintage Especial and the Series Finos, I’m a big fan of these naked, tiger-endorsed blends made by atypical cigar maker Chris Kelly.

“I’m a 24-year-old Irish kid from the South Side of Chicago,” Kelly told me in an interview. “My father bought a building in Nicaragua and offered to let me make cigars. At 18 I said, ‘Hell yes!’ and have been doing it ever since.”

Listening to Kelly talk about the challenges of blending and the difficulties of operating as an outsider in Nicaragua is an eye-opening experience. But no one can doubt that he caught on to the trade quickly. Tesa has grown a loyal following, earned a well-deserved reputation for quality and consistency, and scored very well in our reviews.

The Cabinet 312 blend is no exception. Named for Chicago’s best-known area code, this line sports a criollo ’98 maduro leaf wrapped around Nicaraguan tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa. It is available in five cifuentes-capped vitolas and one torpedo size called the Series G.

I sampled two Series Rs (4.75 x 52) for this review. Each had a textured, somewhat lumpy surface but was devoid of any real physical imperfections. The tightly packed robusto is firm in the hand and draws well on the cold taste. Pre-light notes of sweet wood are subtle.

In the spring Kelly told me this cigar is one of his favorites and among his best-sellers. It’s easy to see why from the first puff. The Cabinet 312’s full-bodied flavor is of warm spice and dry cocoa with sugary, creamy undertones. While it has characteristics of other criollo-wrapped smokes, the Series R is more refined than others I can recall in terms of balance and complexity.

As the solid gray ash builds off the foot, the burn line tends to wave down the cigar. A few touch-ups are needed here and there to keep things running on schedule, but construction is otherwise top-notch and worthy of a smoke of this depth and flavor.

It goes without saying that criollo fans need to add the Cabinet 312 to their must-try list. Seek out the $10 Series R for a fine example of everything a great criollo cigar should be. For its memorable, complex profile that’s spicy yet smooth, this Tesa creation 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

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 large perfecto (6 x 58) was given to me by José Blanco straight from the La Aurora aging room, where it had been sitting for close to a decade. It features an oily and veiny Dominican corojo wrapper surrounding a Dominican binder and a Dominican, Brazilian, and Cameroon filler blend. It’s immaculately balanced with cream, cedar, nuts, and a hint of cocoa. Construction is also excellent on this stick which, if you’re lucky enough to find, I thoroughly recommend you try.

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.”

A smoking acquaintance recommended I give this new inexpensive line a try, citing the Maduro version as the best of the bunch. Unfortunately, it didn’t suit my taste. Despite good construction and burn qualities, I found it harsh and lacking the typical maduro sweetness. With such a low price, I definitely plan to smoke Nick’s Sticks in its other varieties—Sun Grown and Connecticut—but I don’t think I’ll be lighting another Maduro.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The Congressional Cigar Association (CCA), an organization of about 200 Congressional staff members who share a passion for premium cigars, recently celebrated its first anniversary. The event featured heightened outreach to Congressional offices, led by the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR). “The two days of intensive meetings and all the work that went into their planning, organizing, execution and follow-up were part of the IPCPR’s ongoing efforts to generate increased understanding of the premium cigar industry among federal legislators, regulators, and their staffs,” read an IPCPR press release dated July 6.

2) Smoking Ban Alerts: New York already criminalizes smoking in bars, restaurants, and other places of employment, but now Mayor Michael Bloomberg may extend the regulation to the city’s parks and beaches. Michigan’s smoking ban would be extended under a new bill that repeals an exemption for casinos. Long Beach is preparing to ban smoking in the city’s small parks.

3) Inside the Industry: Toraño has tapped the expertise of long time roller Felipe Sosa for a new cigar called “Master” that will be presented in four sizes: robusto, torpedo, Churchill, and a thick toro. Gurkha is introducing a new cigar called SEALs, named after the special forces group, which comes in a sealed briefcase complete with a combat knife.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes a Vegas Robaina Famosos. Stogie Review reviews the Illusione MJ12. Cigar Inspector inspects a Montecristo Petit Tubo. Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender. A Cigar Smoker lights up a Fonseca Especial.

5) Deal of the Week: With full-bodied spice and Cuban-like depth, Nicaraguan smokes are increasing in popularity, and this Nicaraguan Blends Sampler demonstrates why. Included are two each from Padilla Habano, Man O’ War, Rocky Patel Fusion, and Gurkha Park Avenue, all for under $30. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: IPCPR