The Stogie Guys

We all recognize Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic as the top growers of premium tobacco. Indonesia, Cameroon, and a few others might also make the list. But Morocco isn’t a country widely associated with cigars.

Miles away from mainstream (literally), Felipe Gregorio—a cigar maker with a résumé that includes selling helicopters in the Middle East and crafting a blend for Frank Sinatra—has branched out to cultivate tobacco in northwest Africa.

True, his path to cigardom took a fairly traditional route through Honduras and Nicaragua. But now, with a Dominican factory (Tabacalera Real de Felipe Gregorio) and a boutique shop in Miami, Gregorio is growing tobacco in Morocco for his “Moroccan Series.”

This unique line of cigars includes four different blends named for the region of Morocco in which their tobacco is grown. Imilchil, according to Felipe’s website, is a village in central Morocco that’s “located at an elevation of 2,119 meters in the valley of Assif Melloul (‘white river’). The tobacco grown at this altitude is very sweet.” The blend features 30% Imilchil tobacco, a Connecticut wrapper, and olor leaves from the Cibao Valley. Four vitolas are available.

I sampled two Amirs for this review. Measuring five inches with a 54 ring gauge, this plump robusto has a rough foot that exudes sweet aromas of honey. The pale wrapper is extremely delicate and prone to tears if mishandled. Thankfully, the double bands are loose and easy to remove and the cap clips neatly.

While toasting the foot, the Amir yields a unique incense-like resting smoke that’s aromatic and floral. The taste, intensely cedary at first, settles into a mild profile of vanilla, almond, and steak seasoning. Sharp on the finish, the combined effect, oddly enough, reminds me of jasmine rice.

The Amir’s outstanding construction enables you to enjoy this distinctive flavor without worrying about combustion deficiencies. Its burn is nearly perfect, its draw clear, and its gray ash holds strong.

While I may not remember these physical properties several weeks from now, I won’t soon forget the Imichil’s one-of-a-kind taste. Such a matchless, enjoyable flavor easily makes this my favorite Felipe Gregorio to date. So, for a unique experience on the mild side of the spectrum, I highly recommend purchasing a box for $130 at Casa Felipe (the Imilchil 30/70 Amir’s exclusive online distributor). 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

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’ve had this Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona resting in my humidor for over a year. With a clean light brown wrapper and a classic white, gold, and red Hoyo band, it’s a good looking smoke. The double corona is woody and earthy with a bit of spice and a hint of cream. Unfortunately, there is also lingering bitterness that comes and goes. Construction was pleasantly uneventful with an even burn and clean draw that produces an abundance of smoke. While certainly not a bad cigar, at $16-20 each I’d expect a little better.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

Word is that Roberto Juarez of Bravo Cigars recently teamed up with Gene Arganese to re-blend his smokes. I haven’t had the opportunity to try a new Bravo yet, but I’m still a fan of the old Colombian puro version. The Toro, measuring six inches with a 50 ring gauge, boasts top-notch construction and a mild, creamy profile of oak, vanilla, honey, and toast. Great for a relaxed morning with coffee or lazy afternoon with a cold beer.

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. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The new Cohiba Behike is expected to hit non-U.S. stores in mid-June. Lauded by some as the finest cigar ever produced in Cuba or elsewhere, Behike uses a rare “medio tiempo” leaf and is being advertised as the “new standard among smokers worldwide.” Its name comes from the Tiano word for sorcerer or doctor. While the blend’s three sizes will retail for $36-57 apiece, high demand and low supply make black markets likely in countries where Cubans are legal—and almost certain in America thanks to the trade embargo.

2) The “CAO Invitational” golf tournament, sponsored by Famous Smoke Shop, will tee off Friday, April 16, at the Whitetail Golf Club in Bath, Pennsylvania. The cost of admission ($70 per person) includes greens fees, a post-round dinner, and a CAO goodie bag complete with smokes and swag.

3) Inside the Industry: All but two of the cigar rollers at the El Credito factory in Miami have been let go, Cigar Aficionado reports, as General Cigar transitions the famous space where La Gloria Cubana was created into a cigar lounge. The Cuban Stock Cigar Company is increasing its distribution of Exquisito, Chubbys, Cuban Stock Vintage, Joya de Havana, and Delicioso cigars to 130 stores nationwide.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame examines the science of cigar flavors. Stogie Review lights up the Illusione 88. Cigar Inspector inspects the Velazquez. A Cigar Smoker smokes the CAO Criollo. Tampa Cigar Examiner examines the Upper Cut by Punch. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve found yet more unpublicized deals from Cuban Crafters. There are a number of discounts, but our favorites are boxes of the Cameroon Cabinet Toro for $70, Cubano Claro Lonsdale for $60, and La Carolina Pyramid for $70. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

I maintain that La Aurora is an underrated cigar maker. Headed by Guillermo León and José Blanco, La Aurora doesn’t chase trends, but seems to produce solid, tasty smokes year after year, with Preferidos and Cien Años as classic examples.

Speaking of years, this year La Aurora—the oldest Dominican cigar company—celebrates its 107th anniversary. Like so many cigar companies, its celebrating with a new cigar. “We had defined our goal early on,” said León, La Aurora VP, “and that was to bring the smokers a medium-bodied, richly flavored smoke with a fair amount of spice at a very attractive price.”

Leon and Blanco created the La Aurora 107 blend with an Ecuadorian wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. The Robusto (4.5 x 50) retails for $6.50. Other sizes of the cigar, due out only in brick and mortar cigar shops, are a Toro (5.5 x 54) and a Belicoso (6.25 x 52).

The Ecuadorian wrapper is oily and rough with plenty of veins. The cigar is slightly spongy to the touch but even throughout. Upon clipping the head, an easy draw is apparent which is maintained throughout the short robusto.

Upon lighting, I find a hint of bitterness in the first few puffs, which soon gives way to toasty flavors with a hint of spice. There’s also a nice bit of sweetness that I commonly associate with maduro smokes.

The 107 is medium-bodied and balanced. As it evolves, a burnt chary flavor emerges, along with more woody spices, and even a hint of Bordeaux-like wine notes. Construction is flawless with a solid ash and even burn producing thick, lush smoke.

I’m always a big believer in the idea that smoking slowly brings out the best in a cigar, and that is especially true in the La Aurora 107. When smoked too quickly, the 107 develops a slight bitterness. However, with enough patience (by limiting the 107 to no more than two draws per minute) it can be a smooth, subtle smoke.

So while you may have to work at it, the La Aurora 107 has a lot to offer. Given some aging time I think it might turn out even better. Even so, right now the La Aurora 107 Robusto earns a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I like smoking cigars so much that I cannot for the life of me understand why everyone doesn’t do it. I often recommend that friends and acquaintances try a cigar, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I’m sure many of you do the same.

Now, we all know smoking cigars is pretty simple. Mostly, it’s step 1: light up; step 2: enjoy. But there are some steps that can help you make a friend’s first smoke a fine and memorable occasion.

1. Size — For an introductory smoke, it’s best not to go too large. Newbies should be introduced with a preview of premium tobacco, not a two-hour commitment. Opting for a smaller size, such as a petit corona or Rothschild, increases the odds of a pleasurable experience.

2. Construction — Chose a cigar that you know draws well and burns easily. A first-time smoker is best served by never having to worry about relighting or drawing hard. A cigar that maintains a tight ash is also a good idea.

3. Setting — I recommend visiting a great cigar shop, but other places can work equally well. Just be sure it’s a spot to relax and have a cigar as part of an enjoyable occasion. Pairing the smoke with a favorite drink almost certainly will enhance the appeal.

4. Strength — While conventional wisdom is to go with a mild stick, I recommend a medium-bodied cigar. With a mild cigar you run the risk that the new smoker won’t really taste much of anything and wonder what the heck it’s all about. And a full-bodied powerhouse is likely to end poorly.

5. Simplicity — Avoid spouting off dos and don’ts. (OK, one reminder not to inhale.) Focus on making sure they realize that smoking cigars is about enjoying yourself and, frequently, enjoying the company of others who like it just as much. It’s not about rules.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

The first major shipment of Clasico cigars arrived at the Berger & Argenti headquarters in Miami on March 11. Now this new blend is hitting tobacconists across the country and heading to a retailer shelf near you.

Like Exile Wired and Entubar, Clasico is a product of the merger between Albert and Michael Argenti of Cuban Imports and Don Kiki Berger, creator of the Cupido and Don Kiki lines for Cuban Crafters. It is marketed as a “rich and flavorful cigar smoking experience offering exceptional value and affordability for discriminating cigar enthusiasts.”

Affordable it is. Clasico’s four vitolas—Corona Gorda (4.5 x 46), Rothschild (5 x 50), Belicoso (5.75 x 50), and Churchill (7 x 50)—retail for $4.50 to $7.50 apiece. This price range is especially impressive when you consider that the blend’s Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is of the “desflorado” variety. As you may recall from my review of the Cubano Claro (another Don Kiki line), desflorado is a finicky leaf that requires the buds on its plants to be cut off before they flower.

The result is a clean wrapper, albeit lumpy and a bit splotchy, with few veins and a nicely tailored cap. The Belicoso’s feel is moderately firm and its faint pre-light notes smell of honey.

Snipping less than a quarter inch from the sharply pointed cap reveals an effortless draw. Once lit, the Clasico—sporting a Nicaraguan Havana-seed criollo binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos—starts with an attention-grabbing profile of spicy cedar and dry cereals. Tasty yet lacking in balance.

Less than an inch passes before the Belicoso becomes more varied and harmonious. Here, additional flavors of creamy nuts and warm tobacco are complemented by a sweet, toasty aftertaste. The overall effect is of a cigar that’s pleasing to the palate and easy to smoke any time of the day.

As the Clasico grows milder in the final third, only to ramp up in cedar spice down the home stretch, it’s impossible not to notice the cigar’s superior construction. The burn is nearly perfect, the white ash is as stable as they come, and the draw remains easy to the nub.

The MSRP on the Belicoso is $6.50 per single or $130 per box of 20—a smart purchase that won’t leave you with buyer’s remorse. For well-blended flavors and brilliant physical properties, this vitola from the Berger & Argenti Clasico line earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys