The Stogie Guys

To re-blend this stalwart line, Ashton turned to its favorite cigar master, Don Pepin Garcia. He did a lot of work. For starters, the wrapper is a Connecticut broadleaf as dark as many maduros. Then, on to the filler, where previously Honduran tobacco was mixed with Nicaraguan. The new blend is all Nicaraguan.

One thing that didn’t change significantly was the price. The Churchill (7 x 50) can be had for $6 or less. And, for my money, it’s the most flavorful of the line.

Unlike many Pepin cigars, this one does not begin with a blast of spice. That comes a little later, though less pronounced than in some of his other creations. What this medium-strength cigar delivers is a finely balanced array of flavors, ranging from cocoa and chocolate to pepper and sweetness.

It’s that development that makes the Churchill most appealing. The four shorter sizes also have larger ring gauges. I’ve tried them all but the Immensa—a five and a half inch stick with a mammoth 60 ring gauge. They just don’t flow quite as well and the Robusto, in particular, tends to get a bit bitter toward the end.

La Aroma de Cuba has a beautiful band, perhaps to make up for the rather lumpy, splotchy wrapper. Construction is fine, and I’ve encountered no burn or draw problems.

In fact, my only complaint is that the Churchill seems to be rolled a little light, leading to a somewhat fast burn that’s difficult to slow down even by letting it rest more than usual.

All in all, I like the new blend. I gave the old line three and a half stogies. This time, considering the reasonable price, I believe it rises to a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Ashton Cigars

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 robusto from the Davidoff Mille series features a pale, nearly vein-free Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut wrapper. Inside is a Dominican seco binder and Dominican seco and ligero filler. While distinctly mild in flavor, the 6000 features impressive depth. It has plenty of creamy flavors, along with subtle graham, honey, and cedar notes, albeit with little variation from start to finish. This is the only new addition to the Mille series in decades, and it’s a welcome one.

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.”

My colleague reviewed this new corojo-wrapped cigar in early February, praising its construction and calling its flavors balanced yet somewhat lacking in complexity. I agree. The Mederos Fifty 1 demonstrates promise with a sweet core of cedar and cinnamon. I look forward to discovering how this cigar’s profile—particularly its meaty aftertaste—reacts to a bit of aging. For now, though, it earns its $6 price tag.

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) Keith Meier, founder and CEO of Cigars International, took to the pages of the Allentown Morning Call to oppose the effort to increase Pennsylvania’s cigar tax: “My company, Cigars International, just announced a $10 million  investment on a brownfield site in Bethlehem. As a result, we will preserve 175  jobs and create more than 50 new positions…In 1996 we brought Cigars International to Pennsylvania to escape crushing taxes from neighboring New York and New Jersey. Since then we have grown and expanded, adding employees and generating ever-greater state tax revenues. This economic activity would not have happened had cigar taxes been in place, and we certainly would not have invested so heavily in Pennsylvania this year had Gov. Rendell’s call for cigar taxes passed last year. Like many small and mid-sized businesses in America, Cigars International is creating jobs.”

2) One week ago, members of the cigar community met with members of Florida’s Republican party to tell them of the government-created challenges to their industry. According to Cigar Rights of America, during the event, “members of the Florida legislature were provided a tour of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, while being briefed on what the Florida cigar industry means for local employment, with over 250 retail establishments and 60 family-owned manufacturers, leaf dealers, importers, and cigar corporate headquarters operations throughout the state, equating to over 5,500 jobs. It was further noted that over 70% of the cigars sold in the United States are either made or imported through Florida.”

3) Inside the Industry: Don Pepin Garcia’s first-Dominican-wrapped cigar, Dominicano, debuts at the historic Racine & Laramie cigar shop in San Diego on March 12. Other in-store events in New York and Florida will follow. This new release, available in rosado or oscuro variations, is notable because it represents a collaboration between Garcia, Nestor Miranda, and Guillermo León of La Aurora. Dominicano will come in five sizes and retail for $6-8.

4) Around the Blogs: The Stogie Guys, via The Daily Caller, feature the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill. Stogie Review lights up a Fuente Rosado Magnum 52. Cigar Inspector fires up a Liga Privada No. 9. The Cigar Nut smokes a Liga Privada T-52. A Cigar Smoker reviews the Gran Habano Azteca. Cigar Spy investigates the Perdomo Habano. Nice Tight Ash reviews the Don Pepin Garcia Blue.

5) Deal of the Week: They call it a Contraband Sale, but we call it just plain good deals. The best buys are on our favorites: the  J.L. Salazar box of 25 for $70 and the Cuban Crafters Cameroon box of 25 for just $60. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: lehighvalleylive.com

A couple of years ago, I took a look at the cigars rated five stogies out of five. Now, well into 2010, it’s appropriate to  examine the best of the best from 2009 and consider the interesting mix of sticks rated at the top of the Stogie Guys’ scale.

One thing to bear in mind is that we try to review a wide range of cigars and provide variety. And when you consider our ratings system, I think you’ll see that we try to judge cigars on their own rather than making it a competition.

The list has a real mix, ranging from one of the most widely praised to a brand that’s likely unknown to many readers. If there’s one common characteristic that jumps out, though, it’s that these superb cigars were produced in small amounts, certainly when compared to top-selling sticks.

There’s only one Cuban, a Montecristo Sublime Edición Limitada 2008, which Patrick S called “one of the finest cigars I’ve ever smoked.” He also awarded top rank to the Arturo Fuente Opus X Perfecxion No.2 and said it “lives up the hype.” His other top pick was Don Pepin and Pete Johnson’s Cabaiguan Robusto Extra.

Patrick A praised the “great complexity and construction” of the Berger & Argenti Entubar Torpedo. He also had the rare privilege of enjoying an 18-year-old Paul Garmirian Gourmet Belicoso Fino ‘91 and found it to be a masterpiece. He introduced us to the Tesa line, citing the Vintage Especial Rothchild as “an absolute treasure…if you’re a smoker who can appreciate milder creations.”

Patrick M awarded the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 2 top honors. That cigar that later was selected as the StogieGuys.com top reviewed cigar of 2009. (That list was sent out exclusively to email subscribers.)

As for me, well, it seems I didn’t find a cigar worthy of five stogies last year. I confess I’m a little surprised. But it provides an easy New Year’s resolution: Look a little wider and smoke a little more.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One thing’s for certain about Rocky Patel: He makes a heck of a lot of cigars. Rocky’s flashy website doesn’t even bother to mention many of his blends, be they seasonal, limited editions, retailer exclusives, or what have you.

Still, for many cigar enthusiasts, any stick with Rocky’s name on the label is worth trying. Such trust is rooted not only in the blends that rocketed Rocky to success—like the Vintage ’90 and ’92 lines—but also in more recent winners, such as the popular and highly acclaimed Decade.

Among his lesser-known creations is the four-vitola Puro Cubano blend. The story here is that Rocky wanted to introduce a new full-bodied cigar before the SCHIP tax hike went into effect last April. To his dismay, however, the blend of Cuban-seed filler from Estelí, Nicaragua, and the Cibao Valley of the Dominican turned out milder than anticipated.

Rocky evidently thought the cigar was still worthy of his name. So today Puro Cubanos are readily available from online retailers at a relatively inexpensive price point.

The Robusto (5.5 x 50) sells for approximately $3.50-5 apiece when bought by of the box of 20. It isn’t the most attractive cigar on the planet. I examined two Robustos for this review, both of which included a Habano wrapper with large veins, small tears, and some discolored splotches.

The initial flavor, not unlike many cigars these days, starts with a hearty dose of black pepper spice. Powerful yet without harshness. This must have been what Rocky had in mind when he set out to make the Puro Cubano.

After a half inch, the profile mellows into a core of creamy oak. The taste is drier and more resinous than it is balanced or complex. It isn’t without charm, though, and I suspect many Rocky fans will be pleased with the Robusto’s medium-bodied bang for the buck.

That suspicion is reinforced by the Puro Cubano’s outstanding construction. Sure, this cigar may look like it’s going to have combustion deficiencies, but it smokes very well. Expect a sturdy white ash, an effortless draw, and a straight burn.

Seasoned cigar veterans still shouldn’t expect to be wowed. The flavor is too monotonous to merit 100% of your attention. So I’d save the Puro Cubano Robusto for occasions where the cigar will be a background complement instead of the main event. That’s why this Rocky Patel earns three stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by Cigars Direct.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Dion Giolito has made a splash over the past few years with bold yet balanced smokes marketed with a flare for the mysterious and sometimes conspiratorial. Unlike his earlier Illusione and Cruzado lines, the Epernay blend takes its inspiration from a more traditional source: the Epernay region of France known around the world for the Champagne it produces.

Epernay debuted in 2008 as the ECCJ 15th limited release (in honor of the 15th anniversary of the European Cigar Cult Journal). It was eventually rolled out in 2009 as a full line with four sizes. For this review I tasted the panatela-sized “Le Elegance” (5.75 x 40).

According to Illusione’s website, this Nicaraguan puro features “a combination of criollo and corojo tobaccos…[and] is finished with a superior-grade cafe rosado coverleaf.” It’s well constructed with a Cuban-style triple cap and framed by a white and gold band.

Pre-light, the panatela draws with sweet cedar notes. I find a mild, creamy smoke after lighting with a single wooden match.

Despite its distinctly mild to medium body, the cigar has an intense mix of apple, roast nuts, and cedar. In the final third, a very subtle hint of cedar spiciness emerges along with delicate floral notes.

Construction is excellent, which is particularly impressive considering the small ring gauge. The ash holds for over half an inch and the draw provides no resistance.

It is said that the Epernay is blended to be paired with champagne, but I’ll admit I had my doubts. With a healthy skepticism, I lit my last one up paired with a fine Cava (which, for my money, is as good as a champagne three times the price), and I found that the crisp, lively bubbly was an excellent accompaniment.

I’ve written before in appreciation of fine mild smokes, and this cigar hits all the characteristics of such a cigar. Delicate and subtle, Le Elegance is tasty and without a bit of the bitterness that tarnishes so many otherwise excellent mild cigars.

Ultimately, at $7.70, this Epernay lives up to its name: elegant. Because of that, the Illusione Epernay Le Elegance earns the rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys