The 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 petit corona is only available at the two Davidoff stores in midtown New York City. The un-banded smoke has a rustic-looking Ecuadorian sungrown wrapper that surrounds a Dominican olor binder and filler from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The smoke starts off medium-bodied and nutty, but it soon ramps up into a more full-bodied smoke, complete with roast coffee, cedar, and subtle black pepper flavors. Construction is excellent, with a wide black line leading an even burn and a sturdy salt-and-pepper ash.

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.”

I’ve always enjoyed the original San Cristobal line and this  six inch by 50 toro is no exception. The inviting Nicaraguan puro features a shiny corojo wrapper. It features roasted flavor without the characteristic Pepin bite. Medium- to full-bodied with leather, coffee and rich earth, it’s a well balanced cigar. All that combined with flawless construction from start to finish is why I continue to be a fan of San Cristobal.

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.”

I was pleased to find a stash of Coronado Toros (6 x 52) at my local tobacconist for $6.50 apiece. That’s a fair price for a habano sungrown-wrapped cigar that offers above average construction and complex flavors of toffee, warm tobacco, and coffee beans. After the smooth two-hour smoke, I found myself wondering why I don’t light these up more often.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Odds are tomorrow night you’ll be celebrating the New Year with a champagne toast. And if you’re like me, you’ll also want to celebrate that festive occasion with a fine cigar. But not just any cigar will do.

While I’ve seen champagne pairings that include such powerhouse cigars as an Opus X, this seems like a waste of good champagne to me. Sure, while you’ll the enjoy cigar—much as you probably would if any exceptional cigar was paired  a glass of water—a true cigar/drink pairing should bring out the best in both components.

That’s why I’d recommend the following five cigars when you’re looking for something to smoke with a toast on New Year’s Eve:

Macanudo Vintage 1988 — I recently smoked a Churchill of this blend and its extensive aging has turned this into a delicate smoke with almond notes.

Por Larrañaga (Cuban) — This under-appreciated Cuban has just the right combination of mild flavors to pair with a fine Cava.

Paul Garmirian Gourmet Belicoso Fino (1991) — This one’s a bit specific, but with a mild to medium body, ginger, and floral notes, it’s an excellent pairing for a vintage champagne.

Davidoff Classic — Considered the most mild of the Davidoff blends, these cigars have a creamy base with vanilla notes and plenty of subtleties.

Illusione Epernay — Named after the central town in the Champagne region of France, Illusione creator Dion Giolito says this line (originally commissioned for European Cigar Cult Journal) is specifically designed to pair with champagne.

In addition to picking the right cigar, here’s one other hint to keep in mind: Consider pouring your champagne in a traditional wine glass instead of a champagne flute. Tall, slender flute glasses often enunciate the bubbles to the detriment of flavor. Also, be sure to avoid saucer-shaped champagne coupes, which eliminate the brilliant aromas of a fine champagne.

Cheers!

–Patrick S

photo credit: Blogspot

The other day a workman came by to do some adjustments on a project that had been previously installed at my house. He was here for only a few minutes, and I puzzled over what to do. A tip didn’t seem exactly appropriate for the small job, but something seemed in order.

As he was packing up, I went to my humidor, grabbed a stick and dropped it in my pocket. Before he got to the door, I asked whether he ever smoked cigars.

“Sometimes,” he replied. “Great,” I said. “I think you’ll enjoy this one.” I pulled the cigar out of my pocket and dropped it in his.

And with that simple act, I decided I have established my own new tradition: New Year’s cigars. For the next couple of weeks I’m going to look for opportunities to present someone with a cigar as I wish them Happy New Year.

What better way to spread some cheer and happiness than with a cigar? Oh, I’m sure I’ll run into a tobacco Grinch or two. Honestly, though, I think most people see the gift of a cigar as a friendly gesture. It seems to hearken back to a more civilized time. After all, who ever got in a fight after one too many cigars?

So, may I invite you to join me in giving the gift of cigars? Maybe we can make it a lasting New Year’s ritual.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Back in November, I wrote a Quick Smoke of Murcielago, one of this summer’s most anticipated releases. Now, after burning through about a quarter box of this new line from Eddie Ortega, Erik Espinosa, and Don Pepin Garcia, I am pleased to present a more thorough review.

Murcielago was one of two new blends introduced by United Tobacco at the IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans (the other being the Cubao Maduro). According to the text printed on the tissue paper inside my box, its name—“bat” in Spanish—honors the often misunderstood creature that fertilizes tequila-producing agave plants in Mexico. “No bats, no tequila,” it reads.

Why link this cigar to Mexico and tequila? Well, the five-vitola Murcielago blend is predominantly Mexican in makeup with a San Andreas maduro wrapper and a Mexican binder. The filler tobaccos are Nicaraguan.

When the production of this blend was announced in July, Espinosa said in a press release that “the cigars were better than Eddie and I hoped for.” That struck a chord with many cigar enthusiasts who have grown to love the handful of blends United Tobacco has created since the company was founded in 2003.

Murcielago stands out among them in both name and appearance. The Belicoso (5.5 x 52) is slightly box-pressed with a smooth, dark, and rich-looking exterior leaf, accented by a red and black band. Moderately firm from head to foot, it exudes pungent pre-light notes of powdered cocoa and compost.

This cigar’s makers say Murcielago is supposed to be “medium- to full-bodied.” I think that’s about right, though fans of bold sticks should note that its thick smoke has more smoothness than strength. The chalky profile tastes of nuts, espresso, and leather with little variation throughout.

While this flavor is interesting, it isn’t as captivating as I hope it will become with some age. Otherwise, the young EO Murcielago Belicoso is an excellent smoke with above average physical properties. It’s a good value at $9-10 apiece and worthy of four 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 cigar sitting in my humidor for nearly two years, so I was anxious to see how the aging had affected one of my favorite Cuban smokes. What I found was a cigar that had mellowed slightly from the last time I smoked it, but maintained much of the depth and complexity that made it a highly-rated favorite. The robusto featured a wonderful combination of dark roast coffee, cinnamon, cedar, and earth. As it progressed, leather and a hint of black pepper emerged. After some initial burn issues, it became clear that this smoke is not only still a winner—it’s even better with age.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys