The Stogie Guys

While Scotch gets most of the glory, we’ve made no secret of the fact that Irish whiskey can be an equally exciting spirit. But unlike the Jameson blends we’ve praised before, Michael Collins is a single malt whiskey, an attribute more commonly associated with Scotch.

Still, with a name like Michael Collins, there’s no mistaking that this spirit comes from the Emerald Isle. Collins was an leader in the fight for Irish independence from Great Britain. Known affectionately by the Irish (but not necessarily by the English) as “The Big Fella,” he was later assassinated in 1922 at the age of 31 by factions in Ireland who opposed the treaty of independence he signed with the British.

Collins’ image emblazons the tall tapered bottle and, if he happened to be a smooth yet bold character, his spirit would certainly be captured within. This single malt is a most exemplary whiskey, as evidenced by the Double Gold it won at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. (Note: A blended Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is also available, although it doesn’t seem to be as widely available.)

The first thing that strikes me about Michael Collins is its bright bronze hue, which, while dark, isn’t at all cloudy. After pouring a few fingers in a glass, you’re greeted with a nose of peat, citrus, honey, and oak. The oak is imparted from the 8-12 years that the whiskey is aged in oak barrels.

When I enjoyed it neat I found flavors of peat, a hint of spice, and a toffee-like sweetness. It’s a warm, balanced combination that is very smooth. The finish is long with a bit of vanilla bean.

For those who can’t handle a bit of heat on the tongue, though, Michael Collins also does well with an ice cube or two. But drinking it on the rocks will spoil  some of the subtleties this whiskey has to offer.

Either way, this $35-40 spirit goes great with a cigar. I found medium- to full-bodied smokes to be the best paring. The Paul Garmirian Soiree, San Cristobal, and EO 601 Red all went very well. If you’d prefer something from that certain island south of Miami, light up a Hoyo de Monterey Epicure Especial, Hoyo No. 2, or Montecriso Petit Edmundo, pour a bit of Michael Collins Single Malt, and enjoy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With all of the hype surrounding the Tatuaje “Monster Series,” it’s easy to forget that Pete Johnson has plenty of other limited cigars on the market that are easier to find. At least, that is, until Tatuaje’s loyal fans locate all the hidden gems.

Along with other shop-specific releases—which include the T-110, Bombazos, and Cohete—the Tatuaje Porkchop can be found at only one B&M. This four inch by 46 ring gauge cigar is a limited release  with reportedly only 100 boxes of 25 made for Gloucester Street Cigar owner Jose Agosto.

The Porkchop features a Nicaraguan ligero wrapper similar to the one used on the Reserva J21 and is finished with a wrapped, fuma-style foot. As with most Tatuajes, the construction on the Porkchop is almost flawless.

The cigar has very few veins and the pre-light draw has just the right amount of resistance. The wrapper smells of pepper, earth, and faint floral notes.

In typical Tatuaje fashion, the Porkchop opens up with a blast of pepper and spice that fades after a few minutes. Then a very sweet butterscotch flavor emerges.

After some initial burn irregularities, probably due to the wrapped foot, the burn straightens out and produces a nice gray ash. The spice returns slowly near the end.

The Porkchop is sweeter than the other Tatuaje Reservas that I have smoked and, despite its small size, takes an hour and fifteen minutes to smoke. With an MSRP of around $9 per stick, the it is a wonderful cigar that is definitely worth a try, especially if you’re a fan smaller formats.

All of which earns the exclusive Tatuaje Reserva Porkchop an impressive rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Like the Tatuaje Black and the Avo Classic No. 2 that my colleague recently reviewed, the CAO Lx2 Rosado Especial is exclusively available in a ten-stogie sampler for Cigar Rights of America (CRA) members. So, since the samplers are limited to one per member, this review is likewise based off a single sample.

The original Lx2 (“ligero times two”) line was released by CAO at last year’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. Following CAO’s Mx2 (Maduro) and Cx2 (Cameroon) blends, it features a hearty helping of spicy, full-bodied ligero leaves surrounded by a Honduran binder and a sungrown Nicaraguan wrapper.

The six-inch Rosado Especial instead has a Nicaraguan-grown rosado leaf. Made exclusively for CRA at the CAO Fabrica de Tabacos facrory in Danlí, Honduras, it is said to have “a bold, muscular structure layered with flavors of bittersweet chocolate, paprika, and woody tobacco notes,” according to Tim Ozgener, president of CAO. “The exquisite rosado wrapper imparts a pleasant floral note upon the flavor profile, which balances superbly with the three different ligero fillers.”

Before firing up the Rosado Especial for myself, I surveyed its handsome appearance. This cigar is easily distinguished from other Lx2s by its pink band extension and CRA logo across the foot. Underneath is an oily, somewhat veiny wrapper with plenty of tooth and a sweet smell.

The firm toro cuts neatly to expose an easy draw. Then, almost immediately after the first puff, I began to compare the taste to my limited experience with the regular Lx2 line. Based on the handful of Lanceros that I’ve smoked recently, I’d have to give the edge to the Rosado Especial.

The base flavors remain largely unchanged. These include black pepper, smoky wood, roasted nuts, and coffee beans. But here, as Mr. Ozgener correctly pointed out, they are complemented by floral characteristics—definitely lavender and maybe a bit of coconut. Personally, I find this combination more interesting than the sweetness offered by the traditional sungrown leaf.

I also wasn’t disappointed by this cigar’s construction or how it develops with spicy, creamy, and savory textures.

Becoming a CRA member is already a good idea if you value freedom and want to join the fight against excessive tobacco taxes, regulations, and smoking bans. Having the chance to try this cigar is just another reason to sign up. CAO definitely made a nice addition to the sampler, which is why the Lx2 Rosado Especial earns 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.”

Montecruz bands have surrounded many different cigars over the years. This Altadis-made Montecruz, introduced January 2009, features a ten-year-old Cameroon wrapper surrounding a Nicaraguan binder and a filler of tobacco from Peru, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It’s attractive, notably silky, and vein-free. The cigar is balanced and medium-bodied, with a straightforward graham cracker sweetness with a bit of cedary spice. At around $5 each, and with excellent construction, it certainly warrants a 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.”

Even though this line from Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega is only a few years old, smoking a Toro (6 x 50) for the first time in awhile feels like catching up with an old friend. The Nicaraguan puro, dressed in an oily habano wrapper, displays a masterful balance of power and subtlety. Flavors include cocoa, pepper, and toasty tobacco. Minor burn issues detract only slightly from the outstanding taste of this Don Pepin Garcia creation.

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) Altadis, the world’s largest cigar company, is suing Tatuaje Cigars, Pete Johnson, and Don Pepin Garcia. The lawsuit alleges trademark violations, in part over the fleur-de-lis used to market the Montecristo and Tatuaje brands. Other issues cited in the complaint include Pepin’s use of the “Tabacalera Garcia” name (Altadis owns “Tabacalera de Garcia” in the Dominican Republic) and confusion between “Jose Pepin Garcia” and the late “Jose Pepe Garcia,” founder of Montecristo. Altadis argues that these and other similarities confuse consumers. But Johnson’s attorney, according to Cigar Aficionado, says Altadis is “trying to stifle good American competition by someone who is building a business.”

2) Officials in St. Louis County overwhelmingly approved a smoking ban on Tuesday. The law, which goes into effect in January 2011, currently excludes casinos. But many expect that exemption to be quickly rescinded.

3) Inside the Industry: The new PG 20th Anniversary will be  arriving at select stores soon after its debut at a special dinner on the last day before Virginia’s new restrictive smoking ban goes into effect. General Cigar has announced that Modesta Fondeur will retire from her position as executive vice president of tobacco and operations at the end of the year.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review lights up a Quesada 35th Anniversary. Keepers of the Flame torches an Alec Bradley Select Cabinet Reserve. The Cohiba Club herfs with a Ambos Mundos. Cigar Inspector inspects the Don Tomás Clasico. Stogie Fresh fires up a J. Fuego Delerium. Matt smokes the Cain Habano. Nice Tight Ash reviews the Diesel.

5) Deal of the Week: Depending on how big of a Nub aficionado you are, you’ll want to grab one of these two Nub samplers. Nub fans will like this sampler of six different Nubs for just $30. Bigger Nub fans will want to double up with this sampler of 12 assorted Nubs for just $50. Grab them here and here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

There were many sought-after new releases at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show, but perhaps none as anticipated as Padrón’s newest creation. Unlike most cigarmakers, Padrón doesn’t always put out a new cigar every year. When the company does, though, it’s usually in high demand.

That was certainly the case with the new Padrón Family Reserve No. 45. Released in two versions (natural and maduro) with one size (six inches with a 52 ring gauge), it celebrates the 45th anniversary of Padrón Cigars. The cigar comes in boxes of 10, and individual cigars sell for around $25 each.

For that price you’d expect a well-made cigar, and the Padrón 45 certainly has the look of a well-made smoke. The Nicaraguan puro features an oily, dark maduro wrapper carefully pressed into an ultra-firm toro shape.

The Padrón Family Reserve starts out medium-bodied but soon becomes a full-bodied treat. It has a combination of rich espresso, cocoa, and a spicy, woody edge.

Despite that powerful combination of flavor, the defining characteristic of the new Padrón is how remarkably smooth it is from start to finish. It’s an amazing intensity of balanced flavor without a bit of edge.

Surprisingly, the two samples I smoked both had unexpected construction issues, as the wrapper on each became slightly detached from the binder. The other physical properties were excellent, however, with the densely packed smoke creating a long, sturdy ash.

Back in June, Jorge Padrón told me that he plans to make the Family Reserve an annual release.  Ideally, around September 8 each year (the anniversary of the company’s founding) they will release a new limited release in just one size.

And of course I’m looking forward to that natural version of the No. 45.  Until then, though, we just have the Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro, an extremely decadent cigar that earns a 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