The Stogie Guys

Legendary cigar maker Avelino Lara died yesterday due to complications from thyroid cancer. Once Fidel Castro’s personal roller, Lara was famous for his creations at the El Laguito Factory outside of Havana, where he crafted some of of the most famous Cuban cigars, including the Cohiba brand.

Born in Havana on March 20, 1921, Lara worked in the cigar business all his life. He trained and mastered the art of a torcedor at a young age. After decades of working in the Cuban cigar industry, including having a hand in some of the best-known blends ever created, Lara retired in 1996, in part because he was unhappy with government interference in cigar making.

Lara couldn’t keep away from cigars for long. He eventually moved to Nassau to roll cigars at Graycliff Restaurant. His cigars soon became a success, and Lara then teamed up with Enrico Garzaroli to create and distribute Graycliff Cigars.

“With Avelino we had the idea of creating a cigar to sell in the restaurant to fuel my passion of finding the perfect cigar to complement our 5-star dining experience,” said Enrico Garzaroli, chairman and founder of the Graycliff Cigar Company. “With him we created the award winning Graycliff Original blend, beating some of Avelino’s former Cuban cigar creations in blind tastings. He had a passion for his art that no one can replicate.”

Although Lara retired from Graycliff a few years ago and returned to his native Havana, he was still involved with the company product line, sampling new cigar blends and suggesting modifications.

“Avelino will be sorely missed. Even though he was no longer present in the rolling room each day, the torcedores continue to refer to his passion, knowledge, and his constant testing of their skills,” said Paolo Garzaroli, president and co-founder of Graycliff. “I will personally miss his dedication to our company, his drive for perfection, and his many wisdoms which he shared with me.” Lara’s son, Abel, continues to make cigars for Graycliff.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Graycliff

When first signed into law, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of tobacco seemed by many to be a distant threat to cigars. The apparent consensus was that the bill was targeting cigarettes and, if it any threat to handmade premium cigars existed, it would be many years before the impact would be felt.

Lately, however, cigar makers who would be most impacted, along with retailers and consumers, have started to recognize the serious and immediate threat that FDA oversight poses to handmade cigars.

This was brought to a head when, nearly simultaneously, reports started surfacing that the FDA was sending agents into cigar shops to investigate the need for further regulations, and that a House Committee was investigating “flavored” cigars. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that StogieGuys.com has been warning about FDA regulation the entire time the bill was being considered and being signed into law.

Part of the confusion over the impact of the FDA bill—called “The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act” by its proponents—is that the bill does two different things which at first glance seem somewhat in conflict. First, the legislation authorizes the FDA to regulate all tobacco, with the only major restriction being that the FDA cannot create an outright prohibition on tobacco products without an additional act of Congress. Second, the bill instructs the FDA to use that authorization to regulate cigarettes, including a ban on flavored cigarettes (except for menthol).

While focusing on the second provision of the bill, many in the cigar industry failed to recognize that by authorizing FDA regulation of any tobacco products, the bill now puts the fate of the handmade cigar industry in the hands of unelected FDA bureaucrats. This puts cigars behind the eight ball, where opponents of cigars no longer need to pass any additional legislation to subject the industry to extremely restrictive regulations that would include bans on most advertising and a burdensome FDA product approval process.

Since repeal of FDA oversight isn’t a realistic option with the current makeup of Congress (and frankly it would be a tough sell under any Congress we’re likely to see in the next decade), the current strategy should focus on differentiating handmade cigars from other products. Unlike small machine-made cigars and cigarettes, handmade cigars aren’t “manufactured”—they’re crafted. For example, blends are often tweaked from year to maintain an overall flavor even when the tastes of the tobaccos in the blend change due to climate or other factors.

Unless the FDA recognizes this, innovation in the industry is likely to be stifled, particularly for smaller boutique cigar makers who can’t afford the testing that an FDA approval process would include. Splitting handmade cigars from machine-made cigars would be a positive step towards protecting the innovation that has brought us so many of the great cigars that have come to market in recent years. It would also have the added benefit of stalling implementation of regulations until further FDA studies are completed.

The ultimate goal should continue to be to free handmade cigars entirely from the chains of FDA oversight. However, until that is possible, organizations like the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) should focus on protecting cigars as best as possible through the FDA by creating a “handmade cigars” designation that would recognize the unique characteristics of our beloved premium cigars.

–Patrick S

photo credit: FDA

Felipe Gregorio is one of those cigar brands I wish I knew more about. But thanks to Amine Taoulost, Felipe’s marketing director, I got a first-hand look at this company and its products at the IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans this August.

Felipe, inspired by the Cuban cigars he smoked while growing up in Europe, got his self-titled outfit off the ground when he gave up selling helicopters in the Middle East in 1988. His subsequent cigar journey took him to Honduras and Nicaragua before finally settling in the Dominican Republic. There, at request of Frank Sinatra—who wanted Felipe to craft a cigar bearing his name—Felipe established the Tabacalera Real de Felipe Gregorio factory.

One of Felipe’s most intriguing projects is the Moroccan Series. This unique line of cigars includes four different blends named for the region of Morocco in which their tobacco is grown. Essaoura, an isolated city on the Atlantic coast known for its whitewashed houses, is said to produce leaves of “rich, earthy flavors,” according to Felipe’s website. The blend features 40% Essaoura tobacco, 60% Dominican, and a Vuelta Abajo habano wrapper.

The Amir frontmark, a five inch by 52 ring gauge figurado, has a tapered foot and a broad midsection that narrows at the head. Behind two black and yellow bands, the wrapper is coarse, splotchy, and a bit rough around the edges. Both of my samples were firm to the touch with faint pre-light notes of hay and pencil.

My first impression of the taste is that it’s spicy, complex, and—despite the distinctive blend—quite traditional. A full-bodied array of pepper, cedar, cork, and dried tea shines through with each voluminous puff. While I expected something entirely different given the Moroccan connection, I was pleased with what I found.

The flavor mellows and takes on more balance as the cigar opens to its widest point. Here, cream and almond enter the equation to provide a smooth contrast to the woody base. The final third, characterized by more of a meaty texture, is an appropriate way to end a hearty cigar.

I was impressed by all this 60-minute smoke has to offer, including its near-perfect construction performance. So if, like me, you need to better acquaint yourself with the Felipe Gregorio brand, consider picking up a sampler of the three Essaoura vitolas for $24 from CasaFelipe. You’ll enjoy the Amir, which 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.”

Padrón 1964 is one of the highest-rated and most acclaimed cigar lines for good reason. This square-press, five and a half inch by 50 ring gauge parejo has a dark wrapper and impressive construction. It’s very firm, but never to the detriment of the draw or burn. This stick features a complex blend of coffee beans, unsweetened chocolate, and earthy notes. The result is a classic, rich combination of balanced, medium- to full-bodied flavors.

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.”

While I’ve had many good experiences with many La Flor Dominicana smokes, this Torpedo (6 x 54)—on this particular occasion—wasn’t up to snuff. I mostly enjoyed its flavor of spice, leather, and cream. But this Ecuadorian Sumatra-wrapped cigar suffered from poor combustion qualities that consistently deteriorated from my enjoyment. I wanted more from a $7-9 cigar made by a premier tobacco outfit and, hoping this was merely a dud, I expect the next one to be better.

Verdict = Hold.

–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) As North Carolina bars and restaurants brace for a statewide smoking ban in 2010, some Charlotte officials plan to go a step further: They aim to criminalize lighting up on sidewalks around a city community college. The move, according to one anti-tobacco extremist, would “propel the city into the forefront of antismoking efforts around the country” and establish a precedent for sidewalk bans in other cities.

2) Universal Studios’ “Land of the Lost,” a box office flop, is under fire for scenes of Will Ferrell holding a pipe. An arm of the American Medical Association claims the movie’s portrayal of smoking ranks worst among all of last summer’s flicks.

3) Inside the Industry: At a recent event, Don Pepin Garcia’s daughter, Jenny, reportedly told one attendee that next year he will put out a limited release cigar, and that all 20,000 will be personally rolled by Garcia. If the latest figures from tobacco giant Altria are any indication, the increase in federal taxes appears to keep boosting sales of “drug store” cigars—which rose 5% to 333 million in the third quarter.

4) Around the Blogs: A Cigar Smoker lights up the Nestor Miranda Ruky. Nice Tight Ash smokes the Declaration Iniquity by Jameson. Cigar Inspector fires up a Bolivar Belicoso Finos. Stogie Review reviews the Los Blancos Nine.

5) Deal of the Week: Last week we featured a great Halloween special, and this week we’re pleased to tell you about a full-bodied sampler that’s such a great bargain it’s scary. For just $30 you get two each of the Gurkha Park Avenue, Man O’ War, Padilla Habano,  and Rocky Patel Fusion. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

Generally speaking, I often prefer the bold, rustic taste of American bourbons to Irish, Scottish, or Canadian whiskies. I suspect many of you have the same preference. But, taking a small step outside my comfort zone, I decided to check out the affordable Reserve 10 Year Old from our neighbor to the north.

Poking around on Canadian Club’s video-intensive website, I was surprised to learn that this 150-year-old company isn’t as foreign as its name might suggest. It was founded in 1858 by an American, Hiram Walker. Fearing the temperance movement in his home country, which ultimately culminated in an ill-fated 13-year criminalization of alcohol, Walker built a distillery across the Detroit River in Ontario, Canada. From there he exported his popular “Club Whiskey” to high-end bars, restaurants, and golf courses around the world.

Any company this old is bound to have some history, and Canadian Club is no exception. Legend has it that Winston Churchill’s future mother, visiting New York in the 1870s, requested a cocktail consisting of Club Whiskey and sweet vermouth—inadvertently inventing the first Manhattan. And Canadian Club helped fuel Prohibition-era speakeasies in the U.S. by dealing directly with Chicago gangster Al Capone.

Today, Canadian club’s whiskies, including the Classic 12 Year Old, are sold in over 150 countries globally. They are made from a combination of corn, rye, rye malt, and barley malt that’s uniquely blended before aging to enhance the marriage of flavors.

The Reserve 10 Year Old is aged in once-used white oak. These American bourbon barrels were chosen because, by the time they are used by Canadian Club, they’ve lost their aggressive oak profile—making them well-suited for a mellow spirit.

So it isn’t surprising that the nose is bit tough to pick up, especially for a whiskey. But, after a low viscosity pour, careful attention yields elusive aromas of smoke, butterscotch, honey, and citrus. The bright and crisp taste includes oak, vanilla, corn, and toffee. And while the finish is impressively long and warm, the overall effect is nonetheless soft and slightly dry.

Most will enjoy the Reserve 10 Year Old neat or on the rocks—especially for a whiskey that sells for $15-18 per 750 ml. bottle (80 proof). Those of you who are more accustomed to hearty bourbon flavors, though, may find it approachable yet too mellow on its own. So try it in a highball, old fashioned, whiskey sour, Manhattan, or with a splash of Coke.

The success of various cigar pairings will likely depend on your cocktail of choice. But, in its most straightforward form, I can recommend medium-bodied smokes like the Montecristo No. 2, Cuban Crafters Cubano Claro, PG 15th Anniversary, and the La Aurora Barrel Aged.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys