The Stogie Guys

I recently spent four days in Las Vegas and I’ve come to this conclusion: Something about smoking makes many normally considerate people extremely rude.  As cigar smokers have gotten more and more considerate when they light up, some non-smokers have decided to throw good manners out the door.

I realize that smoking isn’t as accepted as it once was, and I do my best to be considerate of those who may not appreciate the fantastic aroma of premium tobacco.  Nowadays, when I’m somewhere that smoking isn’t to be expected, I usually ask around to make sure smoking doesn’t bother anyone. “Mind if I smoke?” is a question that cigar enthusiats are accustomed to asking these days before lighting up.

Too bad smokers’ increasingly courteous behavior isn’t being returned by all non-smokers. As my trip to Vegas revealed, rudeness towards smokers seems to have become acceptable.

Repeatedly, I found people complaining out loud, pretending I couldn’t hear their complaints.  This was apparent even where smoking is the norm, on the  vice-filled casino floor—one of the few “public” places left to light up a cigar in this country—and often when I had been smoking well before the obnoxious complainer had arrived.

For some unfortunate reason, rudeness towards smokers has become acceptable, even as our our culture has become more and more tolerant of other differences and personal choices. Tolerance and even basic manners, it seems, goes out the window when tobacco is involved.

Maybe it’s all that propaganda about smoking that floods our televisions, radios, and newspapers. People have been told that one second of tobacco smoke will instantly put them in the hospital.  This despite the fact that it takes years, if not decades, of “second-hand smoke” before any statistically meaningful increase in risk takes place.

Add to that all the hyped-up fear and law after law—be it a smoking ban, a paternalistic regulation, or a punitive tax hike—that treats smokers like second-class citizens, and we’ve got society where bigotry against smokers is acceptable. (A “bigot,” after all, is defined as “a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance.”)

While cause and effect are hard to determine, no matter what the reason, it seems we have turned a corner as a society. Smoking, once accepted as a personal choice that adults can make for themselves, has unfortunately become a subject where prejudice and narrow-mindedness are increasingly accepted.

Bad manners may be the result now, but if history is any indicator, as prejudice and bigotry become more widespread, this anti-smoking mindset will become increasingly entrenched and institutionalized in our laws and culture. It’s not a pleasant conclusion, but the sooner we realize and accept it, the better chance we have of stopping it.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Amazon.com

A few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find a healthy supply of Casa Magnas for sale at my local tobacconist. It goes without saying that this relatively new brand has been rather elusive since it was launched at the IPCPR Trade Show in the summer of 2008 by Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plascencia.

Casa Magna seemingly went from obscurity to overnight sensation after Cigar Aficionado gave the Colorado Robusto a rating of 93 and named it best of the year. That underscores, for better or worse, the tremendous influence the magazine wields in the world of stogies.

While I’ve learned to take CA’s reviews with a grain of salt, I had every reason to believe this Nicaraguan puro would live up to its reputation. Nearly everything I’d heard or read—including a March Quick Smoke by one of my colleagues—was overwhelmingly positive.

My expectations only increased after I examined my two Toritos (4.75 x 60), each of which cost me $6.50 apiece. The red Colorado wrappers almost seem to glisten with dotted specks of oil and tooth, and the whole stubby frame is astonishingly firm.

That density gives way to an easy draw with spice on the lips. Then, even though the pre-light aromas of honey and earth suggest a medium-bodied profile, the first inch has a bold and hearty taste of fresh mulch and black cherry. Notes of apricot and nut add complexity.

Not much changes into the second or final thirds but, as you can see, there’s plenty going on here to hold the attention of discriminating cigar enthusiasts. The interplay between sweet and salty flavors is especially satisfying, as are the fragrances of the resting smoke.

Rolled in Nestor Plascencia’s Segovia factory in Estelí, the combustion qualities are characteristic of a much pricier cigar. The slow burn requires few touch-ups, the draw remains clear throughout, and the gray ash holds strong for two inches or more. As with any stick above a 54 ring gauge, though, the Torito’s girth is awkward and slightly uncomfortable.

But it’s clear to me that the Casa Magna Colorado is worthy of its lofty repute. Even if you don’t consider the blend to be the best creation of 2008, it deserves a spot somewhere at the top of the class. I look forward to trying the other vitolas and I give the Torito 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 take on a single cigar.

Extended in name and length, this seven inch by 54 ring gauge salomon features an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The mellow flavor is of honey, cream, and cedar spice. With outstanding physical properties, the Reserva Figurados Selectos de Lujos will win you over for consistency and charm—especially if you embrace its occasional bitterness.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

Not long ago I wrote that it isn’t always wise to let your rarest cigars sit in your humidor forever. With that in mind, I decided that Independence Day would be the perfect occasion for this rare (and pricey) Opus X Chili Pepper, which had been in my possession for the past two years. This Dominican puro features a somewhat rustic wrapper, but it’s well-constructed and is exceptionally firm to the touch. The flavor profile has plenty of cedar and a good amount of black pepper spice—what some call a Nicaraguan bite. As the cigar progresses, a subtle sweetness balances this medium- to full-bodied figurado.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we’ve done 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) St. Louis politicians and anti-tobacco advocates are clamoring for a citywide smoking ban for bars and restaurants. The current incarnation of the proposed law would exempt patios and outdoor areas, but some, including the American Cancer Society, hope to close such “loopholes.” Referring to what she calls the “ever-increasing momentum across the country,” one city alderman says the ban is “just something I think we need to get done.”

2) With mounting taxes, bans, and regulations, tobacconists have it tough enough these days. They shouldn’t have to worry about robbers literally breaking through their walls. But that’s exactly what happened to Gaspar’s Cigar Shoppe in Tampa on Friday night. Thieves apparently broke into an adjacent office, busted through the B&M’s drywall, and stole $15,000 worth of cigars, booze, and a plasma TV. Police have one suspect in custody and are searching for another.

3) Inside the Industry: Illusione is teaming up with Drew Estate to make a new release called “Nosotros,” set to debut at the IPCPR Trade Show in August. It will sell for $8-12 apiece and feature a Nicaraguan corojo ’99 wrapper, a Nicaraguan filler, and a Connecticut habano binder.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes a Nestor Miranda 20 Aniversario Habano Oscuro Danno. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Pinar del Rio Habano Sun Grown. Cohiba Club checks out the “Red Dot” Cohiba Robusto. Cigar Inspector reviews a Por Larrañaga Petit Corona.

5) Deal of the Week: Robustos are the most popular size in all of cigardom, and this “World Class Robusto Sampler” includes of ten them for just $45 (free shipping). Included are the Cohiba Robusto, Rocky Patel Vintage ’90, Don Pepin Cuban Classic 1979, Toraño 1916 Cameroon, CAO Gold, Gran Habano 3 Siglos, Padilla Hybrid, Fonseca, and others. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

“Operation Ortsac” (Castro spelled backwards) was how the Kennedy Administration referred to the plan for a potential military strike against Cuba in 1962. While such action never came to fruition, Ortsac will forever be associated with the frightening days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Washington’s strained relationship with Havana.

That tension helps explain why it has been illegal for Americans to buy Cuban cigars (or any other good or service for that matter) for almost 50 years. Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that a company has adopted the name “Ortsac 1962” for its flagship line, marketing it with camouflage print and military gear. Or maybe it’s just silly. You decide. Either way, I’m more concerned with how this relatively new blend smokes than how it’s marketed.

Launched this spring by The Cigar Agency the Ortsac 1962 blend includes a five-year-old Nicaraguan corojo wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of long-filler tobaccos from those two nations. It is available in three standard vitolas and packaged in “authentic 50-caliber ammo cans” of 72 sticks. No kidding. They’re also available in a more standard 20 count box.

The Toro (6.5 x 54) is an attractive, oily parejo with a well-applied cap. My samples included several prominent veins, subtle seams, and pre-light notes of milk chocolate and sweet caramel. This cigar has the look and feel of quality—especially after the foot band is removed.

With flavors of earth, leather, and cedar, the Ortsac 1962 Toro gets off to a solid start. A tad spicy but mostly on the lighter side of the cigar spectrum. And the physical properties are likewise promising, as a thick, black mascara leads the charge for an even burn and a powdery, white ash.

Then, about two inches into the 90-minute smoke, the burn line starts to require touch-ups and the taste takes a bit of a salty turn. But even though some creamy or sweet notes would help with balance, the profile is still satisfying and enjoyable with plenty of character.

While this $5-6 stick won’t utterly captivate seasoned cigar veterans, it won’t disappoint either. Its admirable construction and consistent medium-bodied profile makes it well-suited for the golf course, a road trip, or an evening  summer barbeque. For that, the Ortsac 1962 Toro earns three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I think of summer I think of rum drinks. And when I think of rum drinks one of the first cocktails that comes to mind is a classic: Mount Gay Tonic.

The recipe is easy: a handful of ice cubes, a few ounces of Mount Gay Eclipse rum, tonic water, and a lime. The result is a refreshing drink with the caramel and banana that defines Mount Gay Eclipse, but mixed with tonic so its goes down easy.

And if you don’t think that a drink called the Mount Gay Tonic is manly enough, just keep this in mind: The first drink James Bond orders in Casino Royale isn’t a dry martini, shaken not stirred (also known as a weak martini), but a Mount Gay and soda, the twin brother of the Mount Gay Tonic.

As for cigars, you’ll want to shy away from anything too powerful, so stick with mild- or medium-bodied smokes that won’t overpower this crisp, spirited drink. A Connecticut-wrapped smoke like the Nub Connecticut or Cuban Crafters Medina 1959 will go perfectly. On the other hand, I also found that a medium-bodied maduro like the Romeo y Julieta Vintage Maduro makes for a nice complement.

No matter what cigar you pair with the Mount Gay tonic, it’ll be a perfect pairing for the beach or by the pool on a hot summer afternoon.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys