The 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

First I noticed a green spot on the wrapper. While likely just the result of errant moisture hitting the Connecticut shade wrapper during curing and fermenting and unrelated to smoking, it’s still annoying for a $10.50 cigar. But that was nothing compared to the burn problems I had with this 5.5 inch by 50 ring gauge medium-strength cigar. I experienced more canoeing than you’ll see at the Beijing Olympics. By the time I had finished, the cigar had gotten more touch-ups than Joan Rivers. The Ashton Cabinet is a fine tasting, smooth, and complex cigar with a great finish, but even for someone who favors flavor over construction this was too much.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar. The following is a Guest Quick Smoke, submitted by a StogieGuys.com reader. If you’d like to submit your own for publication, please contact us.

With a very oily and ruddy Cuban claro wrapper, this corona gorda is certainly a sight to behold. Indeed, after being supplied with a few of these beauties, my first reaction was to simply admire them resting in my humidor for a number of weeks prior to smoking. After snipping the slightest portion from the expertly applied triple cap with my Xikar scissors, I found the pre-light draw to be very rich with hints of damp earth and fresh roasted coffee. The first third was rather mild to medium in body producing copious amounts of smoke. The draw was free and easy throughout and the intensity did increase as I slowly worked my way through this Habano. This one was most definitely a finger-burner, and by the non-bitter end, I was left hungry for more. Thank God I have a couple left in the box for future enjoyment.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by John from Maryland

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) It was announced on Wednesday that computer tycoon Bill Gates and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are teaming up to “combat the global tobacco epidemic.” The pair is giving $500 million to developing nations to “implement proven policies and increase funding for tobacco control.”

2) Red tape is keeping struggling Maryland establishments from obtaining elusive exemption waivers to override the state’s oppressive smoking ban. So far only eleven have applied, and only three have been granted, because of the legal fees, accountants, and documents required to file, say business owners.

3) Correction and Amplification: In a review this week several readers commented on the prices listed for the Tatuaje Black and the Opus X. In response, George E did some follow up reporting and has written an update regarding the prices. It can be read here.

4) Inside the Industry: Drew Newman let us know that the Julius Caesar we referenced in last week’s Inside the Industry will not be part of the Diamond Crown Maximus line, but rather a new extension of the Diamond Crown line. Ashton Cigars is releasing a new Nicaraguan version of its La Aroma de Cuba line made by the prolific Don Pepin Garcia to be called the Edición Especial. Imperial Tobacco Group, the world’s fourth largest tobacco company and now owner of Altadis, said this week that U.S. and European cigar sales—particularly premiums—are being hurt by smoking bans and economic slowdown.

5) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame continues its vertical tasting of the Padrón line with the Churchill. Stogie Review reviews the CAO LX2. Cigar Jack lights up a Don Pepin Cuban Classic. Cigar Spy pans the Fuente Anejo Shark.

6) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters has more specials online. Particularly notable is the Don Kiki Brown Label Toros, which are available at the incredible price of $39.99 for a box of 25. See all the deals here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: NY Times

On Monday evening we were lucky enough to attend a special “Cut and Taste” event at Morton’s with Paul Garmirian (PG) Inc. We’d like to tell you a bit about this extraordinary experience not to gloat, but to demonstrate how wonderful cigar events can be—especially when you’re working with pairings of delicious drink, fine cuisine, and premium tobacco.

The evening began with a patio reception featuring a three-piece jazz ensemble and appetizers of smoked salmon, tenderloin crostinis, and mushroom canapés. Being the rum guy that he is, Patrick A stuck with Cruzan Single Barrel (neat) while Patrick S enjoyed a Broquel Malbec. Our friends at PG provided Long Panatellas from 1996, an excellent choice given the cigar’s sleek, elegant format and mild, smooth taste that leads into spice and salt. We were having such a good time we almost didn’t notice it was far too hot and humid to be outside in a suit.

Heading into the air conditioning we were greeted with a crisp asparagus salad and a serving of colossal shrimp. This was followed by a PG Robusto II from 1999, which sported a pleasant interaction of cream and spice with a subtle floral and fruit backdrop.

It was around this time that Paul Garmirian, founder of PG and author of the widely-read book The Gourmet Guide to Cigars (1990), busted out his acoustic guitar and joined in with the band for a song (pictured at right).

The main course of perfectly prepared filet mignon, sautéed mushrooms, and mashed potatoes was simply fantastic. A Nicolas Potel Burgundy was a nice complement to this entrée, as it was to our third and final cigar: a PG 15th Anniversary Belicoso Extra from 2004. This was the most full-bodied and, in our opinion, finest stick of the night with a tremendous taste that bears comparison to the Davidoff Millennium Blend. The profile is so well-balanced that individual flavors are difficult to identify (the four courses of different drinks didn’t help either). We’ll have to get our hands on a few more to put together a full review.

In all, we’d like to extend our thanks to the staff of the Morton’s in Reston, Virginia, and Paul and Kevork Garmirian for a spectacular evening. Such an experience shows how wonderfully fine cigars, cuisine, and  drinks  can all enhance each other. We had a lot of fun living well beyond our means, and we hope this article motivates you to do the same—at least for one evening.

–Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Linda Roth Associates

While enjoying a fine stogie is certainly more of an art than a science, there a few essential skills you should master in order to get the most out of the experience. While much of what makes cigars so great is the relaxed, ceremonial nature of smoking, when it comes to cutting your cigar, that artistry takes a back seat to function. The goal is simple: a cut that best allows you to enjoy the cigar.

The cut that is best will enhance the flavors of the cigar by regulating the draw and appropriately focusing the flavors on your palette.

It’s worth pointing out that when it comes to cigar cutting, there are many different tools. Some people use specially-crafted cigar scissors, some use a sharp knife, a cigar punch, a V-cutter—some even use their teeth. But the most common tool, by far, is the guillotine-style cigar cutter, which comes in both the one blade (single) and two blade (double) varieties.

Here are a few general tips on deciding what tool to use:

• ● Cigar scissors are quite elegant, but tend to require a bit more skill and precision than other cutters. Also, while a dull blade hurts any cutter, scissors become particularly difficult if the blades aren’t ideally sharp and calibrated.

• ● Guillotines are the most popular cigar cutters with good reason. They are easy to use and are the most versatile. A double blade guillotine will usually prevent the pinching and tearing that can occur with a single blade cutter. Also remember to use firm, consistent pressure to get a clean cut.

• ● V-cutters can be perfect for cigars with small ring gauges, since they increase the surface area of the cut.

• ● Punch cutters are ideal for stogies with tightly-packed fillers because they can ease the draw, but a punch cutter is almost useless on a belicoso.

• ● If you find yourself without a cutting tool, skip your teeth and use your fingernail. A relatively precise cut can be made on non-torpedo cigars by using your nail to slice a circle in the wrapper and binder, which can then be lifted off to expose the filler.

• ● Knives are rarely a good idea, but if you are going to use one, use it to cut like you would your fingernail (see above).

Where to place your cut is another variable in the science of cigar cutting. With a guillotine cutter, take the head of the cigar (that’s the uncut end) and position it so the blade will enter the stogie just above the shoulder (where the cigar stops being round). If you’re planning to smoke a torpedo, a good rule of thumb is to slice off about half an inch, but it really depends on how much you want to focus the smoke with a smaller cut, versus how large you need the cut to have a draw that isn’t difficult.

Finally, remember to try out different cutters. While a cutter can’t actually improve a cigar, the cut can either bring out the best of a cigar or ruin it.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Flickr

No suspense here. It’s one terrific cigar, a full-bodied corona gorda that more than matches the hype. From the Tatuaje-decorated ceramic container to the unclipped foot and simple cap, this cigar is designed to stand out.

Limited production and the luster of being Pete Johnson’s “personal cigar” put the Black on par with other highly sought sticks such as the Opus X and Ashton’s VSG. But with a price tag around $13, this Nicaraguan puro is far more affordable.

Prelight, I found surprisingly little aroma from the wrapper or the nearly closed foot. The brown wrapper was smooth with no large veins and the cigar felt a little soft from head to foot, but nothing stood out.

When lit, the cigar kicked off, as do so many of Pepin Garcia’s blends, with pepper. But what a pepper—not just hot, but full, rich, biting, and interesting. It was a taste that would build, fade, and build again throughout the cigar’s five and 5/8 inches. The flavors were complex and shifted often. Among those I encountered were leather, hay, dry cocoa, hints of ginger, and even at one point honey. Individually, the tastes would have been enjoyable; woven through with the pepper, they were great.

The draw on the 46 ring gauge stick was nearly perfect from beginning to end. The burn, which left a jet-black ring, was straight and required no attention. The ash was so tight that it required a tap to loosen it in the ashtray.

Perhaps most surprising was the fact that the Black never got harsh. And the finish was long and satisfying.

If you like full-strength cigars, smoke the Black if you can find it. I can’t imagine you won’t like it. I certainly did. In fact, I’d put it up among the best cigars I’ve had. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want it for my daily diet, even if I could afford it. There’s just a little too much power. Nonetheless, I can’t think of a cigar I would enjoy more occasionally. So, I can’t see how the Tatuaje Black deserves anything less than five out of five stogies.

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

–George E

photo credit: Vitolas.net

A friend and fellow cigar enthusiast recently told me that he won’t smoke “anything less” than a full-bodied cigar. To me, the designation “anything less” seems a bit ridiculous in such context—every bit as silly as if I’d claimed not to drink “anything less” than a cabernet sauvignon, or eat “anything less” than dark chocolate. “Anything less” implies a degree of quality, and we should not confuse quality with strength.

It’s true that many of the finest cigars available happen to be full-bodied cigars. It’s also true, however, that many are medium- or even mild-bodied sticks. Davidoff, for instance, has long been one of the finest cigar brands available, and the company specializes in milder stogies. You’d be hard-pressed to argue that a milder Davidoff is inferior to a fuller cigar of lesser craftsmanship and flavor.

Many of us like to say we “graduate” from milder to fuller cigars as we delve deeper into this shared hobby of ours. Be that as it may, let’s not forget that milder cigars can and should remain part of a well-balanced collection. We should not consider ourselves too macho, too old, too cool, or too proud to smoke mild or medium sticks.

In fact, I’d argue that one sign of a truly sophisticated connoisseur is the ability to appreciate sticks of all vitolas, wrappers, strengths and bodies. Such an aficionado may have his favorites, but he is always trying out new stogies and never turning them down on the basis of style alone.

I’m not suggesting that you force yourself to endure mild sticks if you absolutely don’t like them. But at the same time, I ask that you not conflate mildness with low quality, or fullness with high quality. Quality and body are two very separate things.

–Jon N

photo credit: Stogie Guys