The Stogie Guys

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) New Hampshire lawmakers are at it again, working to expand the legal definition of “cigarettes” to include tiny cigars. Why, you ask? To collect more taxes, of course. This move, which comes just a week after the same politicians inexplicably smothered an exemption for cigar bars from the state’s smoking ban, shouldn’t surprise longtime StogieGuys.com readers.

2) It’s always a good idea to check out Keepers of the Flame, but the coming months should be particularly interesting. The website is gearing up for a Padrón Series Roundup, and it has enlisted reviewers from all over the online cigar community – including Patrick A, George E, and Jon N of StogieGuys.com.

3) Inside the Industry: Alec Bradley’s new Tempus scored an impressive 94 rating from Cigar Insider . Lignum-2, the tobacco company best known to cigar smokers for its Troya brand, was acquired by British tobacco giant Imperial Tobacco, owner of Altadis. Fuente released a new 2006 vintage of its God of Fire line.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack checks out the Dunhill Nicaraguan Signed Range. Cigar Monkey smokes an Excalibur 1066. Stogie Review fires up the Gurkha Special Edition Beast. Velvet Cigar reviews the Gurkha Grand Envoy. Matt’s Cigar Journal tries the Ashton San Cristobal.

5) Deal of the Week: If you like Rocky Patel’s vintage lines as much as we do, you’ll want to pick up this Rocky Patel Sampler. It includes four sticks each of Rocky’s 1990, 1992, and 1999 lines. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Padrón.com

“Bold yet noble” says General Cigar, maker of the non-Cuban version of Bolivar. Well, it’s definitely bold.

This particular blend is composed of a San Andreas ligero wrapper from Honduras, a Havano medio tiempo binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Unlike the more familiar Cofradia line from Honduras, this Bolivar is Dominican-made and was just released in 2005.

The six inch by 52 ring gauge Toro is lumpy, relatively dry, and moderately veiny. A quick inspection reveals a few soft spots, the pre-light draw is on the tight side, and the wrapper leaves some sweet tingle on the lips. And for the cost? It’s very reasonable: JR sells boxes of 25 for under $80 and five-packs for $18.

That price is supposed to get you a fuller experience than Cofradia, a line that’s no slouch in the flavor department itself. It does. Unsurprisingly, especially given the type of wrapper leaf, it starts with a big salty taste. The dominant flavor from there on out is of cedar and roasted coffee beans, and the finish is dry.

That’s why I recommend you keep a cool drink close by to even things out (let me suggest dark rum and Diet Coke with lime). Trust me. The sweetness of a molasses-based alcoholic drink will help counter the cigar’s overwhelming, mouth-coating taste – especially as a black pepper bitterness increases in the final third.

A remarkable feature of the Bolivar Toro is how much smoke it produces, even when left resting in the ashtray. The other physical properties are less than astonishing. The burn requires occasional maintenance to stay even, and the ash is slightly flaky and unstable.

Still, for the bargain price, this isn’t a bad two-hour cigar, particularly if you’re into full-bodied sticks with bite. While many will find the dense volume of smoke and the salty aftertaste to be off-putting, I think this makes a pretty decent golf course companion (if you have a drink on hand). That’s why I give the Bolivar Toro three out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’m not big on fancy cigar smoking accoutrements. Remember, I’m the guy who extols the virtues of the sub-$4 Ronson torch lighter filled with cheap Ronson butane.

But a few months ago I bought myself what I thought had the potential to be a great addition. I picked up a set of Sennheiser wireless headphones. I got the package for about $60 on sale at the same electronics store where I had earlier purchased my TV and sound system. These aren’t the top of the line model; they don’t reproduce surround sound. But they do provide clear, clean sound for at least 50-75 feet or so.

And that is what makes them a cigar accessory. For I now can sit on my little deck, watch the living room television through the glass sliders, and listen and smoke a cigar all the while. Since I have my computer connected to the system I can also use it to listen to Podcasts and music.

So far, I’ve enjoyed the headphones tremendously, using them primarily for watching sports. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been blessed down here with some spectacular weather that has made it ideal to sit outside and smoke during an evening baseball game. Unfortunately, I’ll probably have to let the headphones rest soon. Temperatures will be too high for outdoor smoking, and I’ll be visiting local shops much more often.

Until then, though, you’ll probably find me out back with the TV on inside.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

While it is hard to be sure, the Cohiba Esplendido is generally considered to be the most counterfeited cigar in the world. Infamous “glass top boxes” are sold every day to unsuspecting tourists looking to partake in this sought after cigar. (Despite their wide availability, Habanos S.A. has never produced this cigar in a glass top box.)

Fortunately, I am confident in the authenticity of the three seven inch by 47 ring gauge Esplendidos I smoked for this review; they checked out based on our guide to spotting a fake and they were procured from an official Casa de Habanos store.

With its classic double corona proportions and veinless medium brown wrapper, the Esplendido is an attractive stick. The wrapper has a slight sheen and is topped off with the traditional triple cap that is found at the head of every handmade Cuban cigar.

After clipping the cap and carefully lighting the foot with nothing but three wooden matches, I was greeted by medium-bodied flavors of wood. Underneath the predominant cedar was subtle earth, spice, and a honey sweetness.

The draw started with just the right amount of resistance and an even burn but, as the cigar progressed, it became a little too tight and difficult, and the burn became uneven and needed constant attention.

Around the same time the construction problems began, the flavor shifted. Halfway through the cigar it became more full-bodied with the earth flavors coming to prominence.

Still, this remained a very smooth cigar – perhaps due to the tobacco’s extra fermentation. The flavors weren’t as complex as the Cohiba Siglo V or VI that were introduced a decade later.

Depending on the exchange rate, the Esplendido will cost around $30 per cigar or more. It is no small price for this very good cigar, but for the same money I would prefer a Cohiba Siglo VI or a Padron 1926. Ultimately, though, this is an impressive cigar with fantastically smooth flavors. Despite some construction flaws, it earns an impressive rating of four out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve smoked over a dozen of these over the past six months and, during that time, this stick has become my hands-down favorite Cameroon. The reason? It consistently delivers what I consider to be exceptional taste and wonderful physical properties at a bargain price.

Just like Cupido, La Carolina, J.L. Salazar, and Don Kiki – both Brown and White – the Cameroon Toro is made by our friends at Cuban Crafters. Alberto Noguera, national sales director for the Miami-based boutique manufacturer, was nice enough to send up plenty of these cigars for our Smoke Out in March, and the overwhelming feedback from our guests was very positive.

The six inch by 54 ring gauge Toro sports a seamless Cameroon wrapper with a sungrown Cuban-seed habano binder and long filler, each fermented five times. You can pick up a box of 25 for less than $100 – a great price given the cigar’s status as a favorite among Cameroon fans and its impressive 8.9 rating in Smoke Magazine.

The firm-feeling stogie clips cleanly and starts with a burst of earthy spice and rich cedar. Subtle sweet notes complement the experience, a characteristic that’s typical of Cameroons, and each puff produces tons of thick, pleasant smoke. The flavor tends to mellow as the cigar progresses, but its medium body is enough to keep you on your toes.

Construction is admirable with a white, sandy ash that holds well and a draw puts up just the slightest resistance. While I remember the burn on the first few requiring some touch-ups, lately it has been as straight as any cigar I’ve smoked. This suggests that you’re better off locking these away in your humi for a month or so after a purchase.

In all, this is a terrific smoke – every bit as good as the Robusto, which George E named one of his Gold Star Smokes in March. I always have a few on hand, especially since seasoned cigar veterans and newbies alike are quick to tell me how much they enjoy it. That’s one of the many reasons I give the Cuban Crafters Cameroon Toro four and ½ out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. To purchase this cigar from a StogieGuys.com affiliate, click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

StogieGuys.com will be featured on the Livin’ Large with Geoff Pinkus radio show on WIND 560 AM in Chicago today. The show runs from 5-7 pm Central (6-8 Eastern) and Patrick S is scheduled to be on around at 5:35 pm Central (6:35 Eastern).

Geoff’s show is about “cigars, cars, spirits, wine, beer, restaurants, music, sports, hot chicks, jets, Harleys, guns, bikes, and fishing.” You can even call in at 877-560-WIND to ask a question on the air. If you’re not in the Chicago area, you can listen live here (and if you miss it, a podcast will be available here). You can listen to last week’s appearance here.

–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.

In January, Robert Spoden of Bucanero Cigars told us about his company’s philosophy of focusing its resources on making great sticks, not marketing. The six inch by 54 ring gauge Treasure Belicoso is a good case in point. This Costa Rican puro boasts a smooth, leather-like flavor and excellent construction. You can expect to pay between $90-100 for a cedar chest of 16.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys