The Stogie Guys

I am proud to report that today’s article is a very special one here at StogieGuys.com. Tim Ozgener, president of CAO Cigars, has graciously donated his time to answer my questions for the latest edition of our Cigar Insider series.

As the purveyor of such notable lines as America, Black, Brazilia, and Criollo, Tim likely needs no introduction. But I will say this: I met him at last year’s Big Smoke Las Vegas (pictured below), and I was pleased to see him right in the thick of things, mingling with fans and lighting their CAO samples. In the following exchange, which occurred via email, I ask Tim about his favorite cigar, CAO’s biggest challenge, and much more.

Stogie Guys: Can you pick a favorite CAO cigar, or is that like asking a father to pick a favorite son? What’s your favorite non-CAO stick?

Tim Ozgener: Choosing one CAO over all of the others is, in fact, quite like asking a father to pick a favorite child. That said, a lot just depends upon my given mood at the time I select a cigar or the time of day I’m smoking. For example, this morning I reached for a CAO Gold Lonsdale because I wanted a nice, smooth, buttery cigar to accompany my morning coffee. Later in the afternoon I might go for something with more body and spice like a CAO Sopranos or CAO Vision. As far as the non-CAO choice goes, I don’t really have a “favorite,” per se. I do believe in smoking other brands and often times do; to not be aware of what the market is doing is a mistake. But the honest truth is that, to me, one brand doesn’t really stand out to me as a “favorite non-CAO.”

SG: With two contrasting wrappers, was it difficult to blend America, the newest CAO line?

TO: America was very difficult to blend, actually. I spent a good deal of time at the factory working to get that blend to where I wanted it to be. Sometimes, you’re fortunate and nail the desired flavor profile within the first three or four samples, but America took a good deal of “tweaking” and adjustments to get it just right.

SG: Do you think today’s barber pole phenomenon is just an industry fad, or is it a sincere attempt to uncover new flavor combinations?

TO: A “barber pole” style of cigars is nothing really new and, in fact, has been around for years and years. In the case of CAO, we don’t perceive the barber pole as a fad in the least. America is a great example of how two wrappers can yield an incredibly unique but flavorful blend that you just wouldn’t be able to duplicate without that second contrasting wrapper leaf.

SG: What new lines can we expect from CAO down the road?

TO: We’re working on several new items and developing various new blends that we plan on bringing to market this summer at the IPCPR trade show in July; however, I can’t really divulge anything at this moment.

SG: In the near future, what is the greatest challenge facing CAO? The cigar industry in general?

TO: I think the greatest challenge for us is and always has been to create new brands and blends that will not only bring something unique to the market but that don’t compete with any of our existing lines, as well. As far as the greatest challenge to the industry as a whole goes, I would definitely put legislation towards the top of that list. With so much anti-smoking legislation going on, and with movements such as SCHIP, it’s an ongoing struggle for today’s cigar smoker to make their voices heard and stand up for one’s individual rights to continue to enjoy a premium cigar.

SG: How has Henri Wintermans’ acquisition of CAO changed your business?

TO: ST Cigar Group’s acquisition of CAO hasn’t really changed our business a great deal. There has been an element of greater corporate structure, reporting, and accountability, but that was a direction we were headed in prior to the acquisition anyway.

SG: What one fact about CAO do you wish more aficionados were aware of?

TO: I would want aficionados to have a better understanding of exactly how much time, effort, and labor really does go into producing a cigar. I think that often times there’s a real lack of respect for the product, but once you’ve actually been down at the factory level and you witness firsthand how much time and labor goes into each step of the process – from planting to harvesting to fermentation to curing to sorting to bunching, rolling, ageing, etc. – you acquire a whole new level of respect for the product that I think too many “aficionados” often take for granted.

Many thanks to Tim Ozgener for taking the time to speak with us. For more information and to find a CAO retailer near you, please visit www.CAOCigars.com.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In all honesty, I’ve pulled fewer sticks from the humidor with lower expectations. The combination of a silly name and a girth that seems more appropriate for a billy club isn’t what I look for in a cigar.

On the other hand, I have read and heard good things about this line. So, with some serious reading to do, I thought I’d give the Maxx a try.

I got the five inch by 58 ring gauge “The Fix” at the 2007 Cigar Artisans a couple of months ago. According to Alec Bradley’s website, the blend is a complex one. The wrapper is a lovely Nicaraguan Habano; the binder from Costa Rica; and the filler is a four-nation mix from Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Honduras.

I’ve seen different listings for the single stick price. Some sources put it at $4.75, others at $5. Boxes of 20 appear to run around $90.

Keeping up the theme of honesty, I have to say that the cigar was much better than I anticipated. It took a bit to get it lit, which wasn’t a surprise given the ring size. But it burned evenly through most of the smoke, even though I put it in the ashtray frequently.

The taste was smooth and the draw was fine. While not a particularly complex cigar — not as full-bodied as its advertising touts — it was satisfying, with a nice tobacco taste and touches of sharp cocoa and coffee.

If a large cigar is what you like, I suggest you give the Maxx a try. For me, however, the ring size is just too big to be comfortable and, because of that, I feel I can give it a rating of only three out of five stogies.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Last June, StogieGuys.com named its first series of Gold Star Smokes. Each of us chose cigars we believed, for one reason or another, were worthy of strong recommendations. They didn’t necessarily have to be five stogie-rated – just commendable smokes we turn to time and again for high quality and consistency.

For Patrick A, it was the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Torpedo; Patrick S bestowed his honor on the El Rey Del Mundo Robusto Larga; and George E selected the Punch Champion. Now we’re back with three new Gold Star Smokes. We think they are well worth your attention, and we’d love to hear what you think.

Co-Founder & Editor in Chief Patrick A

Last fall was my first run-in with an EO 601 Serie “Green” La Fuerza, and I’ve made sure to have many more since. This dark, oily cigar is hearty and complex with delicious notes of leather, clove, and cocoa bean. The $7 cost is more than fair, especially since the delicious flavors are accompanied by a straight burn, a smooth draw, and a firm ash. Just make sure to try this on a full stomach.

Co-Founder & Publisher Patrick S

I’ve been fortunate enough to smoke a handful of Montecristo Petit Edmundos in the past six months, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one. With classic looks and a complex blend of cedar, spice, earth, warm tobacco, and a medium- to full-bodied creaminess, it is no surprise that this cigar was given a five stogie-rating by my colleague Patrick A. It also earns points for being available – though not in the U.S. of course – for under $8 when purchased by the box. However, what really earns this Cuban smoke its “gold star” is its stubby size (4 1/3″x 52) , which showcases the exciting flavors in a formate you can enjoy in 45 minutes.

Tampa Bureau Chief George E

Recent unexpected circumstances have put me once or twice a week at a local cigar shop that I had only visited occasionally in the past. Each time there I’ve lit up a Cuban Crafters Cameroon Robusto, and each time I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. The five inch by 52 ring gauge cigar burns well, draws great, and produces thick, tasty smoke with a sweet, woodsy finish. If you like Cameroon tobacco, this is one you won’t want to miss. At about $3 a stick, it’s also an incredible bargain.

–The Stogie Guys

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. 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.

Rocky Patel can do almost no wrong in my book. Nevertheless, I hesitated to try his Indian Tabac Split Decision Quad (6” x 52, $10), a barber pole comprising four distinct wrappers: Habano natural, Connecticut shade, broadleaf maduro, and candela. With its camouflage-like appearance, this stick is an attention-grabber. I was pleasantly surprised by the cigar’s medium body and smooth, subtle flavors of spice, cream, and leather. Unfortunately, the draw was quite loose and the burn was hot and uneven. Ultimately, as striking as this cigar may look, I simply can’t recommend a purchase – especially with far superior barber poles on the market.

Verdict = Sell.

-Submitted by Jon Nathanson of Los Angeles, CA

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

Last April, George E found the Toro in this line to have excellent construction but little flavor. The five inch by 50 ring gauge Robusto isn’t much different. It starts out with a warm tobacco taste and some clove spice, but that fades into hardly any flavor at all. The physical properties are very impressive, especially for a sub-$5 stick. All the same, this has got to be the mildest cigar produced in Estelí – perhaps too mild.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Our upcoming DC Stogie Guys Smoke Out is only a little more than a week away: Sunday, March 9 at 4pm to be exact. The event will feature free cigars plus giveaways all provided by Cuban Crafters. Please RSVP here if you haven’t already.

2) Despite smoking bans, tobacco taxes, and the American trade embargo, sales of Cuban cigars exceeded US$400 million last year – up 7 percent from 2006. To put things in perspective, consider that Cuban sales comprise a whopping 80 percent of the world cigar market (excluding the U.S.), with Spain and France as the largest importers.

3) Windy City readers were no doubt disappointed by the cancellation of Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke Chicago. But thanks to the good folks at CAO, NFL legend Dick Butkus, and Cigars & More, they have another great event to look forward to on April 23. Click here to check out the event’s creative marketing campaign.

4) Recognizing the power of tobacco, Tampa’s InterContinental hotel now has a “Big Cigars and Motor Cars” promotion that includes the use of a Maserati or Corvette, a steak dinner, and Fuente cigars for $550 per night.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a AVO 787. Cigar Inspector inspects a Griffin’s Fuerte. Cigar Monkey checks out the Gurkha Regent. Cigar Jack lights up a Hoyo de Tradición.

6) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters (sponsor of our Smoke Out) is running a number of incredible web specials, featuring some great deals on their already reasonable prices. Click here to check them all out.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: DickButkus.com

It’s difficult to decide what makes the strongest first impression with the Padrón 7000: the massive size or the extraordinary weight. But after you’ve been smoking a while, you’ll find it more striking that a six and 1/4 inch by 60 ring gauge behemoth can burn so evenly and draw so well.

Drop a couple of these massive sticks in your shirt pocket and you’ll soon find yourself in position to apply for the bell ringer’s job at Notre Dame. Keep the huge Padrón 7000 in your mouth very long and you might develop an irresistible urge to bark orders at longshoremen and stevedores.

The latest entry in Padrón’s “thousands” line of Nicaraguan puros, the 7000 does not disappoint. From the dark, milk chocolate wrapper to the spice left on the lips, this is an impressive and full-bodied smoke. It isn’t complex. I found the predominate flavors to be leather and wood with the spice diminishing after the first third. Overall, it is remarkably balanced and smooth. From start to finish, there was never a bit or harsh finish.

The only disappointment came at the final third when the fire began to diminish (though it never went out) and the smoke thinned out. The burn line deteriorated as well. My guess is that with such a large cigar, quite a bit of tar and moisture collected and had a significant effect.

Like all the cigars in this line, the price is reasonable for the size, consistency and quality provided. A box of 26 sells for about $162, which is less than $6.25 per stick. Unfortunately, you won’t find anything about this cigar on Padrón’s website. They haven’t even gotten around to putting up data on the 6000 yet.

For my personal taste, the 7000 is too big. I’m not a fan of massive ring gauge cigars. But that did not significantly detract from my enjoyment, and if you’re looking for a cigar to enjoy throughout a poker night, spring baseball game, or afternoon of fishing, the Padrón 7000 might be just what you’re looking for.

On the StogieGuys.com scale, this cigar earns a rating of four out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by CigarsDirect.com. To purchase this cigar, click here.]

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys