The Stogie Guys

Yesterday Fidel Castro announced that he would be stepping down after five decades as president of Cuba. This significant event gives us a rare moment to soberly re-examine the Cuban embargo that has kept Americans from legally obtaining Cuban cigars for so many years.

Soon after Castro came into power, it became clear that he was a brutal thug who had no intention of respecting the rights of Cubans. In response to his embrace of communism and his government cozying up to the Soviet Union, JFK imposed a complete trade embargo and travel ban. (Just before signing the ban, he hypocritically stocked up on the very Cuban cigars he was about to criminalize – in this case, the Petit Upmann.)

At the time, it was thought that the embargo would prevent Americans from supporting Castro’s regime, but 45 years of evidence suggests we should rethink that logic. Certainly, Fidel was a dictator who headed up an oppressive government. Providing Castro an excuse for scapegoating the U.S. for the problems of Cuba, however, likely allowed him to hold onto power longer than otherwise would have been possible.

There are many brutal dictatorships around the world, but for some reason the U.S. government only imposes an embargo and travel ban on Cuba. In fact, other communist countries like China and Vietnam have become increasingly capitalist and liberal as we have traded with them.

With Fidel Castro stepping down, a new chapter begins in the long and complicated history between the U.S. and our island neighbor. Raúl Castro, Fidel’s brother and successor, will not instantly end the despotic regime, but there are indications that he is more open to market reforms and is considered more pragmatic.

While it may be wishful thinking, we should hope that Fidel’s exit will lead to serious discussion about, and the eventual ending of, the sanctions and travel ban against Cuba. And maybe in the near future we can all smoke some fine Cuban cigars to celebrate the end of the embargo.

–Patrick S

photo credit: AFP

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this cigar is the prelight aroma. It is sweet, thick, and alluring. The first impression is of a cigar worthy of commemorating a tenth anniversary. However, as looks can be deceiving, so can olfaction.

This five inch by 50 ring gauge, double-banded cigar was released to celebrate Rocky Patel’s decade run with Indian Tabac, his first brand. I smoked quite a few Indian Tabacs in years past, and the ITC didn’t fit at all with what I remember of them. Not that that really matters. Purely on its own, I thought the ITC was just an average cigar.

The draw was too easy and, as you might expect from that, the ash was flaky.

The smoke was wonderfully thick. The burn was somewhat erratic but never required a touch-up.

Where it suffered most, though, was taste. Not bad, just not particularly interesting or memorable. A medium strength cigar, it had a white wood taste at times and a fairly flat tobacco taste at other times. About halfway, it got very dry and added harshness in the final third.

This stick was a gift, but I think I’ve seen them for around $6. I believe it is a Nicaraguan puro, but I couldn’t find any information about it on the Rocky Patel web pages and there doesn’t seem to be an Indian Tabac site.

I’ll give this stick three out of five stogies on the StogieGuys.com scale.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Despite the fact that StogieGuys.com is about cigars, not politics, we’ve spent considerable time and text communicating the evils of government-imposed smoking bans. And rightly so. When the state violates the private property rights of bar and restaurant owners in this unjustifiable fashion, it eliminates many occasions that would otherwise be perfect cigar opportunities.

It also eliminates liberty. I’ve written before that smoking bans, like many government regulations, present a slippery slope. These invasive laws – once relegated to restaurants, workplaces, and bars – have moved closer to our homes, cars, and other private places. Many anti-smoking zealots will not rest until tobacco is outlawed completely.

A recent BBC article signals the next trend in their indefensible crusade for more regulation and less personal freedom. A senior government advisor in England is publicly proposing that smokers be required by law to purchase a £10 ($19.61) permit to purchase tobacco.

Professor Julian Le Grand, a former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair, says that such a law would encourage smokers to quit. “You’ve got to get a form, a complex form – the government’s good at complex forms; you have got to get a photograph,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Professor Le Grand goes on to say that “it’s a little bit of a problem to actually do it, so you have got to make a conscious decision every year to opt in to being a smoker…So if you just make it that little bit more difficult for them to actually re-start or even to start in the first place, yes I think it will make a big difference.”

These outrageous statements help demonstrate that the anti-smoking movement isn’t about secondhand smoke or public health; it’s about using the government to violate the rights of the minority. Politicians and bureaucrats think they know what’s best for smokers, and they will use their power to criminalize activities that they deem worthy of eradicating.

Thirty years ago, the concept of government-imposed smoking bans on a grand scale was almost incomprehensible. So is it all that insane to think that we’ll have to get permits to purchase cigars in the future?

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr

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.

This is a strong and intense cigar, but the nicotine certainly doesn’t overpower. The draw is very easy and the burns is good and even, although a little too rapid. A smaller than normal opening cut is recommended. The main flavor is not very definitive, but I definitely detect a woody taste. Overall, not the best that Romeo y Juliet offers, but I would still recommend trying this cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

-Submitted by Chris from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

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

This 30-40 minute smoke is a wonderful choice when you’re short on time or it’s a bit too cold to stand outside for two hours. At just over four inches with a 40 ring gauge, you’ll get spice and floral flavors similar to the Petit Edmundo, a straight burn, and a nicely layered ash. The $4.40 price tag is fairly accessible, especially compared to other similarly sized Cubans.

Verdict = Buy.

–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) The cigar industry may not have its act together, but Big Tobacco (the cigarette industry) certainly does. At least in Illinois, anyways. Lobbyists in Springfield are working at a record pace towards a hearing that would create exemptions in the newly enacted statewide smoking ban “to allow indoor smoking at many bars, riverboat casinos, strip clubs, and American Legion halls.”

2) If you’re a smoker and a fan of musician Joe Jackson you may like him even more than you thought. He’s a defender of smoking, saying in a recent AP story that “we’re really only hearing one side of it because the anti-smoking move- ment is so powerful.” He’s written passionately about his views, and many of his essays can be found on his website.

3) Factions of the New Hampshire legislature are pushing hard for the state to classify little cigars as cigarettes. Why? As our May 2006 commentary explains, it’s easier for politicians to tax cigarettes than cigars. The Union-Leader wrote a nice editorial on the issue this week, explaining that the bill will “hurt convenience stores and cigar shops” while driving business out of the Granite State.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Old Powder Keg. Velvet Cigar smokes the Arganese Chairman. Cigar Inspector inspects a Partagas 8-9-8. Cigars by Matt smokes a Don Francisco. Cigar Jack is holding a month-long contest with tons of great prizes.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve made no secret of the fact that we’re big fans of Don Pepin Garcia’s cigars. That makes this “Ultimate Don Pepin Garcia Sampler” so special. It includes some of the rarest limited edition cigars made by the master. At $99 it isn’t cheap, but many of these cigars are not available anywhere at any price (and you’d pay a lot more if you could find them). Grab yours here while supplies last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

It’s been quite awhile since our last Smoke Out, but now we’re proud to announce that StogieGuys.com is at it again. On Sunday, March 9 we will be hosting a get-together for DC-area readers and friends at Carpool in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. The event will commence at 4 p.m. EST and last until everyone is tired of drinking and smoking.

While we have hosted a few of these fun-filled events in the past (pictured at right), this one promises to be especially memorable. Cuban Crafters – the boutique manufacturer responsible for such highly rated favorites as J.L. Salazar, La Carolina, Cabinet Selection, Don Kiki (both Brown and White), and Cameroon – has graciously agreed to sponsor the event. Thus, a variety of free Cuban Crafters cigars will be available to attendees (while supplies last) and other items will be given away in a free raffle.

In order to ensure that we have enough goodies to hand out and ample space at the bar, all we ask is that you RSVP here as soon as possible.

Of course, Patrick A and Patrick S will be on hand to participate in all the activities that will make this event great: smoking/talking cigars, eating BBQ, playing pool and darts, etc. Conveniently, Carpool is just a stone’s throw away from the Ballston Metro station and parking will also be available. To summarize:

• WHAT: DC Stogie Guys Cigar Smoke Out, sponsored by Cuban Crafters
• WHERE: Carpool in Arlington, VA
• WHEN: Sunday, March 9 at 4 p.m. EST
• WHY: Free Cuban Crafters cigars and great company
• HOW: RSVP today!

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys