The Stogie Guys

Since its announced release at the RTDA Annual Convention and Trade Show last July, the new America line from CAO has made quite an impression on the online cigar community. At this point, virtually everyone has reviewed the five inch by 56 ring gauge Potomac vitola.

The Stogie Review and Cigar Jack both enjoyed the stick, but agreed that the flavor isn’t as full as the hype. The Velvet Cigar was also impressed, Leafy Times wrote it is “the best CAO ever,” and Cigar Command predicted that “this will be a hit for CAO.”

The Monument is a torpedo-shaped 6 and ¼ inches with a 54 ring gauge. With dual Connecticut Broadleaf maduro and Connecticut Shade wrappers, it retails in the $7 to $8.50 range.

The first thing that strikes us about CAO’s only barber pole is its flashy appearance, which is on the verge of uber-patriotic. The star-spangled double bands seem to trumpet our national anthem.

The foot lights easily and kicks off with a burst of heavy roasted nuts and leather flavors. The taste eases into complexity with notes of burnt toffee, and black pepper and saffron spices tingle the tongue.

With a Brazilian binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, Italy, the Dominican Republic, and – you guessed it – America, this is a well-constructed cigar. The burn is either straight or self-correcting, the draw is fairly clear, and the ash holds firm for up to two inches.

When it’s all said and done, this is an excellent, well-balanced smoke with a noble taste and a unique look. It may not be the full-bodied powerhouse it’s advertised to be, but the Monument boasts a delicious smoothness that’s easy to get used to.

So, not unlike our many colleagues in the online cigar community, we’re endorsing CAO America with a rating of four and ½ out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Here at StogieGuys.com, we’ll be taking New Years Eve and New Years Day off to enjoy some fine cigars and stiff beverages. We encourage our readers to (safely) do the same.

But before you do, remember that today is your last chance to enter our College Football Bowl Contest. The winner gets three outstanding sticks, including a pricey, highly rated Graycliff Grand Cru. To be eligible to win, you’ll need to have your entry in before the clock strikes midnight.

We’ll meet you back here on January 2 to kickoff another great year of news, reviews, commentaries, and tips from the world of cigars. Until then, happy 2008!

–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.

I’ve had this robusto-sized (4.75″ x 52) cigar aging for well over a year. The sungrown wrapper was nearly flawless with a fair amount of oil. Flavor-wise, I found earthy chocolate flavors not unlike the Toraño Signature series, with some additional pepper and coffee flavors. With virtually perfect construction, I can heartily recommend this cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

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

Like so many brands that got their start during the cigar boom, Don Elias is on its way out. So now you can pick up five inch by 50 ring gauge robustos that used to cost $4 for under $1.50. Not bad for a mild, well-built stick with creamy notes of hay, but beware the frailty of the wrapper when clipping the head or removing the band.

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) Starting on January 1, Illinois will become the 22^nd state to violate property rights in private bars, restaurants, and other workplaces with an oppressive smoking ban. This interesting article from the Chicago Tribune describes how Mario’s Taco House transformed itself into a tobacco store to capitalize on an exemption. The owners look forward to operating “One of the few remaining places in Chicago where you can smoke & coffee is under a buck.”

2) Keep your eyes open for the new Winston Churchill cigar line from Davidoff. Cigar Aficionado reports the sticks will sport Ecuadorian sun-grown wrappers and binder and filler tobaccos from Peru, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a San Cristobal. Velvet Cigar puffs a Adam y Eva. Cigar Beat tries the Bock y Ca. Stogie Review reviews the Upmann Cabinet Selección Robusto.

4) Deal of the Week: Instead of just another deal, this week we wanted to remind you about the great gear available in the Stogie Guys store.  You can even grab a stylish golf shirt (pictured above) for a very economical $19.99.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Last year, on December 27, we took a look back at our first year of reviews, news, commentaries, and tips. Now, another year older (and dare we say wiser), we again take a look back at the second year of StogieGuys.com:

РOn January 3 George kicked off 2007 with a review of the Tora̱o 1916 Cameroon.

– On January 11 we praised cold weather smokers.

– On January 12 we announced that StogieGuys.com would be publishing seven days a week.

– On January 22 we reviewed the Dominican Cohiba.

– On January 25 we reminded you to take the time to smoke.

– On February 12 the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 received a five-stogie rating.

– On February 14 we gave some Valentine’s Day tips.

– On March 7 we disclosed tips for traveling to Cuba.

– On March 13 we announced the Final Four Challenge.

– On March 22 George smoked cheap cigars so you don’t have to.

– On March 29 we reported on cigars for the troops programs.

– On April 5 the Partagas 150 got a five-stogie rating.

– On April 17 we interviewed John Sullivan of JR Cigars for our first Cigar Insider feature.

– On May 10 we suggested you skip the lighter and just use matches.

– On May 21 we looked at some boutique cigars.

– On May 23 we paired up Sam Adams with cigars.

– On June 14 we disclosed our Gold Star Smokes.

– On July 16 we spoke with the manager of the Casa Fuente store in Las Vegas.

– On July 18 we reported on attempts to raise cigar taxes by nearly $10 per cigar.

– On August 16 we checked out the Partagas Serie D No. 4.

– On August 20 we said “Don’t Quit Smoking!”

– On August 22 we interviewed former MLB pitcher Luis Tiant.

– On September 5 we looked at the barber pole cigar phenomenon.

– On September 12 we gave away some Arganese cigars.

– On September 17 George issued his special report from Cigar Artisans 2007.

– On October 23 we spoke with American icon Kinky Friedman.

– On October 30 we said you can smoke cigars and run marathons.

– On November 6 we chased down some (non)answers from government bureaucrats.

– On November 8 we lit up an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2.

– On November 14 we went inside the Big Smoke Las Vegas.

– On November 19 we gave the Montecristo Petit Edmundo a five-stogie rating.

– On November 21 we gave some Thanksgiving cigar suggestions.

– On December 3 we visited Nat Sherman’s new New York location.

-On December 5 we launched the College Football Bowl Contest (still not too late to enter).

-On December 12 we provided some short cigar suggestions for those cold winter nights.

Once again, we’ve had quite a year. Be sure to join us in 2008 for more informative and entertaining articles from the world of cigars.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With limited production, high prices, and very few retailers, Graycliff is among the most elusive of the super premium cigar brands. So when company founder Enrico Garzaroli uncovered a lost supply of sticks from the original release of his Profesionale line in an aging pilon, he knew he had some magic on his hands.

Dubbed “Vintage 1999,” these cigars are a four-country blend of tobacco from Indonesia, Brazil, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. They usually retail for over $15 apiece, but outstanding deals can be found online if you keep your eyes open.

Not unlike the Château Grand Cru, the five and ¼ inch by 50 ring gauge PG has a striking appearance. With a metallic sheen of blue and gold, the band easily catches the eye, and its style conjures memories of Merlyn the Magician from The Sword in the Stone. The oily, rustic wrapper is appealingly similar to an Alonso Menendez.

Bountiful pre-light aromas of fruit and coffee turn up as soon as the cellophane is removed. The nice cap cuts neatly and the foot lights easily.

Despite hearty pre-light fragrances and the deep, dark color of the wrapper, the flavor profile is surprisingly light, airy, and a bit papery. Pleasant, especially with an added caramel sweetness on the lips. After a few inches the taste takes on a unique dryness as notes of hay and oats warm up, and cedar and spice build towards the finish line. The burn is straight, but the ash is weak.

It’s worth mentioning here that this Graycliff can grow bitter if you pull too quickly through its moderate draw. Be sure to take your time if you intend to properly enjoy the mild tufts of smoke.

This is no doubt a fine mild cigar with a complex taste, but we’re not convinced it’s worth the extremely high cost. Since the Château Grand Cru series better justifies the excessive Graycliff price tag, we’re giving the Profesionale Vintage 1999 PG three and ½ out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick A & George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys