The Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 536th in the series.

1) Omar de Frias’ Fratello Cigars is set to debut a new line at next month’s IPCPR Trade Show called Navetta. Navetta means “shuttle” in Italian and is a “dream project” Frias envisioned while he worked at NASA for 12 years. It sports an Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper and will be offered in four sizes with prices ranging from $10.50 to $12.50: Discovery (5 x 50), Endeavor (6.25 x 54), Enterprise (6 x 60), and Atlantis (6.25 x 52). Navetta is expected to ship in September; it is made at the Joya de Nicaragua factory. “Blending Fratello Naveta was special as I wanted to translate the ultimate celebration our men and women of the space program felt after a successful mission,” says Frias. “After being part of over 21 missions, nothing beats the feeling of getting our astronauts home safe to their families. Colleagues of mine would get together and smoke a very special cigar to commemorate the occasion. This very special blend carries the ultimate feeling of innovation, duty, honor and success.”

2) FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb acknowledged the concerns of the premium cigar industry during an exchange with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee meeting on Tuesday. “Whatever we do in this regard is going to need to be science-based,” said Gottlieb. “But we are cognizant of the challenges faced by small businesses.” Gottlieb didn’t go into specifics since there is pending litigation (IPCPR, Cigar Association of America, and Cigar Rights of America filed a joint suit against the FDA last summer; the trial, which has been delayed, is set to begin August 30). But he did indicate the FDA would work to “mitigate unintended consequences” of the regulations should Congress act on proposed legislation to exempt premium cigars.

3) Inside the Industry: As part of a restructuring of Drew Estate’s sales organization, longtime industry veteran Selim Hanono will depart the company. Hanono, vice president of trade shows and events, has been a member of the Drew Estate management team for nearly ten years. “Selim has been a very valuable member of the Drew Estate team and his contributions to our large trade show success have been legendary,” said Drew Estate CEO Glenn Wolfson. “Being the consummate professional he is, Selim will remain on board leading our preparations and execution at IPCPR and we are very appreciative of his undying commitment to quality delivery. His last day at the company will be July 31st.” In a press release, Drew Estate noted the internal restructuring, “along with role redesign and greater decentralized decision-making, is intended to strengthen Drew Estate’s ability to better serve the needs of its customers in each channel of distribution in which it competes.”

4) From the Archives: What is cigar texture? The term often gets thrown around but is rarely defined. In this article, we define the term with the help of some of the foremost experts.

5) Deal of the Week: Here’s a “sleeper sampler” of some good cigars that often fly under the radar. Just $52 lands you the Southern Classic Cucubano, Espinosa Especial No. 5, Particulares Robusto, La Flor Dominicana La Nox, Crowned Heads La Careme Robusto, and CAO Flathead Carb.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Fratello Cigars

These days most new bourbons seem to fit into one of two general categories: young bourbons lacking an age statement with a marketing emphasis on boutique craftsmanship, and well-aged bourbons that are highly limited and expensive. Today I try two new limited edition bourbons distinctly in the latter category.

Knob Creek 25th Anniversary celebrates a quarter century since the introduction of Knob Creek, one of the first premium “small batch” bourbons (before that was such a crowded category). Made by Jim Beam, it is a single-barrel offering bottled at cask-strength (120- to 125-proof) and aged 12 to 13 years.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades is the second Master’s Keep release, a follow-up to a seven-year-old bourbon released in 2015. Decades is a blend of 10- and 20-year-old bourbon.

Tasting Notes

Knob Creek 25th Anniversary ($125)
122-proof (61% ABV), barreled 2/25/2004
Color: Dark mahogany
Nose: Roast corn, vanilla, and cedar
Palate: Praline, cherries, and toasted oak
Finish: Very long with vanilla, allspice, and wood

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades ($150)
104-proof, mix of 10-year-old and 20-year-old bourbon
Color: Deep copper
Nose: Spice cake, raisins, and oak
Palate: Resin, ginger, allspice, and toffee
Finish: Medium in length with clove and malted cereal

Both bourbons are surprisingly similar, with lots of woodsy spice yet enough sweetness to avoid being called over-oaked. Each is very enjoyable neat, as neither has too much heat (particularly impressive for the 122-proof Knob Creek).

Both feature a combination of finesse and full flavor that pairs well with almost any cigar. For the Knob Creek 25th Anniversary, I’d particularly suggest a rich Broadleaf cigar like the Mi Querida or Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial. For the Wild Turkey Decades, try a balanced yet full-flavored cigar like the Davidoff Nicaragua or RoMaCraft Aquitaine.

The price of each bourbon is the biggest downside, especially considering the excellent bourbons each company makes at far lower prices (Rare Breed and Russell’s Reserve from Wild Turkey, and the regular Knob Creek Single Barrel or Booker’s from Beam). These are bourbons I’d suggest you try first at a bar before splurging for a bottle. Still, for fans of Wild Turkey and Knob Creek, respectively, Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades and Knob Creek 25th Anniversary keep the character of their younger brethren while showing off the depth of flavor that extra aging and expert barrel selection can achieve.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editors’ Note: The following article was first published at StogieGuys.com in May 2015, though the advice it contains is as sound now as it was two years ago. It is reprinted today in anticipation of the fast-approaching 2017 IPCPR Trade Show.]

One of the great things about cigars is the incredible choice available. Unfortunately, it’s one of the not-so-great things as well.

Every day seems to bring news of a new release, a limited edition, a store special—or, more likely, several of each. One email I received recently touted five new limited cigars. As we approach the annual summer trade show, the stream of new announcements will almost certainly become a flood.

A dedicated cigar lover could go crazy, and broke, trying to keep up.

I suggest you don’t. Go crazy or broke, that is.

Now, I’m not recommending you forgo new cigars. Far from it. I’m just advocating a little thought and preparation to maximize the enjoyment potential of the purchases you do make.

First, remember that selling cigars is not like selling most other consumables. The premium cigar market is small and barely growing, if at all. A large percentage of cigar smokers have only a handful of sticks a week and rarely venture beyond a few brands.

Two companies—Altadis and General—dominate the market; add in a few other big players like Padrón, Fuente, and Rocky Patel, and you see why smaller manufacturers face a tough battle. They’re fighting for a thin slice of a not-so-big pie.

For many of those small manufacturers, social media has had a huge impact. Even though the cigar digerati is a relatively small subset of the market, it’s a vocal and influential component. Generating buzz and producing the next hot stick can make the difference between being a success and an also-ran. All of which leads to more releases, more limited editions, more store exclusives, and on and on.

Here are three thoughts to help you evaluate your purchases:

1) Pay attention to the manufacturers you really like. As any regular StogieGuys.com reader knows, I am a big fan of Aging Room cigars. Their blends just about always appeal to my taste. I’ve even gone so far as to violate a basic rule of cigar purchases by buying a box of a new offering before I’d tried one. Other favorites, like Fuente and My Father, also always get a close look from me.

2) Pay attention to tobaccos. Think about those you like and those you don’t. This can be tricky, I’ll be the first to admit. For example, I generally dislike San Andrés. But there are some using it, like E.P. Carrillo’s La Historia, that I think are terrific. Still, given the choice between a new smoke featuring that Mexican leaf and one that doesn’t, I’ll usually pick the cigar without it. Similarly, recognizing tobaccos you usually enjoy can be a deciding factor.

3) Look at the manufacturer’s output. Some companies put out so many new cigars, it is difficult to believe they all can be special. On the other hand, when someone like Padrón puts a new smoke on the market, it is worthy of special notice.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Lost & Found Cigars, formerly known as Impromptu, is a testament to the difference marketing can make, since someone else couldn’t sell the cigars in a previous form. The company releases small batches of well-aged cigars that were “lost” then “found” in the aging rooms of various factories, under a catchy, off-beat name with corresponding art. One of two recent releases, El Suavesito ($7.50) is a 2010 vintage corona gorda made with Dominican Piloto Cubano, Criollo ’98, and Nicaraguan Habano tobaccos. The firmly-constructed cigar features a greenish-brown wrapper and an uneven burn. Flavors are dominated by cedary spice, though there are also musty notes and black pepper. Some Lost & Found smokes have impressed me quite a bit, but El Suavasito isn’t one of them.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Just yesterday, we reported on a new limited edition line from CAO called Fuma Em Corda that sports a Honduran Colorado wrapper, a Cameroon binder, and filler tobaccos from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Brazil. The Brazilian filler is what makes this cigar stand out; it includes Arapiraca leaves that were fermented in ropes—hence the name of the blend, which literally translates from Portuguese as “smoke on rope,” and hence the unique band made out of tobacco. Only 3,000 20-count boxes of a single vitola—Robusto (5 x 50)—will be made, each with a suggested retail price of $8.99 (there is also a limited edition Toro (6 x 58, $10.49) for internet and catalog retailers). The Robusto is dark, rich, spicy, and moist with a strong, full-bodied taste of black cherry, espresso, leather, vegetal notes, and a tangy sensation that reminds me of barbecue sauce. This is the first one I’ve smoked, so it’s only a first impression. From what I’ve seen so far, though, I would recommend you give the Fuma Em Corda a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 535th in the series.

1) CAO is set to debut a new cigar line featuring Arapiraca tobacco fermented in ropes. According to a press release from General Cigar, in his travels to the Brazil in 2015, Ernest Gocaj, director of tobacco procurement for General, found natives who were fermenting Arapiraca leaves in ropes, and that the process “produced tobacco with flavor like nothing else.” Gocaj bought the natives’ entire harvest for the year and handed it over to CAO’s blending team. The result is the new CAO Fuma Em Corda, a new limited edition release “made with the world’s most rare Brazilian tobacco.” In addition to the rope-fermented Aripiraca, the cigar sports a Honduran Colorado wrapper, a Cameroon binder, and other filler tobaccos from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Brazil. Only 3,000 20-count boxes of a single vitola—Robusto (5 x 50)—will be made, each cigar with a suggested retail price of $8.99. There will also be a limited edition Toro (6 x 58, $10.49) for internet and catalog retailers.

2) Today, President Donald Trump’s long-awaited announcement on changes to U.S. policies toward Cuba is set to be delivered in Little Havana in Miami, Florida. Initial reports suggest not all of President Obama’s changes will be reversed. Of the eleven categories of travel to Cuba currently available to American citizens, all but one will remain. The biggest changes will come once Trump’s secretaries of Treasury and Commerce implement regulations that prohibit direct financial transactions with Cuban military intelligence and security services, though some exemptions will exist, including deals involving lodging options. One administration official said the goal of the changes is to “steer money away from the Cuban military and toward the Cuban people.” Flights and cruise ships from the United States will not be restricted, nor will there be changes to Obama’s policy shift that allows Cuban rum and cigars to be imported for personal use when traveling home from abroad.

3) Inside the Industry: Leading up to the 85th annual IPCPR Trade Show—which will be held July 10-14 in Las Vegas—Steve Saka took to Facebook to preview the offerings he will be highlighting at the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust booth. “In addition to [Muestra de Saka] Exclusivo, we have three very solid offerings to be showcased at this year’s IPCPR,” he posted. They include Mi Querida Gordita (4 x 48), “a plumper of air-cured Broadleaf joy;” Muestra de Saka Nacatamale (6 x 48), “one of my all-time favorite liga/vitola combos;” and Todos Las Dias, “our third core brand, which will really expand our portfolio of ‘puros sin compromiso’ with yet another totally different approach and flavor profile in the fuller-bodied world of craft cigars.” Saka went on to say, “I must say thank you to all our customers, [as] both Sobremesa and Mi Querida sales continue to grow. With most new cigars, customers try them and then move on to the next new cigar, so I want you to know we here at Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust are genuinely appreciative of all of you who have added our cigars to your rotation… Please know we always do our utmost to make cigars worthy of your support.”

4) From the Archives: Interested in the science behind humidor humidity? A conversation about it broke out in the comments of Wednesday’s article on prepping your humidor for the summer. Read it here.

5) Deal of the Week: Need a last-minute Father’s Day gift for dad? Consider a subscription to Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items delivered to your door for just $45. Available now are two cigar-oriented boxes. “Toast” features four cigars by H. Upmann and Romeo y Julieta, along with a cigar pouch and a small desktop humidor. “Study” includes two Montecristo White cigars, two Glencairn whiskey glasses, a cigar tube, and a smoke-eating candle. You can skip or switch to another box every month. Sign up your dad (or yourself) here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar Co.

With Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer in the U.S., now past, most of the country is looking at increasingly hotter temperatures and higher humidity levels.

For cigar enthusiasts, that can also mean rising anxiety levels as they fret over the conditions in their humidors. Here are some tips that I hope can help reduce your stress.

Whether you prefer the “standard” recommendation of 70° F. and 70% relative humidity or something else is, to some degree, a matter of taste. Many smokers these days favor humidity levels in the low- to mid-60s range with temperatures around 65° F.

Significantly higher or lower humidity levels can result in cigars that are too wet or too dry and won’t taste good or perform well. Temperatures much higher than 72° or so risk tobacco beetles hatching if larvae are present.

Only you can decide what settings you prefer.

But once you’ve decided, perhaps the most important step is to maintain relative constancy.

Here are some of the conclusions I’ve reached over the years.

First, I don’t believe cigars are like delicate flowers that will quickly wither and die outside a narrow comfort range of temperature and relative humidity. Sure, leave one resting on the dashboard in July and you can soon kiss it goodbye. But shifts of a few degrees or percentage points aren’t remotely fatal.

So don’t get obsessed. I’ve monitored temperature and relative humidity with two sensors in my cooled cabinet humidor for more than two years. And I can attest what you think is going on inside isn’t always the case.

For example, temperature and relative humidity levels can vary by several points from one shelf to another. (And, yes, my humidor has fans—three of them, in fact—to circulate the air.)

There are also usually differences of a few points in readings at different spots inside the humidor itself, as well as within a cigar box at the same spot. Some boxes hold both incredibly well; others, not so much.

It’s also important to bear in mind a few facts about humidity:

1) It is extremely difficult to measure precisely without very high quality scientific equipment.

2) We’re talking about relative humidity, which means the percentage changes when the temperature changes. That’s why it’s relative.

3) The warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold. So when the same amount of moisture is present at different temperatures, the relative humidity percentage will be lower in the warmer air.

4) Humid air tends to rise.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to keep your cool this summer, at least where your cigars are concerned.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr