The Stogie Guys

“Cocktail culture” is in full swing (so says any number of newspaper articles). For the most part, though, I don’t get into cocktails in our Cigar Spirits articles. I feel if booze is worth drinking, it’s usually worth drinking unadulterated. That said, one aspect of the recent cocktail boom I’m fully behind is aging cocktails in whiskey barrels.

So when Top Shelf Barrels offered me a barrel to do my own cocktail aging, I figured it was worth checking out. Because I don’t have much space for a large barrel, I went with the one liter barrel (which Top Shelf Barrels engraved for me with a Stogie Guys logo).

The company sells essence flavorings and has a few recipes for exotic cocktails, but I was more interested in the effects of barrel aging on classic cocktails. I quickly narrowed my options down to the old fashioned or the Manhattan.

I decided on a Manhattan for my first barrel-aged cocktail experiment and went with a simple recipe: three parts Knob Creek Rye and one part Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth (my preferred vermouth). I’ll sometimes add the tiniest shake of Angostura bitters to my Manhattans, but I figured it would be easier to add bitters later, especially since all Angostura takes is a quick rinse of the glass.

To judge the impact of barrel aging, I made one liter of Manhattan, poured 800 ml. into the 1 liter barrel, and then poured the rest into an extra bottle so I could taste test it side-by-side. One thing to remember about the process is the barrel may leak a little (this isn’t unusual). My barrel had the tiniest bit of seepage, which didn’t result in any puddles.

After two weeks, my experiment was just right as the bright flavors were mellowed out by the wood. By the third week, the wood had overwhelmed the flavors, so be careful not to age your cocktail too long. At that point, I emptied out the barrel and poured what was left into an empty bottle so I could enjoy it, even though it had peaked a week earlier.

I have to say, I was surprised by how quickly the wood impacted the Manhattan, especially since the barrel-aged cocktails I’ve had in bars were usually aged for 45-60 days. But in retrospect, this shouldn’t have been that surprising. The mini barrel has a lot of surface area for such a small amount of liquid.

Ultimately, I’m deeming my experiment a success. I made a delicious barrel-aged Manhattan, and I’m looking forward to trying more experiments with my barrel. If you want to take your cocktails to the next level consider checking one out.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

There’s a lot to admire about Padrón Cigars. Like the company’s status as arguably the pinnacle of excellence in the industry. Or the dedication displayed by Cuban émigré José Orlando Padrón to labor as a carpenter until he had the capital to establish a cigar factory.

Another admirable trait is the company’s focused portfolio. Instead of coming out with a new series every year, Padrón only makes a few lines—lines that are crafted well and almost universally celebrated. As the Padrón website explains, “When Padrón is on the label, quality is a matter of family honor.”

One of those well-crafted lines is the Serie 1964, also known as the 1964 Anniversary Series. It was launched in 1994 to commemorate Padrón’s 30th anniversary (there’s also a 1926 Serie that honors the year of José Orlando Padrón’s birth.) The Serie 1964 has 11 box-pressed vitolas, each available in either a sun-grown Natural wrapper or a dark Maduro leaf. All of the tobaccos in the Nicaraguan puro are aged for four years.

The Exclusivo Natural (5.5 x 50) has a clean, dry, milk chocolate-colored wrapper with only the thinnest veins and barely noticeable seams. The cold draw has hardly any resistance, and the pre-light notes off the foot are nutty and creamy. The double bands are, at this point, classic and instantly recognizable. Included on the bottom band is an “individually numbered guarantee label” to help safeguard against counterfeiting.

At the outset, the profile from the Exclusivo Natural is oak, vanilla, cedar, black pepper, and almond. The texture is silky, and the spicy aftertaste lingers well on the palate. As it progresses, flavors of peanut and coffee come and go. At the midway point there’s a harmonious concoction of dry spices, and the finale has loads of warm tobacco and mixed nuts.

I smoked three Exclusivos for this review, and each exhibited construction qualities on par with the Padrón standard. The gray ash holds remarkably well off the foot, the burn line requires zero touch-ups along the way to keep it even and lit, the draw is effortless, and the smoke production is high.

As you probably already know, the Padrón Serie 1964 Exclusivo Natural is not an inexpensive cigar. Expect to pay around $11-12 for a single. The good news is you get a high-quality stick with balanced medium-bodied flavors for your money. I’m partial to the Maduro-wrapped 1964, but this specimen is no slouch and worthy of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I don’t usually pay much attention to cigar peripherals. But some, like the extraordinarily detailed band on EPC’s La Historia, simply demand closer inspection. The Signature’s band (above) is one of those.

An eye-catching white background showcases old-style lettering reminiscent of a nineteenth century poster, raised printing and varied typefaces, sealed with an illustration of Punch and his dog. A standout on any tobacconist shelf.

The cigar itself is also quite a fine specimen. The wrapper is smooth, oily, and displays no large veins.

This addition to the Punch lineup is getting a big push from General Cigar. There are lots of ads, giveaways, and an interactive website.

The Signature cigars for this review were supplied by General, which sent me five Robustos. They have an MSRP of $6.79 and measure 5 inches long with a ring gauge of 52. There are three other sizes: Gigante (6 x 60, $7.39), Torpedo (5.75 x 52, $6.99), and Rothschild (4.5 x 50, $5.39).

Mindful of the smokers these days who want to know not only details of the blend but the story of the cigar as well, General provided considerable information in its press release. Blender Agustin Garcia says the Signature was inspired by the original Punch blend. Work began in 2012 when he “found a small batch of Ecuadoran tobacco they wanted to use” and teamed with a grower to produce enough of the Corojo wrapper leaf to ensure fulltime production.

The Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers are those used in General’s original Punch blend, with some having been “very aged” and others younger. “The aged leaves bring flavor and balance, and the newer leaves deliver more strength,” according to the press release. The binder is a proprietary Connecticut Habano.

Over the years, StogieGuys.com has had good things to say about many Punch cigars. This posting marks a dozen Punch reviews, and there have been numerous Quick Smokes and Gold Star mentions.

I have to say I didn’t find the Signature as enjoyable as some of the others, primarily due to a sharpness that scratched at the back of my throat for much of the cigar.

Throughout the stick, there was little change in the flavors, and what there was just wasn’t enough to hold my interest by the halfway point. Smoking farther down, though, did offer a reward: By the final third, the sharpness was finally almost gone and that was the most enjoyable part of the cigar.

Signature is certainly not a bad cigar. Construction, as you’d expect from General, is spot-on with an even burn, tight ash, and lots of smoke production. I did find the draw a bit loose and, after a straight cut on the first, used a punch or a V-cut for the others, which helped.

I would certainly recommend giving the Signature a try. For me, the Punch Signature Robusto rates three stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

We’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard of Evil Genius Cigars until now. Evil Genius is a small, Pennsylvania-based operation that debuted only last summer. Its production is limited, and the retailers are few (mostly concentrated in the Keystone State).

That isn’t to say, of course, the cigars aren’t worth seeking out. I recently sat down with a couple Evil Genius White Chapel Robustos (5 x 50) to give this new, small-production smoke the fair chance it deserves. I’m glad I did.

Evil Genius has two lines, both made by La Aurora: Black Chapel and White Chapel. The former is a five-country blend with a Brazilian Maduro wrapper that’s aged in rum barrels to add sweetness. It’s billed as medium-bodied and full-flavored.

The White Chapel—perhaps unexpectedly given its less-than-imposing appearance—is fuller-bodied and medium in flavor. It has a Dominican Habano wrapper around a sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and filler recipe that’s three-quarters Ligero and one-quarter Seco. (One of the Ligeros, by the way, is grown in Pennsylvania.)

There are four sizes available in each blend, ranging in price from $5 to $9.50: Belicoso, Gigante, Petit Corona, and Robusto. The White Chapel Robusto has a reddish Colorado hue with only thin veins and an oily, textured surface. The feel is moderately firm and the cap seems sloppily applied. Pre-light aromas include syrup, earth, and considerable sweetness.

As advertised, the strength of this cigar is palpable and apparent from the first puff. In addition to a hearty dose of nicotine, the initial profile is characterized by cedar, espresso, and both black and white pepper. The texture is dense and leathery, and the finish tends to linger with notes of warm tobacco and spice. Background flavors of molasses and cream help add balance.

At the midway point, some breadiness comes and goes, as do hints of peanut. The final third witnesses a slight increase in intensity but similar flavors. Throughout, the Robusto’s construction is impeccable. My samples exhibited straight burn lines, solid ashes, good smoke production, and draws with just the right amount of resistance.

To date, Evil Genius is sold at brick-and-mortar establishments only. That means you’ll need to visit or contact one of the 17 retailers who carry their smokes. If you do, I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed by the White Chapel Robusto. It’s a fine cigar at a reasonable price with ample strength to complement an after-dinner bourbon, rum, or scotch. It earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

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.”

Ever dig through the bottom of your humidor and find something you didn’t know was there? That’s how I came across this Alec Bradley Connecticut Robusto, featuring an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper around Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. The cigar  boasts notes of hay, cream, paper, and cedar. It’s medium-bodied with a straightforward flavor profile and excellent construction. There’s a very slight bitterness that isn’t unusual for a Connecticut smoke. It’s the very definition of a solid, but not exceptional, cigar.

Verdict = Hold.

–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.”

Known as Pete Johnson’s personal blend, the Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda (5.6 x 46) was first sold in 19-count jars in 2007 and met with acclaim and enthusiasm. Then, in September 2013, Johnson re-released the Nicaraguan puro, which boasts a sun-grown Criollo wrapper and is handmade at My Father Cigars. I don’t believe I ever tried the 2007 edition, but I can attest the 2013 Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda is outstanding and well worth the $10 asking price (if you can find it). Flavors include citrus, red pepper, cocoa, and leather. It isn’t hard to understand why my colleague awarded this cigar a rare rating of five stogies out of five.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) General Cigar has announced a new Hoyo de Monterrey line will be appearing at retailers starting in April. Called Edición de Cumpleaños 150, the blend includes a Habano shade-grown wrapper—the first ever grown in Estelí—around an Ecuadorian binder and a variety of Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. “The cigar is a study in contrasts, with a hearty, well-oiled leaf that burns to a strong, yet sweet smoke for an unparalleled taste experience,” according to a General Cigar press release. As the name suggests, Edición de Cumpleaños 150 celebrates the 150th anniversary of Hoyo de Monterrey. It will be offered in a single size (6 x 54) for $7.99 and packaged in 15-count boxes.

2) Drew Estate is rolling out new packaging for its Liga Privada Papas Fritas cigar (4.5 x 44) which will reduce the per-cigar price from $6.40 to $5.25. Papas Fritas will now be found in 50-count boxes instead of 4-count tins or 28-count boxes. “Papas Fritas has been a good choice for any Liga Privada fan looking for a short smoke,” said Drew Estate President Michael Cellucci in a press release. “We neede something for fans of Papas Fritas who already had plenty of tins and wanted a better value, so now we’re offering the cigar with no tin. The tins will now become a collector’s item and the Papas Fritas will be a little more budget-friendly. It’s a win-win.”

3) In last month’s “Question of the Month” (which admittedly ran significantly longer than a month), we asked how you feel about year-end best-of lists. “They inform some of my purchases” won with 51% of the vote. The other choices were “I read them only for entertainment” (26%), “I highly value these lists” (13%), and “They annoy me” (10%). Be sure to weigh in on this month’s question by voting in the sidebar to the right. And feel free to contact us if you’ve got a good suggestion for a future poll.

4) Inside the Industry: In April, Espinosa Cigars is introducing the Espinosa Especial. The new blend, which will come in three sizes, features a Mexican Capa Negra wrapper and around a binder and filler combination using tobacco from each of the four main cigar growing regions of Nicaragua: Estelí, Jalapa, Condega, and Ometepe.

5) Deal of the Week: Check out this five-cigar “plethora of flavors” sampler for $25 shipped. Included are the Partagas 1845 Double Corona, La Gloria Cubana Serie N Rojo, Affinity Belicoso, Four Kicks Robusto, and La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Robusto.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar