The 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.”

As the first release from Crowned Heads, the Four Kicks line garnered lots of attention and praise. Our own Patrick S, for example, has sung its praises more than once, including a 4.5-stogie rating for the Corona Gorda. So, I was quite excited when I finally got to try one recently, the six-inch Sublime. It is Nicaraguan filler and binder wrapped in Ecuadorian Habano. And I have to say it was as good as advertised. Smooth, tasty, medium strength, and excellently constructed (in Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s factory). Don’t pass it up.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Crowned Heads

StogieGuys.com is once again on location in Estelí, Nicaragua. We’ll return to our daily coverage of the world of cigars on Saturday, May 4. In the meantime, feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, as well as via live Instagram updates:

Be sure to come back to StogieGuys.com next week as we share exciting content from our Cigar Safari, hosted by the fine folks of Drew Estate.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The ways to judge a cigar are many and varied.

Perhaps the most common criterion is taste, which is sensible since that’s what tends to make the biggest and most lasting impression. Many smokers will tell you that’s really all they care about.

But try convincing yourself of that when poor construction begins to intrude on the experience. A bad burn will invariably corrupt the delicate mix of tobaccos and alter the taste, while overheating from frequent relights can leave a bitter, charred flavor. Similarly, a poor draw creates frustration and diminishes pleasure.

Many other factors can come into play. Consider size (“I don’t like big ring gauges.”) or availability (“I’ve got to have that latest limited edition.”). Some smokers automatically resent, and reject, high-priced smokes; others believe there’s no good cigar on the market for less than $15 or $20.

I began thinking about all this the other day as I sat smoking an Arturo Fuente Queen B.

What an excellent cigar. And one that, surprisingly, we’ve never reviewed. This, incidentally, isn’t that review. It just struck me that the Queen B affords an ideal example of what a cigar can offer. In this case, one can select almost any way in which to pass judgment and the Queen B will reign supreme.

Part of the Arturo Fuente Chateau line, construction is impeccable. Price? Only about $6 before state taxes. Size? The 50 ring gauge is one that will satisfy most smokers. Taste? Complex, balanced, varied. Strength? Not too strong, not too light. Availability? It may not be on every retailer’s shelf, but it is a regular production cigar.

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea.

Then there was a Cuban Classic robusto from Don Pepin that’s been in my humidor a bit over two years. Judging that one by the pre-light aroma from the wrapper would make any smoker break out the blue ribbons. Frankly, it seemed almost a shame—almost—to light it up. But it smoked as nicely as it smelled.

Cigars have a great deal to offer. If we don’t avail ourselves of what is there, we’re missing out.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

Last year around this time, Patrick A and I visited Nicaragua as part of Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari. The trip was as fun as it was informative.

We visited the Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate factories, toured sorting and processing facilities, made our own blends, and spent time with some of the best cigar people around, including Jonathan Drew, Steve Saka, José Blanco, and Mario Perez.

You can revisit the trip by checking out our coverage here and by watching this playlist of our videos:

But the reason I post this isn’t just for a trip down memory lane. Tomorrow, I’m heading back down for another visit to Drew Estate, Cigar Safari, and Estelí, Nicaragua.

So I wanted to ask our readers: What do you want to know about Drew Estate?

Leave your questions in the comments and while I’m in Nicaragua I’ll work to get you answers. Keep an eye on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and StogieGuys.com for responses to your questions.

–Patrick S

photo credit: N/A

You know how every time you open your humidor one cigar leers at you, just begging you to smoke it? Lately, for me, that cigar has been the Cabinetta Serie No. 27.

I’ve had two of these monstrous double coronas situated near the top of my glass-lid humidor. I have no idea how they got there, and I have no idea how long they’ve been resting. But for whatever reason—maybe their generous proportions, maybe their two-tone wrappers—they’ve been catching my eye lately. So I decided to give in to temptation and fire them up for a review.

The Cabinetta Serie is one of a half-dozen lines listed on the Joya de Nicaragua website. Launched before the prolific José Blanco joined the Estelí-based company as senior vice president, the blend is rolled completely in a golden Ecuadorian wrapper and topped off with a dark, sun-grown criollo leaf at the head. The goal of the latter is to add a sweet spiciness to the lips.

When it was introduced in 2010, Cabinetta marked a departure for Joya de Nicaragua, which was best known for its bold Antaño line. The Nicaraguan filler tobaccos are mild by design to “deliver a smoother, more refined smoking experience.”

The No. 27 vitola is not listed on Joya de Nicaragua’s website; only the No. 2 (belicoso), No. 4 (robusto), No. 11 (corona), and No. 7 (toro) appear there. But rest assured the immense (7 x 54) No. 27 does exist, and you can easily find it at tobacconists or at several prominent online retailers, usually for around $7-8 apiece.

This double corona is pale below the band and dark-reddish above it. Several large veins are visible, as are a plethora of modest lumps and bumps. The feel is moderately firm and the foot has a wonderfully sweet pre-light aroma. A punch cut is all that’s needed to free up an easy draw.

After establishing an even light, I find a creamy, toasty smoke of almond, cedar, and honey. The aftertaste is characterized by a sharp spice that lingers on the tongue for a surprisingly long time. To be sure, this is a smooth cigar with a thick, billowy texture. I find the balance interesting enough to hold my attention, though the large No. 27 format may be a bit too much of a good thing.

The physical properties leave nothing to be desired. The draw remains clear throughout as each puff yields ample smoke. The burn line is straight. The ample resting smoke is sweet with an agreeable aroma. And the gray ash holds fairly well (albeit with consistent flaking).

I happen to really enjoy the blend—more now than when Cabinetta debuted—and find the best sizes to be the corona and lancero. The double corona is a fine cigar for sure, but the large size can render the unwavering profile a tad monotonous, and the time commitment is significant. Still, I’m glad the Cabinetta Serie No. 27 was a siren calling my name; it’s worthy of 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.”

A new addition to the La Palina brand, the Classic is the most affordable La Palina line to date with prices ranging from $7.50-8.50. It’s also the first (and currently the only) La Palina made in the Dominican Republic at Abe Flores’ factory. The cigar features a Brazilian Habano wrapper, Ecuador binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. The Robusto (5 x 52) demonstrates very smooth, balanced flavors with milk chocolate and coffee notes. It’s an enjoyable mild- to medium-bodied cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.”

Another cigar sporting the seemingly ubiquitous Brazilian arapiraca maduro wrapper, this time encasing a criollo ’98 binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. A medium-strength, five-inch stick, this Gurkha delivers a pleasant experience with only a hint of the dirt that I link to Brazilian tobacco. It also displayed little of the sweetness often found in maduros, though there was a bit of cocoa and coffee. Construction, burn, and draw were excellent in the pair I smoked. Judge it by your own preferences, and if they match up, give it a try. Oh, and check out that stunning black and silver band.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys