The Stogie Guys

The next step in the conflict over the FDA’s plan to regulate premium cigars is likely to come from the agency rather than Congress. An FDA spokeswoman told me that there’s no date set for issuing a proposed rule, which it first broached in the spring of 2011. “Sometime in the future,” was as close as she said she could come on the timing.

When the rule is published in the Federal Register, there will be a period for public comment, likely at least 45 days. To make sure you know what’s going on and have an opportunity to register your view when the FDA begins action, sign up for an email subscription to “This Week in CTP.”

Recent elections had an impact on the legislative efforts to stop the FDA, which we touched on earlier this month. The effects were stronger in the House of Representatives, where the bill to protect cigars (HR 1639) had bipartisan support from more than half the members. The bill’s author, Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), won re-election and remains committed to it. I talked to George Cecala in his office, and he told me they’re continuing to educate members and to build support.

I have a call in to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) who introduced the Senate version, and I’ll let you know what I hear from them.

As you’re no doubt aware by now, the likelihood of FDA regulation devastating the cigar industry is very real. I believe the efforts of cigar smokers helped build support for the legislation, and if you haven’t gotten in touch with your elected officials, there’s no time like now. Just search “1639” on Stogie Guys and you’ll find everything you need to know.

This is no time to let up. Every cigar smoker needs to stay involved and help win this fight.

–George E

photo credit: FDA

I was stunned when I learned about North Dakota voting for an extremely restrictive smoking ban. I lived for a couple of years in the Great Plains, and it isn’t the area I think would take such action. In fact, an oft-repeated joke was, “People say Midwesterners don’t question things. But that’s not true. They question everything. The question they ask is, ‘Why would we want to do that?’”

If you’re not familiar with North Dakota, here are a few random facts from my research to provide a little prospective. The population is under 700,000, putting it above only Vermont and Wyoming. Republicans have a near-lock on statewide political offices. It has the lowest state unemployment rate (3%), ranks 24th in percentage of cigarette smokers, is home to three of the nation’s 100 poorest counties, and ranks 41st in per capita income. Among its attractions are Salem Sue, the world’s largest cow (six tons of fiberglass); the geographic center of North America in Rugby; the Roger Maris Baseball Museum; and numerous wildlife refuges and parks.

Other November referendums were to repeal a poll tax on the books for more than 100 years (approved) and to strengthen what have been described as extraordinarily lax animal cruelty laws (defeated).

“I thought we would be one of the last places this would happen,” said Todd Pryor in Minot, North Dakota, home to a noted Air Force base. “You know, cowboys…” For Pryor, with whom I spoke by phone, this isn’t a philosophical discussion. It’s business, pure and simple. Or, perhaps more accurately, lack of business.

Pryor is the owner of the Great Plains Smoke Shop in Minot, one of the few traditional tobacco shops in the state. His shop is also coupled with a cigar bar, where smoking had been permitted. Under the new law, that’s forbidden. And Pryor can’t simply open a smoking lounge in the shop portion because the law bans that, too.

Before the election, Pryor said, there was little, if any, opposition activity from tobacco companies, smoking rights groups, or even electronic cigarette organizations, whose non-tobacco devices fall under the law as well. The only news coverage I could find on the potential impact focused exclusively on cigarette smoking, and a reporter who covered the issue in Fargo, North Dakota’s largest city, told me she hadn’t written about cigars.

When the law goes into effect, probably next month, Pryor’s only smoking option will be to set up a patio area at least 20 feet from the shop’s door, with just a roof or fence allowed as structures. Even with heaters and thermal underwear, outdoor smoking in Minot—where the average high doesn’t even hit 60 degrees seven months of the year and rests below freezing in December, January, and February—is at best a sometimes thing.

Pryor said he doesn’t know yet what the impact of the ban will be on his seven-year-old shop. He’s not sure he’ll be able to keep the bar going. And how do his customers feel about all this? “They’re pissed as hell,” Pryor said.

–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.”

I’ve had this little $4 Cuban (5 x 37) for a few years. Age hasn’t changed this cigar much, for better or worse. It’s balanced, mild, and smooth featuring nutty flavors and slight notes of wood and cream. The burn, ash, and draw present no problems. For a few dollars, it’s simplistic yet enjoyable, especially early in the day.

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.”

This new line from Joya de Nicaragua, originally named Cuenca y Blanco, marks the debut blend from José Blanco after he left La Aurora. He’s the B; Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca is the C. They’ve put together a cigar that boasts a wide range of tobaccos: filler from Nicaragua and Peru, a Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a marvelous pre-light aroma. It’s a tasty, balanced cigar that isn’t as high-powered as the typical Joya de Nicaragua production. Weighing in at 6.25 inches long with a ring gauge of 52, the Torpedo Especial has a sharp head and excellent construction. At about $10, it’s a bit expensive, but well worth a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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) The 14th annual Ybor City Heritage & Cigar Festival takes place tomorrow from 10am to 5pm in the historic Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa. The event will include craft beer, food, cigar rolling, and representatives from such cigar companies as Arturo Fuente, J.C. Newman, San Lotano, Rocky Patel, and Alec Bradley. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the gate with proceeds benefiting the Ybor City Museum Society. If you’re within driving distance and looking for something fun to do tomorrow, we’d highly recommend it. The Stogie Guys team has enjoyed visiting Ybor City in the past, and this is a great opportunity to take in the best the neighborhood has to offer.

2) In other cigar event news, tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Big Smoke in New York City, which will be hosted by Cigar Aficionado on Thursday, November 29 at Pier 92. The $240 ticket price includes drinks, food, and cigars from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Padrón, General Cigar, Arturo Fuente, Oliva, and Rocky Patel.

3) Inside the Industry: Best Cigar Prices is releasing a new house blend called 2012 Limited that features a Habano Jalapa wrapper and is made by Alec Bradley. Archie Mishkin, former president of the Bayuk Cigar Co., passed away on October 30 at the age of 94. The details aren’t clear, but proceeds go to a good cause so check out this charitable giveaway.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Brief smokes the Inch by E.P. Carrillo. Cigar Fan fires up a T.L. Johnson Tempio Extreme Box Press. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Montana Azul. Stogie Review reviews an Alec Bradley Fine and Rare 2012. Cigar Inspector inspects a Cohiba Siglo VI Reserve. Tiki Bar kicks back with an Avo 25th.

5) Deal of the Week: Stuffing vs. dressing may be the debate for Thanksgiving dinner, but when it comes to cigars humidor stuffing is a no-brainer. This Humidor Stuffing Sampler features 10 cigars for $30 including CAO Cameroon, Don Pepin JJ Maduro, CAO Gold, and Perdomo Lot 23.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: cltampa.com

In this latest segment of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I ponder the evolution of Drew Estate and if larger cigar companies that buy smaller ones are getting good value.

Rebirth of Drew Estate

Drew Estate’s tagline is “the rebirth of cigars,” but the most impressive rebirth is that of Drew Estate itself. It’s easy to forget, but no cigar company has changed more in recent years than Drew Estate. I was recently searching for some information and found a thread on a message board consisting almost entirely of seasoned cigar smokers complaining about Drew Estate.

The complaints consisted of rants about gimmicky flavored cigars (though Drew Estate calls their cigars “infused”).  Today that complaint would be inconceivable, but back then Drew Estate hadn’t introduced Chateau Real yet, let alone Liga Privada or Undercrown. For me, reading through that thread was a stark reminder of how Drew Estate has reinvented itself in a relatively short period of time to become a leader in the industry when it comes to “traditional” cigars, while still dominating the “infused” cigar market.

Thinking About Industry Consolidation

Along with the emergence of Drew Estate, we’ve seen many cigar makers reemerge from “retirement” to start their own companies. Some—Ernesto Perez-Carrillo and Cristian Eiroa—”retired” after selling their brands to larger companies. The newer, smaller, family-run companies are now creating innovative cigars, but my question is: Do the large cigar companies (General Cigar and Davidoff, in these examples) left owning their original brands (La Gloria Cubana and Camacho, respectively) get good value even after the principles who built the brands leave?

Certainly they feel the brands they purchase fill a void in their portfolio that they want to fill, and if they can keep the quality of the cigars high, they will keep a significant percentage of the customers who are loyal to those brands at least for a while. I suspect, though, that this type of consolidation isn’t as profitable as it once was. These days cigar smokers, particularly those that smoke cigars with the most regularity, are less loyal to any particular brand, and seem more interested in trying different cigars.

If the people most responsible for creating the identity of a given brand are no longer active in the brand (or even creating cigars for another company) is buying a smaller company still worth it? It seems perhaps that four or five years later all they are left with is a trademark and a list of customers. I don’t discount the largest cigar companies’ marketing expertise and distribution advantages, but I’d wonder if that is enough to make shelling out millions for a smaller brand worthwhile.

Maybe the future isn’t buying cigar brands or factories wholesale for millions of dollars, but partnering with companies to help them market and distribute their cigars. One example is Don Sixto, made by Plasencia and marketed and distributed by General Cigar. This may be a template for future partnerships.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Drew Estate

If you peruse Padrón’s website, you’ll undoubtedly notice the image of a hammer in several not-so-subtle places. The symbol commemorates Cuban émigré José Orlando Padrón and his drive to work as a carpenter until he could establish a cigar company.

His patience and dedication paid off in spades. With over 600 employees, a tremendously loyal following, and more accolades than space permits mentioning, Padrón Cigars is considered by many to be the pinnacle of cigardom. The company’s place in cigar history is cemented by such super-premium offerings as the Anniversary Series (both 1926 and 1964) and Family Reserve.

Not to be overlooked is the original Padrón line, which includes over a dozen vitolas that are available in either Natural or Maduro formats. (By the way, with similar wrapper shades and no distinguishing markings, it’s really hard to tell a Natural from a Maduro without holding two next to each other.) Each is comprised of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobacco that’s sun-grown and aged for two and a half years.

The 2000 Maduro is a robusto that measures five inches long with a ring gauge of 50. I picked it up for under $6 at a tobacconist in downtown Chicago. Like the other vitolas in the blend, it isn’t the prettiest specimen, sporting thick veins, coarse seams, a hastily applied cap, and a lumpy surface. Yet its strong pre-light fragrance of dark chocolate and earth begs you to smoke it.

Right off the bat, what this cigar lacks in appearance it makes up in flavor. The taste is peppery, full-bodied, and characterized by espresso, cocoa, dark chocolate, and a little raisin. The resting smoke is exceptionally fragrant and the white ash is a stark contrast to the wrapper. The burn line and draw are excellent.

Like the Executive Maduro, which is a considerably longer vitola (7.5 x 50) that takes two hours to smoke, the 2000 Maduro doesn’t change much in flavor from light to nub. And that’s one reason why I prefer the 2000 Maduro: It draws to a close just as I start to lose interest.

At this point, it would be cliché to say the so-called “Thousand Series” is a great way to get Padrón quality and consistency without paying top dollar. Well I’m going to say that anyways. Again. And if you’re interested in one of the 15 cigars in Padrón’s original line, you can’t go wrong with the 2000 Maduro, which never overstays its welcome and is worthy of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys