The Stogie Guys

Last summer marked a rebirth for Augusto Reyes, a respected cigar maker who traces his Dominican tobacco roots back six generations. It was at the 2010 industry trade show that he premiered two new lines: Signature and Sixth Generation.

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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.”

First, I have to say this is cigar contains some Mexican filler. Second, it’s a bit high-priced—listed at $8.50, though I paid $7. Third, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable, complex smoke. I like the combination of a Connecticut wrapper and fairly powerful filler. With tobacco from five countries, this Robusto (5 x 50) blended by Jesus Fuego for Xikar is smooth, produces a great aroma, and burns wonderfully.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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.”

If you want to experience the taste that many people dislike in Mexican tobacco, this Montecristo will provide a first-rate education. From the initial puff, the double-banded Robusto fills your mouth with the flavor that I can best describe as dry dirt. The best part was an inch or so in the middle, when there was virtually no taste. Then the shoveling began again. If you’re a Mexican tobacco fan, give the Vintage 1999 a try. Otherwise, stay away.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

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 Toraño Family Cigar Company announced this week that it is now the exclusive distributor of the newly formed Sam Leccia Cigar Company. “I have always had great respect and admiration for the Toraño family,” said Leccia, who made his mark on the industry with the creation of Nub in 2008. “Their expertise and history in growing tobacco and manufacturing great cigars is well known. Since their announcement last year whereby they took back control of the distribution of their brands, it’s clear that Toraño is focused on expanding its distribution company and providing tobacconists with the service and cigars they deserve.” Leccia’s first release, “Debut,” will be a blend from Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, and Santo Domingo.

2) It was always unclear how a new Maryland law that criminalizes the shipment of cigars by out-of-state retailers to the state’s residents would be enforced. But now, according to the Baltimore Sun, “Comptroller Peter Franchot says he doesn’t want to enforce the prohibition on Internet sales of premium cigars that took effect May 1…When out-of-state cigar dealers told Maryland customers about the change last month, smokers fired back, bombarding Franchot with emails. The comptroller quickly said he didn’t intend buyers of high-end cigars to fall under the restriction and started talking to legislators about fixing the statute.” The penalty for violation of the law is $50 per package and up to two years in prison.

3) Inside the Industry: Cuba reportedly produced 81.5 million cigars last year, up 8% over 2009. “My Uzi Weighs a Ton” is a new cigar by Drew Estate made at the Joya de Nicaragua factory that will be out for this year’s trade show; its three sizes will retail for $9-12 each. (more…)

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. When it comes to cigars, that old axiom doesn’t always hold true. Between the desire to sample new, heavily marketed releases and the need to explore uncharted blends, it’s easy to forget about old favorites that were once mainstays of my cigar rotation. I know many of you feel the same way.

My colleague, George E, wrote about this phenomenon back in May 2010. “I’m sure each of you can think of cigars that you really liked in the past but somehow got away from smoking as new releases elbowed their way onto the shelves,” he said. “And I’m not suggesting that anyone abandon the hunt for great new cigars. Discovering them is one of the many pleasures of cigar smoking. But so is reconnecting with an old friend.”

Revisiting George’s article got me thinking about cigars that I haven’t reconnected with in a long time. So I decided to jot down a quick list of cigars I miss. Of the cigars on my list, some are limited releases that are no longer available. Some are rare. Some verge on being cost-prohibitive. But, perhaps surprisingly, many are regular production smokes that are widely available at a relatively reasonable cost.

I find this latter category intriguing. I have no excuse for losing sight of excellent cigars that are easily located and purchased, especially since I once found them so consistently enjoyable. Below are five of these cigars and my reason for missing them: (more…)

Elected officials looking to raise cigar taxes to close budget deficits should look at New York State before proceeding. Despite two large tax increases, tax revenues from cigar taxes have fallen off dramatically.

In 2009, the state raised taxes in “Other Tobacco Products” (OTP) from 37% of the wholesale price to 46%. Then, in July 2010, the tax went up again to 75%—the highest in the nation. On top of its OTP tax, New York has a 4% state sales tax that is also applied to cigars and other tobacco products.

Meanwhile, taxes collected on premium handmade cigars have fallen over 50% from over $8 million per year in 2007 to about $4 million in 2009. The 2010 numbers aren’t available at this time, but Empire State retailers have observed continued declines. (more…)

Pete Johnson’s newest release of the Havana VI Verocu blend, the No. 5, arrived on the market last summer. The 4-inch by 40-ring gauge No. 5 is the smallest release of the blend and it is also markedly cheaper than the other releases with a retail price of only $4.50 each. (more…)