The Stogie Guys

Over two decades ago, Avo Uvezian founded a cigar company. A Lebanese-born jazz pianist and a former jewelry designer, he was an unlikely addition to the world of cigars. But this Juilliard-trained talent, in partnership with Hendrik Kelner, would quickly make an impact on the industry, selling over 750,000 cigars in his company’s third year and inking a distribution deal with Davidoff.

More recently, Uvezian celebrated his 85th birthday with a new cigar. The release follows in the tradition he started ten years ago when he introduced a limited edition smoke to celebrate his 75th anniversary. This year, Uvezian has paired a sun-grown Dominican wrapper with a Peruvian binder and San Vicente and Piloto Cubano filler tobaccos.

The resulting Avo Limited Edition 2011 is available in only one size: Diademas (6.6 x 50). Its production is limited to 100,000 cigars worldwide, including 60,000 cigars for the U.S. market. Such exclusivity helps explain the hefty MSRP of $17.50.

Shipments of the Diademas started to hit tobacconists in late March. Those who were lucky enough to find and afford the cigar were rewarded with a stunning, double-banded perfecto that has minimal veins, a beautiful cap, and pre-light notes of hay and molasses—an aroma that’s very similar to the PG Symphony 20th, which is also crafted by Kelner.

The cold draw is surprisingly easy despite the cigar’s firm feel. Once lit, the rich, abundant tufts of smoke emit flavors of caramel, black coffee, roasted nuts, cream, and cedar spice. The aftertaste is characterized by a sharp bite on the middle of the tongue. I’d describe the profile as medium in body and moderate in strength.

Leather becomes a force into the midway point, adding bitter tones to the flavor and slightly increasing the Diademas’ overall intensity. To its credit, though, the cigar smokes more like an orchestral performance than a heavy metal rock show, displaying a fine balance from light to nub. And the combustion qualities of both of the samples I tested for this review were superb.

In the end, instead of being an example of an overpriced limited edition that’s more style than substance, the Avo Limited Edition 2011 emerges as a top performer. Sometimes you get what you pay for. In this case, that’s a good thing. So I have no qualms about echoing the chorus of praise this cigar has already received, and I’m awarding it a rare rating of five stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. A list of other five stogie-rated cigars can be found here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editors’ Note: In celebration of the five-year anniversary of StogieGuys.com, we’re updating and re-publishing some of our oldest articles, many of which focused on cigar basics. Our hope is to encourage a discussion among readers and reacquaint the community with important cigar fundamentals.]

Golf and cigars go together perfectly. You’ve got hours outdoors, you can ash your cigar anywhere without getting dirty looks (except for the greens), and compared to the rest of society, golf courses generally provide cigar-friendly environments.

There are plenty of firms looking to cash in on this match made in heaven with all kinds of specialty golf cigar gadgets ranging from cigar tees to hold your cigar to golf bag humidors. But dropping extra cash on a gadget is completely unnecessary if you follow a few simple tips.

First, make a good decision about what to smoke. The golf course is perfect for a Churchill or, if a smaller ring gauge is more to your liking, a lonsdale. Remember that your cigar may sit un-smoked for awhile as you four-putt, only to find that it went out. Larger cigars have a higher tolerance for re-lighting.

Second, you need to light your cigar properly. While golf courses are perfect for smoking a stogie, the wind that never seems to be blowing at your back can make lighting a cigar awfully difficult. If blocking the wind with your hand doesn’t get the job done, you may want to try using a hat to block the breeze. Or sit in your golf cart (if you’re riding, not walking) and duck behind the clear plastic windshield. A torch is preferable to matches under windy conditions.

After you’ve got your cigar selected and lit properly, the next challenge is deciding where to rest your cigar while you swing away. Plenty of outfits hawk special “cigar tees,” but all you need is a flat, non-flammable surface: various places in golf carts, tee box markers, or even a few tees from your bag. Just try to avoid laying your cigar directly on the grass—especially the greens—as many golf courses are saturated with chemical fertilizers.

Our final tip regards how many cigars to bring to the course in the first place. The standard is one cigar for every nine holes. But it’s better to come over-prepared, especially if the course has a slow pace of play. That makes three cigars per 18-hole round a good rule of thumb. Just remember to store your stash safely in your golf bag inside a simple leather case or a cigar tube.

–The Stogie Guys

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 made no secret of the fact that I’ve been very impressed with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s new cigars, particular the 2010 Short Run limited release. But despite the fact that it is reportedly the third best-selling size, I’ve never been a huge fan of the six-inch by 60-ring gauge size. Still, I was looking forward to trying the Dominantes (6.25 x 60). It’s fuller-bodied than the smaller Short Run sizes, but still features graham spice, butter, and woody notes. Add a bit of leather into the mix and you get an interesting blend with the excellent construction I’ve come to expect from Carrillo’s cigars.

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.”

These days, when you read about the Jameson Cigar Co., you mostly see information about Santos de Miami, a new Dominican puro blend, or reviews of Declaration. But I still like the re-blended Red Label that came out in early 2009. The Perfecto (5 x 54) combines a Connecticut shade wrapper, a Honduran binder, and Dominican filler tobaccos to produce a balanced taste of cream, cedar, and floral notes. Construction is good, making this a smart buy for $6 apiece.

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) In the useless contest to see who can make the world’s longest cigar, José “Cueto” Castelar is second to none. The 67-year-old already owns four Guinness World Records, with his latest creation measuring over 45 meters long. Now he aims to crush his previous best and set a new record with a 70-meter monstrosity, ensuring that the title remains in his native Cuba. “Cueto said that as long as he lives, the Guinness record has to be in Cuba,” his spokesman told the AFP. “He is very lively now and will get tired as the days go by, but he hopes to reach his goal.”

2) Miami Cigar & Co. has released a new video in its promotion of National Nestor Miranda Cigar Day. “On Friday, May 6, I want you to visit your local tobacconist, buy any cigar you want, and you’re gonna receive from me Art Deco—free, no charge,” says Miranda in the video. “The wrapper is corojo ’06, it’s handmade in Nicaragua, and the size that we’re gonna give you is the size that I love: the Robusto (5.5 x 54).”

3) Inside the Industry: Davidoff is introducing the new Zino Z-Class, a full-bodied cigar with a Dominican wrapper, Peruvian binder, and filler mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. The Economist reports accusations of widespread corruption in the Cuban national cigar industry, which has resulted in the imprisonment of Habanos V.P. Manuel García since last August.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie fires up the My Father Belicoso Davidoff NYC Exclusive. Stogie Review reviews the Diamond Crown Julius Caeser. The Tiki Bar kicks back with a Drew Estate Dirt Lancero. Cigar Inspector inspects a Por Larrañaga RE Switzerland. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary. The AVO Limited Edition 2011 85th Anniversary Perfecto is the new top cigar at YourCigarRatings.com.

5) Deal of the Week: This weekly special features two top Dominican robustos. $29 lands you five each of the La Aurora 1495 and the La Gloria Wavell. Or you can double up for just $50.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: AFP

When I look back on some of the finer smokes I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy over the years, a disproportionate number happen to be relatively unknown at the national level. The cigars made by the Tesa Cigar Co. are a good example.

So I’m always eager to try limited quantity cigars that I’ve never heard of before. Such was my disposition when I received a few samples of smokes in the mail from Cigari Cigars, an outfit based in Southern California.

Cigari was established in December 2009 as an exclusive offering of Zafuto’s Cigar Haven in Ontario, California. These days you can also find Cigari smokes at a handful of other tobacconists in the Southern California region, as well as several fine restaurants and country clubs. While they are currently unavailable online, I’m told that may change (the Cigari website is under construction).

Access to Cigari may be limited for the time being, but those who find these cigars will have their choice of three different wrappers: Corojo, Habano, and San Andreas. The first two are Nicaraguan puros with fillers from Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa. The latter makes use of a maduro leaf from Mexico. Whatever the blend, though, all Cigari sticks are handmade in Estelí under the supervision of a factory owner who owns four different plantations. And each comes in four vitolas: Corona ($5.50), Robusto ($6), Toro ($6.50), and Salomones ($9).

The Corojo Robusto is a beautiful-looking specimen with a silky exterior leaf, few veins, and a well-executed triple cap. Mouth-watering notes of milk chocolate emanate off the foot.

Some of these creamy, cocoa-like tones carry over to the flavor once the Robusto is lit. They are balanced by black coffee, Nicaraguan zing, Corojo spice, and traces of sweetness. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced.

As the cigar progresses, I conclude that the profile is impressive for the price point. The Cigari Corojo is neither dull nor overly powerful, neither too spicy nor too sweet. Most importantly, the combined effect of the various tastes is unique—a complement that escapes many of Cigari’s better-known competitors. And all three of the Robustos I smoked for this review displayed fair combustion qualities.

Suffice it to say that, thus far, I’m a fan of this up-and-coming brand. With hopes for a wider distribution—or at least the ability to purchase Cigari products online—I’m awarding the Corojo Robusto four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I distinctly remember my first Punch Rare Corojo. A friend dropped by with a few Rare Corojo Tubos (thick, magnum-sized robustos, if I recall correctly) to celebrate a birthday. Fortunately, I was able to repay the debt a few years later when I provided some Cubans in celebration of his engagement.

I enjoyed those original Rare Corojos but never smoked very many of them, in part because they have always been difficult to find since they’re only released occasionally. Despite only sporadic releases, General Cigar (corporate parent of the non-Cuban Punch brand) obviously felt there was enough demand for a new Punch Rare Corojo.

Yet instead of rushing out another batch of Rare Corojos, they decided to introduce another blend under the Rare Corojo name—only this time with a proprietary Connecticut-grown “corojo” wrapper. The unique deep brown wrapper surrounds a Connecticut broadleaf binder and a combination of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos.

Available in only one size (5.5 x 50), the Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary comes in a box of 25 that sells for around $130 (a reasonable $5.50 per cigar). It features a slight box press and dual bands. I received some pre-release samples of this smoke that tasted a little young but, fortunately, after a few weeks they settled into their own. From then on, the medium-bodied smokes boasted dominant flavors of leather and cream.

While there is little change from beginning to end, I found undertones of roasted flavors and a slight fruit cassis from time to time. It’s a very balanced smoke, even if it lacks complexity. As nearly every cigar from General Cigar tends to be, I found excellent construction with a even burn and nice draw.

Overall, I don’t expect people to be blown away by the Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary—at least not yet, though it does improve greatly with minimal aging. But those who try this smoke will enjoy a balanced, well-constructed, pleasant experience. That’s why the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary earns a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys