The Stogie Guys

The Diplomáticos No. 2 is a classic Cuban cigar with classic proportions. In fact, the smoke has the same proportions (6.125 x 52) as the iconic Montecristo No. 2. (All five Diplomáticos currently in production have the same proportions as the Montecristo of the same name.)

Diplomáticos was the first new line of Cuban cigars to be publicly launched after the beginning of the Castro regime but, ironically, given its name, it wasn’t the Diplomáticos but the Cohiba line (which was not for sale to the general public at the time) that was given exclusively to visiting dignitaries and diplomats. Instead, Diplomáticos ended up mainly as a brand to be exported to France, where its milder profile was  preferred.

In 1966, Diplomáticos was originally created as a less expensive and milder version of the Montecristo, and that reputation remains today. All of which makes it a prime candidate for a “value” Cuban cigar, particularly in the  popular and often expensive Pyramide shape.

While not necessarily a value by non-Cuban standards, the Diplomáticos No. 2 sells for around $11 individually and around $9 per cigar by the box. That’s nearly $5 less than the Montecristo No. 2. (I payed around 10 Euros each, including 3 Euros each in French taxes for the two sticks I sampled for this review. Both were purchased  at a shop in Paris’  Odeon area that was recommended to me by Denis of the Cigar Inspector website.)

The Diplomáticos No. 2 features an attractive wrapper with small veins, and my samples even had the beginnings of some plume, showing that the cigars had some age. While it had a sweet, creamy aroma pre-light, it was noticeably soft to the touch, often a precursor to draw and ash problems.

Once lit, I found a combination of creamy peanut butter and grass. There was some significant bitterness that went in and out, and the pyramide had a long grassy finish.

The construction was similarly a mixed bag. While the burn was relatively even, the draw was at times extremely difficult. The ash held for at least a half an inch, after which it would sometimes unexpectedly fall off.

For a similar Cuban smoke at a true value price ($3 or less per stick) I’d prefer the Por Larrañaga Panatella. It has a similar flavor, costs less, than a third of the price, and sports better construction. On the other hand, for significantly better construction and more complexity in the pyramide size, I’d say you’re better off spending a few dollars more and smoking the Montecristo No. 2.

This is a mild- to medium-bodied cigar with lots of potential  and some pleasant flavors, but it ultimately disappoints due to the bitterness and construction issues. Because there are better options at both higher and lower prices, the Diplomáticos No. 2 earns a rating of two and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

My colleague recently wrote about Buffalo Trace bourbon, made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Before it was renamed in 1999, it was called the George T. Stagg Distillery, which is now the name of a limited production bourbon that Buffalo Trace releases annually.

Stagg is a beast of a bourbon, bottled at full cask strength and unfiltered from barrel to bottle. While the exact strength varies with each annual release, the bourbon is noted for its high proof, with some people even referring to it as “Hazmat” because it is illegal to transport on airplanes due to its high alcohol content (and thus flammability).

In order to create Stagg, Buffalo Trace ages the bourbon in traditional charred oak  barrels for 15 to 16 years. Then, without filtering, they mix all the barrels from each vintage (89, according to one account) and sell bottles for around $60 each.

The bottle I sampled was from the 2008 release, which was bottled at  141.8 proof (70.9% ABV). As you might imagine, the high proof is a defining characteristic. Think of it this way: Since this bourbon isn’t cut with water like most, it’s twice as much bourbon flavor as nearly the same amount of more traditional 80 proof Kentucky bourbon.

That strength gives off a seriously strong spicy oak aroma with caramel notes. The color is a deep brown mahogany with a slightly cloudy hue due to its unfiltered nature.

The dominant taste corresponds with the nose, with an intense cedar spice. Underneath you’ll find a syrupy combination of blackcurrant, unsweetened chocolate, and a hint of apple. The finish is spicy, long, and wheaty.

I’d suggest preparing the Stagg neat, then adding water (use spring or distilled water as opposed to low-grade tap water) to dilute it to taste. I’ve found that just a few drops of water opens up this bourbon perfectly without diluting its powerful nature.

With that intensity, you’ll need a full-bodied cigar. Chocolaty and cedary cigars particularly come to mind with some examples being the Alonso Menendez, Fuente Sun Grown, Bolivar Royal Corona, Tatuaje Black, and Davidoff Maduro R. But really any favorite full-flavored cigar will go well.

Ultimately, not everyone will enjoy the unadulterated intensity of George T. Stagg, especially those who like their bourbon sweet and smooth. Still, this is a special bourbon that every true bourbon lover should try at least once.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve never explicitly put it this way before but, for me, a good cigar is definitely a panacea: a virtual cure-all. I’m guessing many of you would share that sentiment. And there’s no denying that Paul Bush, owner of the Flatbed Cigar Co., would agree that premium tobacco can be a remedy for ills or difficulties.

That passion inspired Paul to found Flatbed, which released its first cigar—the Panacea Black—to mid-Atlantic retailers in October 2007. “Selling from the trunk of my car, I enjoyed the company of hundreds of cigar enthusiasts, shop owners, and patrons alike, as I made my way from DC to Boston,” he wrote in Stogie Fresh’s Cigar Journal. “Panacea is now in 42 stores and growing steadily.”

Although Flatbed distributes out of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the company’s operations center on its factory in the Dominican Republic. There, experienced rollers turn out two different Panacea blends, both of which include Dominican binders and filler composed of Cuban-seed seco, ligero, olor Dominicano, and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

The Natural line is finished with a clean, nearly flawless Connecticut Ecuadorian wrapper that features a bumpy terrain and a soft touch from head to foot. I smoked two Toros (6 x 50) for this review. Both took a clean cut and produced a pre-light nose of sweet hay and dry foliage.

The initial taste, which shines through in the voluminous smoke, exhibits traits similar to other Connecticut-wrapped smokes—cream, butter, nuts, and paper. But there’s more going on here. A tiny hint of what I’d call nutmeg spice, for example, keeps the flavor plenty interesting.

Not much changes in the well-balanced profile from beginning to end, save for a slight increase in spice down the home stretch. That isn’t necessarily a criticism, though; I enjoyed the Toro for its crisp consistency.

Adding to this cigar’s value are superb combustion qualities, including a razor-sharp burn, a clear draw, and a sturdy gray ash.

That’s why, when it’s all said and done, I can heartily recommend the Panacea Black Natural Toro as a great morning to mid-afternoon selection for everyday smoking. Keep your eyes open for this vitola in B&Ms in the eastern half of the country, or buy a four-pack from Flatbed’s online shop for $24. While this cigar may not cure all of life’s problems, its smooth taste and great construction earns it three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I think of things that are barrel aged I think of wine, bourbon, beer, and rum. But, thanks to José Blanco and the oldest cigar company in the Dominican Republic, now I think of stogies too. And for that I am grateful.

This blend, which debuted in August 2007 at the IPCPR Trade Show, features tobacco aged in oak barrels that were once home to Dominican rum. The process doesn’t necessarily infuse the leaves with a rum taste; rather, it speeds up the fermentation process. And while this idea isn’t new to the people over at La Aurora, the Barrel Aged blend is the first cigar they’ve made with 100 percent barrel aged tobacco.

They seem to have found a winning concept. The Belicoso (6.25 x 52), one of four vitolas in the line, was named the 14th best cigar of 2008 by Cigar Aficionado. The magazine imparted a rating of 92, writing the stick is “one of the company’s top cigars since its landmark 100 Años.”

With a dark, russet-colored corojo wrapper and a pre-light aroma of sweet chocolate and nuts, this cigar is downright appealing right out of the cellophane. The oily texture and hardened veins impart a feeling of age, even though the tobacco is likely only a few years old at this point.

The initial flavor is spicy with dominant hints of coffee beans, clove, and that straightforward tobacco taste that’s typical of corojo tobacco. The Dominican and Nicaraguan binder and filler leaves produce plenty of complexity yet zero harshness.

Sweet, woody, earthy…there’s a lot going on here. A touch of bite on the finish joins in the fray down the home stretch, and there it remains until you’re forced to set the nub down for good.

Fortunately, the physical properties mostly live up to this cigar’s $6.50-9 price tag. The draw is easy and smooth and the white, finely layered ash holds strong until tapped. I only wish the burn didn’t require as many touch-ups to stay even.

That aside, this is an outstanding choice for someone who enjoys the raw taste of a well-balanced, nicely constructed cigar. I applaud José Blanco and his colleagues for experimenting with the barrel aged concept. And I give the La Aurora Barrel Aged Belicoso a solid rating 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 take on a single cigar.

While I originaly reviewed this little fireplug of flavor last November, I recently found myself smoking another with a good cup of coffee on a warm, sunny day. The wrapper seems to have gotten even more oily in those six months. The smoke was a pleasing mix of chocolate, earth, nut, and some cedary spice—similar but not exactly as I had remembered it. With that flavor and no construction issues, I can continue to heartily recommend this cigar for an abundance of flavors when you’re short on time.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Ron White, famous for his part in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, may face charges in North Dakota for smoking a cigar onstage. A nosy Bismark resident reportedly informed police that White was violating the state’s smoking ban during one of his standup routines. No charges have yet been filed against the cigar- and scotch-toting comedian.

2) If you haven’t done so already, please sign up for StogieGuys.com’s new email newsletter. This free service is a great way to get exclusive content like aging reports, cigar rankings, tips, and more. Best of all, we’re giving away some amazing cigar prizes just for signing up.

3) Thanks to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the highest profile member of the Smoke-Free Texas coalition, the Lone Star State may be closer than ever to a statewide smoking ban. All that stands in the way of a pivotal vote is State Sen. Jane Nelson, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. She pledged her support for the ban in February and, when asked why she hasn’t allowed a vote to date, vaguely said she has “an agreement” with her colleague who is sponsoring the legislation.

4) Inside the Industry: Cigar Expo was destined to a good time with tons of cigars, superstar cigar makers in attendance, and plenty of food and drink—all of which makes it an unexpected place for a fight to break out. But according to a press release from Famous Smoke Shop, which hosts the event, the VIP dinner on Friday night will also feature a heavyweight (at least figuratively speaking) boxing fight between Tatuaje owner Pete Johnson and Famous’ retail store manager Tim Carr. Evidently, the pair have been sparring with their words lately and are aiming to end the feud with their fists. StogieGuys.com will be there to see it all go down, and you can join us by grabbing your ticket to the event.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes a Gurkha Warlord. Keepers of the Flame lights up an Isabela Miami. Nice Tight Ash fires up a Camacho 10th Anniversary. Cigar Command samples a Panacea Black. A Cigar Smoker reviews the Cabaiguan.

6) Deal of the Week: This sampler is a great way to try four different Don Pepin Garcia cigars at a reasonable price. You get two each from the EO 601 Red line, plus Pepin’s own Blue, Black, and JJ blends, all for under $45. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: PeakRadar.com

Spokane, Washington ran into some resistance recently when it’s public officials attempted to expand the city’s already expansive outdoor smoking ban to include municipal golf courses. Only after “an outcry from players and smoking rights advocates” did the city council back off on its attempt to ban cigar smoking on the city golf course. At least for now.

Ban advocates on the city council said they’d “wait for people to calm down” before trying to pass the bill again, possibly in a year or so. Apparently they see no connection between the lack of “calm” and their action to sever the longstanding link between golf and cigars.

Many professional golfers, including Rocco Mediate, Davis Love III, and Darren Clarke, are cigar smokers who will take their stogies on the course with them. Spanish golfer Miguel Ángel Jiménez (pictured), winner of 18 professional tournaments, is often seen playing tournaments with a Cohiba.

Amateur golfers are even more likely to light up a cigar, given that, for them, the golf course is simply a place to relax and have fun, not a job. In fact, with it’s open spaces and generally smoke-friendly attitude, the golf course may be the ideal place to smoke a cigar. But that doesn’t mean anti-tobacco advocates aren’t trying to ban smoking on the golf course, and even with some success.

While the Spokane golf course ban failed, such a ban would hardly be unique. Jurisdictions in Hawaii, California, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, and Minnesota have already pushed smoking bans to include the greens, fairways, tee boxes, and bunkers of local golf courses. A public smoking ban that covered Torrey Pines, host to last year’s U.S. Open, meant that spectators were banned from smoking, although golfers were still permitted to smoke.

Patrick Reynolds, the turncoat heir to the R.J. Reynolds tobacco fortune who is now a spokesman for the Foundation for a Smokefree America, stated that the golf course smoking ban was “cutting edge” but “reasonable.” He also told a local reporter that the law would combat litter.

With statements like that, it seems that there is likely to be many more fights over outdoor golf course smoking bans in the coming months and years.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Timeinc.net