The Stogie Guys

This cigar was part of a free nine-cigar sampler I got from Famous when I ordered a box of another cigar. It’s one of several that Rocky offers only through the Pennsylvania retailer, which promotes it as “almost like getting a fine Cuban cigar without the Cuban price.”

To be honest, I’m no expert on Cuban cigars. But this five and 1/2 inch Robusto did remind me of a couple of Cubans I’ve smoked. Unfortunately, those were machine-rolled sticks I wouldn’t want to try again. I’d have to say the same for this 50 ring gauge cigar.

First, the positives: The draw is good, the cap well-applied, the burn straight, and the ash tight.

The negatives: A severe harshness led me to believe the Honduran ligero filler and the Corojo wrapper were too young. A bitter chemical/medicine taste in the last third was truly awful. The combination completely overwhelmed whatever flavors were present. Altogether, an unpleasant experience.

One interesting aspect I discovered thumbing through the Famous catalog fwas that a box of 20 sells for $87.99 while a five-pack is $16.50. That means you pay almost $22 less if you purchase four five-packs! Intrigued, I spot-checked the catalog and found similar deals on a number of other Famous exclusives, though I didn’t notice this with regular brands.

So, if you plan to order a box of any cigars from Famous, I’d highly advise double checking the five-pack prices first. (And, no, they don’t make up for it on shipping charges. Ground is based on whether the total is over or under $40, and air is one fee regardless.)

As for this cigar, I wouldn’t recommend it. Because of the construction quality, I upped my rating a little and give it one and 1/2 out of five stogies.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With today’s celebration of Memorial Day to honor those who died in our nation’s service, I have a proposal: As cigar smokers, let’s extend the recognition of service to a week-long effort to provide cigars for the troops overseas, particularly those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you win cigars this week, donate them. If you’re planning to send a bomb to a friend or cigar board acquaintance, give the cigars to service men and women instead. If you receive a bomb, pass it along to the men and women in uniform who can’t go out and buy cigars but would truly enjoy the opportunity to smoke one. Stop by a local B&M to see what sort of operation it has for sending cigars to the troops (many shops do) and make a contribution. Check the programs several manufacturers have to give cigars to the troops when you make a purchase.

Choose whatever way you’d like to contribute. Just think how great it would be if everyone who reads this made just a small contribution and got a friend or two to do the same.

I first wrote about making cigar contributions back in November. Then, as now, I said such generosity has nothing to do with support or opposition for the war in Iraq or any governmental policy. It’s simply a good and decent thing to do for the cigar-loving men and women in uniform.

So, make this Memorial Day one to remember – for you and for our heroes overseas. Cigars, after all, are among the most requested items by the troops, and they have earned a well-deserved break.

–George E

photo credit: Flickr

StogieGuys.com will be featured on the Livin’ Large with Geoff Pinkus radio show on WIND 560 AM in Chicago today. The show runs from 5-7 pm Central (6-8 Eastern) and Patrick A is scheduled to be on around at 5:35 pm Central.

Geoff’s show is about “cigars, cars, spirits, wine, beer, restaurants, music, sports, hot chicks, jets, Harleys, guns, bikes, and fishing.” You can call in at 877-560-WIND to ask a question on the air. If you’re not in the Chicago area, you can listen live here (and if you miss it, a podcast will be available here). You can listen to previous appearances here.

–The 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.

This Nicaraguan (made in Don Pepin Garcia’s factory) features an attractive, if dry, rosado wrapper. The flavor has Pepin’s typical Nicaraguan bite, but lacks the overall smoothness, complexity, or depth that his cigars usually have. The construction was good with an easy draw, solid ash, and a relatively even burn.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

Few cigars have garnered more praise and acceptance from smokers and reviewers than the full-powered Serie V line from Oliva. This Nicaraguan puro boasts of a rare combination of full body and smooth finish—and it delivers. The five inch by 54 ring gauge Double Robusto is a rich cigar, though not particularly complex. Construction is good, the burn OK (though a little ragged), and the smoke production excellent. Tastes include nuts, dry coffee, some dryness, and a bit of hay. I paid $6.25 for the stick and would gladly smoke more. I think you’ll feel the same.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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 snippets of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) New Hampshire lawmakers are at it again, working to expand the legal definition of “cigarettes” to include tiny cigars. Why, you ask? To collect more taxes, of course. This move, which comes just a week after the same politicians inexplicably smothered an exemption for cigar bars from the state’s smoking ban, shouldn’t surprise longtime StogieGuys.com readers.

2) It’s always a good idea to check out Keepers of the Flame, but the coming months should be particularly interesting. The website is gearing up for a Padrón Series Roundup, and it has enlisted reviewers from all over the online cigar community – including Patrick A, George E, and Jon N of StogieGuys.com.

3) Inside the Industry: Alec Bradley’s new Tempus scored an impressive 94 rating from Cigar Insider . Lignum-2, the tobacco company best known to cigar smokers for its Troya brand, was acquired by British tobacco giant Imperial Tobacco, owner of Altadis. Fuente released a new 2006 vintage of its God of Fire line.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack checks out the Dunhill Nicaraguan Signed Range. Cigar Monkey smokes an Excalibur 1066. Stogie Review fires up the Gurkha Special Edition Beast. Velvet Cigar reviews the Gurkha Grand Envoy. Matt’s Cigar Journal tries the Ashton San Cristobal.

5) Deal of the Week: If you like Rocky Patel’s vintage lines as much as we do, you’ll want to pick up this Rocky Patel Sampler. It includes four sticks each of Rocky’s 1990, 1992, and 1999 lines. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Padrón.com

“Bold yet noble” says General Cigar, maker of the non-Cuban version of Bolivar. Well, it’s definitely bold.

This particular blend is composed of a San Andreas ligero wrapper from Honduras, a Havano medio tiempo binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Unlike the more familiar Cofradia line from Honduras, this Bolivar is Dominican-made and was just released in 2005.

The six inch by 52 ring gauge Toro is lumpy, relatively dry, and moderately veiny. A quick inspection reveals a few soft spots, the pre-light draw is on the tight side, and the wrapper leaves some sweet tingle on the lips. And for the cost? It’s very reasonable: JR sells boxes of 25 for under $80 and five-packs for $18.

That price is supposed to get you a fuller experience than Cofradia, a line that’s no slouch in the flavor department itself. It does. Unsurprisingly, especially given the type of wrapper leaf, it starts with a big salty taste. The dominant flavor from there on out is of cedar and roasted coffee beans, and the finish is dry.

That’s why I recommend you keep a cool drink close by to even things out (let me suggest dark rum and Diet Coke with lime). Trust me. The sweetness of a molasses-based alcoholic drink will help counter the cigar’s overwhelming, mouth-coating taste – especially as a black pepper bitterness increases in the final third.

A remarkable feature of the Bolivar Toro is how much smoke it produces, even when left resting in the ashtray. The other physical properties are less than astonishing. The burn requires occasional maintenance to stay even, and the ash is slightly flaky and unstable.

Still, for the bargain price, this isn’t a bad two-hour cigar, particularly if you’re into full-bodied sticks with bite. While many will find the dense volume of smoke and the salty aftertaste to be off-putting, I think this makes a pretty decent golf course companion (if you have a drink on hand). That’s why I give the Bolivar Toro three out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys