The Stogie Guys

Last year, on December 27, we took a look back at our first year of reviews, news, commentaries, and tips. Now, another year older (and dare we say wiser), we again take a look back at the second year of StogieGuys.com:

РOn January 3 George kicked off 2007 with a review of the Tora̱o 1916 Cameroon.

– On January 11 we praised cold weather smokers.

– On January 12 we announced that StogieGuys.com would be publishing seven days a week.

– On January 22 we reviewed the Dominican Cohiba.

– On January 25 we reminded you to take the time to smoke.

– On February 12 the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 received a five-stogie rating.

– On February 14 we gave some Valentine’s Day tips.

– On March 7 we disclosed tips for traveling to Cuba.

– On March 13 we announced the Final Four Challenge.

– On March 22 George smoked cheap cigars so you don’t have to.

– On March 29 we reported on cigars for the troops programs.

– On April 5 the Partagas 150 got a five-stogie rating.

– On April 17 we interviewed John Sullivan of JR Cigars for our first Cigar Insider feature.

– On May 10 we suggested you skip the lighter and just use matches.

– On May 21 we looked at some boutique cigars.

– On May 23 we paired up Sam Adams with cigars.

– On June 14 we disclosed our Gold Star Smokes.

– On July 16 we spoke with the manager of the Casa Fuente store in Las Vegas.

– On July 18 we reported on attempts to raise cigar taxes by nearly $10 per cigar.

– On August 16 we checked out the Partagas Serie D No. 4.

– On August 20 we said “Don’t Quit Smoking!”

– On August 22 we interviewed former MLB pitcher Luis Tiant.

– On September 5 we looked at the barber pole cigar phenomenon.

– On September 12 we gave away some Arganese cigars.

– On September 17 George issued his special report from Cigar Artisans 2007.

– On October 23 we spoke with American icon Kinky Friedman.

– On October 30 we said you can smoke cigars and run marathons.

– On November 6 we chased down some (non)answers from government bureaucrats.

– On November 8 we lit up an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2.

– On November 14 we went inside the Big Smoke Las Vegas.

– On November 19 we gave the Montecristo Petit Edmundo a five-stogie rating.

– On November 21 we gave some Thanksgiving cigar suggestions.

– On December 3 we visited Nat Sherman’s new New York location.

-On December 5 we launched the College Football Bowl Contest (still not too late to enter).

-On December 12 we provided some short cigar suggestions for those cold winter nights.

Once again, we’ve had quite a year. Be sure to join us in 2008 for more informative and entertaining articles from the world of cigars.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With limited production, high prices, and very few retailers, Graycliff is among the most elusive of the super premium cigar brands. So when company founder Enrico Garzaroli uncovered a lost supply of sticks from the original release of his Profesionale line in an aging pilon, he knew he had some magic on his hands.

Dubbed “Vintage 1999,” these cigars are a four-country blend of tobacco from Indonesia, Brazil, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. They usually retail for over $15 apiece, but outstanding deals can be found online if you keep your eyes open.

Not unlike the Château Grand Cru, the five and ¼ inch by 50 ring gauge PG has a striking appearance. With a metallic sheen of blue and gold, the band easily catches the eye, and its style conjures memories of Merlyn the Magician from The Sword in the Stone. The oily, rustic wrapper is appealingly similar to an Alonso Menendez.

Bountiful pre-light aromas of fruit and coffee turn up as soon as the cellophane is removed. The nice cap cuts neatly and the foot lights easily.

Despite hearty pre-light fragrances and the deep, dark color of the wrapper, the flavor profile is surprisingly light, airy, and a bit papery. Pleasant, especially with an added caramel sweetness on the lips. After a few inches the taste takes on a unique dryness as notes of hay and oats warm up, and cedar and spice build towards the finish line. The burn is straight, but the ash is weak.

It’s worth mentioning here that this Graycliff can grow bitter if you pull too quickly through its moderate draw. Be sure to take your time if you intend to properly enjoy the mild tufts of smoke.

This is no doubt a fine mild cigar with a complex taste, but we’re not convinced it’s worth the extremely high cost. Since the Château Grand Cru series better justifies the excessive Graycliff price tag, we’re giving the Profesionale Vintage 1999 PG three and ½ out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by CigarsDirect.com, and can be purchased here.]

–Patrick A & George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editor’s Note: Don’t forget to enter the StogieGuys.com College Football Bowl Contest for a chance to win free cigars!]

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

This cigar was a Christmas gift from friends, but I had to have it a few days early. This lonsdale-sized (six and 5/8 inches by 44 ring gauge) smoke has a lovely Ecuadorian Connecticut shade grown wrapper. After lighting, I found a smooth, medium-bodied smoke with subtle pepper and hints of honey. The construction was flawless with a firm draw, an even burn, and a sturdy ash.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.

If ever a cigar has the look and taste of a classic, this petite corona is it. The gorgeous four and 5/8 inch Nicaraguan puro with a 42 ring gauge provides about 45 minutes of pleasure. It’s a medium strength, incredibly smooth, and tasty stick. I paid $5 at a local shop, and it was a bargain. My recent experience was the first I’ve had with this Pete Johnson line of cigars, but it certainly won’t be my last. If you’ve tried the others, let me know if they’re as good as this one.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and reader-friendly as possible, each Friday we’ll post a selection of quick cigar news and stogie-related snippets. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Time is running out to enter our College Football Bowl Contest. The winner gets three cigars: a La Aroma de Cuba, a Bahia Gold, and a pricey Graycliff Grand Cru.

2) In a Government Accountability Office study released this week, it was revealed that the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control “opened more investigations and imposed more penalties for embargo violations, such as buying Cuban cigars, than for violations of other sanctions, such as those on Iran.” Baltimore Sun columnist Jay Hancock wrote an amusingly sarcastic response to the news on his blog.

3) The Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers is throwing the first annual Procigar Festival in Santiago on March 5-7. For just under $600, you can tour factories and tobacco fields, hit up exclusive dinners and parties, and participate in informational seminars. The producers of such brands as Romeo y Julieta, Macanudo, Davidoff, and La Aurora will all be on hand, so book your flight today!

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Graycliff G2. Velvet Cigar puffs a Chamuco Black Magic. Cigar Beat tries the Toraño Signature. Cigar Command smokes a Griffins 2006. Stogie Review reviews the Alec Bradley Trilogy. Cigar Monkey smokes a Cielo Poseidon.

5) Deal of the Week: This “Deluxe Holiday 30” sampler has 30 cigars for $60. In case you’re not a math major, that’s just two bucks per stick. The deal even includes Fuentes, Gisperts, and Montecristos. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Wikipedia

In a Stogie Sprits article back in May, I took a look at pairing cigars with three styles of Sam Adams. As I said back then, contrary to a common misconception, a good flavorful beer can be an excellent accompaniment to a fine handmade cigar.

And if you’re looking for such a beer I would certainly recommend Ommegang Abbey Ale. The beer can be found in many grocery stores for around $6 for a 750 ml bottle.

This Belgian-style “dubbel” abbey ale is made by the Ommegang Brewery. The brewery is located in Cooperstown, New York, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is how the beer is described on the brewery’s website:

“Ommegang, our first brew, was inspired by the centuries-old brewing practices of the Belgian Trappist monks. This burgundian brew gives off a variety of aromas, including plum and cinnamon, and packs in flavors such as caramel, toffee, and licorice. At 8.5% abv, it is known to cause spontaneous meditation.”

While I haven’t seen anything to indicate this beer is actually from the Burgundy region of France (after all, it’s brewed in Upstate New York in a Belgian style), I don’t think the description is necessarily inaccurate. There are many qualities to this beer that are very wine-like.

The beer has a deep ruby color and, when poured, it foams up and creates a tan, cappuccino-like head. The brew is highly aromatic, with deep fruit flavors similar to a fine red burgundy.

The taste is malty with fig, sweet cherry, and toffee flavors. You’ll want to pour it into a goblet as opposed to a pint glass to maximize the flavor and aroma.

Ultimately, this is a fine beer that would pair well with a medium- to full-flavored cigar. While I would suggest avoiding a maduro, anything from the Fuente Hemingway line works well. I would also suggest enjoying this brew with a Don Kiki Brown Label, a Rocky Patel Sun Grown, or a Partagas Serie D No. 4.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

That headline has a question mark because, ever since reports of Castro’s “imminent” death surfaced 16 months ago, I’ve learned you can’t take any news about the oppressive communist dictator at face value.

He clearly hasn’t died and, with his brother Raúl at the helm, he may not have even relinquished much power. Nonetheless, here’s the latest from the New York Times:

Fidel Castro indicated Monday in a statement read on state television that he was willing to hand over the reins of Cuba’s government to a younger generation of leaders. But his statement remained silent on whether he was speaking hypothetically or had a transition plan in mind.

“My basic duty is not to cling to office, nor even more so, to obstruct the rise of people much younger, but to pass on experiences and ideas whose modest value arises from the exceptional era in which I lived,” said the statement attributed to Mr. Castro, who is 81.

The ailing Mr. Castro, acting in a sort of emeritus role, has produced numerous commentaries in the 16 months since he had abdominal surgery and temporarily handed over power to his younger brother, Raúl, who is 76. But none of the statements until now have addressed the important question of Mr. Castro’s future as Cuba’s president, a position he has held for nearly five decades.

As I’ve written before, Castro’s retirement or death certainly will not instantaneously lift America’s decades-long, hypocritical trade embargo, but Cuban economic and political reforms from a more pragmatic Raúl will go a long way towards that end.

I’m hoping such reforms are forthcoming not merely for cigars, but for the oppressed people of Cuba who have suffered under communism for too long.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Flickr