The Stogie Guys

Ramón Allones Specially Selected is a highly-regarded robusto from one of Cuba’s lesser-known trademarks.

The brand hails all the way back to 1845 when it was created by brothers Ramón and Antonio Allones – neither of whom is related to Antonio Allones, who brought El Rey del Mundo to fame in the late 19th century.

According to legend, Ramón Allones was the first brand to have colorful lithographs for box art, the first brand to utilize bands on cigars, and the first to package cigars in the “8-9-8” style. (Although others also claim to be the first for each of the developments.)

With a classic robusto shape (four and 7/8 inches by 50 ring gauge) and a slight box press, the “Specially Selected” is an attractive cigar. The wrapper is a nearly flawless medium-brown matte color.

Prelight, I take a moment to appreciate its rich and earthy aroma before I clip the head and use a few matches to get a good light. I also notice that the Specially Selected is very firm to the touch and it is denser than most of the other Cuban robustos I have smoked.

Immediately after lighting, I enjoy an abundant amount of leather flavors paired with pepper, earth, and even caramel. As the cigar progresses I find the spice fades out before coming back for a strong finish to this medium- to full-flavored smoke.

The overall construction of the Ramón Allones is also impressive. The draw is firm, but not overly so, and the ash is very sturdy. The only downside is the burn starts off a bit uneven, but fortunately quickly corrects itself.

Ultimately, this is one of the best Cuban cigars I have tasted, and it produced the same well-balanced flavors in each of the sticks I sampled for this review. Because it isn’t as famous as many of its Cuban counterparts, this cigar is available at a reasonable price of just $7.50 per cigar when purchased in a box of 25.

For attractive looks, solid construction, well-blended flavor, and a reasonable price, this Ramón Allones earns a rare rating of five out of five stogies.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Is there anything trendier in the world of cigars than the new barber pole phenomenon? The fad, characterized by two diagonally-woven, contrasting wrapper leaves, seems to be cropping up everywhere from CAO and Don Pepin to Arturo Fuente and Arganese.

But is this technique a sincere and creative attempt at new flavor combinations, or just a mere marketing gimmick? There’s only one way to find out: one at a time.

With Dos Capas, loosely translated as “two capes,” Felipe Gregorio is the manufacturer of one of the most recognizable barber poles. It sports a Connecticut-Sumatra wrapper combination with Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. (The company also makes Tres Capas, which brings a Nicaraguan candela wrapper into the mix.)

I recently tried my luck with a few Dos Capas Churchills. They weigh in at seven inches with a 50 ring gauge and sell in the $4.50 to $5.50 range. I am told they can be had for $3 or less at times on Cbid.

Made at the Tabacalera Real factory in the Dominican Republic, these sticks are a bit bumpy and uneven with some large veins. Like most barber poles, the seams are less than perfect.

After an even light, I found well-balanced, light flavors of oak, straw, and black tea. With two contrasting wrappers, I guess it’s no surprise that these earthy and woody notes – which aren’t quite mild, but aren’t quite full either – produce a taste that’s complex and even on the palate.

Once the first few inches are turned into a solid, well-layered gray ash, the flavor leads into a big, warm tobacco taste that’s familiar and inviting. I experienced a clear draw and a very even burn.

That good fortune turns sour towards the end, however, when heavy bitter notes kick in and the construction begins to suffer. I am also perturbed by the brown and gold band’s tendency to tear the frail wrapper when it is removed.

For me, this cigar demonstrates how barber poles are double-edged swords. While two or more wrappers will often yield a balanced, noble taste, they can also pose troubling construction issues. So, for a promising start and a disappointing finale, I’m giving the Felipe Gregorio Dos Capas Churchill three out of five stogies.

[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.

This robusto-sized smoke is considered one of the most sought Cuban cigars currently being made. So I was surprised when it only got a three stogie rating due to seriously sub-par construction. Fortunately, my experience was different. While the burn was slightly uneven, overall construction was very good. As for flavor, after an initial bitterness the cigar blossomed into a tasty medium-bodied cigar, with cedar, subtle earth and a bit of spice. It went perfectly with a dark cup of coffee in the midday.

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.

Between giving it a great review and naming it my 2007 Thanksgiving cigar of choice, I’ve made no secret of my affinity for the Brown Label Toro. The four and ½ inch by 54 ring gauge Figurado, not surprisingly, is another winner. The sun-grown Cuban-seed criollo wrapper and corojo binder provide the same tastes of licorice, spice, earth, toasted nuts, and cocoa in a much shorter format – all for under $1.50 per stick when bought by the box.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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) Lawmakers in Lansing are close to an invasive smoking ban for one of America’s most oppressed states: Michigan. With a 56-46 vote this week, the House bypassed many members’ calls for bar and restaurant exemptions. A tougher fight, however, is expected in the Republican-controlled Senate.

2) Have an old cigar box collecting dust in your closet? In desperate need of a makeshift violin? Bring $25 and the box to Frye Guitars in Chicago tomorrow and you’ll be in business. After all, who wouldn’t want one of these under their tree?

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Oliva Serie V. Velvet Cigar puffs a Primos Toro. Cigar Beat tries the Rocky Patel Edge Maduro. Cigar Command smokes the Fuente Work of Art Maduro. The Stogie Review reviews the CAO Italia.

4) Deal of the Week: Here’s a deal that’s easy on the wallet: $25 for ten cigars, including sticks from Macanudo, Rocky Patel, Fuente, Onyx, H. Upmann, Oliva, Perdomo, and 601 by Pepin Garcia . Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

As the year comes to close, people invariably look back. For cigar smokers, that usually means lists of the best new releases, top sticks of the year, and so forth. Well, I had an experience the other night that gave me a new perspective on how ephemeral that “best” designation can be.

My wife and I were meeting some friends for dinner at a genial bar/restaurant we’d chosen primarily for its large outdoor seating area. The night was typical for Florida in the fall, so just before we left I decided to grab a cigar. I picked up an H. Upmann, primarily because it was the first one I spotted that looked to be about five inches long, a length that seemed reasonable.

At first, things didn’t start well. I discovered the punch I’d recently put on my key ring had lost its metal cutting circle. As I prepared to bite the end off the cigar, a gentleman at the next table caught my eye and offered me the use of his guillotine. Then I recognized my second mistake: bringing only one cigar. I knew none of our companions smoke, so I didn’t even think about bringing another stick. As I thanked him for the loan of his cutter I could only apologize for not having another cigar, an apology he graciously waved off.

When I finally got down to smoking, though, it was great. I can’t recall enjoying one more. I’m sure the company, the weather, the friendly neighbor, and the food and drink all had a lot to do with it. Normally, I like most of the H. Upmann line OK, but I would never put them on my list of favorites. But in that setting that cigar was nothing short of terrific. It certainly made my top ten for the year.

–George E

photo credit: Altadis USA

Once again StogieGuys.com is using football as an excuse to give our readers an opportunity to win some great cigars. This time, one lucky reader will receive three fine sticks: a Graycliff Grand Cru, a La Aroma de Cuba, and a Bahia Gold – all courtesy of CigarsDirect.com.

The Bahia and the Aroma de Cuba will be the subject of upcoming reviews, while the Graycliff recently received an impressive rating of four out of five stogies.

To win, you need to do the best job picking the following Bowl Championship Series Games:

National Championship: Ohio State vs. LSU

Orange Bowl: Kansas vs. Virginia Tech

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. West Virginia

Sugar Bowl: Hawaii vs. Georgia

Rose Bowl: USC vs. Illinois

To enter, leave a comment on this article that includes your picks for all five games and a prediction for the margin of victory and total points scored for the Championship Game.

The margin of victory, followed by total points, will be used as a tiebreakers if multiple entries correctly predict the same number of games including the National Championship. In the event of matching winning guesses, the first to respond is the winner.

Eligibility: Only one entry per person. Participants must be 21 (verification may be required) and must live in the continental US. You must enter a valid email so we can contact you for a mailing address.

All entries must be received before 2008. Good Luck!

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys