The Stogie Guys

As far as cigar brands go, Graycliff can be pretty hard to come by. Sure, you’ll be able to find them at the occasional B&M or online retailer, but not nearly as frequently as you’d expect, especially from a brand that has received some glowing praise.

Various Graycliff lines – from Crystal and Profesionale to Espresso and Emerald – have earned high marks at publications like Cigar Aficionado and Smoke Magazine. With a limited production, though, the brand still seems to waver in obscurity.

Perhaps that’s a testament to Graycliff’s humble beginnings in the entranceway of a Bahaman restaurant. The company was founded by Enrico Garzaroli, a restaurateur who wanted to produce a high-end cigar to compliment the cuisine of his dining establishments in Nassau. Judging by the few Château Grand Cru PGs I’ve smoked recently, I think he hit the nail on the head.

Advertised as full-bodied with dominant flavors of leather and spice, this particular line was introduced to rave reviews at the 2005 RTDA trade show. It is composed of tobacco from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica and retails in the pricey $12 to $19 range.

The PG is a robusto-sized stick with dimensions of 5 and ¼ inches and a ring gauge of 50. The wrapper is a bit granulated and veiny, but not unattractive, and the band is a shiny purple and gold (which, as you can see by the picture, is very difficult to photograph). Innocent-looking enough.

As unthreatening as the appearance is, though, the taste is quite full with well-balanced notes of raisin, vanilla, and roasted nuts. The aroma produced with each easy puff is bountiful and reminiscent of the Davidoff Grand Cru series.

But this stogie is stronger, especially into the halfway point as a spicy pepper flavor comes into play. With all these tastes and an even burn, the cigar is a real pleasure from light to nub – a memorable journey that takes a little over 75 minutes.

My only complaint is that the ash is a little frail and unpredictable. I was surprised by this, particularly since the filler is packed very tightly.

When it’s all said and done, however, this is a fine, well-balanced, expertly crafted, complex smoke. Too bad the cost gives me sticker shock. If the price were closer to the $8 to $10 range, I’d be willing to give the Graycliff Château Grand Cru PG an even higher rating than four 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

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.

The most prominent feature of this cigar is the dark, oily Nicaraguan sungrown wrapper. Don’t stop there, though. Be sure to appreciate the earthy, vegetal aroma before lighting. Toraño advertises this as its most full-bodied stick, with a filler mix from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama. But the five inch by 56 ring gauge stick I enjoyed seemed more medium than full. It began with a spicy touch for the first half-inch or so, then moved to a smooth, rich mix of coffee, cocoa. and leather. My guess is these would age well and I look forward to smoking more from this line.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

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) The world has lost another great cigar-smoking sportsman. Hall of Fame hockey player, coach, and executive Tom Johnson passed away yesterday at the age of 79. Johnson won six Stanley Cups as a defenseman for the Montreal Canadians and two more as an executive and then head coach of the Bruins. A news report of his death noted that Johnson would be remembered for “his loyalty to friends and colleagues and for his quick wit, not to mention his ever-present cigar.”

2) We hope you had a pleasant and cigar-filled Thanksgiving. In case you’re short of things to be thankful for, Rich Perelman has put together a great list. Most of all, we at StogieGuys.com are thankful for you, our loyal readers.

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack smokes a Padillo Obsidian. Stogie Review reviews a Palmas Puro. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Pelo de Oro Habano. Cigar Command smokes the Padron 2000. Velvet Cigar puffs a Cuvee Blanc.

4) Deal of the Week: Today is the biggest shopping day of the year (also known as “Black Friday”). So here is a Black Friday steal from Tinderbox. They are offering their house brand, the La Reserva, for well under $2 a stick. Those with a sharp memory will note that back in April we gave this cigar a “buy” rating in a quick smoke. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: AP

StogieGuys.com will be taking tomorrow off to enjoy that most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. (We will return Friday for your regularly scheduled Friday Sampler.) Known for an abundance of great food, Thanksgiving is a perfect time to enjoy great cigars with gathered friends and family.

To help you decide what cigar to enjoy on Thanksgiving, each member of the Stogie Guys staff has selected one cigar we’ve reviewed in the last year that would go great after your Thanksgiving meal:

Patrick A: This may come as a bit of a surprise, but I’m picking the criollo-wrapped Don Kiki Brown Label Toro as my Thanksgiving cigar of choice. With spicy notes of clove and graham, and I think this Cuban Crafters boutique blend will pair well with a cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin pie after a huge meal. Best of all, its amazing sub-$2 price won’t put a dent in your holiday budget.

Patrick S: On this particular day, a Cuban cigar just wouldn’t be appropriate. So, for my post-Turkey smoke, I’ll be turning to a great made-in-America cigar, the Tatuaje Reserva SW. It is just strong enough not to be overwhelmed by the preceding dinner and, at the same time, smooth enough to help digest what was likely way too much food. Its complex, balanced flavors will pair perfectly with a nice vintage port, and its seven inch size forces you to sit back, relax, and reflect on all the things to be thankful for.

George E: For a Thanksgiving Day smoke, I think you need one powerful enough to cut through the tryptophan, blast past the pumpkin pie, and complement that extra cup of coffee. And, for good measure, it probably should get you through at least the first half of the first game. My recommendation is the Camacho Corojo Churchill. The 7 inch by 48 ring gauge cigar is a satisfying combination of power and complexity. Grab a couple because when that fine aroma wafts through the air, I guarantee someone will ask if you have another.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: flickr

Like you, I find my inbox constantly hit with offers from online cigar shops. The inflated claims and hyped-up pitches are often laughable. Sometimes, though, one stands out. So, if you hit the delete key automatically a few weeks ago, you may have missed an extraordinary offer from Holt’s for a bundle of “Bottom Shelf” cigars.

At $8 for 25 — that’s $6 off the MSRP — the ad notes right off that Bottom Shelf cigars “aren’t very good.” But they proclaim proudly that they’re perfect for times when you want a cigar but won’t be able to fully appreciate it. According to the ad, “they truly offer nothing that takes time to appreciate.”

Should we try a group buy before they’re all gone?

–George E

photo credit: Holts

Since it came out this summer, the new Montecristo Petit Edmundo has earned a heap of praise, not the least of which was a whopping rating of 94 from Cigar Aficionado. The magazine also named it one of “Cuba’s Stars” in the July 2007 issue.

The whole idea behind the cigar is to deliver lots of smoking pleasure in a short format. At four and 1/3 inches with a 52 ring gauge, it’s the same size as the legendary Edmundo vitola, just one inch shorter.

This is in line with the newest Cuban style: short and stubby sticks for a modern, on-the-go life. That trend seems a bit ironic to me, especially since cigars are meant for relaxation and should never be rushed.

But I’m not about to complain. The Petit Edmundo is gorgeous in every way, from the classic Montecristo band to the red-tinted wrapper to the flawless cap. I wanted to wait a few months longer to review it, but I just didn’t have the willpower. (Damn my glass-top humidor!)

The cigar is strong and spicy from the get-go with notes of cedar, nutmeg, and pepper. Sweet and floral flavors are also present – both of which nicely round off the finish – and butter and almond tastes provide a creamy texture. A warm tobacco flavor with hints of cocoa is prevalent down the stretch.

Now some early reviews have said the Petit Edmundo lacks complexity. As you can see from the preceding paragraph, I thoroughly disagree. But I’m also interested to see how this Cuban puro performs with an additional six months of aging.

With a very even burn, a solid gray ash (I only tapped the ashtray twice), and an easy draw that yields tons of smoke with each puff, the physical properties are also excellent.

In all, this is a well-balanced, full-bodied, complex masterpiece that won’t disappoint – whether you pay as little as $10 or as much as $20 for a single. One of the best all-around Cubans I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy, I give the Montecristo Petit Edmundo five 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.

Everything about this six inch by 54 ring gauge cigar is pretty mediocre. The flavor, driven by a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, is of spice, clove, and warm tobacco. Pleasant, but a little dry. You get an even burn and a clear draw, but the ash is flakey and the light keeps wanting to go out. In the $4.50 to $5.10 range, I wasn’t utterly disappointed. But I wasn’t wowed either.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys