The Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The Congressional Cigar Association (CCA), an organization of about 200 Congressional staff members who share a passion for premium cigars, recently celebrated its first anniversary. The event featured heightened outreach to Congressional offices, led by the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR). “The two days of intensive meetings and all the work that went into their planning, organizing, execution and follow-up were part of the IPCPR’s ongoing efforts to generate increased understanding of the premium cigar industry among federal legislators, regulators, and their staffs,” read an IPCPR press release dated July 6.

2) Smoking Ban Alerts: New York already criminalizes smoking in bars, restaurants, and other places of employment, but now Mayor Michael Bloomberg may extend the regulation to the city’s parks and beaches. Michigan’s smoking ban would be extended under a new bill that repeals an exemption for casinos. Long Beach is preparing to ban smoking in the city’s small parks.

3) Inside the Industry: Toraño has tapped the expertise of long time roller Felipe Sosa for a new cigar called “Master” that will be presented in four sizes: robusto, torpedo, Churchill, and a thick toro. Gurkha is introducing a new cigar called SEALs, named after the special forces group, which comes in a sealed briefcase complete with a combat knife.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes a Vegas Robaina Famosos. Stogie Review reviews the Illusione MJ12. Cigar Inspector inspects a Montecristo Petit Tubo. Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender. A Cigar Smoker lights up a Fonseca Especial.

5) Deal of the Week: With full-bodied spice and Cuban-like depth, Nicaraguan smokes are increasing in popularity, and this Nicaraguan Blends Sampler demonstrates why. Included are two each from Padilla Habano, Man O’ War, Rocky Patel Fusion, and Gurkha Park Avenue, all for under $30. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: IPCPR

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Anti-smoking zealotry isn’t confined to the present and future. Some do-gooders are actually trying to change the past. Such is the case at a museum in London, where curators have airbrushed a cigar right out of Churchill’s mouth in a famous photo.

2) Massachusetts is gearing up to post pictures of human organs, purportedly damaged by smoking, in 9,000 locations where tobacco is sold. The effort is financed by a federal stimulus grant of $316,000. “That hardly contributes to job creation and economic recovery in the state,” reads an IPCPR press release. “First the federal government expands the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and expects increased tobacco taxes to pay for it. Then it gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to support efforts to reduce smoking,” said Chris McCalla, IPCPR legislative director. “Talk about mixed messages!”

3) According to reports, the Treasury Department office responsible for enforcing the ban on Cuban cigars may have been busy, but not with infractions of the Cuban Embargo. So far this year, only one penalty has been imposed for violating the ban on Cuban cigars: a $525 fine announced in early March.

4) Inside the Industry: The next Montecristo Cup, a pro-am golf tournament which benefits the Montecristo Relief Organization, will be held at the Atlantis resort in December. With inspiration from a famous song, Newman Family Cigars is expanding its Brick House line with a new size called the Mighty Mighty (6 x 60).

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a D’Crossier Golden Blend. Tiki Bar kicks back with a 13th Floor Foundation Series. Smoking Stogie smokes a Fuente Flor Fina 858 Rosado. Cigar Inspector inspects a Punch Small Club RE. Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Escepción 2009.

6) Deal of the Week: With full-bodied spice and Cuban-like depth, people are turning to Nicaraguan smokes more and more, and this Nicaraguan Blends Sampler shows why. Included are two each from Padilla Habano, Man O’ War, Rocky Patel Fusion, and Gurkha Park Avenue, all for under $30. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Facing a budget shortfall of nearly $9 billion, New York Gov. David Paterson wants to double the state’s wholesale tax on cigars. The move, which would also impact other non-cigarette forms of tobacco, would increase the tax from 46% to 90% of the wholesale price. Paterson’s administration claims the tax hike will bring an additional $40 million to state coffers. But not if, as WNYT reports, “no one is still in business.” Speaking at a gathering of concerned retailers near Albany, Eric Josten, owner of Queensbury Cigar & Pipe, said, “Even though we’re competitors we both know that we’re going to go down on this ship together if New York State has their way.”

2) Speaking of taxes, syndicated columnist Deroy Murdock highlights the connection between high tobacco taxes and terrorism in his latest column. As Murdock explains: “Tobacco taxes create a perfect arbitrage opportunity that radical Muslims exploit to collect money for terrorist groups that murder Americans and our allies.” Murdock then goes on to cite numerous examples of suspected terrorists financing their activities by smuggling cigarettes into high tax states and selling them with counterfeit tax stamps.

3) Inside the Industry: Gurkha has acquired Cojimar, an inexpensive flavored cigar brand from the Dominican Republic. Rocky Patel is celebrating 15 years in the business with his 15th Anniversary blend that features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos; it will be created with the entubar bunching method and a Cuban-style triple cap. Following the success of the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill, Habanos has announced the newest Cuban Romeo: the “Wide Churchill” (5.1 x 55).

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a La Reloba Selección Habano. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta. Smoking Stogie smokes a Padrón Legacy 110 Maduro. Keepers of the Flame fires up with a Troya Classico LXIII. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Cuban Punch Corona.

5) Deal of the Week: Fathers Day is coming soon, which means a Fathers Day Sale at Cuban Crafters. Boxes of the La Carolina are just $70, boxes of the Contraband are $50, and boxes of the Cubano Claro are $90. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Tobacco giant Alejandro Robaina, a “roving ambassador for Cuban cigars” for the last two decades, passed away at the age of 91. His long battle with cancer ended at his home in San Luis on Saturday. Robaina will be remembered as Cuba’s foremost producer of top wrapper leaves and for being the voice of small tobacco growers in Pinar del Río. He refused Castro’s request to join a government cooperative and, choosing to remain family-owned and independent, he consistently outperformed state-owned tobacco plantations. Castro apparently didn’t take Robaina’s refusal personally, awarding him the honor of top Cuban tobacco grower in the mid-90s and launching a brand in his name. “Vegas Robaina,” as it is called, likely doesn’t include any tobacco from Robaina’s farm.

2) Inside the Industry: The highly-anticipated Nosotros cigar – a joint project of Illusione’ Cigars and Drew Estate’ is finally being released. Cuba’s annual limited edition smokes are beginning to ship, including a Montecristo Grand Edmundo, Partagas Serie D Especial and a Trinidad Short Robusto. Punch Cigars is teaming up with grill company Char-Broil to promote cigars and grilling, including recipes to pair with Punch’s many cigar blends. La Aurora is promoting its new La Aurora 107 blend by giving away free cigars (while supplies last) at certified retailers on Friday, April 30th.

3) Around the Blogs: A Cigar Smoker smokes the Diesel Unholy Cocktail. Stogie Review reviews a Fuente Opus X Pussy Cat. Tiki Bar fires up a CAO Gold Vintage. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Cuba Aliados Miami Edition. The Aspiring Gentleman investigates the Bucanero El Capitaine and Full Sail.

4) Deal of the Week: This “Gold Rush Sampler” includes some very fine smokes at a most reasonable price. For just $40 you get ten sticks including two each of the Padilla Habano, Oliva Series G, Gurkha Master Select, La Princessa de Cuba and Cocinero Liga Especial – the latter two made by Victor de la Cruz, formerly a blender for Davidoff. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Habanos SA

Barber pole cigars were all the rage back in 2007. Sure, many dual-wrapper, diagonally striped sticks are still around. But I’d argue they hit their peak three years ago when CAO released America, Camacho introduced its ’07 Liberty, and everyone seemed to be talking about other barber pole smokes from Felipe Gregorio, Gurkha, and Arganese.

Now the “dos capas” trend has shifted away from diagonal and towards two contrasting wrappers stacked on top of each other. This is evidenced by the new Artesanos de Tabaqueros from La Gloria Cubana, which features a Connecticut wrapper at the foot and an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper at the head.

Not to be outdone, this year Joya de Nicaragua launched its own two-wrapper line: Cabinetta. It is rolled completely in a golden Ecuadorian wrapper and topped off with a dark Nicaraguan leaf at the head. The goal is to impart a creamy, mellow taste and add a sweet spiciness to the lips.

Aside from its two wrappers, Cabinetta marks a departure for Joya de Nicaragua. The 42-year-old brand has built a reputation for power and strength anchored by its bold Antaño line. Cabinetta, however, is intended to have a mild to medium body with, according to its website, an “elegant and attractive look but also a complex and particular taste.”

Four Cabinetta sizes are available for approximately $5-6.50 apiece. The toro-sized No. 7, measuring six inches with a 50 ring gauge, has a soft feel, faint pre-light notes of sawdust, and a somewhat lumpy terrain. All three of my samples suffered from superficial aesthetic imperfections like small tears.

Once lit, the initial flavor is more papery and bready than creamy. Slowly, though, as the effortless draw produces ample tufts of smoke, the medium-bodied taste develops with hazelnut and coffee. Not terribly complex but certainly not boring—especially as the creaminess increases into the midway point.

From what I can gather, the dark second wrapper isn’t necessarily intended to be smoked. Curiosity got the better of me, though, and I pushed ahead past the band to see how the profile changes. What I found was a stub that’s too short to smoke and a flavor that’s only marginally intensified.

Nevertheless, with near-perfect physical properties, a wallet-friendly price, and a pleasant taste with aromatic resting smoke, the Cabinetta Serie No. 7 shouldn’t be dismissed as a mere gimmick. It works as a respectable complement to a morning brew or an afternoon beer. And it earns three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Government officials in Tacoma are trying to close down a local cigar lounge for code violations. Paul Mackay, owner of El Gaucho restaurant, has spent $15,000 on renovations to bring his lounge in compliance with Washington’s statewide smoking ban, effective since 2005. But this week the county health department ordered him to stub out the cigars because of violations: the lounge sells food and is open to the public. “Here we are trying to stay alive, and they keep dumping new rules, regulations, and taxes on us,” said Mackay.

2) Other Smoking Ban Alerts: UK doctors are urging politicians to ban smoking inside all cars. California lawmakers eye a statewide ban for parks and beaches. Michigan’s private clubs are lobbying for a ban exemption. Arizona State may criminalize tobacco on its  four campuses.

3) Inside the Industry: La Gloria Cubana is introducing a new cigar called Artesanos de Tabaqueros, which features a band at the bottom third of the cigar, a Connecticut wrapper below, and an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper above. Rocky Patel is introducing a new Decade Edición Limitada with a richer, spicier blend. Online retailer Thompson Cigars has sold off its non-tobacco retail operations, leaving the company to focus on its core cigar business.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review lights up an Avo Limited Edition 2010. Cigar Inspector inspects a Fuente Work of Art Maduro. Velvet Cigar fires up the D’Crossier Golden Blend. Cigar Examiner examines a Berger & Argenti Classico. Nice Tight Ash smokes a Rocy Patel Decade Edición Limitada.

5) Deal of the Week: We’re not sure why it’s called the “Presidential Sampler,” but it’s still a good deal. You get ten cigars from big names like Montecriso, Romeo y Julieta, Graycliff, Gurkha, Camacho, CAO, Padilla, and Cohiba, for just $60 including free shipping. Grab your here.

–The Stogie Guys

graphic credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) It was announced this week that Mayor Adrian Fenty, a proponent of the DC’s three-year-old smoking ban, is granting a one-time special smoking pardon for the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. This group of Washington’s business and government elite will be allowed to smoke indoors at the Capital Hilton on March 17 to celebrate Irish-American culture. But Irish luck has nothing to do with the mayor’s newfound tolerance for tobacco. The Friendly Sons have close ties to the DC Council, including a member in Councilman Jack Evens (pictured). He sponsored the exemption legislation, a bill that also grants immunity to a St. Patrick’s Day professional boxing fundraiser in the city. Apparently you can occasionally smoke in DC if you have friends in high places. The rest of us are out of luck.

2) Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson signs a statewide smoking ban today that criminalizes smoking in bars, restaurants, most places of employment, and within ten feet of doors. The new law takes effect July 1 and exempts tobacco shops.

3) Inside the Industry: Cigar Rights of America released its second members-only sampler on Wednesday, a ten-pack of toros that were specially blended or sized for CRA. Cigars include the Alec Bradley Tempus, Camacho Limited Edition, Diamond Crown Maximus, Fuente’s Forbidden X, and La Aurora 100 Años. The sampler costs $100 and comes with a one-year CRA membership certificate.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review chats with Pete Johnson. The Tiki Bar reviews the Don Gonzalez Special Edition. Toasted Foot looks at the Vegas Cubanas by Don Pepin Garcia. Nice Tight Ash fires up a Graycliff 1666 Pirate. Cigar Rants rants on the Liga Privada No .9. A Cigar Smoker reviews the LFD Air Bender.

5) Deal of the Week:  With full-bodied spice and Cuban-like depth, people are turning to Nicaraguan smokes more and more, and this Nicaraguan Blends Sampler shows why. Included are two each from Padilla Habano, Man O’ War, Rocky Patel Fusion, and Gurkha Park Avenue, all for under $30. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr