The Stogie Guys

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

1) In what the press calls “the most significant change in Cuban-American relations since the Kennedy administration,” Obama this week made it easier for exiled Cubans to visit their families on the forbidden island nation. This policy shift, which we have been following since February, won’t directly change the 47-year-old embargo, but it may prove to be a step towards decriminalizing Cuban cigars.

2) On Tuesday, cigar makers and retailers in Tampa took to the streets to protest Florida’s proposed tobacco tax increase. Industry leaders say the tax would be doubly harmful given the massive federal tax hike that went into effect on April 1. The bill’s passage is not certain, though, especially since Gov. Charlie Crist has been “reluctant to impose new taxes.”

3) Inside the Industry: CAO’s “Rock N Rolled” tour is returning with more events this summer, including a kickoff event on April 23 at Cigar Factory Outlet in Troy, Michigan. If you’re attending tomorrow’s Big Smoke at the MGM Grand in Connecticut, you can also attend Cigar Rights of America’s exclusive members-only party afterwords. Reeling from the lost revenue of two lost tobacco conventions (IPCPR Trade Show and Tobacco Plus Expo), Nevada politicians have introduced a bill undoing provisions of the state’s smoking ban. For iPhone users who want information on over 1,700 cigars at their fingertips, there’s an app for that too: Mobile Stogie.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up a Fuente Hemingway Short Story. Stogie Review reviews the CAO Mx3 Escaparate. Cigar Inspector inspects the Ramon Allones Eminencia RE. Cigar Command lights up a Padrón 5000.

5) Deal of the Week: Whether starting up your cigar collection or just expanding, who couldn’t use more humidor space and lots of top-notch cigars? For only$120, you get a 50-count humidor, 25 cigars (including sticks by Gurkha, Graycliff, Don Pepin Garcia, and Rocky Patel), and everything you need for proper maintenance. Pick up this “Cigar Lover’s Gift Set” here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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

1) With the federal government’s 700% tax increase on “large” cigars taking effect this week, families in America and across the Caribbean are bracing for the worst. Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, as reported by the Associated Press, worries that SCHIP will devastate the profits and jobs that have already been hit hard by the recession. Likewise, many of the 185,000 families who depend on cigar exports from Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic—as showcased in this video—may be forced to find alternate sources of income as the U.S. responds to the tax hike by decreasing its cigar consumption.

2) According to Newsweek, Gurkha Cigars is claiming that “several inside sources” say the cigar used by Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton was, in fact, a Gurkha. We’re not sure why the company would want to tout its role in this sordid Oval Office incident, which is completely unverifiable anyway.

3) A documentary about famed Major League pitcher Luis Tiant (whom we interviewed about his line of “El Tiante” cigars) will be shown next month at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film documents his life (thus far) and his return to Cuba after 46 years of exile. It features interviews with Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastrzemski, and Peter Gammons.

4) Inside the Industry: The “CAO eLements” tour kicks off on Tuesday with Tim Ozgener traveling to retailers across the country for tastings of the new LX2 blend. We hear Alec Bradley is preparing a new release described as “just as complex [as the Tempus] with a little more kick.”  Cigar-related April Fools jokes are nothing new, but you may have missed Famous’ offering of five-cent “pre-owned” (i.e. pre-smoked) cigars. Cigar Rights of America is throwing a party just for members at the Big Smoke in Connecticut.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a Padilla Habano Burberry. Cigar Jack smokes a Marco V.  Cigar Inspector inspects a Santa Damiana. Cigar Command dresses down an Avo LE 09.

6) Deal of the Week: To combat higher taxes, Cuban Crafters is slashing prices. Included are highly-rated sticks like the Don Kiki Brown ($33 for box of 25!), Cabinet Selection ($50 for  box of 25) and Cameroon ($60 for box of 25). Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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

1) Not content with their state’s already egregious policies towards tobacco, California State Senators are toying with a new bill that would criminalize smoking in state parks and beaches. The law would hit violators with a $250 fine for lighting up outside. But some politicians fear the State Parks Department doesn’t have the resources to enforce such a ban.

2) A measure to exempt cigar bars from Nebraska’s smoking ban, which already passed an will go into effect in June, is working its way through the state legislature. Anti-tobacco lawmakers are mounting a defense, though, one of whom claimed that if “we open the door to cigar bars…pretty soon we don’t have a smoking ban.”

3) Inside the Industry: Don Pepin Garcia and Nestor Miranda have teamed up to make a Twentieth Anniversary cigar to be released under the Nestor Miranda Special Selection label. The cigar, available in one size (7 x 56) with either a Habano Rosado or Habano Oscuro wrapper, is packed in boxes of 20. Shipments will hit select stores on April 1 (click here for photos).

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review smokes a Rocky Patel Cuban Blend Maduro. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Blue Label. Her Humidor smokes an Ambos Mundos. Cigar Command fires up an LFD Double Ligero Chisel. Cigar Inspector checks out a Tesa Havanitas Lancero.

5) Deal of the Week: There’s less than one week until the SCHIP cigar tax hike goes into effect on April 1, so take advantage of this deal before the prices jump. Here are over a dozen themed five-packs, at least a few of which are sure to please any cigar connoisseur. Included are fivers featuring smokes from Don Pepin, Rocky Patel, Gurkha, Padilla, Oliva, CAO, and others. Grab them today before it’s too late.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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

1) According to an IPCPR press release, Michigan politicians are mulling a doubling of the state’s tax rate on tobacco products to 64 percent of the manufacturer’s wholesale price. The move would be disastrous for the B&Ms, producers, and distributors who already must struggle to survive the looming federal SCHIP tax hikes. All this comes as the anti-tobacco campaign to impose a statewide smoking ban is revived. “It should be left up to individual business owners to decide whether or not they allow smoking on their premises,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of IPCPR. “Their employees and customers can then decide whether to work there or patronize them.”

2) In more positive news, a move to prohibit tobacco at all North Dakota college campuses failed to muster the support it needed from the state Board of Higher Education. And Kansas lawmakers balked on a statewide bill, likely deferring discussions of a smoking ban until 2010.

3) Inside the Industry: Toraño is releasing a new version of its Exodus line, the Liga-H blend, that will come in a five-cigar sampler with special versions of the original two Exodus lines. Former employees of high-end cigar accessory maker Colibri protested as  the bankrupt company’s assets were auctioned off. Rocky Patel’s Sumatra-wrapped Spring Collection hits the shelves of limited cigar stores soon.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Camacho Candela. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Tobacco Baez. Cigar Inspector inspects the Illusione 68. Stogie Fresh smokes a Los Blancos Sumatra.

5) Deal of the Week: Need (another) humidor filled with great cigars? Let us suggest this deal which includes a 50-count humidor and 25 big name smokes. Included are 5 cigars each by Don Pepin, Graycliff, Gurkha, and Rocky Patel. Compared to what you might pay for everything alone, you’re getting over 50% off plus free shipping. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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

1) The $410 billion spending bill Obama signed on Wednesday includes provisions that could ease U.S.-Cuban relations. While the new law won’t change the 47-year-old embargo, it may make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba and it may improve diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana—a move that some say is a small step in the direction of decriminalizing Cuban cigars.

2) As New Jersey politicians ponder expanding the Garden State’s smoking ban to cover casinos, Iowa business owners are pushing lawmakers to ease the regulations that violate their rights. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that Minnesota officials plan to ban smoking in cars where children are present, and concerned citizens in Viriginia are sounding off against the commonwealth’s looming ban.

3) Inside the Industry: Rocky Patel added a thick (6 x 60) cigar to his highly-rated Decade line. Production of the non-limited edition Davidoff puro has been delayed until Spring 2010 while the Davidoff “Puro d’Oro” is re-blended.  Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was on hand to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new Club La Gloria Cubana in Albuquerque. Altadis is releasing a new “Siglo Limited Reserve” line with packaging similar to that of the famous Cuban Cohiba.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Fresh smokes the Fonseca Sungrown Cedar No. 2. Stogie Review lights up a Tatuaje Noellas Reserva. Matt puffs on the Edge Corojo Toro. Keepers of the Flame reviews the Fuente Don Carlos line.

5) Deal of the Week: Here’s a ten-pack of high-priced sticks at a serious discount. Fifty bucks (including free shipping on your entire order) gets you two cigars each from Montecristo Media Noche, Gurkha, Cocinero, Princesa de Cuba, and Graycliff 1666. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: San Francisco Sentinel

Spanish for “Free Cuba,” the Cuba Libre brand signifies Nestor Plasencia’s hope of one day returning to a homeland that embraces liberty. Like so many of today’s best cigar makers, he fled Cuba after the Castro regime took over his family’s thriving tobacco operation and confiscated their factories and fields.

With five generations of Cuban tobacco cultivation as a compass, Nestor reestablished the family business in Nicaragua to make use of the fertile Eselí and Jalapa Valley regions. Today his successful factories turn out many Rocky Patel blends, some Gurkha lines, and the Alec Bradley Maxx.

Cuba Libre, Nestor’s take on a value brand, is appropriately made from 100 percent Cuban-seed tobacco. The filler and Nicaraguan binder are covered by a smooth yet veiny wrapper with a reddish hue and a wrinkled complexion.

This cigar is by no means unattractive—the sharp box-press adds character and the red, gold, and blue band is appealing—but something about the appearance compels me to mentally liken it to a typical house brand. Maybe it’s the haphazardly applied cap. Or maybe it’s the prevalence of soft spots from head to foot.

Notwithstanding the Unico’s torpedo-like frame, and despite the fact that I only clipped a bit of tobacco off the top, the pre- and post-light draw is easy. Too easy, if you ask me. The flavors from this six and ¼ inch by 54 ring gauge cigar seemed to be watered down by each airy puff.

When I could sort through the taste in the voluminous tufts of smoke, I found mild- to medium-bodied flavors of earth, leather, and traces of pepper. Some acidic or sweet notes would have helped balance out the predominantly dry profile.

Aside from the hollowed-out draw, the physical properties were excellent—especially considering the price range. Boxes of 20 Unicos go for $75-90, and you can find singles for less than $3 apiece in various online samplers.

That’s ultimately why this cigar makes a decent golf course or barbeque companion: It offers good construction and consistent flavors for little cost. It just doesn’t have enough complexity or personality to be the main event.

Cuba Libre has a compelling story but, in the end, I am neither disappointed nor impressed with the Unico. It earns three stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

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

1) According to TMZ, Gurkha Cigars offered Michael Phelps $25,000 to become their official “smokesperson.” After a photo of Phelps smoking a bong was made public, the company reportedly wrote to the 14-time gold medal winner: “We would like to provide you with the opportunity to do what you do best—smoke and swim. And while we can’t help you with your swimming skills, we can definitely offer you the best of the best when it comes to the cigar world.”

2) Virginia, a state built on tobacco, is nearing a compromise that would impose a smoking ban on the commonwealth. As it stands now, the law would be one of the weakest statewide bans because it includes exemptions for clubs and businesses that are off-limits to minors. But lawmakers in Richmond, including Gov. Tim Kaine, are scrambling to make the proposed regulation more cumbersome.

3) The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic venture of the Fuente and Newman families, continues to do important work for the people of the Dominican Republic’s rural tobacco-growing region. The organization’s activities include providing medical treatment, helping students graduate from vocational training programs, and running various community development initiatives. The Foundation is likely to take a hit due to SCHIP, so we encourage you to donate.

4) Inside the Industry: Habanos is introducing the Montecristo Open, a new, milder extension of its Cuban Montecristo line. CAO’s Cx2 blend is now only available from Famous Smoke Shop. Famous also rolled out exclusive blends celebrating 70 years of business, including a three-size line by Perdomo and a box-pressed Padrón Robusto reportedly based on the 1964 blend.

5) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack lights up a Casa Fuente. Stogie Review smokes a Conuco. Stogie Fresh tries a J. Fuego Triple Siete. Cigar Command sparks a Henry Clay Brevas.

6) Deal of the Week: While Alec Bradley’s Tempus hogged the spotlight and the highest ratings, don’t overlook the well-aged Harvest Selection ’97. At $20 for 8 smokes, this deal is a great way to try Tempus’ slightly milder brother. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr