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

1) We are still accepting entries to win a $30 gift certificate to FumeeWorld.com. Just fill out this survey and include a valid email address. Your answers will help us improve StogieGuys.com. Plus everyone who participates will receive an email with a coupon code for 20 percent off any purchases from FumeeWorld.com.

2) Those anti-smoking censors are at it again and this time the target is the new Incredible Hulk movie. the AMA is whining that William Hurt’s character, Gen. Thaddeus”Thunderbolt” Ross, is seen with a cigar throughout the film. They say that by showing cigar smoking the movie encourages kids to smoke, but you’d think they would be more worried about the fact that the movie has a man gain superpowers by being in the blast radius of a bomb, which would seem a far worse message for children.

3) Here’s an odd one: apparently Mel Gibson and Britney Spears held a meeting at the exclusive Havana Club cigar room this week. No word on what, if any, cigars were smoked at the superstars’ pow-wow.

4) Inside the Industry: CAO’s much-hyped new cigar will be called the Lx2 meaning ligero times two – much like CAO’s other lines the Mx2 (Maduro) and Cx2 (Cameroon). Punch Cigar’s pot-bellied, trash-talking mascot, Mr. Punch is celebrating a birthday with a series of promotions in July, including exclusive Punch humidor giveaways. Bucanero Cigars owner Robert Spoden (who we interviewed here) told European Cigar Cult Magazine that he wants to sell the highly-rated boutique cigar brand.

5) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame lights up the Padrón Palmas. Stogie Review smokes the J. Fuego Delirium. Velvet Cigar reviews an Oliva Master Blends. Cigar Command puffs on a Padron 3000.

6) Deal of the Week: Here’s a nice deal for the Macanudo lover in you. For just $49, you get a box of 10 (5.5 x 49) Macanudo Cafe Hyde Parks, plus a spiffy Macanudo ashtray. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: General Cigar

Jameson is a new cigar company that introduced its line with a web offer of two sticks and a T-shirt for the cost of postage and handling. Who could resist?

I received two six inch torpedos and, though both had some cosmetic imperfections – such as a large water spot on the Sumatran wrapper of one – they appeared to be well-constructed. The clip was easy and the pre-light draw nice. However, problems developed quickly.

Lit, the draw became extremely loose. One started to tunnel, and it was difficult to get both to burn evenly. There was lots of smoke throughout, with a pleasant aroma. Though it has a ring gauge of 54, it felt fine with the torpedo shape. The binder is Honduran and the filler Dominican.

Jameson calls this a medium-bodied cigar, but I found it mild, particularly as I smoked it down. There were some toasty, bready notes, but little complexity or development. It became bitter after about two-thirds. A particular annoyance with one of the cigars was impossibility of removing the band because it had been glued so tightly.

I was curious about the name of the cigar, wondering if it was honoring the brash newspaper publisher in Spider-Man comics. I couldn’t find it addressed on the firm’s skimpy website, and several calls to the 866 number got only voicemail. I emailed my question several days ago and haven’t received an answer, though I did get a response promising a free pocket humidor if I bought a box over the weekend. If and when I get a reply, I’ll let you know.

Jameson advertises this cigar at five for $25.50 and $115 for a box of 25. As with several cigars I’ve smoked lately, this one wasn’t bad, and I would smoke it again if offered one. But I wouldn’t seek it out. It just didn’t do much for me. As such, the Jameson Torpedo earns a rating of two and 1/2 out of five stogies.

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

–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) Don’t expect to smoke a cigar while watching the upcoming summer games – not in person, anyway. Beijing will ban smoking in most public places starting May 1 “as part of its pledge to hold a smoke-free Olympics.” As if China’s communism wasn’t enough…

2) A tobacco festival in the Philippines ended this week with the parade of a 101-meter long cigar (that’s the length of a football field plus one end zone) through the streets of Candon City. The monstrosity was “carried by 150 employees…and was made from 300 kilos of Burley, Virginia, and native tobaccos.”

3) Nub Cigars are a new concept by the Oliva Cigar Company. By producing short sticks with extremely large ring gauges, the theory is you can maximize the “sweet spot,” so no Nub is longer than four inches and the ring gauges are all between 56-66. They hit shelves nationwide this month.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack checks out a Camacho Havana. Cigar Beat inspects a Griifin’s Fuerte. Velvet Cigar smokes a Padilla Hybrid. Keepers of the Flame lights up a Nestor Miranda Special Selection. Stogie Review reviews the Drew Estate Java Maduro.

5) Deal of the Week: In honor of Stress Awareness Month, Cuban Crafters is running some pretty fantastic deals on our favorite stress relief devices: cigars. You’ll find specials on Cupidos, Don Kiki White Labels, and Cuban Crafters Cameroons. Check them out here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Nub Cigars

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) With the Iraq War entering its sixth year this week, now is another great time for cigar enthusiasts to think about sending a few spare sticks to the soldiers in the Middle East. One law enforcement official is doing his part: Instead of destroying seized counterfeit Cubans, as is protocol, a Michigan sheriff has decided to send them to overseas troops. A local shipping company has graciously offered its services to safely deliver the goods.

2) Jameson Cigar Co., a new operation, is introducing itself with a sweet deal: two cigars and a T-shirt for just the cost of shipping ($6). You can sign up for the offer here.

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Jack reminds us to accept no ashtray substitutes. Cigar Inspector lights up an Opus X Robusto. Keepers of the Flame provides an aging report on the Camacho Havana Monarca. Cigar Monkey tries the Emilio Reyes Gold.

4) Deal of the Week: Spring is here and that means one thing: golf season. This Golf Sampler includes two cigars each from Padrón, Hoyo de Monterrey, H. Upmann, and three other brands. You also get a lighter, cutter, and some golf tees. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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) Our upcoming DC Stogie Guys Smoke Out is only a little more than a week away: Sunday, March 9 at 4pm to be exact. The event will feature free cigars plus giveaways all provided by Cuban Crafters. Please RSVP here if you haven’t already.

2) Despite smoking bans, tobacco taxes, and the American trade embargo, sales of Cuban cigars exceeded US$400 million last year – up 7 percent from 2006. To put things in perspective, consider that Cuban sales comprise a whopping 80 percent of the world cigar market (excluding the U.S.), with Spain and France as the largest importers.

3) Windy City readers were no doubt disappointed by the cancellation of Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke Chicago. But thanks to the good folks at CAO, NFL legend Dick Butkus, and Cigars & More, they have another great event to look forward to on April 23. Click here to check out the event’s creative marketing campaign.

4) Recognizing the power of tobacco, Tampa’s InterContinental hotel now has a “Big Cigars and Motor Cars” promotion that includes the use of a Maserati or Corvette, a steak dinner, and Fuente cigars for $550 per night.

5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a AVO 787. Cigar Inspector inspects a Griffin’s Fuerte. Cigar Monkey checks out the Gurkha Regent. Cigar Jack lights up a Hoyo de Tradición.

6) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters (sponsor of our Smoke Out) is running a number of incredible web specials, featuring some great deals on their already reasonable prices. Click here to check them all out.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: DickButkus.com

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 cigar industry may not have its act together, but Big Tobacco (the cigarette industry) certainly does. At least in Illinois, anyways. Lobbyists in Springfield are working at a record pace towards a hearing that would create exemptions in the newly enacted statewide smoking ban “to allow indoor smoking at many bars, riverboat casinos, strip clubs, and American Legion halls.”

2) If you’re a smoker and a fan of musician Joe Jackson you may like him even more than you thought. He’s a defender of smoking, saying in a recent AP story that “we’re really only hearing one side of it because the anti-smoking move- ment is so powerful.” He’s written passionately about his views, and many of his essays can be found on his website.

3) Factions of the New Hampshire legislature are pushing hard for the state to classify little cigars as cigarettes. Why? As our May 2006 commentary explains, it’s easier for politicians to tax cigarettes than cigars. The Union-Leader wrote a nice editorial on the issue this week, explaining that the bill will “hurt convenience stores and cigar shops” while driving business out of the Granite State.

4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Old Powder Keg. Velvet Cigar smokes the Arganese Chairman. Cigar Inspector inspects a Partagas 8-9-8. Cigars by Matt smokes a Don Francisco. Cigar Jack is holding a month-long contest with tons of great prizes.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve made no secret of the fact that we’re big fans of Don Pepin Garcia’s cigars. That makes this “Ultimate Don Pepin Garcia Sampler” so special. It includes some of the rarest limited edition cigars made by the master. At $99 it isn’t cheap, but many of these cigars are not available anywhere at any price (and you’d pay a lot more if you could find them). Grab yours here while supplies last.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

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