The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Vita Nova is the follow-up cigar to the original Dante line, and this corona (6 x 42), which features a short pigtail cap, is a special edition of the Vita Nova line made in limited quantities for the DC Cigar Tweet-Up event held at cigar shops in the greater Washington area each year with proceeds donated to charity. The cigar has a unique lineup of flavors with sourdough bread, banana peel, slight saltiness, and just a bit of pepper spice. It produces a very heavy, thick smoke that can make the medium-bodied cigar seem more full-bodied than it is. At times, the draw is slightly tight, but it’s not too problematic, and otherwise the cigar has admirable construction. I found it to be heavier than the regular Dante Vita Nova vitolas, which I slightly prefer, but this is an enjoyable and unique smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Tomorrow is Independence Day, which means we won’t be posting our regular Friday Sampler. Instead, we’re posting a two notable news items today that normally would be featured in the Friday Sampler.

Will FDA Regulations Close Tampa’s Last Cigar Factory?

Tampa’s last operating cigar factory—J.C. Newman’s El Reloj in Ybor City—now sports a banner urging passersby on I-4 to “Save This Factory” by registering their support for the industry with the FDA. Newman also set up a website (www.savecigarcity.com) that details the history of the family and the factory, as well as looks at the proposed regulations and their potential impact. This news report includes an interview with Aleida Sanchez, a longtime worker in the Tampa cigar industry, who would be one of the many victims if the FDA regulations force the factory to close.

British Doctors Lobby Says Ban Smoking for Those Born in 21st Century

The powerful British Medical Association voted at their annual conference to support a prohibition on smoking for those born after the year 2000. While currently everyone born after 2000 is a minor, and thus it is already illegal for them to smoke, the policy would eventually lead to 30- and 40-year-old adults being carded to determine if they, despite being adults, are too young to be allowed to smoke.

The speaker who proposed the resolution called it a move to “denormalise” smoking, and a step towards “the tobacco end game,” while another advocate of the radical policy suggested “it made no sense to allow smoking and ban drugs such as heroin.” While the resolution passed, not everyone agreed. According to the BBC, one doctor who is an ear, nose, and throat specialist spoke against the motion, calling it “a headline-grabbing initiative that would bring ridicule to the profession.”

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: N/A

With StogieGuys.com heading toward its eighth anniversary in May, now seems like a good time to take a few minutes to look at the amazing amount of material stored on the site and offer some tips on how you can take advantage of it.

First, check out the references across the top. There, our material is curated into categories to make it easily accessible and useful, whether you’re a raw beginner or a grizzled vet. Just below and to the right is a link to information about Stogie Guys, including our policies and short bios. The Reviews Archive is alphabetized, and there’s a separate list of our top-rated smokes, along with an explanation of our reviewing system.

Around the page you’ll see ads from our advertisers, sometimes with special Stogie Guys offers. Check them out. They help keep us going.

Down the side of the page, there are links to other segments, such as the incredible A-Z Guide to Bourbon and the extensive Cigar University.

And don’t forget that little search window in the upper right of the page. Type in a topic and you’ll likely find we’ve had something to say about it. Searching for some new sticks to try? Explore our Gold Star Smokes. Interested in exploring coffee to go with your smoke? As with many topics, you’ll likely be surprised at how much we’ve written on this.

We focus on cigars, writing about them from Latin American farms and factories to conventions and get-togethers—and everywhere in-between. We take a broad view of cigar enjoyment and try to enhance the experience in any way we can. Sometimes that means delving into regulations and legislation, sometimes it’s an interview with a local tobacconist. Sometimes it is simply reflecting on the joys of a fine cigar.

Our overriding goal is to make StogieGuys.com the best site we can. That includes careful archiving and assembling material for our readers.

To that end, we’re always interested in hearing from you. If there’s anything you’d like to see, just let us know. You can always leave a comment or, if you prefer, email one of us directly.

And stay tuned. You won’t want to miss our birthday celebration!

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

It’s been nine months since the StogieGuys.com team published a new list of Gold Star Smokes. As you might recall, this special designation celebrates cigars that we feel are worthy of strong recommendations. They don’t necessarily have to be five stogie-rated—just commendable smokes we turn to time and again.

Co-Founder & Editor in Chief Patrick A

The La Musa Μελέτη Lancero is pretty limited (only 200 boxes are made available annually) but it is highly worth seeking out. It is a Nicaraguan puro with dark chocolate pre-light notes that transition to flavors of nougat, bread, espresso, and leather. It’s a bold, fuller-bodied smoke with plenty of complexity and excellent combustion qualities. When I have it on hand, I often reach for it as an after-dinner accompaniment to a cup of coffee.

Co-Founder & Publisher Patrick S

Winter is when I like to turn to corona-sized cigars, and one of my very favorites is the Tatuaje Noella Reserva. This Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped Nicaraguan smoke is full of chocolate, coffee, and spice. I’ve smoked through multiple boxes and have always found them balanced and well-made. Plus it’s the type of cigar that goes equally well with a cup of coffee or your favorite spirit. It can be a bit hard to find but it’s certainly worth seeking out.

Tampa Bureau Chief George E

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With the holidays cutting into the budget for discretionary spending, it seems a good time to consider some enjoyable cigars that can help you stretch your dollars. Here are three I’ve enjoyed and found consistent through several smokes.

Red Witch: This three-vitola line from Gurkha’s East India Trading Co. is a box-pressed bargain. I prefer the Toro (6 x 54) that runs about $5. It’s a slow-burning, tasty treat with an Ecuadorian Rosado wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan filler. It starts with a peppery blast, downshifts to a medium-strength earthy flavor, and picks up some spice in the final half.

Asylum 13: At $5, the Robusto (5 x 50) in this Nicaraguan puro line from Christian Eiroa is a natural for anyone who enjoys a strong, spicy cigar. It’s also more complex than you have a right to expect at that price. And if you’re a fan of big ring gauges, Asylum 13 has you covered with a 6 x 60 and a 7 x 70 at $6 and $7, respectively.

Partagas 1845: A line extension of General Cigar’s standard Partagas cigars, the 1845 sports tobacco from several countries including filler aged in rum barrels and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in place of the standard Partagas Cameroon. The Double Corona (7.25 x 54) is under $5, with the Robusto (5.5 x 49) even less. As you’d expect from the cigar giant, these are consistent with first-rate construction. A tasty, medium-strength stick that will likely surprise you if you haven’t had one.

–George E

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. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.

1) September is a great month for cigar events. The fifth annual Crush & Roll West starts today at the Paso Robles Fairgrounds in California. The gathering is expected to attract hundreds with cigars, wine, craft beer, poker, and entertainment. Twenty cigar makers will be on hand representing Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, the KC Cigar Festival kicks off tomorrow. And W. Curtis Draper’s Little Puff is slated for September 27 in Washington, with proceeds benefiting DC-area academic scholarships.

2) The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, created by the J.C. Newman and Fuente cigar companies, is again hosting an event in the Dominican Republic where the Fuente factory and farms are located. The event will be held February 5-8 and costs $295 a person. Attendees will get the chance to help the foundation, tour Chateau de la Fuente, and enjoy a cigar dinner celebration. Details can be found here.

3) Inside the Industry: Palm Beach-area retailer Smoke Inn is introducing the latest addition to its MicroBlend Series. The Quesada Octoberfest Dunkel uses the same binders and fillers as Quesada’s regular Oktoberfest release. However, the wrapper is a broadleaf maduro with an underlying Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper only at the foot. Production is limited to 750 boxes with 15 cigars (6 x 54) that retail for $8.95 per stick or $134.25 for the box.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Inspector inspects the Camacho Havana. Stogie Review reviews the Joya de Nicaragua Rosalones. Nice Tight Ash checks out the King of Kings Cuadrado. Tiki Bar kicks back with a Kilo. Stogie Fresh smokes the Joya de Nicaragua CyB.

5) Deal of the Week: Maduro fans should take a good look at this five-cigar sampler. Just $27 lands you one each of the Ortega Serie D No. 6, Perdomo Noir Epicure, Pinar del Rio Small Batch Maduro Robusto, Kristoff Ligero Maduro Matador, and the AVO Maduro No. 9.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Crush & Roll West

This month marks the seventh anniversary of StogieGuys.com as a daily web-magazine devoted to cigar rights, reviews, tips, and news. To celebrate, we’re giving away seven spectacular prizes over the course of seven days to seven different readers. All of the prizes have been generously furnished by some of our favorite cigar makers.

Today’s prize comes courtesy of our friends at La Palina. The winner receives a box of 20 La Palina Classic Toros. (Read our recent Quick Smoke of the Robusto size here.)

To enter to win this prize, visit this page and register. You’ll get additional entries for following StogieGuys.com on Twitter and Facebook. You can also get more entries by Tweeting about the contest (once per day) and by commenting on the posts (like today’s) announcing the prizes (one entry per day, please).

In addition, in order to be eligible you must be signed up to our free email list, where we’ll be announcing the seven winners at the end of the month.

Special thanks to La Palina and the other six participating cigar makers for making this seventh anniversary giveaway possible. And thank you for your loyal readership of StogieGuys.com. We wish you the best of luck!

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: La Palina