The 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.

Released a couple of years ago, this line from Jesus Fuego was an early adopter in identifying its use of Mexican San Andrés tobacco (binder). The other components are an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and filler that’s half Nicaraguan Corojo and half Honduran Corojo. And, as you’d expect from the name, the 5-inch smoke is fat, with a 60-ring gauge. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much flavor or smoke, and the draw was too tight. I couldn’t help but wonder if one of the smaller vitolas would produce better performance and results.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Despite whatever bourbon shortage there may or may not be, there are plenty of good bourbons available these days. Not only that, but there are plenty of excellent bourbons available for $30 or less. (In fact, there are quite a few very good bourbons on the shelf for under $20.)

That approachable price for good quality is what differentiates bourbon from Scotch whisky. To that list of good, affordable bourbon you can add Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond Single Barrel 10 Year Bourbon.

Even before tasting it, this bourbon (made by Heaven Hill, which also makes Evan Williams and Elijah Craig) checks off three of the characteristics many bourbon fans find desirable: single barrel, well-aged (10 Years), and a decent proof (100-proof). In fact, it is the only 10 year Bottled in Bond bourbon on the market.

The Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel has gone through multiple iterations over the years, and the latest version (pictured) puts all the key features up front.  The bourbon is a light copper color. The nose is straight forward although inviting with vanilla, wood, and butterscotch.

On the palate, McKenna 10 is surprisingly soft for its 100-proof. Most prominent is butterscotch, wood, and apple brandy, although clove, cinnamon, and rye spice are also apparent. The finish is smooth and sweet with vanilla and fruit.

Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel is a versatile bourbon for pairing with a cigar, but I think an ideal cigar pairing is mild or medium-bodied. A couple examples would be Illusione Epernay, Davidoff Grand Cru, Paul Garmirian Gourmet, or the Tatuaje Black.

Ultimately, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel doesn’t quite break into my best bourbons under $30 list, but it is clearly a tasty, widely available bourbon that costs only $25-30. I don’t think any regular bourbon drinker would be disappointed with picking up a bottle.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This cigar looks so nice, it’s hard not to wonder whether it can match that impression when you smoke it.

It can. And does.

This entry from Global Marketing & Distribution (GMD) is a class act from start to finish. Rolled at Hendrik Kelner Jr.’s Dominican factory, the Heritage 1492 Tradicionales is a medium-strength smoke with excellent construction and lots of flavor.

The first taste is a bit of grass-hay, not surprising given the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. It diminishes throughout the first third, almost disappearing by the second half. Other flavors rise along the way. I noticed leather, nuts, and some sweetness, though never the “fresh pastries” GMD mentions in its marketing material.

The binder is from Nicaragua and the filler is a combination of U.S., Nicaraguan, and Dominican tobaccos. Construction on the three I smoked was nearly perfect, with a great draw, burn, and level of smoke.

According to GMD—a relative newcomer to the cigar world that continued to add to its portfolio this year—the finished Heritage cigars are aged a year before going to the marketplace.

The regular line has five sizes, of which the Robusto (5 x 52) sports the largest ring gauge. There are also two big Edition Especial sizes under the Heritage 1492 Tradicionales brand: a Gigante and a Bellicoso Gigante. These, said to be spicer and more intense, have a Cubra Brazil wrapper.

The Robustos I smoked were provided by GMD. This is a cigar worth seeking out, whether you’re a beginner or a long-time smoker.

At $12 for the Robusto, it’s on the higher end. I think it’s a fair price, and certainly plan to keep an eye out for more. To me, it seems the kind of cigar that is most suited to smaller vitolas; I’d be most interested in trying the half-inch shorter Rothschild.

This cigar earns a high rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

First Smoke is a new series of Quick Smoke reviews each evaluating a single pre-release cigar. Like the Quick Smokes we publish each Saturday and Sunday, each First Smoke is not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

When Max Oettinger opened a store in Basel in 1875, he never could have imagined 140 years later it would grow into Oettinger Davidoff AG, one of the largest and most storied cigar makers in the world. To celebrate that anniversary, Davidoff has created a special limited cigar. Details of the blend of the thick toro aren’t available, nor is it known if it will go on sale, although a limited release along the lines of the 2013 Davidoff of Geneva 25th Anniversary seems likely.

I received this cigar at a media event hosted by Davidoff in their booth at the recent IPCPR Trade Show. It starts out very subtle with cedar, bread, cafe-au-lait, and just a hint of distinctively Davidoff mushroom notes. About a third of the way in, the cedar increases and there is a slight white pepper spice. Construction is excellent. If it goes on sale there is no doubt this will be an expensive smoke, but for fans of Davidoff it will meet every expectation, with subtlety and balance along with a restrained medium-bodied intensity.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Crafted in Miami by Figaro Cigars, this line is relatively new to the market. If it isn’t on your radar—frankly, it was completely new to me—it’s well worth checking out.

Featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan filler and binder, the Robusto starts with a fiery kick. It doesn’t overwhelm, though, and tends to wind down a bit as you move into the second half of the five-inch frame.

Along the way, there’s some sweetness, which is also present in the pre-light aroma on the wrapper, and a strong leather component, especially in the second half. There’s a nice overall balance to the cigar, and I found myself enjoying each of the three sticks I smoked more than the one before.

The 50-ring gauge Robusto isn’t a complex cigar, but the flavors it delivers are good from start to finish.

It’s the kind of cigar you could smoke on a golf course or watching a game and realize when it’s over that you thoroughly enjoyed it. Or you can pay more attention as you smoke it and find yourself rewarded with an even greater level of enjoyment.

I’d put the strength level at the upper end of medium.

Construction on the samples I received from Figaro was excellent. I was concerned at first because the pre-light draw seemed very open, but that wasn’t a problem when it was lit. And that held when the cigar got a conventional guillotine cut, a V-cut, or a punch. (I tried all three.)

Smoke production was robust, and the burn extremely straight. The ash held tight as well.

The MSRP is a more-than-reasonable $6.99. There are two other regular Figaro cigars: a 6 x 60 that lists for $8.99, and a 6 x 52 for $7.99.

This cigar likely won’t blow you away, but it is also unlikely to disappoint. I think it would be a great choice for someone looking to move up from milder cigars to something with a tad more Nicaraguan pop and for anyone looking for a good, straight-forward smoke.

The Figaro 1943 Habano VX Robusto earns a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

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.

This Nicaraguan puro is made for Warped Cigars at Casa Fernandez (TABSA) from 100% Aganorsa tobacco. The Gran Valle (5.5 x 50) is made with a Cuban triple-cap and entubado-style filler bunching. It starts with a burst of salty and savory flavors but settles into a medium-bodied smoke with coffee notes and just a hint of sweetness. Construction is flawless with a perfect draw and razor-straight burn that produces a sturdy ash and thick smoke. From start to finish, this cigar impressed me.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

First Smoke is a new series of Quick Smoke reviews each evaluating a single pre-release cigar. Like the Quick Smokes we publish each Saturday and Sunday, each First Smoke is not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

As a follow-up to last year’s all-Nicaraguan Montecristo Espada line, Altadis USA announced the limited Montecristo Espada Estoque at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show. The one-size blend (6 x 50 torpedo) is made by the Plasencia Family in Nicaragua and only 5,000 boxes of 10 will be made. The cigar uses a 2013 Jalapa wrapper, a 2002 Criollo Jalapa binder, and three filler tobaccos from Esteli (Corojo 2009), Ometepe (Criollo 2013) and Condega (Criollo 2013).

Once lit, the cigar has a notably sweet edge, along with a nice balance of coffee bean, earth, baking spices, and leather notes. It starts off medium- to full-bodied, although towards the second half it develops a gritty edge as it ramps up to full-bodied with some black pepper on the finish. Despite a slightly jagged burn line, construction was good with a firm draw and sturdy ash. While I found the first half more enjoyable than the more one-dimensional second half, the Estoque ($14.50) is an interesting cigar that is worlds away from the Dominican Montecristos that most Americans are familiar with.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys