The Stogie Guys

Have you been looking long and hard for that special stein of a bulldog puffing a stogie? Wondering where to buy organic rolling papers? Or want a straight razor for shaving?

If you said yes to any of these questions, as well as a host of others, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show has a display for you.

There’s no doubt the convention is a big tent. After all, there was a Davidoff black tie party at one extreme and a cigar proudly promoted as Cheap Bastard at the other.

But it’s the non-cigar pitches fighting for attention on the Las Vegas convention floor that often stood out. Here’s an introduction to some of the most notable.

One item that caught my eye was the electronic hookah. No need to fool with stuff like a pipe, charcoal, or shisa. A Tinder Box retailer told me that when her shop began carrying them, older patrons dismissed them as drug paraphernalia. Now, she added, many are customers, and she can barely keep up with demand.

I’m guessing many of you are, like me, fairly ignorant of the hookah industry. Here’s an idea of its size: Starbuzz Tobacco handed out a 112-page catalog printed on heavy, slick stock.

Of course, it’s difficult to talk about hookah without mentioning its role supporting the Trade Show model industry. For a convention with a predominantly male clientele, there’s probably nothing that attracts attention like young women who are, shall we say, lightly clothed. But the winner probably was the 8Hr Buzz Energy Shot greeter.

A standout of different nature was the Lil’ Brown Smoke Shack’s cigar mascot, reminiscent of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Racing Sausages, towering over everyone on the floor.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the above-and-beyond work at Nat Sherman’s annual welcome booth. This year, the always helpful staffers were also selling bags to raise funds for the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group, an organization helping victims of Super Storm Sandy.

Learn how you can make a donation here.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

And so it begins: The flurry of reviews about cigars that debuted at the IPCPR Trade Show. I remember flying back home from Las Vegas, thinking about which cigar to light up first.

It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that I chose the new Davidoff Nicaragua blend. First off, it’s a Davidoff. While I don’t smoke many cigars from this super-premium cigar maker, I definitely enjoy the ones I can afford every so often. Second, it’s crafted by Hendrik “Henke” Kelner, a master who also blends cigars for PG and is one of the best in the business. And finally, with a price point of about $10-17, you’d expect this to be one fine smoke.

Davidoff Nicaragua is a stark departure for the brand, and not just because the black band is strikingly different from the white ones that adorn other Davidoff smokes. This is Davidoff’s first Nicaraguan line—a Nicaraguan puro, to be exact. “This is a major step for Davidoff to expand to a new territory,” said CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard in a press release. “Davidoff’s mission is to bring aficionados delightful experiences regardless of territory.”

This particular experience is derived from a 10-year-old Habano Rosado wrapper, a Jalapa binder, and filler tobaccos from Estelí, Condega, and Ometepe. It is offered in three formats: Short Corona (3.75 x 46), Robusto (5 x 50), and Toro (5.5 x 54).

The Toro is a gorgeous, reddish cigar with few veins and plenty of tooth. The feel is moderately firm from the foot to the beautiful cap. Pre-light notes are of syrup and damp earth.

In many of Kelner’s cigars I often find a light, mushroom-like flavor. Davidoff Nicaragua is no exception. After establishing an even light, the slightly peppery core is joined with background notes of creamy mushroom and dry wood. The texture is heavy yet the nicotine kick is minimal and the spice is muted.

After the first third, the Toro increases in intensity as tastes of espresso and bitter chocolate enter the equation. Traces of sweetness come and go to provide a little balance. All the while the draw is smooth, the smoke production solid, and the gray ash firm. The burn line does tend to wander, though, so touch-ups here and there are necessary to keep an even light.

This is a solid blend and one that provides some welcome diversification for the Davidoff portfolio. I may be a little unconvinced the construction and complexity are outstanding enough to justify the exclusive price. Taking all this and several samples into consideration, I’ve arrived at a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: 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.”

The 601 Green was once a favorite of mine, but as the cigar changed distributors, labels, and owners I smoked fewer and fewer of them. It became a victim of out of sight, out of mind. Now it’s owned by Erik Espinosa, who makes the cigars at his La Zona factory (it was originally made by Don Pepin Garcia). At the show I was given one of the Troncos (5 x 52) and it reminded me why this was one of the fullest flavored cigars around when it came out. It’s still full-bodied (charred, earthy, and roasted) though less peppery than I remember. Even though it may have changed slightly over the years, this is still a tasty cigar. Next time I won’t wait so long before smoking another.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

For exhibitors at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show, presenting something new is only part of the story. Presenting something new that gets customers excited is the real trick.

And there were quite a few things on the floor at Las Vegas with the potential to do just that. Here’s a sampling of the ones I think you’ll be seeing and hearing much more about.

Achilles. A new brand from Curivari, this full strength, lightly pressed Nicaraguan puro isn’t a limited edition, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to find. Releases will be made only four times a year, with an initial run of 10,000 in three sizes. Unlike many Curivari lines, though, Achilles will be sold only in the United States.

CAO Flathead. I know everyone likes to disparage packaging, but the boxes and artwork for this new stick from General Cigar’s CAO division are truly something to behold. When the display goes up at your local shop, believe me, you’ll know it.

Point-of-sale. This category was big throughout the show as manufacturers obviously struggle to accommodate consumers looking for a quick smoke and retailers wanting impulse-buy displays at the cash register. Two that stood out were a four-pack from Eddie Ortega in a cardboard box that will slip right into your shirt pocket and Oliva’s slick gravity-fed countertop dispenser that’s filled with Nub tubos.

Black and White. I don’t believe I saw anyone on the floor busier than Sam Leccia. Constantly talking to retailers interested in his new Black and White lines, Sam said he’d felt things would go well on his return to the industry but hadn’t anticipated what he encountered: “It blew away my expectations.”

Mia Dora. A milder smoke than is often associated with Emilio Cigars, these likely won’t ship until the end of October, according to owner Gary Griffith. He’s dedicated Mia Dora to his girlfriend and is wildly enthusiastic about it, from the blend that features a specially fermented Habano Rosado wrapper to the packaging Gary himself calls “over-the-top.”

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

While my colleagues Patrick S and George E are still in Las Vegas before they travel back home to Washington and Tampa, respectively, I arrived back in Chicago late Sunday night. I had a wonderful time at the 2013 International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show. My stay may have been short, but I got the opportunity to catch up with a lot of old friends, gather some great information, and try a lot of new cigars.

Even though I was only on the convention floor for one day, I left with a few key observations that bear mentioning here. What follows are three personal, generalized impressions from the first day of the biggest cigar event of the year. Nothing more, nothing less.

More neon colors. The marketplace is crowded with different brands, sizes, and blends that vie for your attention—and dollars. For the average consumer, perhaps at no other time in history have there been so many different cigars to choose from. As a result, I’ve noticed more cigar makers are starting to market and package their creations using colors and fonts that aren’t often associated with cigars. Intended to be attention-grabbing in a sea of traditional, Cuban-esque wares, I’ve never seen so many cigars with bands and boxes that predominantly feature purples, pinks, and neon incarnations of bright yellows, greens, and blues. Perhaps the best example is the new look Davidoff gave to its (scorpion-clad, Ditka-endorsed) Camacho brand.

More huge ring gauges. Nearly every booth I visited had a new cigar with a ring gauge of 60 or more. And almost every cigar maker rolled his eyes as he introduced it. Why? When I asked, the cigar makers all said something like, “These huge ring gauges aren’t for me, but they sell really well.” The market has decided. Huge smokes are here to stay, even though none of the cigar makers smoke them. A commonly accepted hypothesis among industry leaders: More casual smokers think they get more for their money with a large ring gauge. And I’d imagine others must associate larger cigars with manliness. Well that makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

More focus on packaging and presentation. As I traveled around to the different displays of new cigars, many of the various exhibitors spent an inordinate amount of time discussing the packaging of their creations. I’d usually expect to hear about the cigars themselves more than the stories behind the boxes, names, or marketing concepts. But never underestimate the time, research, and attention to detail that goes into packaging and presentation. This emphasis on appearance was on full display at Foundry Cigars, a whole new brand offshoot by General Cigar that’s taking the original Foundry idea and running with it. Get ready for cigars in a flying-V formation, diamonds galore, and a series of smokes that honor the “War of Currents” between Tesla and Edison.

Of course StogieGuys.com’s coverage of the IPCPR Trade Show is going to extend beyond these general observations (and the live updates and videos we posted from the convention floor). Check back here in the coming weeks as my colleagues and I provide more details on the new products and new companies. And we’ll obviously soon be reviewing scores of new smokes that will be coming to a cigar shop near you.

–Patrick A

photo credit: 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.”

I received this smoke in the mail from Cigar Rights of America (CRA) when I renewed my membership in the organization. As far as I can tell, the only thing that makes this a “CRA Exclusive” is the dimensions, which measure six inches long. The Gigante is the sole regular production Cohiba that’s exactly six inches, and I can safely say this is no Gigante, which has a super-thick ring gauge of 60. In any event, the flavor is very similar to the standard Cohiba blend, which sports a Cameroon wrapper and Dominican filler tobaccos. Somewhat spicy, kind of creamy, with a dry, woodsy core. Considering many Cohibas run in excess of $10 apiece, I’m glad I got this one as a complimentary “thank you” from CRA. I’m not sure I would have been thrilled paying that kind of money for this cigar, considering all the other smokes you can get for less than $10. Still, it’s an enjoyable treat.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I doubt I’m the first to point out that there are two ways to think about the price point of Hirsch Selection Small Batch Reserve, which is about $35 per 750 ml. bottle.

The first is to consider all the other bourbons that can be had for $35 or less. Many are excellent. There are far too many to mention here, so I’ll simply refer you to the Bourbon Guide we recently published. The point is, the Small Batch Reserve has some stiff competition in its segment of the market.

But if you look at it from a different angle—comparing its price to its two sister bourbons—the regular Hirsch Small Batch Reserve seems like a steal. The 25-year-old Small Batch Reserve runs $270, and the 28-year-old variety costs nearly $450.

Since I’m definitely priced out of the two higher-end impressions, I’ll stick with the regular Small Batch Reserve as a viable option for my liquor cabinet and cigar-pairing needs. This four- to six-year-old spirit is produced by the San Francisco-based Anchor Distilling Co., which markets it as a “combination of precise distillation techniques, careful barrel selection, and patience over maturation.”

Clocking in at 92-proof, the bourbon pours very light amber in the glass with virtually zero opacity. It has a light, honey-centric nose with traces of apple and hardly any alcoholic heat. I like to add an ice cube or two to cool the surprisingly heated taste. Once mellowed, a flavor of oak, syrup, rhubarb, caramel, and vanilla takes center stage. The finish is short and crisp.

While I wouldn’t say I’m underwhelmed with Hirsch Selection Small Batch Reserve, I don’t think I’ll be jumping at the chance to buy another bottle real soon. I’m just not sure it has the balance, complexity, or finish that can be found in similarly-priced competitors.

As I finish my current bottle, I’m finding milder to mild-medium cigars offer the best pairing results. So far, my favorite combinations have included the Tesa Picadura King, J. Fuego 777 Corojo, and the Pinar del Rio Clasico Exclusivo.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys