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.”

One of the most recent Viaje limited releases by the prolific Andre Farkas, the Summerfest 2012 is a Nicaraguan puro (6.75 x 50) with an unfinished foot that fans out beyond the wrapper for the three-quarters of an inch. It’s $10, which is why I only picked up two of these, having not tried them before. It’s a medium- to full-bodied smoke (though it amps up slightly for he final third) with mild earth, coffee, a bit of cream, a touch of oak, and slight cinnamon spice. The Summerfest is extremely balanced and, after the wrapper-less start, it soon settles into an even burn and solid ash. All in all, it’s an excellent smoke and one I wish I had picked up a few more of.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

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.”

Not to be confused with five-vitola Series Gran Cru line that has a criollo ’98 maduro wrapper, the Gran Cru Limited Edition is new to the Tesa portfolio. It was crafted by Chris Kelly as a one-size, box-pressed blend. Only 1,000 cigars were made, and Kelly tells me he sold almost his entire Gran Cru stash in a matter of weeks. So he has ordered his Estelí factory to produce more. I think that’s a wise decision. The Gran Cru—which boasts an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a criollo ’98 binder from Jalapa and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos—is a testament to Kelly’s outstanding talents. The smoke has incredible balance with a woodsy core complimented by cream, salty peanut, and coffee. With top-notch construction, I’m going to get my hands on more of these while they’re still available.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

During my college years, my father explained that there’s bourbon beyond shots of Jim Beam. His favorite bourbon, he told me as he shared a taste, was Knob Creek. The bourbon has been a favorite of mine ever since, even as I’ve tried plenty of other “craft” bourbons.

So when I saw Knob Creek was adding a third line (their second was a Single Barrel that I think very highly of) I knew I’d have to try it. I saw that it was on sale for $35 (normally $38 for a 750 ml. bottle) and quickly picked it up.

Knob Creek’s Rye was released this spring and quickly garnered praise, earning “Best Rye Whiskey” at the 2012 San Francisco Spirits Competition. The rye (which means at least 50& of the mash is made with rye, as opposed to bourbon which must be at least 50% corn) is bottled at 100-proof. According to its label it is “patiently aged” with the whiskies being as old as 9 years.

The result is a hearty rye with a deep amber color. The nose is filled with overwhelming spice and wood. The taste also reveals quintessential rye flavors: oak and pepper, with subtle dried fruit and tobacco. The finish is long, smooth, and savory.

Taken straight it’s spicy and explosive, but one or two ice cubes tames the beast. That makes it very versatile. It’s plenty good enough to drink on its own, but it also has all the makings of an excellent component to a Manhattan (a cocktail which, although regularly made with bourbon, is traditionally made with rye).

The spicy characteristics of this whiskey go great with a cigar. Almost any medium- or full-bodied cigar would work well, but I found the PG 15h Anniversary (pictured) and the Tatuaje Verocu to be particularly ideal pairings.

All in all, the Knob Creek Rye was highly enjoyable. It’s up there with the Bulleit Rye and Michter’s as my favorite rye whiskey, and certainly worth a try for anyone who enjoys or wants to explore rye whiskey.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As I noted last month when I reviewed the San Andreas, I didn’t know what to think when Camacho announced a partnership with jewelery maker Matt Booth, whose Room 101 brand is named after the torture room in George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The original Room 101, while far from a bad cigar, didn’t do much for me.

Since then, I’ve been far more impressed by Room 101. I’ve found Conjura, Namakubi, Connecticut, and the new San Andres all very enjoyable. Which is why I wanted to try the One Shot One Kill (OSAK), introduced earlier this year. (I did smoke a pre-release sample from an event last fall.)

The limited edition line has some interesting characteristics. It comes in three distinct perfecto sizes, from the small Filero (4.5 x 52-42) to the large Chingon (8 x 60-44), and features very original packaging. The cigars are wrapped in tissue paper, then placed in a decorative patterned paper tube, before being packed in boxes of ten. The unique band has stylized OSOK initials and a QR code on the back that sends you to Room 101’s Facebook page.

The blend is comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Honduran corojo binder, and a combination of Honduran corojo and Dominican piloto ligero filler. I smoked the $10 Trucha size, which is 6.5 inches in length with a ring gauge that’s 19 at the foot and 50 at it’s widest point.

It’s a good looking cigar with a milk chocolate wrapper and a bit of shine. It’s well-constructed, with an open draw and an ash that holds for well-over an inch.

Once I light up the OSOK I find distinctly dry flavors: cedar, toast, slight cinnamon, and black pepper that hits the back of he tongue. It’s a medium-bodied cigar that lets off highly aromatic, cedary smoke. As it develops, it sheds some of its dryness. Earth and roasted flavors develop as the cigar gets near the 50% mark but, by the end, the dominant cedar flavor is back with vengeance.

If you like dry, cedar-driven smokes, then this is a must-try. But if you, like me, prefer more nuance and complexity, the one-dimensional aspect of the Room 101 may not be a big hit. Considering the price, I’d much prefer the Room 101 San Andres or Conjura. That doesn’t mean OSOK is a bad cigar. I rather enjoyed the first 30 minutes. I just didn’t find it interesting enough for an hour and a half cigar. The next time I smoke one, I’ll certainly be reaching for the smaller Filero. In the end, the Room 101 One Shot One Kill Trucha earns a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This cigar boasts a lovely wrapper, excellent construction, and more flavors than you’ll find in a collection of three-star restaurant menus. This Illusione vitola, introduced in 2010, has become a favorite since I smoked my first one only a month or so ago.

I’ve read that the blend has no ligero and that seems believable. Le Matin is no nicotine horse choker. Instead, it’s a medium strength, complex cigar that, to me, can compete with any cigar in the world.

In fact, if there’s someone who’s convinced Cubans are the only ones worth smoking, I recommend Le Matin. Pour whatever you like to drink, light up this 6.75-inch lightly pressed cigar, and prepare to spend 90 minutes or more enthralled. The 46 ring gauge Nicaraguan puro burns slowly and cool with a tight ash.

It’s difficult to enumerate the flavors without sounding like a tasting wheel. There’s a sweetness in parts that lingers on the finish, a variety of floral notes, a bite at points that complements the spicy notes, and coffee undertones sprinkled throughout.

Like other creations of Don Giolito—interestingly, another cigar master and musician—Le Matin isn’t the easiest cigar to find. Frankly, I don’t think I’d seen it until recently when I quickly stocked up.

At around $11 per stick, the price may be a bit steep. But I can only tell you it’s worth every penny. If you aren’t initially committed to giving Le Matin the time and attention it deserves, you’ll probably find yourself abandoning whatever plans you had to focus on the cigar shortly after lighting up.

When Cigar Aficionado named Le Matin No. 7 on its list of top cigars for 2010, the magazine wrote about Giolito’s “impeccable quality.” I can only concur. For me, this is, without question, a smoke worthy of a rare rating of five stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. A list of other five stogie-rated cigars can be found 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 verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Many are quick to compare the Undercrown line, which debuted about a year ago, to Drew Estate’s famed Liga Privada No. 9 blend. I understand the interest in comparing the two but, the more I smoke it, the more I find Undercrown to be an excellent creation in its own right. The Belicoso (6 x 52) is no exception. It boasts a balanced, medium-bodied profile of coffee, peanut, spice, and mocha along with superb physical properties. This is an easy smoke to recommend and a solid buy at around $7, especially if you like San Andreas-wrapped cigars.

Verdict = Buy.

–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.”

Even though Cigar Aficionado dubbed the Prensado the “Cigar of the Year,” I must confess I haven’t smoked one in at least a year. Unintentionally, my colleague posted some skeptical thoughts about the cigar the day after the best-of-2011 announcement, which garnered considerable support in the comments. Still, when this Churchill-sized version of the Prensado (it’s not clear if this is different at all from the normal Churchill size) showed up in my CRA Sampler, it was one of the first cigars I lit up. Featuring rich dark flavors, including distinctive molasses notes along with cocoa, pepper, and black coffee, it’s not hard to see why the Prensado has garnered high awards, even if the price ($10) is a little steep. Is it the cigar of the year? Probably not if I’m picking. But I still think the Prensado is a very good cigar.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys