The Stogie Guys

CAO will never be the same. In the five months since Swedish Match and the Scandinavian Tobacco Group merged to create a new tobacco giant, bringing CAO into the General Cigar fold, four CAO executives stepped down and the company moved from its longtime home of Nashville to Richmond.

Many industry commentators and CAO fans are speculating that these changes will translate into new cigars that bear little resemblance to those once made under the direction of Tim Ozgener. Only time will tell if they’re right. For now, there’s plenty of old CAO inventory stocked at tobacconists across the country and at retailers online—like the three Lx2 Gordos I smoked for this review.

Released at the 2008 industry trade show, the Lx2 blend (“ligero times two”) features a hearty helping of spicy ligero leaves surrounded by a Honduran binder and a sungrown Nicaraguan wrapper. The Gordo (6 x 60) is a relatively new size in the Lx2 lineup. This massive, intimidating vitola seems like a natural fit for a blend that intends to pack a powerful, spicy punch. Dark and oily with thin veins, the Gordo smells of espresso and draws effortlessly in the cold taste.

With a higher filler-to-wrapper ratio than the other Lx2 sizes (and thus with more ligero), I was expecting this cigar to be fuller bodied than, say, the Lancero. Surprisingly, though, it starts more subdued than I remember the other Lx2 vitolas to be. The profile is bready and dry with an aftertaste of black pepper and some sweet notes. The filler tobaccos, a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero leaves, take a stronger foothold into the second third of the Gordo. Here, rich coffee flavors come to the fore and the spice amplifies. Leather, and a solid nicotine kick, join the fray at the midway point.

That’s also about when the monotonous flavor starts to wear out its welcome. Sure, this is a tasty, well-made cigar with pretty good combustion properties—including a fairly straight burn and a solid gray ash. But the profile just isn’t complex or balanced enough to hold my attention for lengthy amount of time it takes to smoke this beast.

Fortunately, these days you can find the Lx2 Gordo for less than $5 apiece when bought by the box. That’s probably a fair deal for enthusiasts who like hearty, thick cigars. While I don’t see myself making that kind of investment anytime soon, I’m awarding the Gordo three stogies out of five in recognition of what it brings to the table.

[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.”

When I first tried this blend several years ago, I found it to be somewhat lacking in flavor. My tastes have changed—or, depending on your perspective, either developed or declined. I say that because, these days, I find myself turning to the Lot 23 Robusto time and again when I need a good coffee companion. Its mild-mannered, classic profile of cream, nut, and spice seems to pair perfectly with a hot cup of Joe in the morning or afternoon. And with solid construction and a price tag of only $4-5, this Perdomo is easy to enjoy and afford.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve written before that bold, rich beers can be a great pairing for a fine cigar. I’m not talking about your generic, mass-produced Bud, Coors, or Miller product; I’m talking about craft brews made with an abundance of flavorful hops and malt.

The Delaware-based Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is an example of a company that takes flavorful beers seriously. I’ve long been a fan of their 60 Minute and 90 Minute IPAs, which are (as you might have guessed) continuously hopped for 60 and 90 minutes, respectively.

My enjoyment of Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA is one reason why I was excited to try the Dogfish Head Squall IPA. At one of Dogfish Head’s “Alehouses,” Squall was described to me as the traditional 90 Minute Imperial Pale Ale bottled unfiltered and bottle-aged.

The result is an aromatic brew with a deep, slightly cloudy copper color. The nose is hoppy with an inviting grapefruit tinge.

Squall reveals many classic flavors from Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA: rich, sweet maltiness, dried fruit, and pine. Added to the mix is a creaminess that the standard 90 Minute lacks.

This is a rich beer with both power and finesse. It goes great with cigars that are similarly powerful yet refined. The Nicaraguan spice in the Tatuaje Black, Illusione, and Padilla 1932 fit the bill.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Long before the 107, Broadway, and Guillermo León blends were released, the 1495 Series was a top seller for La Aurora, the Dominican’s oldest cigar maker.

“This edition of La Aurora pays tribute to the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican land of cigar, founded in 1495 by Christopher Columbus in the heart of El Cibao,” according to La Aurora’s website. Originally released in 2005, and still in production with four vitolas, 1495 is comprised of a Sumatra Ecuador wrapper, a corojo binder, and a filler blend of Peruvian ligero, corojo, Nicaraguan, and piloto cubano tobacco.

The new 1495 B.M.E. is a spinoff of the original 1495, pairing this same binder and filler recipe with new wrappers. The “Dominicana” version, for instance, sports a clean Dominican corojo wrapper, a moderately firm feel, and faint pre-light notes of caramel and raisin. The blend’s only size sells for around $10 and measures 5.75 inches long with a ring gauge of 54. It was named 25th on Cigar Aficionado’s list of the top 25 smokes of 2010.

Once lit, the flavor gets off to a fast start with a cedary, medium-bodied profile. Dry, woodsy spice is prevalent with background notes of cocoa and graham cracker. The aftertaste is a mixture of citrus, black pepper, and peanut. Flavors as varied as these yield outstanding balance and a fine aroma. As a bonus—while the taste doesn’t change much from light to nub, aside from settling at the midway point and then intensifying towards the end—the intricacy of the profile keeps things very interesting. Never does the Dominicana become boring or monotonous.

Near-perfect construction only enhances the experience. All of the samples I smoked for this review displayed straight burn lines, clear draws, and solid ashes that held firm for more than an inch.

I’m highly recommending this incarnation of the original 1495 Series. If you’d like to try the Dominicana yourself, don’t expect to find it online or in a catalogue. B.M.E., after all, stands for “Brick and Mortar Exclusive,” so you’ll have to check with your local tobacconist if you’re interested in the Dominicana or one of the other B.M.E. varieties (Brazilian, Ecuadorian, or Nicaraguan). Your efforts will reward you with an outstanding medium-bodied cigar, one that’s worthy of four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Since their debut in 2003, Tatuaje cigars have been highly acclaimed. Created by Pete Johnson, then buyer for the exclusive Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills, Tatuaje was named the most in-demand cigar of 2009 by Cigar Aficionado.

These days, Johnson has expanded his cigar line, and in addition to several Tatuaje blends, he now produces Cabaiguan, La Riqueza, Ambos Mundos, La Verite, and El Triunfador. The latter, Spanish for “triumphant,” is marketed as an “Old World, medium-bodied, Cuban-style cigar” and sold in seven vitolas.

Back when the line was introduced in 2008, though, El Triunfador only came in one size: a Lancero. It also had a different blend, consisting of a Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper.

The new El Triunfador debuted in March 2010. It features a Habano Ecuador wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, as well as a new band. The Lonsdale (6.5 x 42), which retails for around $7, has a rugged, oily wrapper, a beautiful triple cap, a slight box press, and a pre-light aroma of oak and honey.

I was expecting this cigar to start off fairly mild and then settle in to the medium-bodied range around the midway point. That’s what I had heard and read, anyways. But the Lonsdale caught me off guard when it kicked off with a bold, spicy profile of dark coffee, dry cedar, pepper, and leather.

After a half inch or so, the taste mellows to include more sweetness and more balance. While I wouldn’t describe El Triunfador as mild by any means, I can see how some cigar enthusiasts would find the Lonsdale to be less aggressive than the smokes in their normal repertoire. Regardless of your perspective, though, this is a delicious, harmonious specimen with a taste and an aroma befitting a cigar in this price range.

The combustion qualities are likewise impressive, with a fairly solid white ash and a straight burn line. The draw is effortless despite the Lonsdale’s narrow ring gauge and well-packed tobaccos.

I don’t think I’ll surprise anyone when I say that this is a fine cigar. El Triunfador Lonsdale exemplifies the quality many of us have come to expect from Pete Johnson’s creations, making it worthy 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.”

Last year, P.G. Cigars celebrated it’s 20th anniversary and introduced the limited edition Symphony to commemorate the occasion. Originally introduced in a Toro, the blend will soon be expanded to include a Short Robusto and this large Salomones size that will sell for around $20. Wrapped in an oily, medium brown wrapper, the Salomones has an elegant presentation. Roasted earthy notes dominate and are complemented by a subtle combination of oak, molasses sweetness, and wine-like tannins. The expertly constructed blend bounces around from full-bodied to medium and back, making for an entertaining two hours.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

State legislatures all around the country are in session, and that means cigar rights are in danger. From coast to coast, bills are being considered that would curb the rights of cigar smokers. Fortunately, Cigar Rights of America and the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association are keeping cigar smokers updated. Here are a few of the bills from around the country to watch out for:

California is considering a bill that would ban smoking statewide in all indoor locations except private residences. SB 575 would ban smoking in all retail tobacco businesses, private clubs, hotel lobbies, bars, taverns, banquet rooms, warehouse facilities, and employee break rooms.

Kentucky is considering a bill to ban smoking in all indoor locations except private residences. Polls show Kentucky residents are evenly split on the proposed legislation.

Indiana is considering a bill that would ban smoking nearly everywhere, including cigar bar. While current cigar shops are exempt, future shops may not be.

Nebraska legislators are considering a bill (LB 436) that would severely increase the price of cigars. The bill would boost the wholesale tax on cigars and other premium tobacco products by 225%.

Maryland is considering two bills that would dramatically increases the cost of cigars. If both bills pass, tobacco excise taxes would increase by 500%.

Texas is considering a state-wide ban on smoking. The bill, introduced by a Dallas-area Republican (demonstrating that anti-Cigar Rights legislation is bipartisan), would prohibit smoking in indoor areas of most businesses, health care facilities, and sporting venues.

Washington is considering HB 1246, which would limit cigar smokers’ choices and make tobacco sales less consumer-friendly. The bill bans the sale of any tobacco that has a “distinguishable flavor or aroma other than tobacco”, including flavored or infused cigars, such as Acid, and flavored pipe tobacco. The bill would force tobacco to be kept behind a counter at most tobacco retailers, though dedicated cigar shops appear to be exempt.

As you can see, anti-cigar legislation is moving all around the country. It is critical that lawmakers hear from their constituents if these measures are to be defeated. And this is just a small selection of pending legislation. To keep up-to-date on all the anti-cigar legislation in your area, we recommend subscribing to updates from the CRA and constantly monitoring the IPCPR legislation page.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys