The Stogie Guys

Choosing a drink to accompany your cigar is about as individual a choice as selecting what you’re going to smoke in the first place. The drink choice can also be greatly influenced by where you happen to be smoking. A cigar bar that features only beer and wine obviously isn’t the spot to enjoy a single-malt Scotch, for example, while smoking at home offers nearly endless possibilities.

I’ve never been an alcohol drinker. Though I’ve tried almost everything, I’ve  failed to develop a taste for it. My choice of a drink to pair with a cigar is almost always coffee. Early, late, it doesn’t much matter to me. And while I prefer good coffee, I’ll usually settle for mediocre and, on occasion, choke down a cup of black swill. I drink it without cream or sweetener.

I’ve never truly gotten beyond simply preparing ground coffee at home, these days using a manual Melita drip system. While I think I’d enjoy trying lots of different roasts and regions, I have to admit I’m too lazy to go to the trouble, particularly of roasting my own beans. About as far as I’ve gone is buying beans from some of the country’s top coffee roasters, such as Intelligentsia, and grinding them myself. I do try to sample coffee anytime I see an interesting looking shop. But, nowadays, I usually settle for Starbucks (Charbucks to real coffee aficionados) that I have ground at the shop because it’s so much easier

My biggest coffee move recently has been the purchase of a two-cup Bialetti Brikka stovetop “espresso” pot. I haven’t actually gotten it broken in yet (they recommend at least three trial runs for seasoning and to make sure you’re doing it right), so I can’t comment on how the end product turns out. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy it. Even for me, it looks pretty simple.

I’m guessing that when you ask most cigar smokers what they would light up with a cup of coffee, they’d answer, “a maduro.” The dark richness of that tobacco appears as a natural complement to coffee. I wouldn’t disagree. However, I also find a mild to medium stick with a Connecticut shade wrapper can be an even better fit. Something about that fine, smooth zip in the wrapper sets off the coffee taste exquisitely. Spicy cigars, like many of Don Pepin’s creations, also suit me with coffee. The contrasting tastes and textures react pleasantly on my palate.

If you haven’t had coffee with a cigar, I’d suggest you give it a try. And if you’re already a regular coffee-drinking cigar smoker, please let the rest of us know what you recommend.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Last fall, fresh off my trip to New Orleans for the 2009 IPCPR Trade Show, I reviewed the 777 Corojo, a wonderful release from master blender Jesus Fuego. I was impressed and made a commitment to better acquaint myself with the other lines of the relatively young J. Fuego brand.

That brand, J. Fuego by the Miami-based Tabacos S.A. company, was launched in 2006 with the help of the Plasencia family. It now includes the Natural, Gran Reserva, Delirium, 777 Corojo, 777 Zero, Origen, and 777 Maduro. The latter is the subject of today’s review.

Called “triple siete,” 777 Maduro is a Nicaraguan puro complete with a four-year-old criollo maduro wrapper, a corojo binder, and filler tobaccos of the corojo and criollo varieties. It is marketed as a medium- to full-bodied blend that’s satisfying to cigar veterans and approachable to cigar rookies. Five affordable frontmarks are available: Belicoso (5.5 x 54), Corona (5.5 x 46), Grande (6 x 60), Robusto (5 x 50), and Toro (6 x 52).

I picked up a handful of Belicosos at my local tobacconist for $5.75 apiece. This vitola has a sharply pointed cap, a spongy feel, and potent pre-light notes of cocoa and peppermint. Its Jalapa-grown wrapper is dark, textured, and oily.

Upon lighting, the Belicoso displays a hearty profile of leather and espresso. The finish, a long, tingly sensation, has hints of black pepper and syrup. There’s also a smooth, chocolaty creaminess present.

That creaminess comes to the forefront towards the midway point. The spiciness mellows. Here, the Belicoso is at its finest, especially as more sweet notes enter the equation, giving the cigar a classic maduro composition. That’s about where it stays until the finish.

The construction is befitting a cigar twice the price. I noticed a straight burn, a moderate draw, and a solid gray ash.

Ultimately, while the 777 Maduro Belicoso may not have the nuances or complexities of the best maduros on the market, it is a damn fine smoke. It packs a whole lot of enjoyable flavor into a reasonably priced format. Another fine selection from Jesus Fuego, it earns 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.”

Before A.J. Fernandez created his first solo release, San Lotano, he blended cigars for a host of cigar makers. He also created Diesel and Man O’ War for online and mail-order giant Cigars International. Ruination was the full-bodied followup to the original Man O’ War, made with an Ecuadorian habano ligero wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan and Honduran filler. The Belicoso (5.7 x 56) features an impressive depth of flavor, including chewy nut, coffee, cream, leather, earth, and vanilla. It’s a full-bodied smoke with just a hint of black pepper on the finish. Available for around $6-7, the well-constructed Man O’ War is highly recommended for fans of strong, flavorful cigars.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) Tim Ozgener, president of CAO, announced this week that he is leaving the premium cigar business and the company he inherited from his father. He plans to “pursue personal business interests in his hometown of Nashville,” according to a press release. The move comes a month after Swedish Match, parent company of General Cigar, and the Scandinavian Tobacco Group—parent company of CAO and, formerly, Toraño—merged their many well-known brands under one entity. “We remain committed to CAO and are grateful to Tim for his contributions, not only to the brand but also for sharing his knowledge with the people who will continue his legacy,” said Dan Carr, president of General Cigar.

2) Not content with California’s statewide smoking restrictions, politicians in Los Angeles are considering stricter tobacco controls for America’s second-largest city. A proposed ordinance would criminalize smoking at outdoor venues like beaches, parks, and apartment commons areas.

3) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan lights up a La Traviata Maduro. Nice Tight Ash fires up an Origen. Smoking Stogie smokes the Oliva Edición Europa 2010. Stogie Review reviews a Warlock. The Perfect Draw draws on a Calibre. Cigar Inspector inspects a Partagas Salomones.

4) Deal of the Week:  CAO fans should jump all over this deal. It features seven of CAO’s finest blends with a special DVD about the development of CAO’s 4igars, all for just $35. Grab your “Conmemorativo Sampler” here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This summer marked a rebirth for Augusto Reyes, a respected cigar maker who traces his Dominican tobacco roots back six generations. It was at the industry trade show that he premiered two new lines: Signature and Sixth Generation.

Before these blends were released, Reyes had been on a hiatus following an ill-fated U.S. distribution deal for his Criollo, Epicure, Grand Cru, Nativo, and Maduro cigars. But now he’s looking to bounce back on the American scene to reclaim the fan base he built after launching his own brand.

His strategy includes the Signature series, a four-vitola lineup of Dominican puros that are dressed in beautifully intricate bands of white, green, and gold with decorative ribbons across the foot. They range in price from $6-7 each.

The Robusto (5 x 50) is an attractive cigar. Its velvety wrapper has few veins, an oily sheen, and a well-constructed cap that clips neatly. The pre-light aroma is of molasses and graham cracker.

As innocent as it looks, feels, and smells, the Robusto starts with an unexpected flare of full-bodied spice. The first few puffs are on the verge of being overly harsh and meaty. But beneath the dominant taste of leather and peppercorn is a more nuanced backdrop with a sweet aftertaste.

That nuance comes to the forefront as the profile mellows, clearing the way for a creamier base and traces of honey, nuts, and vanilla. Still, the Signature is a bold, spicy smoke through the second third. Then the finale witnesses a reintroduction of the powerful flavors from the outset.

Several of the Robustos that I sampled for this review burned without incident while others required a fair amount of maintenance. The burn line, it seems, either develops perfectly or meanders to the point of annoyance. Whichever the case, the draw is always moderate and the gray, well-layered ash is always solid.

I wouldn’t say that I’m underwhelmed by the Augusto Reyes Signature Robusto. Occasional harsh and sour notes, however, prevent this cigar’s profile from displaying its full potential. I’ll be interested to see how this young specimen develops with age. For now, it earns three stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ve been most impressed with the Master, a new release in the budget category from the Toraño Family Cigar Co. And I say that as a long-time fan of the company and its cigars.

Long known for an extraordinary ability to blend tobaccos from a wide variety of countries to create terrific cigars, with this release the Toraños have gone the other way. Charlie Toraño joined with Cuban blender Felipe Sosa for a cigar that features a Nicaraguan binder and filler (albeit from Esteli and Jalapa) with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

It is one of the most enjoyable medium-strength cigars I’ve smoked in quite awhile. I’ve smoked only the Churchill, a bargain at about $6 for a single. Construction on those I’ve tried has been excellent and the cigar burns slowly while producing volumes of smoke. The other three sizes are Robusto, Torpedo and Toro.

You won’t find the Master on the Toraño website, but in coverage promoting its release at this year’s industry trade show the cigar was described as one for sale only at B&Ms. That’s where I’ve seen it, though you can also find it online with only a minimal search.

Perhaps the first thing you’ll notice when you smoke a Master is the lower level of spice or pepper so often found in Nicaraguan tobacco. It isn’t a powerhouse. Rather, the Master is a finely balanced and flavor-filled cigar that changes as it burns. Among the more prominent flavors I found were cedar, cocoa, and sweetness woven together. The last third of the stick can get a little muddled and hot, though not terribly unpleasant.

As Toraño continues to re-make its mark in the cigar word after changing the company’s name and taking back control of its distribution, the Master is a fitting addition to its fine and expanding line. A cigar so smooth and so tasty at such an affordable price earns the Master a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

On Friday we announced that La Sirena, a new blend from Miami Cigar & Co., would officially debut in Chicago this month. That makes today as good as any to review my pre-release samples.

Blended by Don Pepin Garcia, La Sirena is the first full-bodied creation to come out of Miami Cigar’s partnership with My Father Cigars. It features a Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper, a dual binder of habano and corojo Nicaraguan tobaccos, and Nicaraguan fillers comprised of criollo ’98 corojo ’96 leaves.

La Sirena is Spanish for “mermaid.” Not content with traditional names, each of the line’s five sizes sports an ocean-inspired moniker: Sprite (5.5 x 42), The Prince (5 x 50), Divine (5.5 x 52), King Poseidon (6 x 60), and Trident (7 x 50). They retail in the $8-10 range.

The Trident is a spongy, rustic-looking cigar with a clean cap and bold pre-light notes of powdered cocoa and earth off the foot. Toothy and oily, the cigar cuts neatly to reveal an easy draw. Establishing an even burn takes hardly any effort.

The initial flavor is of dark chocolate, coffee, and black pepper. I’d describe the profile as lacking in strength yet medium- to full-bodied. It tastes as though it was blended to deliver big taste with little bite—an effect for which many cigar makers strive but few successfully achieve.

Moving into the second third, the Trident gradually increases in spice. Flavors of espresso and bittersweet chocolate become prevalent. Here, the texture of the smoke becomes chalkier and more voluminous with every puff.

That carries over into the final third, a segment of the cigar that, thankfully, doesn’t become overly bitter or meaty. That’s when I start to take note of this Estelí-made cigar’s outstanding construction. The burn is even, the draw clear, and the white ash holds firm off the foot.

All things considered, this is a fine addition to the Miami Cigar portfolio, and one that’s well-suited to the cold winter months. I award the La Sirena Trident four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys