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.

This slender Altadis-made cigar (5.75 x 43) features top-quality construction. The taste, however, leaves much to be desired. Save for some notes of sweet hay and grass, I didn’t get anything out of this Ecuadorian Connecticut shade-wrapped stick. Sure, the VegaFina Corona only costs about $2-4 apiece. But you’d be better off spending twice as much for more flavor.

Verdict = Sell.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The trend at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show, if there was just one, was affordable smokes, and Brioso certainly fits that bill. The blend was introduced by General Cigar at this year’s showin New Orleans and will be available soon for around $3-4.

As explained to us at the convention, General Cigar took many measures keep this cigar in that affordable price range, including giving their blenders a mandate to keep the cigar under $4. While they were careful to say that Brioso isn’t a “bundle cigar,” it does come in a display case, rather than a box, which can then be refilled with unboxed (some might call them bundled) smokes. The name, we were told, was picked from the many unused names that General Cigar owns; it means “lively and spirited” in Spanish.

As for the cigar itself, it features a Honduran Jamastran wrapper, a  Connecticut habano binder, and a blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan,  and four types of Mexican filler tobacco. The wrapper, framed by a rather simple band, has a slightly dry appearance, but its deep brown color is inviting.

Once lit, Brioso has a combination of earth and warm tobacco flavors. It is rather simplistic and medium-bodied. Occasionally the cigar has a somewhat unpleasant damp flavor that detracts from the otherwise enjoyable, if uncomplicated, profile.

As I’ve come to expect from General Cigar’s products, the construction is superb. The draw has just the right amount of resistance, the burn is even, and the ash is stable enough to last an inch at a time.

All it all, Brioso is a cigar that will compete nicely with similarly priced sticks. But if your expectations are too high you’ll be disappointed. I suspect company representatives would admit that you won’t be mistaking Brioso for the deep powerful flavors of a Punch or even the complexity of La Gloria Cubana (both also made by General Cigar).

Still, Brioso is serviceable cigar at a good price that I’d be glad to smoke on the golf course, or give to a friend who doesn’t yet have the palate to fully enjoy something with more complexity.  In the end, that combination earns the Brioso Robusto three stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One of the “second tier” Cuban cigar brands, Por Larrañaga doesn’t get the acclaim or attention given to Montecristo, Cohiba, or Romeo y Julieta.

But sometimes finding that under-the-radar gem can be even more rewarding. And given it’s easy-on-the-wallet price of under $4, this small five inch by 37 ring gauge Panetela certainly has the makings of an undervalued find.

The little stick features a veiny golden wrapper that isn’t particularly pretty—we both experienced small breaks and tears. With a slight box-press, nearly complete lack of pre-light aroma, and a somewhat spongy feel, it doesn’t appear to have been rolled by an expert, and it doesn’t inspire particularly high expectations.

Once lit, a slightly leathery start soon becomes a a consistent mixture of oak and cream. As you would expect from a small smoke, it’s not terribly complex. But it’s still pleasantly surprising. The flavors are rich and smooth, even if the smoke is on the mild side.

While the appearance leads you to think construction might be an issue, there are no major flaws. The ash is somewhat unstable, a function partially of the cigar’s small width, but the draw is easy and the burn admirably straight.

Ultimately, the JFK size of this cigar makes it perfect for a cup of coffee or a short break. Por Larrañaga has been produced continuously since 1834, making it the longest running Cuban brand still in production.

If they keep making impressive, affordable gems like the Por Larrañaga Panetela, we hope that run continues for centuries to come. For that, this Cuban earns a rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick S & George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Some would say Zaya runs an unnecessary risk by declaring itself “the world’s finest sipping rum.” That’s a lot of live up to. Fortunately, from this rum-lover’s perspective, I don’t think their claim is all that outlandish.

Zaya’s Gran Reserva 12 Year Old is hand-blended with 3-5 rums, five times distilled, and aged in white oak barrels for no less than 12 years. The result is an impressive, complex product that has earned notable industry accolades. Zaya was awarded gold at this year’s Ministry of Rum tasting in Miami, as well as double gold at the 2007 Spirit Competition in San Francisco.

Initially a product of Guatemala, the company recently relocated their operations to Trinidad “to provide a plentiful supply of Zaya Rum without compromising on quality or taste,” according to a spokesperson. Apparently Trinidad was a natural fit given the island’s history of outstanding rum production.

Zaya’s bottle, handsomely adorned with a wicker neck, shows off the 12 Year Old’s rich ruby color. The leggy pour takes on more of an amber hue as it hits the glass, then the nose opens considerably to reveal bright aromas of honey, walnut, and vanilla.

The taste, rounded nicely with a slash of water or a few ice cubes, displays a crisp interplay between sweetness and spice. While syrup and oak are at the forefront, notes of coconut, cinnamon butter, and peanut brittle add depth. The finish is long yet subdued with a gentle heat and a spicy tingle. True to its slogan, Zaya is dangerously easy to sip.

The overall effect is as balanced and complex as any rum I’ve tried in this price range. So, with an MSRP of $34.99 per 750 ml. bottle (80 proof), Zaya Gran Reserva 12 Year Old is approachable in both taste and price.

A great rum like this pairs well with most sticks, but I think the most complementary cigars run in the mild- to medium-bodied range and lack much sweetness. Try the Camacho Connecticut, Isla de Cuba Classic, or the Cuban Crafters Cubano Claro on for size. I trust you’ll be pleased.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Among the dozens of cigars that recently debuted at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association Trade Show, perhaps none was more welcome than CAO’s La Traviata. Many enthusiasts told us, both in person in New Orleans and via email since the convention, that they couldn’t wait to try this new release.

And why shouldn’t they be excited? With its rich and oily Ecuadorian habano wrapper, ultra firm touch, and hearty pre-light notes of leather and molasses, La Traviata makes a great first impression. And the price is even better. CAO is offering this three-vitola blend with a suggested retail of $4.95 to $5.75 per cigar—a welcome price range in today’s turbulent economy.

Adding to La Traviata’s appeal is the fact that it represents a departure for CAO. The Nashville-based manufacturer is best known for its slick marketing and innovative blends. But this new line, which “harkens back to pre-nationalization Havana,” is traditional with a classic charm.

The “La Traviata” brand was initially launched in Cuba over 100 years ago at the Tabacalera Cubana, Agramonte no. 106, in Havana. CAO built this modern-day incarnation to abide “closely to [La Traviata’s] original Cuban roots in presentation and taste.”

Marketed as full-bodied, it includes a Cameroon binder and two different ligero filler tobaccos from the Pueblo Nuevo farm in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

The five inch by 50 ring gauge Divino starts with a profile of mild leather, sweet cedar, and black pepper. With a dense yet reasonable draw, the taste develops after the first inch to include notes of cream and roasted nuts. Here, after the first inch, is where the flavor is most nuanced and satisfying.

The slow-burning Divino is fairly consistent to the nub in both taste and construction, the latter of which is near perfect. In order to counteract this robusto’s infrequent bitterness, a setback that should improve as this young tobacco ages, try pairing it with a sweet rum-based cocktail.

No matter what you drink, though, you’ll likely be impressed by La Traviata—even if it doesn’t remind you of a pre-embargo Cuban. It delivers in taste and performance far above what you’d expect for the price. For that, the Divino earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

[Editors’ Note: Even though co-founders Patrick A and Patrick S are back from the 77th annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show, they still have plenty more to share. Below are some updates that we didn’t  get a chance to include from our first three days of coverage in New Orleans.]

CAO’s La Traviata: One of the most interesting new releases is CAO’s La Traviata. Named after an old Cuban brand with a recently-expired trademark, the brand is CAO’s attempt to create a classic Cuban flavor profile. It utilizes an Ecuadorian habano wrapper combined with a Cameroon binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos. La Traviata comes in three sizes—robusto, toro, and Churchill—and carries an extremely approachable price tag of $4.95-5.75.

Rocky Patel Updates His Classics: Rocky Patel unveiled three new smokes as we detailed in tour IPCPR preview, but also of note was that he updated the packaging of some of the smokes that brought him to fame. Such staples as the Vintage 1992 and Nording look completely different. The 1992, for example, now carries dual black bands to differentiate it from the Vintage 1990 line. In addition, the Rocky Patel Decade, Vintage 1990, and Vintage 1999 are all getting newly designed tubos.

New Davidoff Maduro Coming: While Davidoff had many new and beautiful (and pricey) humidors and accessories on display, we were most excited to hear about the second size for the Davidoff Maduro, which was announced last year. Due to hit stores October, the corona size joins the robusto in Davidoff’s maduro line. Also of note from Davidoff was the new 2009 Limited Edition Toro Especial, featuring a Colorado claro wrapper.

Toraño Unveils Exodus 50: Charlie Toraño told us about his new cigar, the Exodus 50 Years, created in honor of  the 50th Anniversary of his family’s departure from Cuba in 1959. The blend comes in three sizes:  robusto (5 x 50), torpedo (5.5 x 52), and toro (6 x 48).

[View all of our shots from the IPCPR Trade Show at the official StogieGuys.com Flickr album.]

–Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Information on the Diez Small Batch No. 2 (6.25 x 54) is almost as tough to come by as the cigar itself. La Flor Dominicana’s website doesn’t appear to have been updated recently as it lists only the Small Batch No. 1.

 This cigar is flawlessly constructed with a perfect triple cap and minimal veins. The wrapper has a slight tooth that gives the cigar a rough feel. Pre-light, the aroma is predominantly of leather with a hint of sweet tobacco. The triple cap clips off effortlessly and the draw confirms the leather smell and sweetness.

The foot lights easily and the draw, as expected in such a wide cigar, is easy with just the right amount of resistance. On the first puff a large volume of creamy smoke coats my palate and tastes predominately of cedar with leather notes in the background.

About an inch in, the cedar fades slightly and the taste of red pepper emerges along with some roasted nut flavors. The overall effect is more balanced than spicy.

As the cigar progress, the burn is razor-sharp and the nice ash is solid, light, and gray. I start to notice some cinnamon and caramel notes at about the halfway mark.

All of these flavors—from red pepper and cinnamon to caramel and roasted nuts—fade in and out for the remainder of the cigar. A hint of spice enters the equation in the final third but never becomes dominant. The burn is excellent and requires no maintenance during the two-hour smoke.

The one constant flavor element in this cigar is that there is always some sort of sweetness present, either from the cedar, caramel, or red pepper. And while the core flavor is of cedar, fortunately no single flavor overpowers the others.

That makes the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 2, which retails for about $16 apiece, an exceptionally complex and well-balanced cigar. For its wonderful construction, complexity, and poise, it earns five out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. A list of other five stogie-rated cigars can be found here.]

–Patrick M

photo credit: Stogie Guys