The Stogie Guys

A few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find a healthy supply of Casa Magnas for sale at my local tobacconist. It goes without saying that this relatively new brand has been rather elusive since it was launched at the IPCPR Trade Show in the summer of 2008 by Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plascencia.

Casa Magna seemingly went from obscurity to overnight sensation after Cigar Aficionado gave the Colorado Robusto a rating of 93 and named it best of the year. That underscores, for better or worse, the tremendous influence the magazine wields in the world of stogies.

While I’ve learned to take CA’s reviews with a grain of salt, I had every reason to believe this Nicaraguan puro would live up to its reputation. Nearly everything I’d heard or read—including a March Quick Smoke by one of my colleagues—was overwhelmingly positive.

My expectations only increased after I examined my two Toritos (4.75 x 60), each of which cost me $6.50 apiece. The red Colorado wrappers almost seem to glisten with dotted specks of oil and tooth, and the whole stubby frame is astonishingly firm.

That density gives way to an easy draw with spice on the lips. Then, even though the pre-light aromas of honey and earth suggest a medium-bodied profile, the first inch has a bold and hearty taste of fresh mulch and black cherry. Notes of apricot and nut add complexity.

Not much changes into the second or final thirds but, as you can see, there’s plenty going on here to hold the attention of discriminating cigar enthusiasts. The interplay between sweet and salty flavors is especially satisfying, as are the fragrances of the resting smoke.

Rolled in Nestor Plascencia’s Segovia factory in Estelí, the combustion qualities are characteristic of a much pricier cigar. The slow burn requires few touch-ups, the draw remains clear throughout, and the gray ash holds strong for two inches or more. As with any stick above a 54 ring gauge, though, the Torito’s girth is awkward and slightly uncomfortable.

But it’s clear to me that the Casa Magna Colorado is worthy of its lofty repute. Even if you don’t consider the blend to be the best creation of 2008, it deserves a spot somewhere at the top of the class. I look forward to trying the other vitolas and I give the Torito four and a half 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 take on a single cigar.

Extended in name and length, this seven inch by 54 ring gauge salomon features an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The mellow flavor is of honey, cream, and cedar spice. With outstanding physical properties, the Reserva Figurados Selectos de Lujos will win you over for consistency and charm—especially if you embrace its occasional bitterness.

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 take on a single cigar.

Not long ago I wrote that it isn’t always wise to let your rarest cigars sit in your humidor forever. With that in mind, I decided that Independence Day would be the perfect occasion for this rare (and pricey) Opus X Chili Pepper, which had been in my possession for the past two years. This Dominican puro features a somewhat rustic wrapper, but it’s well-constructed and is exceptionally firm to the touch. The flavor profile has plenty of cedar and a good amount of black pepper spice—what some call a Nicaraguan bite. As the cigar progresses, a subtle sweetness balances this medium- to full-bodied figurado.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

“Operation Ortsac” (Castro spelled backwards) was how the Kennedy Administration referred to the plan for a potential military strike against Cuba in 1962. While such action never came to fruition, Ortsac will forever be associated with the frightening days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Washington’s strained relationship with Havana.

That tension helps explain why it has been illegal for Americans to buy Cuban cigars (or any other good or service for that matter) for almost 50 years. Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that a company has adopted the name “Ortsac 1962” for its flagship line, marketing it with camouflage print and military gear. Or maybe it’s just silly. You decide. Either way, I’m more concerned with how this relatively new blend smokes than how it’s marketed.

Launched this spring by The Cigar Agency the Ortsac 1962 blend includes a five-year-old Nicaraguan corojo wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of long-filler tobaccos from those two nations. It is available in three standard vitolas and packaged in “authentic 50-caliber ammo cans” of 72 sticks. No kidding. They’re also available in a more standard 20 count box.

The Toro (6.5 x 54) is an attractive, oily parejo with a well-applied cap. My samples included several prominent veins, subtle seams, and pre-light notes of milk chocolate and sweet caramel. This cigar has the look and feel of quality—especially after the foot band is removed.

With flavors of earth, leather, and cedar, the Ortsac 1962 Toro gets off to a solid start. A tad spicy but mostly on the lighter side of the cigar spectrum. And the physical properties are likewise promising, as a thick, black mascara leads the charge for an even burn and a powdery, white ash.

Then, about two inches into the 90-minute smoke, the burn line starts to require touch-ups and the taste takes a bit of a salty turn. But even though some creamy or sweet notes would help with balance, the profile is still satisfying and enjoyable with plenty of character.

While this $5-6 stick won’t utterly captivate seasoned cigar veterans, it won’t disappoint either. Its admirable construction and consistent medium-bodied profile makes it well-suited for the golf course, a road trip, or an evening  summer barbeque. For that, the Ortsac 1962 Toro earns three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I think of summer I think of rum drinks. And when I think of rum drinks one of the first cocktails that comes to mind is a classic: Mount Gay Tonic.

The recipe is easy: a handful of ice cubes, a few ounces of Mount Gay Eclipse rum, tonic water, and a lime. The result is a refreshing drink with the caramel and banana that defines Mount Gay Eclipse, but mixed with tonic so its goes down easy.

And if you don’t think that a drink called the Mount Gay Tonic is manly enough, just keep this in mind: The first drink James Bond orders in Casino Royale isn’t a dry martini, shaken not stirred (also known as a weak martini), but a Mount Gay and soda, the twin brother of the Mount Gay Tonic.

As for cigars, you’ll want to shy away from anything too powerful, so stick with mild- or medium-bodied smokes that won’t overpower this crisp, spirited drink. A Connecticut-wrapped smoke like the Nub Connecticut or Cuban Crafters Medina 1959 will go perfectly. On the other hand, I also found that a medium-bodied maduro like the Romeo y Julieta Vintage Maduro makes for a nice complement.

No matter what cigar you pair with the Mount Gay tonic, it’ll be a perfect pairing for the beach or by the pool on a hot summer afternoon.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I admire a guy like Sam Leccia. It takes a lot of guts to go from being an employee with a steady paycheck to a true cigar entrepreneur. But that’s exactly what this Pittsburgh native did when he left his position as a sales representative at the Oliva Cigar Company to found his own lineup of smokes.

The concept for Nub was born of Leccia’s appreciation for the “dedication, passion, and manpower it takes to create a cigar.” It was during his time at Oliva, circa 2006, that he hatched the idea for “a high quality cigar that developed its optimum flavor extremely quickly.” He ultimately concluded that a short, stubby format provided for a cooler, tastier smoking experience.

After getting Oliva on board (Leccia reportedly rolled the prototype himself), Nub launched in the spring of 2008 with three blends: Connecticut, Cameroon, and Habano. Each includes Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.

The Habano blend is supposed to be the most robust and most complex of the lot. I paid $6.50 apiece for the two Nub Habano 464 Torpedos (4 x 64) that I sampled for this review, but you can find them for around $5.50 apiece online when bought by the box of 24.

This cigar’s stubby, pointed posture and firm feel makes it look like it could be discharged from a firearm. Despite its aggressive appearance, though, the reddish-brown 464 Torpedo is a very refined stick. Its well-crafted cap cuts cleanly to reveal a tight cross-section of tobacco and an even draw. Spice tingles the lips and the pre-light aroma of rich coffee, bitter chocolate, and leather sets the tone for the full-flavored experience that is to follow.

Even though the area of the foot is far bigger than cigars with more standard ring gauges, it’s surprisingly easy to establish an even burn line and get the gray, sandy ash to start layering. Take a few moments to enjoy the toasted scent of pepper and firewood before tasting the first puff.

Whether or not you believe in Leccia’s “sweet spot” theory, you can’t deny that Nub Habano packs a powerful punch from the get-go. The flavor has plenty of that deep tobacco taste with traces of pepper, oak, and espresso. Faint notes of sweet caramel add balance.

While I couldn’t force myself to stand the Nub Habano up on its ash—a pose that is prominently featured in Nub marketing materials—the excellent construction leads me to believe that I could have done so without incident. My samples included decent burns, well-fortified ashes, and excellent draws. It’s also worth noting that I especially enjoy this particular vitola because, given the cone-shaped head, it still feels like I’m smoking a cigar with a mere 48 ring gauge.

When it’s all said and done, and after the spice gently accelerates until there’s nothing left to smoke, I have to give Sam Leccia and Oliva a lot of credit for creating a unique, well-built cigar. I’m especially grateful that the Nub Habano 464 Torpedo maintains balance and nuance throughout the 45-minute smoke. For avoiding the pitfall of many full-bodied cigars—all strength and no complexity—this hearty gem 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 take on a single cigar.

This blend of Brazilian and Nicaraguan tobaccos has been a staple in my humidor for years. But since I’ve somehow managed to avoid the Piranha (4.5 x 46), I decided to pick up a couple at my local B&M for $5.50 apiece. These dark beauties, like the others in the Brazilia lineup, feature rich flavors of dark chocolate and coffee with a strapping white ash. While I still think the Ipanema vitola takes the cake, the Piranha is a nice option if you’re shorter on time.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys