The Stogie Guys

For me, the Evan Williams brand has always conjured a negative connotation, likely because it was the rail whiskey poured by inexperienced bartenders at all of my sleazy undergraduate watering holes. But now that the days of plastic cups, flat mixer sodas, and sticky bar floors are (mostly) behind me, I’ve set out to reacquaint myself with the distiller.

Named for the Bluegrass State’s first distiller, Evan Williams is the number two seller of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in the U.S. (the first being Jim Beam). It is distilled and bottled at the Old Evan Williams Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, where Parker and Craig Beam oversee production. Corn, rye, and barley from local farmers are the main ingredients, as is a strain of yeast that has been in the Beam family for eight generations.

Like the name suggests, each bottle from the Single Barrel line originates from one specially selected barrel, which is why the bottles vary in color and flavor both within and between years. The whole idea is to create a “unique taste experience.” In line with that goal, each bottle comes complete with two born-on dates: one for the day it was placed in a charred white oak barrel to age, and one for the day it was bottled. The bottle sampled for this tasting was barreled on November 9, 1998, and bottled on June 12, 2008.

This practice of creating a new vintage every year has helped Evan Williams accumulate plenty of accolades, including “Whiskey of the Year” (The Spirit Journal, 1990) and “Spirit of the Year” (Food & Wine, 1992).

The Vintage 1998 incarnation is no exception. It earned a silver medal at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where it was heralded as “one of the best whiskey bargains around” and “a stylish and charming whiskey.” And Wine Enthusiast recently wrote it is “elegant and austere.”

This is, without a doubt, no rail spirit, and that becomes clear as the bourbon takes on a golden amber hue in the glass. With a slightly milky consistency—especially on the rocks—it presents a clean nose of butter, lemon, banana, and hay. The taste of melon, honey, and sugar is highlighted by a calming butterscotch finish. A spicy tingle creeps up at the very end, almost as if to remind you to take another sip.

While the flavor is big enough to stand up to most cigars, I think medium-bodied smokes pair best. Spice is a bonus, helping to offset some of the bourbon’s sweetness. Excellent compliments include the H. Upmann Signature, Cuban Crafters Cubano Claro, La Aurora Barrel Aged, and the Hoyo Epicure Especial.

Whatever you smoke, though, I think you’ll agree that the Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1998 is an outstanding sipping bourbon—a far cry from any rail spirit. And with a price tag in the range of $25-35 per 750 ml. bottle, you needn’t fear buyer’s remorse.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This past Saturday I attended Cigar Expo, an event put on by Famous Smoke Shop, an Easton, Pennsylvania-based retailer with a thriving online and mail-order operation. Around 600 cigar enthusiasts attended to enjoy plentiful amounts of cigars, beer, food, and good company.

Participants had the chance to talk to some of the biggest names in the business, many of whom were on hand to personally distribute their smokes. And when they weren’t talking to consumers, more than a few opened up to me with some nuggets about what we can expect in the coming months.

Jorge Padrón, for example, gave me the inside scoop on the upcoming Family Reserve release. While the details are still being worked out, he expects the blend to be ready by September 8, the anniversary of the company’s founding. The plan is to release one blend annually in one size every September thereafter.

Additionally, José and Jaime Garcia of Don Pepin Garcia cigars said they’ve been busy setting up their Nicaraguan factory, but they’re also putting out an expansion to the My Father line. Jaime was excited about the new Tobacco Baez SF, which consists of 70% long-filler and 30% short-filler to provide consumers with a lower price point of $3 per cigar.

Charlie Toraño told me that the contents of the 50th Anniversary will be revealed soon as the line rolls out. The Solomon size, which is featured in the Exodus sampler, won’t be part of the regular line.

Eddie Ortega of EO Brands gave me some details about the company’s upcoming new releases: the Cubao Maduro and the Murcielago. The Cubao Maduro will feature a similar blend to the original Cubao line, this time with an Ecuadorian broadleaf maduro wrapper. The Murcielago contains a blend of Nicaraguan and Mexican tobaccos.

George A. Rico, maker of G.A.R. cigars and also the popular Gran Habano line, is releasing the G.A.R. Vanguard, a Nicaraguan puro that uses plenty of ligero tobacco. Also on the agenda is a new limited size (6 x 66) of of his Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 blend called the “Czar,” and a Gran Habano No. 5 Double Maduro featuring a San Andreas wrapper that is due out in November. Additionally, the Gran Habano 3 Siglos line is being rebranded as the Gran Habano 3SL in response to trademark issues due to Altadis’ new Siglo cigar.

Alan Rubin (pictured above) of Alec Bradley Cigars talked about his many new releases, including the SCR, Family Blend, Vice Pressed, and Mudial. Rubin seemed most excited about the Family Blend, which was originally created as a personal blend for his father. He described the new line as a “Cuban-style” cigar that can be smoked anytime of the day, and will only be available at retailers who host Alec Bradley events.

While Rocky Patel wasn’t in attendance, his representative did give me some juicy news about what the cigar superstar is working on. One blend, called “Patel Brothers,” is being crafted with his brother Nimesh. Also on the horizon is a 12th Anniversary cigar.

Gene Arganese told me that Arganese would be releasing a CL/ML double wrap cigar, based on the CL3 and ML3 lines. He also said that he and others in the industry were concerned about the recent fire in the Picas factory in the Dominican Republic, which makes cigar boxes for a number of companies, including Arganese.

Nick Perdomo said Perdomo Cigars will be releasing a tubo version of its 10th Anniversary Champagne smoke and a Grand Cru Connecticut. He also had the quote of the day when he described the government as his “biggest competitor” during a discussion about the challenges that face the cigar industry.

Finally, I also heard that Oliva will be releasing Cain in August, a triple-fremented all-ligero cigar; Kristoff is coming out with a Sumatara-wrapped line; and Flor de Gonzalez is preparing to release the Obay Fuerte, which features an Ecuadorian habano wrapper and Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos.

And while other cigar makers were more tight-lipped about their up-and-coming projects, they hinted at big releases for the IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans. Rest assured that StogieGuys.com will be on hand to cover the event.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Dion Giolito produces two of my favorite lines: Illusione and Cruzado. The latter, launched in 2008, is a criollo ’98 blend with one component of corojo 2006. This contrats Illusione, which is a corojo blend with one component of criollo.

All six of the Cruzado vitolas are relatively narrow with ring gauges ranging from 44 and 48. This approach is unique in a marketplace where wide girths seem to be the norm.

The Cruzado Marios (7 x 47) includes a criollo rosado claro wrapper. Right out of the box, this Nicaraguan puro smells earthy and leathery.

It sports a flawless triple pigtail cap. And, on both of the samples I smoked for this review, I noticed some moderately sized veins, which impart a rustic appearance that matches the band and box.

The cap clips easily and the pre-light draw is perfect. The first few puffs offer up some nice mild spice—earth and leather with a hint of chocolate on the finish. Definitely more toned down that Illusione, probably a result of the higher criollo-to-corojo ratio and the decision to use viso tobacco instead of ligero in the filler.

About one inch in, this Churchill-shaped cigar starts to mellow. The predominant taste is leather as the spice fades.

The ash is gray and flakey, holding firmly until the inch-and-a-half mark when I dumped it into the ashtray instead of tapping the foot. The profile changes again about a third of the way through with a sharp spice, less leather, and more earth. Then, down the home stretch, the spice fades and leather becomes dominant again.

While the burn becomes ragged at the halfway mark and requires a touch-up, this flaw may have more to do with the windy conditions than the cigar’s construction. One fault that I cannot excuse, however, is the fact that the band is adhered too tightly to the wrapper, rendering its removal impossible without causing a small tear. Fortunately this doesn’t impact the smoking experience.

At around $9 apiece, the Cruzado Marios is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours and competes very nicely with other cigars this price range. For that, it earns four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick M

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.

Looking for something to spice up my Thursday lunch break, I picked up this stubby (3.75 x 54) Sam Leccia creation from a local B&M. It featured many of the flavors that you’d expect from an Ecuadorian Connecticut-wrapped stick, including cream, hay, and roasted nuts. But, likely due to its shorter format and Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos, it smokes a little hotter and bolder than anticipated. With solid physical properties and an agreeable price  (I paid $4.50), the Connecticut 354 is a good choice when you need a 40-minute afternoon fix.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

With summer officially here, I find myself skipping the straight scotch and bourbon on the rocks for more refreshing mixed drinks to pair with a cigar.  One such libation is the Firefly Spiked Palmer, made with Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

Firefly is a unique drink that is taking the Southeast by storm.  Made on Wadmalaw Island, 30 miles south of Charleston in South Carolina, it is distilled four times and infused with tea from a plantation only a few miles from the distillery. Then, to get that distinctive sweet tea taste, they blend it with Louisiana sugar cane.

The result is a vodka that tastes like a stiff sweet tea and packs a serious punch at 70 proof.  That combination of flavor and strength makes it a great candidate for a mixed drink.

Perhaps the simplest and most popular Firefly mixed drink is the Firefly Spiked Palmer, an alcoholic take on the classic Arnold Palmer. To make one, simply mix one part Firefly with one part lemonade over ice. I found that Newman’s Own Lemonade works well because it has just enough sweetness, but really any lemonade would probably get the job done.

The result is a drink that tastes dangerously like just sweet tea with a spash of lemonade, meaning you could easily drink a few too many of these.

As for cigars, you’ll need something to stand up to all that sweetness. I’ve found bold maduros, like the CAO Brazilia, Arganese ML3, or EO 601 “Blue”, do the trick.

No matter what cigar you choose, I think you’ll enjoy changing things up a bit with the Firefly Spiked Palmer. While it’s a far cry from more traditional cigar pairings like scotch, bourbon, or cognac, it’s a refreshing change of pace during these warm summer months.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I checked out the Series Gran Cru No. 2 back in April, I said I was ready to add Tesa to my short list of favorite boutiques. Today’s review reaffirms that decision in a big way.

Located in a shop on the Near North Side of the Windy City, Tesa cigars are “meticulously blended by Chicago area resident Chris Kelly and crafted in the Tesa Cigar factory in Estelí.” Their flagship house blend, Vintage Especial, features a Connecticut shade wrapper with Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. Only 80,000 sticks of each vitola are made annually.

The Rothchild vitola (no, that’s not a typo; Tesa omits the “s”) is a classically sized robusto with five inch by 50 ring gauge dimensions. Like the eight other blends in the Tabacalera Tesa lineup, it comes dressed in nothing but its birthday suit—a move that some enthusiasts find annoying but one that I’ve always admired.

Why? Because naked cigars suggest two things about their manufacturers: (1) they likely care more about tobacco than marketing and (2) they have confidence in the reputation and appearance of their creations to move their products.

With a gorgeous, seamless, and nearly vein-free wrapper, I think Tesa made a smart move by not dressing up the Vintage Especial. The four samples in my humidor were attractive enough on their own merits to grab my attention and prompt this review.

The first few puffs are salty with little else going on. But as soon as the thick, shiny mascara starts to wind its way down the cigar, I am immediately reminded of two fantastic stogies: the Davidoff Grand Cru and the PG Gourmet. The thick, superbly balanced smoke yields a delicious flavor of oak, cream, buttery nuts, and sweet hay. Mild and harmonious.

With phenomenal physical properties that include a straight-edge burn, a sturdy ash, and the slightest resistance in draw, the Tesa Vintage Especial Rothchild is an absolute treasure. It encompasses everything I love about great Connecticut shade smokes—balance and intricate subtleties that reward attentive smokers.

As with the Series Gran Cru, however, this cigar’s singular drawback is its limited availability and relatively high cost. As far as I can tell, the only way to get your hands on one of these is to either visit the shop in person or purchase it from Tesa’s online store for $13.95 per single.

I hope you don’t let those barriers discourage you from seeking one out, particularly if you’re the kind of smoker who can appreciate milder creations. I certainly am. And for all the reasons listed above, I’m pleased to award the Tesa Vintage Especial Rothchild our highest 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.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

When I started smoking cigars, the biggest factor in deciding what to buy usually was the size of the stick compared to the price. As you can probably guess, I smoked a lot of poor and mediocre Churchills.

I don’t think my “more tobacco means more for the money” approach is all that uncommon for new smokers. I’m also not so sure it’s a bad idea in the beginning. It helps provide exposure to a lot of brands, not to mention a lot of tobacco.

These days, when I’m making a purchase, I still take size into consideration. But now I’m much more apt to focus on how much time I want to devote to the cigar. And even with a lot of time, I’ve found through the years that I usually enjoy a relatively smaller size.

Consequently, I probably smoke more robustos than any other, though I’d have to say I enjoy petit coronas and the occasional lancero a lot, too.

Sometimes I’ll smoke my way through all the vitolas of a cigar brand, especially if it’s one I really like. Generally, though, I tend to concentrate on a couple of sizes at most.

Of course, there are also occasions that call for a large cigar. I’ve noted before, for instance, my affection for the Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte Madrid. This large stick (6.1 x 54) is bigger than any other cigar I regularly smoke. But I’ve tried other sizes in the line and, for my taste, none of them has that little lagniappe that makes the cigar special.

One thing I’ve wondered for a long time is what sizes are the top sellers. It would be tough to determine, since there’s no standardization for dimensions or designations. But wouldn’t it be interesting to know?

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys