The Stogie Guys

I thought I’d tried almost everything made under the extensive Romeo y Julieta label, not excluding some fantastic Cubans. It turns out, however, that one of the standard Altadis-made RyJ blends has, until now, managed to stay off my radar.

Introduced in 2003 to celebrate 130 years of Romeo y Julieta cigars, the Aniversario series features a light and oily Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Connecticut broadleaf binder, and a three-nation filler blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian tobaccos. It comes in five typical vitolas ranging from Churchill to Robusto and is packaged in lacquered boxes of 25.

The two six inch by 54 ring gauge Toros I smoked last weekend seemed firm enough and big enough to use as weapons. But a closer inspection revealed more nuance. Wrought with veins, wrinkles, and crannies, the light brown wrappers had the look of age and frailty, almost akin to an antique map.

That’s why I was worried when the delicate head exploded when I clipped it with my double guillotine. Fortunately, when the shards cleared, what remained was a clean cut, a smooth draw, and a tight cross-section of tobacco that smelled of mixed nuts.

Like the other sizes in this blend, the Toro ($6-7 apiece) is supposed to be a “hearty and memorable smoke.” I found it neither hearty nor memorable. Medium in flavor and light in strength, the simple and straightforward taste is of roasted almonds, straw, and damp firewood. Don’t be surprised if you lose interest after the midway point; the flavor is consistent to a fault, even for those of us who appreciate milder cigars.

The Toro’s set-it-and-forget-it physical properties, though, are excellent. The burn is straight and slow and the ash holds up to stiff winds throughout the 80-minute smoke.

In the end, this agreeable yet less-than-sensational cigar doesn’t deserve your full attention—and, depending on your taste, it may not be worth the money. But if you’re looking for a well-built companion to guide you through your morning coffee and newspaper, the Romeo y Julieta Aniversario Toro isn’t a poor choice. I give it three stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In this week of giving thanks, StogieGuys.com is pleased to announce our “What Do Cigar Rights Mean to You?” contest. Simply leave a comment answering that simple question, and you may be selected to receive the Ultimate Rocky Patel Cigar Rights Sampler. Pictured below, it features a dozen of Rocky’s finest cigars, three punch cutters, and Rocky’s new five-torch Diplomat table lighter.

Included are two of the difficult to find and highly-rated Rocky Patel Decade Torpedoes, plus two ITC 10th Anniversary Torpedoes, two Olde World Reserve Corojo Robustos, two Nording Robustos, two Java Maduro Wafes, and two of the brand new Rocky Patel Cameroon Especial Toros, all generously provided by the Duque Cigar Company.

Duque Cigar Company owner Thomas Hunter was kind enough to sponsor this contest to highlight the importance of protecting cigar rights and of the important work being done by groups like Cigar Rights of America. Describing what Cigar Rights mean to him, Hunter says:

“As the owner of a very small retail, mail order, and online cigar shop, cigar rights mean life or death for my livelihood. But as an aficionado of the hobby of cigars, they mean much more than that. For me, the hobby is a lifestyle going all the way back to watching my grandfather light a cigar on the back porch or remembering that every time my dad would bend over, a cigar would fall out of his shirt pocket. To think that we as Americans claim we are a county of rights, liberty, and freedom, it makes me sick to my stomach to think that there may be a day when I can’t smoke a cigar with my son to celebrate the birth of a grandchild.”

For your chance at the fantastic prize, leave a comment giving us your answer to the question, “What do cigar rights mean to you?” (We aren’t looking for an essay on the subject; one to three sentences will do nicely.)

In December, our esteemed panel of judges will select one top response to receive the grand prize. Just follow these rules for a chance at winning: You must be 21 or older to win. One entry per person. You must live in the continental U.S. Use a valid email so we can contact you if you win. Many thanks to the Duque Cigar Company for sponsoring the contest, and good luck!

–The Stogie Guys

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.

I’d been eager to smoke this cigar ever since 5 Vegas Gold was recently chosen the best stick with coffee by Stogie Fresh readers. The light brown Connecticut shade wrapper was a nice contrast to the black coffee I poured for my test. Smoking several, I found a consistently loose draw and a rapid burn with lots of smoke. It’s a pleasant cigar, more mild than medium, and I didn’t detect any of the pepper others have noted. I’d agree it goes well with coffee and is certainly worth a try at the low price at which any of the sticks in the Gold line are usually available.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

On the surface, while it appears as though much of the cigar industry’s innovation centers around unnecessary gadgets and tricky marketing schemes, a closer look will reveal more functional improvements. Case in point: the Double Ligero Chisel from La Flor Dominicana.

This figurado’s unique shape was a first when it was introduced in 2003. Designed by Litto Gomez, the head almost looks as if a fat lady sat on the end of what might otherwise be a torpedo. The point—pardon the expression—is to focus the smoke in a way that fits naturally in the mouth.

After recently sitting down with a couple Chisels, we can safely say that Litto’s strategy works. The head clips cleanly to reveal a neat oval-shaped plateau with a clear and concentrated draw. And in addition to the functional aspects, the improved head also brings some unique aesthetic qualities to this Ecuadorian sungrown-wrapped beauty.

Of course, all this would be moot if the 6 inch by 54 ring gauge cigar tasted like dirt. Fortunately, though, it has a satisfying woodsy flavor that includes the same salty spice you’ll find in many other La Flor Dominicana sticks. The taste is as consistent as it is complex, with subtle and unwavering notes of pepper, coffee bean, and cereals.

We were anticipating lots of flavor, and the Chisel delivers. It doesn’t, however, bring that powerful, knock-you-on-your-ass feeling that its reputation would lead you to expect. The Double Ligero line—so named for its Dominican ligero binder and filler—is supposed to be dark, full-bodied, and spicy. The other vitolas in the blend that we’ve tried certainly live up to that reputation, but the Chisel is far more laid back.

That said, despite the disconnect between its reputation and the actual flavor, this cigar has a lot to offer. The Chisel’s excellent physical characteristics and approachable yet intricate flavors can be enjoyed by attentive smokers and noobs alike, and Litto Gomez’s dedication to functional innovation should be applauded.

Don’t think twice about spending $6-7 apiece on this fine specimen, La Flor’s third best-selling stick in 2007. We give it a solid rating of four stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

This barber pole perfecto by Arganese is anything but inconspicuous. With its dueling wrappers that meticulously swirl down to a tiny foot the width of a cigarette, it’s a work of art and a testament to the skill of master cigar rollers.

I was given three samples—also known as the Arganese Edición Especial Dos Capas—at the IPCPR in Las Vegas, but Arganese’ website has no mention of the limited release. Fortunately, Arganese Vice President Sandy Corn filled me in on the details:

“The wrappers used are Connecticut from Ecuador, and Brazilian mata fina maduro. The filler is Dominican and the binder is Dominican. They come five cigars to a maroon-colored box with a velvet molded tray on the inside to cradle each cigar. They have a plastic protector sheet over the cigars and a ribbon with an Arganese crest to complete the impressive presentation. The MSRP is $50 per box. They are a limited edition cigar and will only be offered this year. Each box is numbered 1 to 1,000 and has a certificate of authenticity inside the box. There are only 1,000 made.”

The two wrappers have only a few noticeable veins. The cigar is firm and well constructed, and the twin wrappers are expertly applied so that the seam between the two almost seems like one continuous leaf. Because the two wrappers become very small near the cap, I was worried that after slicing it with my guillotine they might separate, but fortunately this never occurred.

After lighting I found a tight draw until the burn moved past the perfecto tip. The construction is impressive with the only difficulty being an uneven burn on one of the three samples that required a touch-up. The ash is solid, holding on for as long as two inches.

On flavor, I found lots of graham cracker and bittersweet chocolate. As the cigar progressed to the second half it became milder and creamier. The taste reminded me of creamy peanut butter and the finish was nutty like toasted almonds. Neither mild nor too strong, the cigar is solidly medium-bodied and well-balanced.

When I first saw this cigar I’ll admit it looked like a gimmick to me, but having smoked three I can say that gimmick or not it has smooth, complex flavors and nearly flawless construction.

I always have trouble calling any cigar that costs more than ten dollars a bargain. If you’re lucky enough to have the chance to smoke one of the 5,000 that was made, though, I’d consider $10 or $12 a fair price for the privilege of enjoying this limited cigar. Accordingly, the Arganese Edición Especial 2008 earns a surprising and impressive rating of 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 S

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.

I’ll admit I’ve never been a huge fan of mini cigars; they just don’t provide the complexities and subtleties of larger smokes. With that skepticism in mind, I recently purchased a box of 20 Brazilia minis for about $12. These little 20 ring gauge sticks have a veiny wrapper that isn’t all that attractive. The wonderful flavor is the same Brazilia profile of roasted coffee and cocoa. Not surprisingly, there wasn’t much depth in this ten-minute smoke but, all things considered, this is one of the better mini cigars I’ve tried.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

As winter approaches, the prospect of sitting outdoors for hours on end with a huge cigar becomes less and less appealing. So, for a quick burst of short-lived flavor, I recently tried a couple Petit Robustos from Hoyo de Monterrey. I thought their stubby stature and reputation as small but powerful smokes made them excellent candidates to become go-to cold weather companions.

And why shouldn’t the Petit Rubusto be up for such consideration? Since its introduction in 2004, this Cuban puro has amassed a heap of praise from both mainstream cigar publications as well as the online stogie community. Last year, for example, Cigar Aficionado named it one of “Today’s Cuban Stars” and granted the four inch by 50 ring gauge stick a generous rating of 92. “The rich, toasty, and decadent character stimulates each taste bud in an elegant, creamy way,” wrote James Suckling.

Many seem to have fallen in love with this cigar’s compact power. At around $8-12 apiece, the Petit Robusto—which makes use of leaves grown on the banks of the San Juan y Martinez River in the Vuelta Abajo region—has drawn accolades for its complex strength. Mr. Suckling says that potency may be due to Cuban factories’ use of “better-aged ligero” tobacco.

Whatever the strategy, my truncated robustos certainly engage the senses before the first light. Spongy and lumpy from head to foot, the dark, toothy wrapper smells of cocoa and espresso. And something about the color and feel of the cigar makes it seem rugged, rustic, and real. The cap clips neatly to reveal a cross-section of tightly rolled tobacco, a perplexing sight given the stick’s overall softness. The draw is smooth but deliberate.

As I expected, the initial taste of peppercorn, roasted nuts, and dry cedar is dominant enough to satisfy even the most hardened fans of Don Pepin Garcia. Fortunately, the flavor becomes less abrasive and more nuanced after the first inch with the addition of a creamy undertone. There are little to no changes for the remainder of the 40-minute smoke.

The Petit Robusto has a few physical flaws (not unlike many Cubans these days). The burn tends to meander and require a few touch-ups, and the ash is much flakier than expected.

That’s part of the reason why I can’t quite agree with the many reviewers who’ve fallen head over heels for this full-bodied cigar—no matter what the weather. In my book, the slightly longer Epicure No. 2, which sells for approximately the same price, is a much finer, more complex cigar. But if you want to try the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto yourself, let me recommend picking up a three-pack before purchasing a box. I give this stout beast three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys