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 corojo, in my humble opinion, does not rank as one of Pepin’s great creations. I enjoy the Robusto’s (5 x 50) taste, noting how it transitions from dry spice to cream to warm tobacco, but would appreciate more balance and less bitterness. The meandering burn also leaves something to be desired. For $6, I am neither regretful nor thrilled—I am, however, willing to trade my remaining stash of Cuban Classics for Blue Labels instead.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I think it’s difficult to smoke cigars very long without having a few questions that don’t seem to ever get asked—or answered, for that matter—at your local B&M or on any of the cigar websites and podcasts.

Here’s one that’s been bugging me for years: Who smokes all those cigars you’ve never heard of or seen that they sell in the catalogs? I mean, honestly, have you ever spotted anyone smoking one of them? Imagine someone sitting at home thinking to himself, “Gee, I’m glad this company offers overnight shipping for only $25 more because I just can’t wait to start smoking that bundle of Mexican factory seconds.”

Speaking of catalogs, why is it necessary to print and mail them so frequently when about 90 percent of the content is the same time after time after time?

Then there’s the matter of boutique cigar manufacturers. In an industry steeped in Latin culture and language, why use a French word to describe the smaller cigar makers? It’s somewhat similar to the way ring gauges are calculated and the lengths of cigars are measured. While ring gauges seem to be universally stated in measurements of 64ths of an inch regardless of the country, most of the rest of the world uses the metric system.

I know it’s cheaper, but how can humidor makers—even those that turn out the flimsiest, poorest boxes imaginable—continue to include floral foam as a humidification device? Hey, charge $1 or $2 more and put beads in that will actually work!

Finally, I submit the photograph (above right) from a recent cigar company catalog. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at the meeting where someone OK’d this picture as a fine example of their wares that would surely make customers want to part with their money.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

The latest release from EO Brands stands apart from the company’s highly praised 601 series, though they’re all blended by Pepin Garcia and rolled in his Nicaraguan factory.

Visually, there’s the rough Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra wrapper. More importantly, the Cubao’s flavor profile is different with not as much pepper and a complexity that is enhanced by a smoothness and a little dryness—reminiscent of some good Cubans.

According to EO partner Erik Espinosa, the response since the IPCPR introduction has been exceptional. The first shipments went to four shops on a Monday and reorders were in just eight days later, he said.

I met Espinosa recently at a Cubao event at MJM Fine Cigars. An old hand at these kinds of affairs, Espinosa entertained smokers with stories, jokes, and cigar conversations. I’d been lucky enough to smoke a couple of Cubao robustos earlier, and was primed to buy a box before I arrived.

The robusto is a 5.5 inch stick with a 52 ring gauge that I bought individually for $6.80. (It is important to note that the No. 6 is slightly larger than the No. 4, which Patrick A and Patrick S jointly reviewed a few weeks ago, even though both fit into a loose definition of a robusto.)

A box of 20 is under $120. So far, all that I’ve smoked have burned evenly, had good draws, and consistent flavors. The Nicaraguan filler and binder burned slowly and produced thick, white smoke.

EO creates an interesting juxtaposition with the old-world look of distressed wooden boxes and simple paper bands combined with 21st century bar code labels on the cellophane of each stick.

When looking to create new blends, Espinosa said, it is getting more and more difficult to secure adequate supplies of top-quality tobacco. “I could make the greatest cigar in the world,” he said. “But if I can only make one box of them, what good is that?”

I truly enjoy the Cubao. I find it to be a flavorful medium-strength cigar that rewards attention each time with complexity and consistency. I give it four and a half stogies out of five.

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

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

For former real estate entrepreneur Paul Garmirian, it all started with The Gourmet Guide to Cigars (1990). He spent nine years researching and writing the book, landing solid cigar contacts in the Dominican Republic and gaining the confidence to produce his own blend.

The very first PG cigars were officially released nationwide at a dinner in Chicago in 1991. Since then, according to U.S. News & World Report, they have become favorites among many politicians and celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Letterman, and the last three presidents.

Paul expanded his operations in 1991 with the introduction of Gourmet Series II. Offered in Torpedo and Robusto—and later in Connoisseur and Belicoso Fino—the blend features a Connecticut shade wrapper and Dominican binder and filler tobaccos, all handmade in Santiago.

The 5 inch, 50 ring gauge Robusto has a suggested retail of $237.50 for a box of 25 or $38 for a four-pack. Relatively firm to the touch, I found rich, salty notes off the head after a clean clip and conspicuous wrinkles and veins across the pale brown wrapper. The overall feel is one of quality and craftsmanship.

The opening puffs are salty with a parched oak flavor and some hints of cream. I was surprised by the overpowering dryness of the smoke, especially given PG’s commitment to balance, a running theme at their recent “Cut and Taste” event at Morton’s. Fortunately, after the first few minutes I found more parity with the additions of smooth butter and red cedar spice. The mild- to medium-bodied profile works well on its own, but I find is best enjoyed as a complement to drink and cuisine.

While the flavor is enjoyable, the $9.50 per cigar price tag is primarily justified by the cigar’s construction. I smoked two Robustos for this review, each with clear draws, solid ashes, and burns as straight as you’ll find on any cigar.

All told, my rather obvious conclusion is that this cigar isn’t a great choice if you’re trying to save money. But if you’re operating with disposable income to spare—or if you just need a special treat—this choice offers subdued elegance and balance. I give the Paul Garmirian Gourmet II Robusto three and a half stogies out of five.

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

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

After devoting two Stogie Spirits articles to scotch and having both be blends, I thought it was time that I turned my attention to a single malt. Compared to many scotches, the Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year is relatively easy to find, and the price is $40-50 a bottle—quite reasonable considering the lofty prices that many single malts fetch.

But the Balvenie Doublewood isn’t an ordinary scotch. Halfway through the twelve-year distilling process the scotch is transferred from one barrel to another, hence “Doublewood,” as explained on Balvenie’s website:

The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. During its period of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt—the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour.

The description is apt. The Balvenie is far smoother than many single malts with little of the burning that sometimes accompanies the initial smell. Instead, on the nose I find oak, vanilla, and honeycomb. The color is a medium brown caramel.

On the palate, I find more of the wood notes, with oak and subtle cedar. There is a touch of citrus (orange peel perhaps) and some sherry flavors, likely imparted by the sherry cask. The finish is long and balanced.

My overall experience with this scotch can be summed up in one word: smooth. From the nose to the body and the finish, the whiskey is balanced and never harsh. This makes it a very approachable single malt for those just getting acquainted with Scotland’s single malts, but it also has plenty of complexity for the more seasoned scotch drinker.

That combination of smooth but complex makes the Doublewood versatile when pairing with cigars. Anything from a mild/medium to full-bodied cigar would make a solid accompaniment and, in a rarity for a single malt scotch, I even think that it can stand up to the sweetness of some maduros.

Two Cuban cigars that I enjoyed with the Balvenie Doublewood were the robusto-sized Bolivar Royal Corona and the Cohiba Maduro Magicos. But don’t think for a minute that only Cuban cigars will pair with this single malt. I would also recommend the Alonso Menendez, Arturo Fuente King B, Ashton VSG, Padilla Miami, or a San Christobal.

–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.

As I fired up this four and 7/8 inches by 46 ring gauge Nicaraguan puro, I was reminded of the words of my colleague, Jon N, who lent his talents to Keepers of the Flame for a guest review. “This little cigar has a bit of a Napoleon complex,” he wrote. “It’s short, but it’s rugged and ready to rumble.” I couldn’t agree more. From the prelight notes of sweet cocoa, the earthy taste of leather and black pepper, and the fine physical properties, the Padrón Delicias Maduro is a hearty 50-minute smoke. You can rumble with one of these for around $3 apiece.

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.

After an excellent experience with the Nub Connectiut, I gave this slightly smaller 3 and 3/4 inch by 58 ring gauge Habano-wrapped Nub a whirl. More full-bodied than the Connecticut, it had strong cedar flavors with an earthy finish and flashes of spice. Unfortunately, there was also a slight chemical flavor that seemed to be dueling with far more pleasant notes of bittersweet chocolate. There were two noticeable imperfections with the construction: The wrapper was a bit veinny and multi-colored, particularly around the cap, and the burn started quite uneven, only to correct itself.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys