Stogie Geeks Episode 21 – “Who’s Your Daddy?”

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Ocean State Cigars

Stogie of the Week

This week we are drinking

Ron Flor de Cana 18 Year Centenario Gold

What We Have Been Smoking

Paul’s List

1. Arturo Fuente Shark – Epic. Oasis. Poured flavors and smoke the entire time, subtle spice, sweet, satisfying. SMOKE OF THE WEEK. Wrapper : Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro Binder : Dominican Republic Filler : Dominican Republic
2. La Aurora Escogidos – Excellent medium body smoke, carmel-style flavors, not overly complex, great with coffee. At $3 a stick, I would say pretty close to box-worthy Wrapper: Cameroon Binder: Dominican Republic Filler: Dominican Republic (Stogie Review)
3. Bolivar Corona – Solid cuban smoke, very smooth, earth and some wood. Box Worthy
4. EP Carrillo New Wave Short Run – Not a fan of this in 60 ring, robusto is way better. Wrapper : Ecuadorian Connecticut Filler : Dominican & Nicaraguan Binder : Connecticut Broadleaf Cigar Inspector Review
5. Opus X Scorpio 2009 – SOLID smoke from the 2009 CFCF box. Nice balance of strength, leather, and spice.
6. PG 15th Anniversary Torpedo – Amazing sweetness in the first third (almost fruity flavors), great spice, nice finish (Strong on the finish). I’m saying fiver now, but want to smoke more which could lead to a box worthy rating. “Nicaraguan wrappers, Dominican binders, and filler leaves from the Dominican farms that grew tobacco for the inaugural PGs.” Stogie Guys Review
7. Julius Caesar Robusto – Solid robust for $10, could smoke this just about anytime, don’t need to be “in the mood” for it. Smooth. Wrapper: Havana Seed Ecuadorian Binder:Central American Filler: Central American Country: Dominican Republic (Nice Tight Ash)
8. CroMagnon Anthrapology – Nice smoke, great finish, awesome flavors. Slow burner. Fiver. Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: US Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro Binder: Cameroon Filler: Nicaraguan: Esteli, Condega, and Esteli
9. Opus X LFMF 2009 -One word: Flat. I was excited about this one too, just didn’t hold up.
10. Four Kicks from Crown Heads – Great easy, “I’m hanging out on my deck” kinda smoke. Nice flavors and construction. Fiver. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan
11. La Aurora Cameroon Robusto – Awesome cameroon sweetness, burn this one anytime, well-balanced. Box Worthy. Wrapper: Cameroon Binder: NicaraguaFiller: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua (Review from Stogie Guys)
12. Camacho 11/18 Conneticutt – Still my favorite Conn. with coffee. Honduran purr, just a great smoke. Curious if the newer ones smoke as good, as these have a year or two in the humi.
13. Viaje C4 Much better than I remember, age has evened out this smoke, more balance, and you can pick up subtle flavors of earth and a touch of cocoa.
14. EloGio Serie Habano & LSV Corona Extra -Great smoke! Box worthy, Nice mild flavors, sweet, touch of spice, mello, loved it.
15. VIaje TNT 2011 – Good start, mild flavors, earthy, smooth. Second half it fell apart, couldn’t keep it lit and flavors got “blah”. Wrapper : Sun Grown Corojo Filler : Nicaraguan Binder : Nicaraguan

Tim’s List

1. Gurkha The Beauty and The Beast – The Gurkha Beauty and Beast are separate blends that both measure in at 6.5 x 58. I began with the milder of the two. The Beauty sports an Ecuadorian Shade Grown Wrapper, Dominican Binder, and Nicaraguan Filler. Burn and draw were good. The cigar was mild/medium in strength and body with some of that typical sweetness I often associate with this wrapper. All went well until the last third at which time I found the smoke got bitter and harsh. “The Angler” The Beast is blended with a Aged Costa Rica Wrapper, Nicaraguan Binder, and Honduran, Dominican, Colombian fillers. Right off the bat I wasn’t impressed with the flavor profile. It had a fair amount of bitterness and the flavors seemed to clash with one another. By the end of the first third, I chucked it.
2. Padron Millennium – Wow what a gift! This twelve year old Padron had one of the most incredible pre-light draw’s in recent memory. The stick took the flame easily but seemed to be burning a bit fast. After compensating with less frequent draws I was welcomed with lots of smooth, rich Padron flavors and some underlying floral notes. The last third was where the flavors really came together and the experience approached the “Oasis” level.
3. Viaje Skull & Bones Daisy Cutter – After two years, I was finally able to get my hands on the original Skull & Bones. This 4 x 54 Petit Robusto began with a perfect balance leather, pepper, and oak. During the second half the pepper dissipated but the leather and oak continued and some sweetness crept in. The burn and draw were exceptional and it held an ash right down the band. Worth the wait. “Box Worthy”
4. Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro – This Dominican puro was gifted to me by Ben prior to Episode 20. This 5.5 x 54 Chisel smoked perfectly and presented a nice balance of leather, cedar, and spice. The second third brought some red pepper but it never crossed the line and stayed smooth. There is a reason this one was CA’s No. 3 pick for 2008. “The Fiver”
5. Liga Privada Dirty Rat – Sometimes after a rough day you just want to grab something you know will satisfy and relax you. The Liga Privada Dirty Rat has always been one of those sticks for me. This one came from a box released in January 2012 and five months have really smoothed this smoke out. “Box Worthy” on every limited release.
6. NHC Seleccion Limitada Capa Especial – Ben from Nice Tight Ash recently sent us care packages. The smoke I was probably the most excited to try was this one. A limited release made by Pete Johnson for New Havana Cigars in 2011, these quickly gained popularity and sold out. This 6.75 x 42 Lonsdale has the same wrapper as the Tatuaje 7th Capa Especial. I really liked the vitola and think it kicked up the spice and strength compared to the 7th (Corona). The good news is these will be re-released in the near future. “The Fiver”
7. Emilio AF-1 Robusto – Blended by AJ Fernandez of San Lotano, this 5 x 50 Robusto has a Mexican San Andreas Wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. The AF-1 is rich flavored, the burn was sharp, and draw great. I enjoyed the flavor profile more than the AF-2 and would certsinly revisit. It is a solid smoke and if you enjoy a good San Andrea’s Maduro, I recommend grabbing a “Fiver” to try.
8. Lou Rodriguez Maduro Reserve Bom Bom – The Bom Bom is a 4 3/4 x 42 Petit Corona comprised of a Nicaraguan binder and filler with a Mexican San Andres wrapper. It had the most incredible rich pre-light aroma of earth, chocolate, and coffee that just made me salivate. The flavor profile matched the pre-light aroma with lots of earth, dark chocolate, leather, and spice. This little powerhouse was full strength and bodied. Burn and draw were A+. A definite “Fiver”, possibly “Box Worthy” considering it has great aging potential.
9. EloGio Serie Habano & LSV Corona Extra – Ben Lee of Nice Tight Ash had sent over a few sticks to try. Two cigars were from a company I had never heard of. EloGio is based in Esteli, Nicaragua and produces Nicaraguan Puros. I smoked the Corona Extra (6 x 42) of the Serie Habano and LSV. Both cigars were fantastic but I really enjoyed the Serie Habano. Toasty and nutty on the first half with more cedar and spice on the second. Smooth and balanced. A beautiful mild/medium bodied smoke that paired perfectly with my AM coffee. Ben stated the flavor profile reminded him of toasted marshmallows which I cannot argue with. Without a doubt “Box Worthy”. My box was delivered on Wednesday.
10. Viaje Exclusivo Tower Cigars 45th Anniversary – Also gifted to me by Ben Lee of Nice Tight Ash. The Viaje Exclusivo Tower Cigars 45th was released in the Spring of last year. A Nicaraguan puro, this Robusto was a fantastic example of what Andre Farkes is capable of! The smoke was very smooth and balanced. Flavors of earth, chocolate, dried fruit and a hint of pepper were present. Not one flavor dominated and this made it difficult to pull each one out since they were so well balanced. All I know is I enjoyed this smoke immensely. No doubt “Box Worthy” but unfortunately they are long gone.
11. Arturo Fuente Short Story – Gifted to us by Alex(mwlabel on BOTL.org). Classic smoke + old yellow cello = WIN Thanks Alex! “Box Worthy”
12. Curivari El Gran Rey Belicosos – Cuban Criollo and Corojo seed grown in Nicaragua. Medium body and strength. This smok started a little flat for me but the flavors entered slowly with the last third being the most flavorfull and enjoyable. Flavors of cedar, spice, and some honey sweetness. “The Angler”
13. Tatuaje Mexican Experiment Toro – This is the NE Blend which is a 6 x 52 Toro. The specific blend is unknown. I could not pick out all the flavors on the one stick I have tried but there were hints of cocoa, wood, and spice. The burn was a bit fast and draw a bit looser than I prefer but it did not hinder the experience. I am holding on a rating until I smoke more but it is at least a “Fiver”. I enjoyed the hell out of this smoke.

Contest Winner: J. Grotto Reserva Corona Gorda Fiver

Paul D. of Boston, MA

E.P. Carillo Dark Ritual, Bourbon, and Metasploit

Contest Winner: Paul & Stogie Santa’s Most Versatile Cigars

Peter D. (aka @SharingSmoke)

RoMa Craft Tobac Intemperance EC XVIII Charity