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[SMOKE SCREENING]
No light-bodied cigars today
Fall is here and the weather is more hospitable outside for cigar smokers. Even the South Florida heat begins to back off a little about now. The summer tourism is over and the locals begin to reclaim their beaches and restaurants. That’s less of an issue this year as the economy and gasoline prices put a damper on many vacations this season. It’s more important than ever for cigar stock purchases to be for those that turn over quickly as few shops have the cash flow now to keep excess inventories. It’s a great time to have a POS system so you know what really moves. Almost two-thirds of the top-sellers here come from only three vendors and the top-selling cigar outsells No. 2 by a 2-1 ratio. Knowing this type of information can help you more wisely spend those scarce inventory dollars.
Two cigars featured this month—the Rocky Patel Summer Collection 2008 and the Arturo Fuente Curly Head—are both produced by Florida-based companies. The third featured cigar is the Graycliff Espresso, which is produced in Nassau, Bahamas.
The Graycliff Espresso is your answer to a full-bodied cigar. For years, the company had primarily mild smokes. The Espresso came out in 2003 as a dark and rich stick that appealed to those who wanted more intensity in their smokes. The company managed to do that without making it harsh and there is no bite. This cigar ranks high with some of the best Cubans you can buy. The great thing about it is that it can be legally offered as a more than adequate substitute for customers desiring a full-bodied Cuban smoke, at a similar price. It’s pricey but I’d put it as one of the top 10 in the world for the stronger selections. The PG, a robusto, retails for about $21. The Pirate (6 x 52) and the Presidente (7 x 48) both list for $25.
Not many shops carried Graycliff in the past because the company required a $1,500 minimum initial order to buy direct; the company no longer requires that minimum. So if you want to start with one box, you may do so and, to make it even easier, if you want to try some different offerings to see how they sell, you can buy a variety of their products in a five-pack.
The Rocky Patel Summer Collection 2008 came out this summer as the first seasonal blend of four to be offered. It’s a new concept for the company but one that may be successful since customers are always looking for something new and different. It also allows the company to offer a cigar for a limited time without worrying about having many years’ worth of tobacco sitting in a warehouse somewhere. The rumors have the total boxes to be produced running between 1,500 and 10,000, depending on your source.
The light, shaded wrapper is Sumatran from Ecuador over a binder of African Cameroon covering fillers from three different regions of Nicaragua. It’s on the lighter end of a medium-bodied and -strength cigar. It has a lot of flavor and the taste changes a couple of times as the smoke progresses. The stick is smooth without a bite, but has a little peppery spice that’s not overwhelming. There is also a touch of sweetness that suits the blend. These cigars come as a robusto (5 x 50), a toro (6 1/2 x 52), a toro grande (6 x 58), and a lancero (7 x 42). They retail from $6.65 to $8.60 and come in boxes of 20. The draw can be a little firm and it may have to be relit a time or two but it’s worth it. Rocky has produced many blends and this one is above average. Of the three vendors I mentioned, Rocky is the top vendor in my shop.
Last and the least expensive cigar this month is the Arturo Fuente Curly Head. This is Fuente’s lowest-end cigar out of a host of different blends. It’s a decent cigar considering it sells in the $2 range. The stick has a mixed filler and the wrapper, binder and filler are all Dominican. They come in natural and claro wrappers. It’s medium bodied and harsher than most cigars I’ve reviewed. Inconsistent is how I would best describe all aspects of it. On some puffs, the flavor can be good, on others, non-existent in the same cigar and the burn can be uneven. They tend toward a rustic appearance, bordering on plain. Keep in mind that this is not sold as a premium cigar and the price is right. The 6.5 x 43 cigars come in boxes of 40. The packaging is clear cellophane with “A. Fuente” printed on it in white script.
I hope you enjoyed reading this month’s column. If there are any handmade, premium cigars you’d like me to review, drop me a line and let me know. If you have any suggestions or questions, send an e-mail to mike@cigarista.com. I’d love to hear from you. You can visit my Web site at www.cigarista.com. If you’re in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area, be sure to stop in and visit.
Long ashes, dear readers. TR
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