This is the part where I whine about how hard it is to pick ten cigars I smoked in 2015, rank them and declare them the box-worthiest of all cigars to be box-worthy in that year. The truth is, this year’s list seemed easier to compile. I quickly put together a pool or 25 or […]
Fuente Fuente OpusX Rosado Oscuro Oro (First Impressions)
As the minutes ticked by I found myself stuck. My notes weren’t ready for a Week In Smoke, and I didn’t feel motivated enough to do one of the reviews I planned for this week. But I really wanted to try one of my Fuente Fuente OpusX Rosado Oscuro Oros, a late Christmas present to […]
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark
Well, the holiday season is upon us. Even if it isn’t technically a holiday yet, it feels like one. So I decided to light up something nice this afternoon. Truth be told, I’ve been sneaking in Don Carlos Eye of the Sharks since they hit the shops a few weeks ago. I didn’t secure all […]
Exploring InterTabac 2015
Thanks to the generousity of Royal Agio Cigars and Drew Estate, Ben Lee and I had the opportunity to attend InterTabac 2015 last week. InterTabac posed an interesting challenge for us in terms of coverage for Stogie Review. It’s bigger than IPCPR spread out over five convention center halls. (Yes, five.) It has a greater […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 86
It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or the past month, or however long it has been since the last issue), […]
Aging The Opus X: Do or Don’t?
A night or two ago I was smoking a well-aged Opus X Perfecxion No. 5. As is my custom, I spent a few minutes thinking about what I was tasting- grass, caramel, cedar, maybe a little white pepper. I also noticed it didn’t seem as robust a cigar as the last few Opus X’s I’ve […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 77
It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or the past month, or however long it has been since the last issue), […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 50
It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. This one’s a little out of the ordinary, as it includes a birthday, which is traditionally my High MSRP Cigar Day. I didn’t succeed in spending a day doing nothing but burning high-end cigars, even though I made several attempts, but I […]
The Box-Worthies: Brian’s Top 10 Cigars of 2013
With 2013 now safely behind us it’s time for a top ten cigar list for 2013. I know what you’re thinking, “Top ten cigars? Whatever can that be?” Here’s how it works: What follows is a list of cigars that I most enjoyed smoking in 2013. I’ve numbered them for your convenience, but get this- […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 40
Happy New Year! If you’re reading this, you made it through another calendar. Nicely done. Whatever you thought of 2013, I hope 2014 is better year all around. Now, ideally I’d have my Top 10 list ready for your New Year’s Day enjoyment, but that’s not quite ready yet. Soon. In the meantime, I have […]