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P.G. STANDS FOR PURE PLEASURE!

Plus: blasts from the past, La Regenta and Tamboril

Los Angeles, August 19 – What caused the Cigar Boom of the 1990s?

No one knows for sure. But Paul Garmirian had a hand in it.

His book, The Gourmet Guide to Cigars, published in 1990, was a landmark. The first major work on the U.S. cigar scene in decades, it was an immediate hit with tobacconists and is now in its ninth printing (pictured). The strong support from his friend David Berkebile, owner of Georgetown Tobacco in Washington, D.C. began a chain of events that created the P.G. cigar. As Garmirian relates in his new edition of the Gourmet Guide:

“David Berkebile’s encouragement to make a PG cigar was actualized when a distinguished figure appeared at the RTDA booth on the first day of the [1990] show with my book in hand and said: ‘My name is Avo Uvezian.’ He complimented me on the book and told me that he was affiliated with Tabacos Dominicanos, and said: ‘You should have a cigar in your own name.’”

Avo was right. The blend was perfected in 1990 and debuted on the market late that year. In his book, Garmirian notes that distribution reached 720,000 by 1996. We thought so highly of it that we ranked it no. 5 last year among all medium-bodied cigars on the U.S. market. Here’s our report on our latest tasting:

Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series:
This is a medium-bodied blend which rewards you as soon as you light it with a perfect draw and a bright, caramelized sweetness. It has just a hint of pepper in the aroma.

The smooth, almost buttery flavor at the start can be overwhelming if you puff too hard or too quickly, so take your time and enjoy the long finish.

There’s an element of spiciness which makes itself apparent in the middle third, blending seamlessly with the caramelized base. It’s balanced, even mellow and relaxing, without any bite or aggressiveness. This is a beautiful cigar, a blend to be appreciated. But don’t save it for special occasions; it is too charming not to be enjoyed often.
Overall grade: A: Exceptional.

Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series II:
Also well-made, with a toast aroma and an easy draw. This is a more full-bodied blend than the regular Gourmet Series, filling the mouth with a spicy flavor which has an undertone of caramel.

The taste is reserved, almost shy, waiting in repose for the smoker to give it attention so its subtlety can be appreciated. To our surprise, we found it becoming sweeter in mid-course, an unusual flavor profile, but one which was quite welcome.

This is a contemplative cigar, perhaps overshadowed, but not overmatched by its big brother.
Overall grade: B+: Very Good.

In addition to the marvelous P.G. series, we also tried two other “golden oldies.” Both La Regenta, from the Canary Islands of Spain and Tamboril, from the Dominican Republic, were heralded and then disappeared in the throes of the Cigar Boom. But both are back and worth reconsideration:

La Regenta:
This was always one of the standards among mild-bodied cigars and it still is. The line now comes in tubes as well as in cellophane and it is much as we remembered.

It smokes easily with a toasty, slightly peppery aroma and has a light, slightly sweet taste that epitomizes calm. It’s soft and relaxing and does not call attention to itself, but rather relaxes you and rests easily on the palate with a short finish.

La Regenta can almost be called a “low-impact” cigar for its modest flavor profile, but it’s an excellent companion if you don’t expect too much from your cigar, especially the tubed versions. In this aspect, it’s an excellent representative of the well-made, mild-tasting cigars which are characteristic of the Canary Islands.
Overall grade: B: Good.

Tamboril Connecticut:
This was one of the brands which led the Cigar Boom when it debuted in 1996. Brilliantly packaged and showcasing a seriousness which was surprising for a new cigar company, it was a star until manufacturing, marketing and availability problems diminished its reputation and it faded away.

Now, Abraham Shafir, who created the original blend, has reintroduced it, right down to the prized Diablo size, a 7-inch by 47-ring beauty with a round head and a perfecto tip at the foot.

The Connecticut version is medium in body and has a rich, intense taste at the start with a tang of fruit-like sweetness that’s inviting and deep. Complimented by a toasty, light aroma, it has a medium finish without a hint of bite or bitterness.

The rich flavor is endearing, even while receding in the middle third and keeps you wondering what the next puff will bring . . . right to the end. It’s an interesting and entertaining cigar and priced right from $2.00-$2.70 retail (before local tobacco taxes). The Diablo is only $2.50!
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.

Tamboril Sumatra:
Immediately recognizable by its colorful red band and dark Sumatra-grown wrapper, the quality of manufacture is quite apparent and it’s easy to smoke.

There is plenty of caramelized flavor to enjoy, with a gentle undertone of pepper that isn’t so much tasted as felt on the tongue. This is a dignified and reserved blend; a “gentleman” of a cigar, with a short finish that should be smoked slowly.

While the caramelized tone remains predominant throughout, the peppery accent remains present, slightly amplified in the final third, but never argumentative or unpleasant. Well made and an excellent value at $1.85 to $2.50 each (before local tobacco taxes).
Overall grade: B+: Very Good.

Coming Monday: ever want to attend the RTDA and grab all those samples? You can get pretty close on September 28!
~ Rich Perelman

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