The Top 7 Lucky Cigars You Picked For Patty’s Day
Celebrated in more countries than any other holiday, St. Patrick’s Day is observed annually on March 17. The indulgent festivities that surround it are due largely in part to the long-standing tradition of lifting Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol consumption for the day. All we know is, you better have a pretty good excuse lined up when you call off tomorrow.
Most tobacco publications take advantage of this celebration by showing you Claro and Candela leaf-wrapped cigars that fit the festivity’s green theme, but I decided to put the spotlight on you. Over the course of a few days, I canvassed a handful of customers at Famous Smoke Shop’s retail store and asked them what they were smoking on St. Patty’s Day and why. I also picked two answers to the same question asked during Live with the Cigar Advisors that aired on Facebook Live back on 2/21/19.
As a bonus, John, Gary, Tommy, and I also threw our picks into the mix.
Without further delay, dive into these seven lucky cigars that readers like you will be smoking today!
Joe Bilsky
Occupation: Electrician
Years Smoking: 17 years
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: CAO Flathead Steel Horse Apehanger
Why: “It’s reasonably priced and full-flavored – a smooth smoker. It’s always been consistent where other cigars haven’t been, so I keep going back.”
Size: 5 1/2″ x 58 Gordo Wrapper: CT Habano Grueso Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: CAO’s Flathead Steel Horse has been a hit since its unveiling and hasn’t lost momentum yet. These smokes are noted for dark, rich notes of cocoa, cedar, oak, and coffee. Don’t take our word for it…just ask Joe.
Kyle Magda
Occupation: Sports Writer
Years Smoking: 6 years
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Blind Man’s Bluff Connecticut Robusto
Why: “It’s got so much flavor. It’s a good smoke, it doesn’t drag me down, and it’s very smooth all the way through. It was the first cigar that was recommended to me here at Famous and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Size: 5″ x 50 Robusto Wrapper: Ecuador CT Shade Binder: Honduras Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras Body: Mellow-to-Medium
What to expect: Caldwell is one of the fastest-growing boutiques in the biz, and the popularity of these cigars is proof. Creamy notes of cedar, sweet oak, and leather with just a touch of spices underscore this blend. If you haven’t tried one, it seems that Kyle knows something you don’t.
Bob Workman
Occupation: Retired
Years Smoking: 30 years
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto
Why: “Two things. I like the flavor, and I like the strength. It’s smooth and it burns well. Normally I’d go for a regular Serie V, but for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s going to be the Melanio.”
Size: 5″ x 52 Robusto Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: Melanio has been highly-rated and sought-after for many years. Black pepper, toast, coffee, and fresh bread are ready to please your palate. If you’ve been on the fence about trying one, let Bob’s 30 years of experience serve as a hint.
Tom Mowatt
Occupation: Forklift Operator
Years Smoking: 3 years
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Liga Privada No. 9 Petite Corona
Why: “It’s the one cigar that’s perfect for every occasion – a great all-season smoke. It smells and tastes really good every time I light one up. They’re great!”
Size: 4 1/2″ x 46 Petite Corona Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: The flagship of Drew Estate’s non-infused blends, No. 9 is full-bodied and bold in flavor. Espresso and earthiness take the lead, and there’s a slight sweetness on the finish. If Tom keeps coming back to them time after time, that should tell you something…
Mike Kahn
Occupation: Tech Sector
Years Smoking: 30 years
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Padron 3000 Maduro
Why: “They’re always consistent, they always taste good, and they’re full-bodied. They have a perfect draw and aren’t too expensive.”
Size: 5 1/2″ x 52 Robusto Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Maduro Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: One of the staples in the cigar industry, Padron has been trusted for decades. With ample servings of hazelnut, sweet cream, cocoa, and coffee, these cigars smoke like chocolate bars. Mike will tell you – it’s all he buys.
MaryEllen DeSilva Anderson
Occupation: Retired Benefits Professional
Years Smoking: 20 years
What She’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Padron ’64 Anniversary Maduro
Why: “They’re consistently my favorite smoke. Those and Oliva Serie V are my go-tos!”
Size: 5 1/2″ x 50 Robusto Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: With its trademark cocoa and coffee finish, Padron 1964 is robust, bold, and exudes flavors of cedar, nuts, and a slight sweetness. MaryEllen is showing the boys how it’s done!
Robbie Van Wyngaarden
Occupation: Drafting and Design
Years Smoking: 2 years
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Caldwell The T
Why: “A couple of weeks ago, my local shop recommended these cigars to me and I really liked them. I love cigars with pepper and spice, and I love AJ Fernandez cigars, so I always grab a few of them.”
Size: 6″ x 52 Toro Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: When Robert Caldwell, AJ Fernandez, and Matt Booth get together on a project, you know you’re in for an amazing treat. Dashes of spice, oak, leather, coffee, and pepper combine with a sweetness on the finish. Two years in, and Robbie already knows an expert blend when he finds it.
Maybe we just love seeing our names in print, or maybe our favorite part of the job is sharing with you the cigars we love. Here are our picks for a perfect St. Patrick’s Day Cigar.
John Pullo
Occupation: It’s his job to look that good.
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: 601 Green Label Oscuro
Why: “I took the green angle, but not as far as the Claro cliché, and if I’m going to throw back heavier beers, I want the sweet spice of an Oscuro that can stand up to it.”
Size: 5″ x 52 Trabuco (Robusto) Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: 601 Green Label Oscuro is a cost-friendly way to bring some big flavors to the table. Its Nicaragua Habano Oscuro wrapper cradles a Nicaraguan core to evoke offerings of nuts, sweet wood, earth, and a spicy-sweet finish. John’s only ever smoked three cigars, and this one kept his hair its bounciest. Maybe he’s born with it?
Dr. Gary Korb
Occupation: He’s the guy who puts the smoke in cigars.
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: O’liva Serie V Double Robusto
Why: “The Serie V selection has always delivered on construction, flavor, and consistency. It’s one of Oliva’s finest cigars, highly rated by our customers, and the perfect companion to a pint of Guinness or Irish Whiskey. I’ll probably go with an Irish coffee for this one.”
Size: 5″ x 54 Double Robusto Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Body: Full
What to expect: With its dead-on balance of flavors, Serie V represents the pinnacle of Oliva’s talents. Nuances of dark chocolate, coffee, and dark tobacco spice are sprinkled throughout your experience. Gary found this cigar under his pillow after leaving his last baby tooth for the Tooth Fairy some time during the late Cretaceous.
Tommy Zman Zarzecki
Occupation: He’s the guy who notices the smoke in cigars.
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Alec Bradley Black Market Filthy Hooligan
Why: “I always smoke something special for a holiday and this cigar is hard to find in a lot of stores. It’s very well made, has a nice sweetness, and goes great with my morning coffee.”
Size: 6″ x 50 Toro Wrapper: Candela/Maduro Binder: Sumatra Filler: Honduras, Panama Body: Medium
What to expect: Alec Bradley’s Filthy Hooligan is arguably the most popular St. Patrick’s Day cigar. With its grassy sweetness, creamy smoke, and hints of earth, leather, and nuts, it’s about as green as you can get. Tommy was handed this cigar personally by Billy Mays who appeared to him in a dream where every highway exit somehow led him back into New Jersey.
Jared Gulick
Occupation: Cream, no sugar.
What He’s Smoking on St. Patrick’s Day: Black Works Studio Boondock Saint Corona Larga
Why: “I thought it would be fun to find parallels to the holiday that weren’t as obvious as the Candela/Claro fare that most people gravitate toward. The Boondock Saint was perfect in that regard, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s also a great smoke!”
Size: 6 1/4″ x 46 Corona Larga Wrapper: PA Broadleaf Binder: Nicaragua Habano Filler: Nicaragua, PA Connecticut-seed Body: Full
What to expect: One of the finest small-batch blenders around, Black Label Trading Company always delivers. Loads of chocolaty goodness, notes of pepper, spice, cedar, and a slight sweetness combine for a full-fledged assault on your palate. This cigar is on a mission… Jared saw an ad for these cigars while rifling through a magazine hunting for Rogaine coupons.
What cigar will you be smoking on the luckiest of holidays? What did you think of this list? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll see you for the next CA Report!
Features Editor, Jared Gulick, is a Certified Tobacconist, nerd of all things science, musician and serial abuser of the Oxford comma. He made his way to the Famous Smoke Shop retail store in 2018 and joined the Advisors when it was discovered that he could locate the shift key. Prior to his work in the cigar industry, he was a recording studio engineer, songwriter, and a journalism major at Northampton Community College.
Show all Jared Gulick's Articles
Reading Time: 3 minutes In this Top New Cigars Halloween Special, we’re reviewing cigars from Espinosa, Bolivar, Jesus Fuego, and more. Check out all the spooky, smoky flavor we have in store from our favorite fresh sticks!
Reading Time: 3 minutes Fresh cigars have arrived at Famous, including Romeo y Julieta House of Nicaragua, the latest in their exclusive House series. Plus, we review even more new cigars from H. Upmann and A. Flores. See them now!
Reading Time: 3 minutes This week we’re reviewing the first release from the Attic Series, Attic, from West Tampa Tobacco Co. Out of the imagination of Rick Rodriguez, the Attic Series will feature blends that Rick’s kept all for himself over the last 30 years. Watch the review to see if Attic Series, Attic is worth a try!
Reading Time: 5 minutes If you’ve ever been curious about those little “Italian style” cigars, this review of the Toscano Master Aged Serie 1 will interest you. Made in Italy with mostly American tobaccos, the secret is in the aging. Watch now and get the full story.
Monte Gordo
Good choice!
The guy who you said is smoking a oliva serie v is smoking a serie o.
I wrote this before St. Patty’s Day so they were discussing what they would be smoking. He just happens to be a big Oliva fan.