Construction: Allow us to start out by saying the G.A.R. GAR Cigar (I like saying that) is a beautiful cigar. The wrapper is a light brown cinnamon matte color that looks amazing in the bright white box and band. There are some very tiny veins that make the cigar very smooth to the touch. It is boxed pressed and stuffed full of tobacco, so don’t bother looking for any soft spots.

Draw: Again – perfection. You can cut or punch (small or large) and you will not have any issues drawing clouds of wonderful smoke.

Burn: The G.A.R. GAR Cigar is is packed full of tobacco that creates a nice slow burn. Make sure you set aside some time to really enjoy this stogie. The ash is solid and white, there is no tunneling, and it stays cool through the entire smoke. Should I say perfection again?

Taste: The beginning of the G.A.R. GAR Cigar has dry earthy flavor that really resembles a Padron. In the background you get a slight hint of sweet cedar and the overall body is in the mild-medium range. Even though the description may be lacking you will find this to be a really complex cigar that your palate will fall in love with.

Flavor wise you will continue to get the earthy complex cigar with a flawless finish. The body only slightly moves from the mild-medium range into medium segment as you continue to burn. The G.A.R. GAR Cigar will never get hot, harsh, or provide you with anything but enjoyment.

This G.A.R. will quickly become your consistent go to cigar.

Verdict Is: Retailing in the $9.xx and online prices in the $8.xx range this is a must buy cigar. The G.A.R. GAR Cigar has great complexity, it’s smooth, packed full of tobacco, and can be smoked by anyone. Buy a box of the G.A.R. GAR Cigar. You might want to consider purchasing two boxes because after you and a smoke buddy try one – you will not be able to stop. I promise.

In the world of cigars there is always a passion and love for tradition. Heritage and craftsmanship are the hallmarks of a strong line. When it comes to new lines and companies, there is often a sense of wariness attached to the viability of the new cigar product. It’s the old axiom of the young go-getter having to earn their stripes. Ascendancy to the pantheon of cigar greats is not guaranteed; it’s earned.

George A. Rico is one such heir apparent. He is probably best known for his 3 Siglos cigar, which was a blend he put together for his family line of Gran Habano. It received a warm initial reception and planted the seed (no pun intended) for him to branch out and start his own company G.A.R. G.A.R. are the initials of his name, George A. Rico, and it has the added affect of having a sonorous quality about it, that produces an edgy appeal.

Everything about his line is appealing to the younger generation, from his aggressive name and branding which is a faded heraldic shield enshrined by victors leaves, to his trendy webpage which encourages a life and culture of a life aggressively, and well lived. With all of this swagger and style, one question immediately comes to mind…

“Does his cigar deliver, or is it simply a case of style over substance?”

Construction: Every cigar lover knows that the key to a great smoke is great construction. The G.A.R. Vanguard has the beginnings of great construction, and falls short in only a few areas. The binding of the vanguard is tight, and the filler was packed in a pattern that allowed for maximization of a smooth draw. I would say the chief downfall of the cigar construction is in its wrapper. The wrapper at both ends was unraveling, and this caused for some initial burn problems. Another deficit with the wrapper is its generally pronounced veins, as this was the cause of the unraveling and tears that I and my compatriot experienced while smoking the vanguard. To be fair to G.A.R. though, the cigars were a day or two off the truck, and Arizona climate can be a tough acclimation process for any cigar. Regardless the binder and filler are well crafted, but the wrapper could use some work.

Draw: The draw of the G.A.R. Vanguard has an amazing profusion of smoke that pours through the channels of filler effortlessly. Throughout the process of smoking the Vanguard I had no relights or troubles with the draw, which is a testament to its solid craftsmanship.

Burn: The burn of the Vanguard brings up mixed emotions. For the first part of the cigar the ash was loose, and tended to dust off without encouragement from the smoker. Upon20reaching midpoint the story changed and the cigar had better ash construction that was solid and grey. Another aggravation of any cigar smoker is when they have to perform “surgery,” surgery is the process by which a smoker creates an even burn, when an uneven island of tobacco begins to form. The initial unraveling created an environment out of the gate that made for an uneven burn; upon a few microsurgeries I was able to obtain an even burn for the rest of the stick.

Flavor: The flavor of the G.A.R. Vanguard was consistent. Consistency is good, especially for the beginnings of your own line. The Vanguard is definitely a cigar of leathery notes and subtle initial spice. At first the palate is greeted with a hint of spice, but that quickly takes a back seat to the leather tones, as is reminiscent of walking into a men’s fine shoe store. There is a pleasant association rooted in a man’s psyche with olfactory smell that is wafted into his palate when greeted by a fine leather product. Perhaps it goes back to his hunter instinct, but whatever it is it speaks to a primal place, that makes a man feel right at home.The Vanguard does that well, but unfortunately where it falls a little short is the end.

A race is not told in the steps, but rather in the finish, and unfortunately just like with good writing, a good cigar wants to leave its audience with a strong finish. The vanguard burns hot at the end, and creates a singed palate, which in return compromises the taste previously developed in the earlier smoking experience. So while the cigar is a strong consistent flavor for the majority, it falls short in the endgame.

Overall Opinion: I appreciate young blood, and heir apparent scenarios. George Rico is carving a niche for himself in the cigar world one stick at a time. The Vanguard is a great start to what will inevitably be a bright future, but there are hurdles to overcome. The Vanguard is a great consistent cigar with a handful of areas to improve upon. Anyone who likes consistency will appreciate this cigar, and anyone who likes a cigar with distinct leathery notes will also appreciate what this stick brings to the table. While this is not the finest stick I have ever smoked, it is a work in progress and a good first step. So the final verdict is that it is good, but takes some work to truly enjoy it, and is ultimately a cigar that could benefit from a little redesign.

Construction: The G.A.R. LUX has a “milk chocolate” colored wrapper that I like to call the “Supermodel of wrappers“.  This beauty had no flaws, no major veins and an exquisite triple cap that just screamed excellence. Tobacco was stuffed in this G.A.R. LUX giving us the perfect, unblemished stogie.

Draw: Perfection continues for the G.A.R. LUX as just the right amount of smoke comes through each and every draw. Feel free to cut or punch this wonderful G.A.R. cigar.

Burn: The G.A.R. LUX had an even crisp burn that progressed at just the right rate creating a thick white ash. It is also important to mention that the smoke is cool from start to finish. During the smoking process you will only ash once.

Taste: The G.A.R. LUX is a very consistent, complex, complete cigar from start to finish.

G.A.R. LUX introduces your palate to a woodsy smoke that is dry on the palate. Secondary in the major profiles is going to be a spice that lingers in the back of your throat or that is picked up in the nose. A touch of earthiness is lingering from first light and becomes subtly stronger as the spice begins to tone down.

Mid point of the G.A.R. LUX is when the stogie really begins to warm up and the flavors become more “toasty“. Your spice is going to slightly dissipate and you will notice more of the warm earthy flavor. The smoke is still leaving your palate dry but the smoke is very clean and cool.

The spice has settled out of the flavor equation but the G.A.R. LUX is still extremely enjoyable. You will enjoy the nice, thick, cool smoke that is being produced. Earthy, toasty, woodsy are all hints that remain. You may get a touch of leather towards the end of this fabulous cigar.

Final Verdict: The G.A.R. LUX is in the $6.xx – 7.xx price range. This is a good cigar that anyone can pick up and immediately know you have a piece of tobacco perfection. The G.A.R. is splendidly complex and flavorful and the body is just warm enough for everyone to enjoy (and at anytime). I can guarantee you this stogie will only get better with age. With that being said: BUY THE G.A.R. LUX.

George Rico was kind enough to sit down with PuffingCigars.com for an exclusive interview.

George Rico is the owner of G.A.R. cigars and the soon to come Opium Cigar line.

Information from the website:

For many years the name George Rico was known for blending cigars for Gran Habano Cigars such as the highly rated 3 Siglos.

The time has come and after many years George has decided to release his own line of cigars tailored to the style he is known for today and will be known for in the future.

G.A.R. is about living life and not putting things off. In the everyday life of George A. Rico the airports and hotels become boring and mundane. At the cigar events that George frequents he is given the chance to meet great people that share the same love of cigars he does. When the event is over he is on to the next airport and the cycle starts over. For this reason we have created a new way to break the cycle and make things very interesting.