In on our first entry, we casually described several smokes using somewhat imprecise terms. One fellow chided us. "Elegant and refined? Sturdy and honest?", he replied on the net. "You've got to be joking."

Well, we certainly don't take ourselves too seriously, but we're not exactly making fun of cigar connoisseurs either. Would you pay $100 for a bottle of Chateau Haut-Brion if all the wine steward could tell you was that it was a red wine from someplace in France? Would you bid millions for Van Gogh's Sunflowers if art critics simply described it an old oil painting by some dead guy who once cut off his ear? Likewise, would you invest $20 in a Cohiba Lancero knowing only that Castro used to smoke them? (That may be a bad example because that's exactly what we did.)

Evaluating cigars is highly subjective and the numerical ratings that seem to be proliferating these days can be very misleading. First, too much weight is given to criteria having nothing to do with flavor. Second, we question if anyone's palate is sophisticated enough to distinguish between a rating of 92 and one of 88.

In our view, half the fun of smoking premium cigars is documenting your impressions using a creative and freewheeling vocabulary and then comparing your notes with others. We prefer simplicity, clarity and brevity in our descriptions over the elegant but sometimes pompous style frequently employed by others (e.g., "a creamy texture of rich, complex flavors such as cinnamon, nutmeg and assorted herbs, with a hint of dried citrus, toasted bread and coffee beans accompanied by full-bodied notes of chocolate and leather, followed by a woody, lingering finish").

Here are some of our recent assessments:

* El Rey Del Mundo Lonsdale (Cuban) - This is the cigar that got us started. It is a well made, all purpose cigar that offers a relatively tame and uncomplicated smoke with a clean finish. ($6.50 in Bermuda)

* Cohiba Lancero (Cuban) - This firm, medium-bodied cigar is easily recognized by the tiny pigtail on its cap. (The cigar is sealed by twisting the end of the wrapper as opposed to forming the cap from a separate piece.) The Lancero is reported to have a tough draw and we found this to be true. However, the effort is worth it. It's a mature cigar with interesting flavors and not a touch of harshness. (90 pesos, about $12.80, in Mexico)

* Montecristo No. 2 (Cuban) - A power-packed pyramid that will make a beginner's head spin. The spicy aftertaste lasted a minimum of 12 hours. The flavor of this cigar would be appreciated even following a dinner of chili and jalapenos. ( 70 pesos, about $9.60 in Mexico)

* Montecristo Especial (Cuban) - This cigar is similar in construction to the Lancero. However, it smells so good out of the box, it's almost a shame to smoke it. We haven't. We only have one among us so we simply take turns savoring the aroma.

* Griffin's No. 200 (Dominican) - A very handsome cigar in a light Connecticut wrapper. However, if you're looking for gusto, you won't find it here. One of us described it as "delicate"; another described it as "fluffy". If it was food, it would be quiche. (about $7.00)

* Ashton 8-9-8 (Dominican) - An aroma as subtle as a stale fart; otherwise, a civilized smoke. A good selection for that visit to your in-laws. (about $6.00)

* Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. V (Honduran) - Bold and feisty. If you like a full flavored, assertive cigar, you probably won't find a better bargain than this at $3.75.

* Arturo Fuente Opus X Series, Fuente Fuente (Dominican) - This new line by the Fuente family is the first premium cigar to employ a Dominican wrapper. They are sold only on the East Coast and are difficult to find in stock. They are very well made and come dressed in one of the most distinctive bands we have ever seen. The Fuente Fuente (5 5/8", 46) was spicy and smooth. It was a bit pricey at $8.50, but our guess is the price will come down when the novelty wears off.

One other cigar merits mentioning. One of the Guys received a Paul Garmirian Gourmet Series "Celebration" from a friend for Christmas. This Dominican hand made is a whopping 9" long with a ring gage of 50. The cigar was attractively packaged in its own cedar box. He broke the seal, opened the box and gently squeezed the king-sized cigar. Snap, crackle, pop. We thought we were listening to a bowl of rice crispies. The wrapper began to flake. The poor thing hadn't seen a humidor since the Democrats controlled the House. We suggested that he carry it in his car in case he needed a road flare. We have been told that it is possible to restore a dried out cigar in a humidor, but this one will have to be soaked in a bathtub. It is neither necessary nor good etiquette to sniff and fondle a cigar before purchasing it; however, this case proves that lack of a cursory inspection can be risky.

We have to go now. It's time to smoke a Nat Sherman. It doesn't get any better.

The Cigar Guys - Joe, Bill and Bruce

Cigar Guys NFL Play of the day: Jacksonville Vs New England - New England's Otis Scott fumble recovery turned into a touchdown in the fourth quarter to clinch a win for New England over Jacksonville!

Also look for the Cigar Guys at the Super Bowl you may see us ....

You can Bill@Enter.netfor any comments or questions.