Stevieboy

CCW lists JL2s in cabs of 50 but I've not seen them in ages. Has anyone bought one lately with a recent date? I suppose they might not be officially discontinued but I can't think I've seen one in 10 years?!?!

Fascinating read. I learned a lot.

So it was you who cleaned out Madrid! There was nearly nothing there this week when I visited. In which shop did you find the Leones? So lucky!!

In Madrid recently and the shops were fairly poorly stocked. I was in 30+ shops and not a single Juan Lopez RE. Lots of the mega expensive stuff though Monte GR etc...One shop even had 11 boxes of Cohiba Novedosos but at €220 per stick, body swerve. A few boxes of HdM ELs, Monte Supremos. The only brands that I saw with any volume were Monte, RyJ, Juan Lopez & Upmann. No Bolivar, Diplomaticos, Fonseca, Punch, SP, RA, VR, SLR....not a stick! Cheap sticks like Party Mille Fleurs & RG PanX were in abundance especially the latter. Lots of NCs as most of the big vendors have gone over to them as they'd have to close otherwise. Sad state.

The PL Galanes is a standout for me. The LGC Turquinos too. But, best of all is the Upmann Conn 2.

You've smoked the 6 & 7 !?!? Wowsers... Mythical cigars. I've only ever seen pictures.

1. Make the recent German RE a regular 2. Corona gorda 3. A medium sized perfecto

I was in Nice back at the time and found a part box of Monte 2 GR and I only bought 2 singles...moron. They were €27 each which was a lot of dosh to me back then. Should have bought them all. The box and all the paperwork was there too...*sob* Great, great cigar. Really was quite a cut above the regular No.2.

An EL box of Punch Regios de Punch: Flat, dull...Nothingness.

That's pretty amazing. First time I've seen anything like that metal container before...and boxed too!

Wow. Lovely and in great condition too. Most of the pre-rev boxes I see are in a terrible state: "Grandad stored nut & bolts in it in the shed for 70 years" sort of state.

The 46 ring gauge is perfect. It's a shame that there are so few left. I have one ERDM CG left and I can't bring myself to smoke it.

I had a few back then and didn't think much to be honest. Tough, papery wrappers needing endless relights. I've always felt that ELs lose their flavour after 5 years or so. I remember in particular loving the Monte Sublimes upon release until suddenly one day they tasted of nothing at all.

It's such a shitty time. Sorry pal

This amaryllis appeared yesterday. I swear, in the days before, there was only a stem with a folded up green 'bulb' at the top. They grow up so quickly...