Leaderboard

First smoke since my son was born. Much needed! Now I get the hype. This cigar was absolutely fantastic.

Back from a very successful trip to Denver so decided to enjoy a BHK 54. Almost as good as my trip

Petit coronas del punch v03

Happy belated! [As you know, technically, the document was made official on the 2nd. Then signed by consituents on the 4th ]. But un-irregardless of those terms, we choose a day to officially celebrate it. Why not have it be July 4th!? Cheers my American BotLs! Fire up the Barbie and to all a great extended weekend!!! And to all the pyros out there: Celebrate the independence of your nation by blowing up a small piece of it!

Happy 4th!!!!

"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." - Thomas Jefferson Smoke on, my patriotic neighbour to the south, smoke on. Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

I'll be celebrating my freedom and smoking Cuban cigars. Ironic. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you have not used this before it's time to get to know and love this site. not many questions that this site cannot answer.............. put it in your Favorites......keep it there............ Wait !!!.........there's ANOTHER FORUM??????

Monte Petit Edmundo w/ some Shiraz tonite.

HQ BPC from our hosts with a vodka martini on the rocks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What makes you say that? Am I alone to be NOT interested in that type of cigar? I like puros. Just like wines, I like the fact that my cigars are a product of a terroir (soil+climate+savoir-faire/traditions), or, the result of a thorough research on mixing leaves from different provenances. I fail to see how some random tobacco from Cuba mixed with Nicaragua filler could be better than a habanos of the same price...

Monte 4, a glass of Cotes du Rhone and a terrible rendition of one of Rob's old website photos

Herfing with the guys... BHK56 first up, followed by a Trinidad Robustos T and completed the evening with a second BHK 56, which was outstanding ! Quaffing Old Fashioned Cuban rum cocktails all evening completed the ensemble... Needless to say, we smashed that entire box of Behikes Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Punch Churchill...15 years old and still has a great oily wrapper. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

… this is my position too! I don't demand that others adopt it, but I do support it though discussion. I don't believe that relativism in any way reflects the reality of a possible solution. I shun 'feel good' science and junk science. I don't wish to drag this down or start an argument with those that 'believe' differently. But, I believe "ignorant bliss" to be a rut… I have said many times that bliss trumps facts in the lives of most people. However if you (one) steps up and calls them ignorant, man will they get pissed off at you! I don't mind if people prefer to remain ignorant, they can pass by my writing and rantings. But, when ignorance spreads though a topic that I am passionate about, I will generally share my opinion, if for no other reason than to enjoy good conversation… Forum writing is not about debating a few parties. It is about the sharing and airing of thought to a community. Some will align and others are indifferent. In a healthy forum there will be a wide readership where not all will participate beyond that of reading. In any event, being read is being known. Being known, takes risk. You bet only what you wish to win or risk (to lose). I gamble some with my reputation in order to strengthen it and make new friends. Just like cigars, we all must choose which form of participation we will chose to imbibe. To me, this is not an argument nor debate with a few parties. It is about interesting reading and the sharing of ideas with an entire body of people world wide. I think it is effin' fantastic!!! Cheers! -Piggy

From our wonderful hosts

07 BBF and a fresh frappe

I believe the Cubans grow the best tasting tobacco in the world. I don’t like nor do I smoke NC cigars. I am only interested in taste. I don’t really care where a cigar comes from or who rolls it. I want a cigar that tastes great, has a reasonable cost, and comes in the sizes that I prefer to smoke. I am romantic about a lot of lost Cuban cigars, not just any Cuban cigar! I won’t buy just any cigar… And that includes a lot, if not most of what the Cubans currently make… I have already stated that I think the Cubans grow the best tobacco, and as of today they still roll the best cigars. However I feel equally strong about my low opinion of Tabacuba, the choices it makes and how it is run! I believe that they are on the wrong path and furthermore I feel that they have become industry followers not leaders. I think of them as a second-rate company!!! It would be nice to see what someone with a vision, what someone new can do with Cuban tobacco. If they fail, they fail… If they follow instead of lead, if they cannot produce a quality product at a good price, there will certainly be no skin off my nose! But if they can compete with Tabacuba on taste performance, and if they are interested in my business, in my interest in medium and thin ring cigars, more than in making boxes… then their products will be a welcome addition to my humidors! I am interested in a company that will court my tastes. Tabacuba has abandoned me and many seasoned smokers like me. I would like to replace them with a company that once again desires my business and will prove it by making cigars in the sizes, with the taste performance that I like to smoke! Pipe dream… probably…! But to start someone has to take a first step… Cheers! -Piggy

I have tried blending with Cuban leaf.Generally the tobaccos I have are Nicaraguan,Columbian,Cameroon,Brasilian,Dominican,Pennsylvania broadleaf,and a few others. The Cuban leaf has been from plugged or damaged sticks I have. The Cuban flavors and aromas are easily overshadowed and masked by most all of the leaf I have tried,with the exception of Cameroon. It is surprising that even just a broadleaf wrapper can totally overpower a petit corona sized stick,even a Bolivar. To blend Non Cuban tobacco with Cuban will be tricky,if you want the Cuban essence to come through. I wish I had bales of decades old Cuban tobacco,I would toss the other stuff on the compost heap.............

As some of you have noticed, I've added a couple of things in the last few days. The most noticeable will be the re-skin of the site - if things look funny you might have to press Ctrl-F5 to reload the CSS. The main feature change though is that you can now add each other as friends. When you're logged in a "Friends" link will appear under the normal collection management links - from this screen you can add a friend by entering the email they used to sign up to the site, after which they will see a link to accept or reject you in their Friends screen. Once they've accepted you, you will be able to look at each other's Collections, Wishlists, and Smoking Diaries from links in the Friends screen. I see this as a useful tool in facilitating trades, finding rare cigars and bragging, although you guys might be able to find some other use for it. If anyone would like to add me my email address is atgroom@cubancigarwebsite.com. As always thanks for your support and feel free to suggest any new features in this thread or by PMing or emailing me.

…oh, and by the way! We cannot rule out the fact that a cold, or frozen cigar may have actually attracted water to itself via condensation when brought out of the freezer. This is the reason that I tell my customers not to refrigerate cigars with my systems! The final point to this is that the ritual, ultimately ended with a cigar with a higher water weight when it came to smoking, than a cigar pulled straight from my humidor…! Thanks for reading! -Piggy

This is correct/true I'm lucky to know both Jeremiah and Joshua Jeremiah and I get together on a regular basis Last week he left a corona for me and asked me my opinion I'm happy to share with you my notes I send him "Hey Jeremiah, (...) I’ve been told the cigar was rolled only 3 weeks ago so in essence smoking such a young cigar is basically committing baby murder Any judgment about such a young cigar is unfair so my opinion doesn’t mean anything about the cigar Construction: very good, nicely packed/filled and right amount of weight the foot shows a different way of rolling (I’ve been told they’re rolled in Honduras?) but doesn’t affect the draw at all nicely firm I still prefer seeing a triple cap though A crudo: Not very pronounced Cold draw: sharp (young/acidity) + mulch First third: sharp + acid, not nice at all propably due to its super young age Second third: Once beyond the first third the cigar becomes way milder Creamy, beech and a hint of pepper The aroma on the other hand gains in strength Last third In the last third it leaves a very distinct barn smell (me like!) Even though it is absolutely incorrect to quote this cigar I would give it at this time 3 bands This is not bad at all The cigar is definitely not unbalanced but it is irregular in that sense that the first third is too strong and the second third too mild That makes it for me (at the time being) inconsistent On the other hand I have to admit this cigar has potential" His reaction is also interesting enough to share: "Dear Koen, Thank you so very much for taking the time in writing the email here below. I appreciate it. You are absolutely correct. The cigars must settle down a little as to mellow out. I believe you smoked one only days after they landed in Belgium; They traveled by plane. There will be a massive difference in the balance of the cigar within the next few weeks when the humidity levels-out and the cigars have a little time to settle in. The taste and burn will also modify. It will be interesting to see the difference. Let’s smoke one together next weekend if you are around. You should already see the change. (...) See you soon and take care, Jeremiah E. Meerapfel Co-Chairman M. Meerapfel Söhne" These are sure interesting times...

Three, two, one! Ohh. Yeah! Happy 4th everyone!

One poster on one thread says he is not interested in facts… another says he is not interested in opinions…!!! Individualism makes the world go round I guess. I read (and write on) the forum for both. Some folks have strong opinions and discuss them with gusto. Some are just plane rude. As a conscientious observer, I think we should all read what we write before we post it so that other people don't confuse which one we actually are! Cheers! -Piggy

i've found em to be an *AHEM* acquired taste...

Cheers mate! You and I apparently think a lot alike. I did not want to post this idea of ignorance… I thought about it, but thought that it might make inferences and inflame a situation with some members that would not have been my actual intent. I started to pound on my desk, when I read what you wrote. Bravo… I shun the concepts of gurus by the way! I know that you meant it to be a complement… Guru's ARE the guys that got us here debating this stuff. I am just another Mutha F'r that love his cigars and enjoys pondering the mysteries of life…

Enjoy! And seriously. I freaking love this forum.

… this is profound! I could not have written this better myself… Bravo… Bravo! While we are drifting here… ignorance and arrogance are the hand tools of evil doers. That is my position. I look for education where I can find it. I love to share it when there is a benefit to others. A depth of understanding not only makes the topic more interesting (at least to me) it provides for a better means of communication for all. JMHO… I can find no argument to support ignorance except to those who would profit from it.

Ah! see, we differ on a slight technicality. You assume that if it that method of increasing humidity will continue to unplug it, it will work for every cigar. I, on the other hand, assume that since it increases humidity and unplugs the cigar, then the reason isn't the humidity. Rather, it is something else that affects it. I propose finding out what it is. If it's still unknown, then we can go with traditional methods until we find out what it is. Now, IF it is the humidity, then it only appears to not be broken and will one day inevitably break if humidity is the only thing you're changing. Nonacceptance of such data is what is defined as arrogance. However, your example is not arrogance but traditionalism. Which works for most accounts, too! x2 x3

That's the attitude one should try to diffuse. I sincerely hope some people don't do that... (despite the fact that i know a few people who do). If it lingers, it'll go well beyond the simple issues like how a cigar tastes. Ignorance is understandable and occasionally amusing. Arrogance is something that causes the issues in the world for the world.

Well the original question was meant to imply that the draw would be restricted because of higher humidity and therefore solved through dry boxing (or another means.) But it's fine. Either way. Cigars are meant to be a personal thing. People will always have their quirks. Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. If you put cigars in the freezer so they are frozen solid before you light up, go for it, if that's what makes you happy. If you feel that dry boxing helps, then do it. Who cares if it is the placebo effect. I love the science too, but with something like this, whatever someone feels works best for them is just fine with me.

Epicure No 2

First off my friends, this is not a "in defense of Mike" issue. Let me be clear here…. I don't know Mike, I have nothing against Mike, I am not picking on Mike. I this context I read what 'Poster A' and 'Poster B' posted and I retorted. I retorted not at or about 'Poster A and B' but an analysis on the information that was being opined. No one need defend themselves nor change practices. Frankly, I were about running people down, I would do it on a political site, where I do truly believe that some idiots reside and I would indeed run them down…! Mike, a am sorry if by using your posts you feel the need to defend yourself. Again, that was not my point. My point was based on the larger focus of the community reading, believing (perhaps falsely, but not positively) "any" belief and passing it on with some amount of certainty… I am not picking on language or precision of writing… Mike is right, this is a forum for fun and fraternity and certainly the frivolity of cigars. I just happen to prefer a world of facts to myths. I am actually a guy that gets emailed when the myths turn to mold on cigars, or months worth of worrying and drying… I am the guy that cleans up the mess once the myths break down. Not that I am crying about it… I chose to be the guy… I make money being the guy… Some means of storage are simple and others quite complex. Regardless of what you choose, what is best for you, understand what you are doing and why. Challenge your beliefs and ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. I recently had an inquiry, not that is far apart from most of them who stated that he was going to store at xx/yy. I asked him why? He could not really provide any rationale except that is what he heard… I understand being a mentor. I have mentored a few, some of you that post here everyday! I tell everyone that I mentor question everyone when they preach about cigars! That includes me, by the way! So Mike, if you read this and took my examples the wrong way, I am sorry. It was not my intent to make you rationalize your posts or designed to deride you in any way. I AM SORRY! For those of you who care not about the science and the empirical wisdom that I provide in my climatology posts, challenge me or pass me by. My goal is to help people store better. Some practices can ruin cigars. Feel free to challenge me on mine! I would prefer that people question me and learn about the topic if there is wisdom to be gained, rather than blindly follow one that will take you to the wrong place for even the best of reasons. Cheers -Ray

Still 1st half and France has already surrended... :-D

And also for the record. I decided to just smoke from the humi. It performed just fine. Perfectly in fact. (pats his own back for taking good care of his cigars). Haha. Seriously guys. Thanks for all the discussion. This has certainly been enlightening.

We started last night.( Thursday)

or if you can pony up a Partagas Gran Reserva, too! Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

Long drive down the 5 from LA to Santa Rosa. Started with a JL2 and RyJ pc. Still 5 more hours to go!

Gorgeous Topographic Tables Look Like The Earth From Above Don’t you wish your furniture looked more like the surface of the Earth? No? Well maybe you should, because holy crap — it is beautiful when done well. And designer Greg Klassen does it well. This Washington-based furniture maker hand-picks timber from around the Pacific Northwest that he sculpts into intriguingly rough yet strikingly sophisticated pieces. Klassen’s latest fascination involves joining the rough sides of two wooden slabs with a piece of carefully cut, blue-tinged glass. The effect looks like a stream running through a canyon. That’s surely why he calls this line the River Collection. With prices starting at $US3600, the tables are expensive but one of a kind. Klassen also offers custom designs as well as some pretty affordable cutting boards, some of which are made from the remnants of the River Collection pieces. That’s right. Even the scraps are beautiful.

BTO 12 Cohiba Lancero and a Melia custom

I have: Some Cohibas A few montes A number of Partagas A few more Ramon Allones Even more Juan Lopez A smattering of HDM An assortment of H Upmann A managerie of Bolivar And a mix of a couple others.

One cigar a week? That's tyranny… what's next, one scotch a month, one sex session a year?

Friends Retirement Party

It's funny, but its the other way around... because of what I usually smoke (between a Corona and just below, say a large panatela?) I'll occasionally sometimes get lucky and fall into the C&C area... they also tend to be a somewhat quicker, and usually more flavorful smoke. It can be tricky, tho, as I have had those made poorly or that burned/tasted like Kerosene-cured strawgrass... so when I find those I like I tend to try to "exploit" that as much as I can... But to answer the original question (sorry!), yes, size *does* matter... absolutely!

Have you fished the Mountain Fork in McCurtain County? It's turned into a pretty nice piece of trout water!

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. Uptake has been really great - over 100 of you have signed up, and added more than 1000 boxes to the system. By far the most requested feature was an edit function which I've now added. I left this out of the original design because I wanted to encourage people to use the "smoke one" feature rather than just editing their boxes to reduce the number... the smoke one feature is pretty useless at the moment, but if enough people use it then in a couple of years I should have a pretty big dataset and will be able to do some pretty cool stuff allowing searches for cigars with particular qualities, or uncovering boxcodes that stand out from the norm for a given cigar and so on. Early days. At any rate, editing is now enabled. 1. Fairly secure. I designed it so that the only way to see a collection was to be logged in as that member (ie, you can't just throw "member=habano" in the URL or anything). There are no rules around complexity of the passwords, so those are as secure as you choose to make them. They are hashed in the database, however, so even in the unlikely event the database is compromised the passwords won't be. It's worth noting that the only reason I ask for an email is for the reset mechanism when you forget your password... I don't validate them or anything like that. You're welcome to put any garbage you like in there if you want your account to be anonymous. I don't log IP address or any other identifying information. I may at some stage add an option for people to make their collections and wishlists public, but this will be strictly on an opt in basis. 2 & 3. After edit, the two most requested features have been an export and an ability to change the acquired date. Next was an ability to order the collection screen by different columns. I'll add all this stuff in the next few days. Export will be in Excel format. Thanks again for your feedback and support.

They usually don't board. Just kind of an honor system where we could cross. About a dozen of us go up with three boats, 0 women, and lots of booze for a week. 3-4 guys that come with are law enforcement and one guy forgot to leave his handgun at home.Didn't realize it until we got to the border and informed the guy and we had to go back to the nearest border town and their PD agreed to basically hold his handgun while we were in Canada. Went back and they boarded to insure we didn't stash it. We must not have been the first cause the guy just simply told us we cant bring that in and we would have to go back to the town or just leave it by the shack. (As if anyone would "hold our beer" for us. Just glad they didn't find the Black Bear skin stuffed in the boat hull the year before. That was just a big self defense "Oh hell, now what do we do!?" situation. Not funny to smear peanut butter an honey on a buddies bare feet that passed out in the bed of a pickup in bear country. Or at least the idea seemed funny at the time but man that bear wanted a piece of that honey ham! But that's why we wouldn't let him bring his pistol back up the next year.

» I agree Ross. A nice Prosecco pairs superbly with a cigar. Austin! I hope business is going well for you given the current state of the economy. I'll keep my eyes open for the Zardetto.