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Celebrating the end of our annual Manuka honey harvest today. Epic score ! Montecristo #2 Gran Reserva and a Balvenie 30 year old matches my exuberant mood perfectly. Best cigar of 2015 by far and one of my favourites. This particular one is that "one in a box perfection"... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pre embargo, but not certain on the date....

2008 psd4

Just got back from Varadero. Did my cigar shopping on a day trip at the RyJ Factory store. No signs of EL's. A lady there told me there weren't getting many on the island. Background. Two boxes of H Upmann Connosseur A's (2013 & 2014 box codes) Legendario Rum 7YO Ron Santiago 11YO Foreground: Por Larranaga Picadores Romeo Y Julieta Cazadores 6 Cubita espresso cups.

This was super, thanks for asking. All things considered it couldn't be better I must say

Here my contribution to this great cause, the oldest I've got is a '82 Davidoff Chateau Margaux from a trade with B3N two years ago. It was sitting with his twin in one of my Lock & Lock boxes waiting for the right day to be smoked. My sons birthday yesterday and Mus' generous donation are reason enough to light it up! It's bloody freezing here in Japan but some tea, German Marzipan and the Davidoff keep me warm! Cheers mate! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Finally arrived! H Upmann No 2 from 2001. Beautiful, beautiful cigars! I was searching high and low since last June for these. I'm going to let them rest for a month before I try one. It's only a partial box but that's all I need. Thanks RF! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Corona Claro. Mucho enjoyment.

Have a box with same box code .....awesome ..

Tatuaje from the US box pass (sorry - don't know which one exactly that is). Suffered from a rather tight draw and while pleasant, didn't show any evolution at all - very one dimensional. Then a very nice Cohiba Petit Robusto from the Seleccion Petit Robusto box. What an improvement in one year since I smoked the first one! Totally unsmokable when young, it now tasted like a smaller CoRo. Too bad these are not available standalone.

They didn't delete anything last year. Let's hope it stays that way.

bolivar corona extra Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy

parry short before, bpc after. Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy

Bit of a hiatus due to a chest cold so last night a Monsdale with a little better than a year on it. Tonight a Boli Super Corona. For me these are great right now and will only improve with time.

From our host, absolutely stunning cigars.

Arriving this morning were these Partagas Selleción Privada and yet another box of the LFDC Grandiosos, both courtesy of our host.

Antonio Blanco, 1915.

So in 2012 I decided that I need a real humidor. Something that will relieve my boxes from the airtight containers where they have been previously kept. I got an offer from a passionate cabinetmaker located in stuttgart (schwaben-humidor.de). The Humidor is made from solid sapeli mahagoni wood, using real cedar wasnt an option because it can smell real heavy sometimes. My goal was a humidor that is almost airtight with a passive humidification (turned out I don't really need that much humidification since the solid wood is a pretty good buffer) for long term ageing. I placed the humidor in my cellar where the temperature is kind of stable (14-22°C/57-72°F) and so is the humidity, between 65 and 69%. Since its all wood the humidor reacts very well to differences of humidity and acts as a buffer. I added a few things over the time like a fan for air circulation, some LED lights with a switch connected to the door and 2 trays for singles. If you think that is big think again, in 2014 it is full and I need to store in lock&lock boxes again..sight, its able to contain around 150 boxes. enjoy, cheers.

Oh Heck yeah!

Length: 9cm Ring Gauge: 50 Factory Name: Serie D No.6 Vitola: Petit Robusto Type: Petit Robusto Presentation: Case of 5s & Box of 20s Release Date: Third quarter 2014 Price: N/A During the opening night of the 16th Habanos Festival in Cuba last February, which was dedicated to the Hoyo De Monterray & Partagas brands, the new Serie D No.6 and Le Hoyo de San Juan (review will follow soon) was handed out for guests to sample. I have smoked one during the festival and kept the other to review for you guys, so lets take a look... The Construction - Smooth semi-matte wrapper with very few faint viens, firm body with fairly packed rolled tobacco, similar size to the Upmann Half Corona but with a wider gauge. The Serie D No.6 is Shortest cigar in the Partagas line since the discontinued 1970s Partagas Half Corona. It is intended for a quick 15 minute smoke as proclaimed by Habanos S.A. The Draw - Since this vitola is a little bit wider than the Upmann Half Corona, I went ahead with my wide gauge punch. Fairly easy draw and not to loose. The moment you take in a cold draw you can really tell it has a Partagas profile. You can pick up some fresh tobacco and earthy scent with a little sweet taste to it. The First Burn - very harsh peppery taste as you take the first couple of draws. Its like accidentally sniffing cayenne pepper through the nose. It goes without saying that this has a fairly young tobacco and that ammonia is playing a huge role in the flavor. Plus its expected that the back of the throat will be stinging from that peppery taste. The Serie D N.6 is burning quite well and is producing abundant smoke. The Middle Burn - still offers that harsh zing in the nose and back of the throat. Flavors of dry wood and sawdust with a bit of sweetness peeping through. Spiciness of black and cayenne peppers are the dominant taste I pick up in this profile. Sold light grey ash and very smoky, reminds me of the Serie P No.1s. harshness cuts down a bit but does not fade away. The Final Burn - harshness almost fades away completely and you can finally enjoy the Partagas character with that spicy black peppery and wood notes. Plenty of smoke and the ash as you can see held up pretty good. Expect your lips and the tip of your tongue to be hot as if you were eating chicken wings! Yup this cigar just made me hungry... Definitely an interesting short smoke that requires a bit of resting time to be enjoyed fully. This Partagas Serie D No.6 provides a full flavor profile of this marca and is a wonderful addition to the series. Will revisit this review later once Habanos release this line in the market and see how the flavor progresses and develops. Enjoy!

Interesting thing about statistics. Depending how they are presented (read "skewed") ... the same group of stats can be used to prove both sides of a story.

the new version of 1966 Edicion Limitada was released five minutes ago - 2014 Cohiba Robusto Suprema EL - different size, the same idea - maybe that is the one to try, before it hits 700+ a box in four years?

Should be a fascinating matchup. Think the Seattle defense and run game will be just a little bit better, and they win by a touchdown in a lower scoring game. 20-13.

You're alone bro LOL

More for me.

Well this might help a little bit. Post cards were 2 cents to mail between 1952-1958

Punch punch from a 50 cab. Down to my last 1/2 dozen out of 4 cabs.

Having a 7 year old dip 4. Great cause and amazing generosity.

The Futuristic Steam Train Of Our Dreams This is a concept design for a retro-futuristic steam train that can run on or off the rails. And holy crap is it gorgeous. Ricardo Chamizo is a 3D concept artist in the UK. You can see more of his incredible work on his website.

Cool thread. First off. Ken would need to wash his feet before entering. No compromise on this point. What meal would you cook? Again preferably a regional specialty. My heritage is Italian and so is most of my cooking repertoire. So there'd be some italian dishes to serve. To start. I'd lay out a nice honey/balsamic and olive oil mix in which to dip some nice, crusty, Calabrese bread. Various olives, freshly sliced prosciutto and a nice chunk of Crotonese cheese will be offered as well. The main dish would be my handmade canneloni topped with crumbled pancetta, stuffed with a mixture of ground veal, mushrooms, eggplant and parmesan. What cigars would you lay out? Since there's food and beverages to consider, I'd pick cigars that were not too time consuming to smoke and adequately matched in terms of boldness so they "fit" in with that is being served. Therefore. Smoked in the following order. Quai D'Orsay Panatella. (Light on the palate yet flavourful. This would be smoked prior to the starting dish mentioned above). H Upmann Connie A. (After the canneloni and accompanying red wine, the Connie A will be able to distinguish itself on the palate). La Esecpcion Selections Finos (An Italian RE and one of my personal faves. This cigar will not be diminished by the previous indulgences. It will be served with some espresso and some sweets; various biscotti, toasted almonds, and dark chocolate chunks) What wines/beverages would you offer? Many beverages available, but in keeping with the "menu", guest woulds be treated to a nicely chilled glass of Prosecco or Sauternes to go with the pre dinner cigar. During dinner, a rich Amarone or Chianti to go with the canneloni. After dinner, guests can help themselves to a selection of Cognacs, Ports, Rums, Scotch,etc to pair with the La Escepcion. I would recommend Zacapa XO rum or Camus VSOP Cognac. FIN

Fresh delivery from our host

Great review, I found the tastes very similar to what you explained. I find your opinion of construction puzzling though? From the seam on the cap, to the wrapper tearing when trying to remove the band! For the price (my most expensive box purchase) I had two cigars in the top row with small tears in it and one with a little tobacco tab on the cap. Though I smoked this in very undesirable conditions ( walking the dog on a cold night) I expected better construction, the wrapper even started to unravel half way through until I let the burn catch up. Like I said, less than desirable conditions, but I was dying to try it. The taste did not dissapoint , my next one will be in better conditions and I DO expect more.... Loveee the Upmanns!

The next demand by Raul will be that we have to put Fidel's bust on Mt. Rushmore.

Outstanding Punch Royal RE Benelux. Royal indeed!

LAND ROVER DEFENDER FLYING HUNTSMAN 105 LONGNOSE The Land Rover Defender is not a vehicle that needs any modification, but that hasn’t stopped the team at Kahn Design from consistently pumping out custom gems. This time around the company’s CEO and Chief Designer has decided to create a project of his own – meet the Land Rover Defender 105 Longnose “Flying Huntsman.” Easily the most ambitious project from the British design firm, this 2-door has received an extra 15 inches to the standard 90-inch wheel base (which is where the “105” in the name comes from). Like many of its predecessors, this thing has been equipped with a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine pumping out 400-plus horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission. Upgraded brakes and suspension were also needed to ensure ample stopping power and the ability to tackle any terrain. The vehicle is expected to fetch roughly $190,000, and will make its official debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The brand also announced that it will be working on a 6×6 version as well. We can’t wait. [Purchase]

Stay away from the petacas that are available everywhere - unless you like smoking cardboard. If they are from cabs or dress boxes, they are likely good (but I have little experience with that particular year).

I don't want to fill this topic up with clutter, but I look at this and think "Holly smokes, that's a 100 year old cigar!"

Anos?

EML FEB14 from our host Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Second day visit partagas factory, took a tour and walk out with a RyJ belicoso, by the way what a smoke really recommended... Jump in the bus tour and enjoy it...

PDS4 - TAS NOV 12 - Very nice ~ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Monte 5 and sum rum

First they arrive in Cuba met Juanita Then smoking here custom roll, 60rg and a delicious Santiago de Cuba 12, damn good rum.

Impressions of Nino: http://flyingcigar.de/startseite/romeo-y-julieta-piramide-anejado-2008-tasting/

Just another marketing campaign by Habanos SA. They know that if they put a second band, it will sell.

wow! unending complements!!

It's like Giza, only Cuban.

From our hosts 10er of PL robusto 2007 ER PCC.

Previous to building the Full on Freezer humidors, I have built I 3 smaller versions (that I out grew), and all three were wine coolers, but compressor technology. I've been around the forum since 2009, and I took a lot of advice and education from others who are far more science based than I am. Ray, (Pigfish) is a great place to start searching for some of his threads and posts. My biggest problem with Thermo Elec. is they are inherently built to fail. Long term durability and thermo electric do not equate! Second big problem is the NECESSITY for an ambient air temperature differential of ideally 10 degrees for a thermo unit to be even remotely successful. Even if you can keep the ambient differential within the range, it is still not energy efficient and far from accurate and consistent. Example: I like to keep my cigars at 65F & 65%RH, which means the room the unit sits in really needs to not ever go higher than 75F. In Texas summers, that is almost impossible. My A/C unit can only do so much when it is 106F-110F outside. And even if I had two units to achieve such a ambient temp, the electricity cost would be astronomical. So let's say you can always keep your house at 75F or less, even though it's 110F outside. Your thermo elec. unit will be working and burning non-stop to try and maintain 65F. It will never do it consistently, efficiently or accurately. 3 problems happen. 1) Fan will blow and run constantly drying out your cigars. 2) The unit will run non-stop and eventually give out soon (I've heard the average life of a thermo in Texas in 1.5 years.) 3) You'r temp ranges will not be accurate. If you can ever actually achieve 65F it won't be stable or consistent. But if you modify a compressor unit, it will be accurate, energy efficient and last forever. Think about it, a freezer under normal use these days lasts about 15+ years and uses $50-$60 in energy a year. Make it hold at 65F and only run at a specific differential, along along with an anti short cycle program, it will only kick on about once an hour for about 3-5 minutes tops, even in the hottest heat. This will use little to no energy, it will last forever, and will keep your temps accurate and consistent. So to address your condensation question. In my old units, the wine cooler compressor units, yes, during the summer, I did have an issue with condensation during the summer when the compressor kicked on. I solved this issue by running plastic tubing from the drain hole, through the unit, and re-routed back into a cigar oasis, that I drilled a hole in and routed the tubing in. I of course always remove the cheap foam and use 65% beads. This condensation feeds the beads, and the oasis is active and feeds the internal air when needed according to settings. As far as the Freezers......absolute zero condensation!!!!!!!!!!! It wouldn't matter if there were anyway, because all of my boxes are in air tight containers, but still zero condensation whatsoever. I can't tell you how much I hate thermo elec just based on science and fact. Ray - (Pigfish), has forgotten more about this science than any of us know combined. He has posted his opinion and comments on thermo vs. compressor on here many times. Do some searches and read his threads, His info is based on science, fact, testing and experiments, not just opinion. He knows what he's talking about. I've been doing this for a long time and as I said, have built multiple units. Being that your environment is similar to Texas, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you used a thermo elec unit. They are not built to withstand our environments, and if the do,it won't be for long and it won't be accurate. Trust me brother. I've researched this intensely. Go get you a $550 freezer from Lowes or even cheaper on Craigslist. Spend $60-$80 on a Johnson A419 control, spend about $20 on misc. wiring ect. Spend $10 on some fans, and spend $20-$50 on some storage containers, $40 on a thermo/hygro monitor with 3 sensors, (Honeywell or Meade )you will be in heaven. Peace of mind is priceless. Literally Set and Forget. Hope this helps. We spend too much money on this hobby to leave its fate in the hand of inefficiency and something undependable.