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Fantastic BRC Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi everyone, A little radio silence from me as I have had a little tech free time in Sicily. Back on the farm in Ireland. This beer is crazy good. A fantastic little find. The cigar is alright too [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone

Great stuff Pat I love people who "do" things. Inspirational. let me run a little competition tomorrow for 10 copies of your book. I will pay for them...you autograph them. The winners will only have to commit to reading it and posting an amazon review.

Had an opportunity to meet up with a great brother tonight. Habanos Mike was in town today and we met up tonight at the Outlaw, my local B&M. Mike gave me a 2003 Hoyo EL to smoke. Truly one of my best cigars of the year (if not several years). We started with some great Irish whiskey - Red Breast 15 year old then moved on to a great Breckinridge bourbon. I'm more than a little buzzed because we ( and a few new friends) put a pretty good dent in the bottle. Mike's a great guy and didn't rub it in too much on how badly I faired on the blind pass of cigars (going on in the U.S. forum right now). He gave me three pyramides that I missed BADLY on all three. Mike, was a great night and enjoyed the meet up, brother!

Started with a SP2 ULA OCT 14. It turned so acrid and bitter only 2 inches in that I had to pitch it. Lit up a RyJ PC courtesy of GasGuy82 after the bitter SP2.

Finished my summer semester today so enjoying a monsdale

1box trinidad fundadores 1box trinidad robusto extras 1box le hoyo san juans 5boxes chicados (portagul regional) 2boxes ramon allones robusto corto(nNetherlands regional)

I'd still tap that ash.

So I wrote a book! Those in the ‘Best book I’ve read in the past 30 days’ thread have probably already read my obnoxious post about the book that I just recently released, but I thought I would share my experience with my fellow BOTL—maybe someone on here has published already and wants to chime in or maybe one of you want to do the same one day. Or maybe it’s a cathartic experience, I don’t know. Sharing is caring, as they say. Anyway, I wrote this as a kind of ‘Q & A’, mostly to break it up so that it doesn’t come across as one giant douchy soliloquy. What’s your book about? First of all, the book is called ‘Skin’ and I classify it as a Horror/Thriller novel with a tendency toward the former. However, I don’t think it fits in the traditional horror genre; it’s really story about a family struggling to deal with their issues with a little bit of supernatural thrown into the mix. As a brief synopsis: a family (3 brothers) head to their recently widowed mother’s house for the winter holiday. Blah, blah, blah a storm rolls in and the power cuts out, and eventually they find themselves near freezing. Along the way, something in the blizzard calls to them, drawing them out into the cold. What was your inspiration? Well, I have three brothers and we were at my parent’s house one Christmas… and a blizzard touched down… and the power went out… hmmm. A branch, heavy with snow, fell from a tree like a spear, which surprised me: I didn’t think that a tree branch would fall like that. Anyways, it went right through the porch (part of which is still lodged there today) and I thought, “What if the branch hit something in the ground, something that has been buried there for centuries?” And thus ‘Skin’ was born. How long did it take to write? The whole process—writing, editing, beta reading, designing cover, etc—took me 18 months. The reason it took so long? I just didn’t have that much time to write; I work full time and I have two young daughters. So where did I find the time? I wrote ‘Skin’ entirely on my blackberry on the bus/subway to and from work. Why independent publishing? I’m an impatient man; after finishing the book I couldn’t imagine waiting for responses from agents… and then publishers. I also love the idea of doing it my way—why do the big five publishers get to be the gatekeepers? Why not let the public decide? What tipped the scales was that publishing on Amazon (via CreateSpace for paperback and Kindle Direct Publishing for e-book) is dead easy. Really. It’s laughably easy. What was the hardest part about writing the book? Two answers: 1) staying motivated, and 2) marketing. 1) Although it took me 18 months to complete the book, it wasn’t an everyday thing. Sometimes I just got bored or tired and took a break—listened to music on the bus instead. The thing is, there was no one telling me to hurry or even encouraging me to finish. In fact, the opposite was often true; there were those that were telling me to give it a rest, take breaks, do other things (all during the editing process), etc. I think Hemmingway said, “Write when you’re drunk, edit when you’re sober.” Well, since I couldn’t get drunk on my way to work and write on my blackberry, I often had some scotch while editing. Yeeeeah, this probably didn’t help. 2) Yeah I know, ‘marketing’ is not ‘writing’ the book, but it is a critical part of the process. Someone more experienced than I coined the term ‘author-preneur’ and, although it carries a pretentious air that I don’t particularly care for, it seems pretty accurate. I wrote the book. Great. Now what? There are about 1.5 gajillion books available on Amazon and other platforms. How the F#$k does mine get noticed? How do I make it discoverable? How does mine float to the top of the slush pile? These are things that I am trying (a perpetual endeavour) to figure out. Marketing, branding, pricing, etc, are all part of the ‘entrepreneur’ aspect to writing and selling books. This **** is hard. Well if you managed to make it this far through my post, good on ya. I guess that means you were interested. If you are really interested, and want to help out a fellow BOTL, you can check the book out here: http://amzn.to/1Eo2PwG. If you read the book (err… if you read AND like the book), please leave a review (part of the whole blegh marketing). If you have any questions, ask away. Now I’m off to suck on a Lusitania and drink a fifth of Ardbeg… and edit my next book. Cheers, Pat

Fantastic Hoyo Epicure 2 with Pyrat rum. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you can keep it to just a few boxes a month, you are a man of iron will! I've had to get a book on self control after my 24:24 buying got a little crazy!

Got these in the mail today from a fellow BOTL. El Principe EML FEB 15.

Jorgito Corona Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great stick!

Dippy #1 from '01 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RA Super Ramon RE Canada. Really nice! The Rodolfo vitola suits me well.

First time trying a upman half corona. Pleasantly surprised with a good sweet after taste

I just can't get over the fact that people think cigarette smoke is tolerable but cigar smoke is not.

Interesting article on the web: http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/real-life/30-signs-youre-a-whisky-connoisseur-347988.html

My god does that mean I have to grow my hair again..... why has no one let me know Get my agent on the phone. Rob just letting you know in advance I will need some time off....I will email you I was just looking last night in changing my number plate on my car to ZENA see I knew there was a reason

2mths later! These arrive

Cracked another box of Connie A's I picked up in Havana last fall. Think I'm going to enjoy this box as much as the last one. ARG DIC 13

BBF and a Sam Adams Summer...hope everyone is having a GREAT day!

1pm cigar & 9pm cigar Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome from another Californian. Tons of great information throughout the forums.

Travelzoo By Dee Fabbricatore MIAMI-- AUGUST 13, 2015-- Tour operator Friendly Planet has launched special pricing of $2399 per person for five-night guided Cuba tours, just as Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Cuba to raise the U.S. flag tomorrow. This is the lowest price we've seen on a Cuba trip this year, and saves more than $1000 when compared with similar packages. This bucket-list itinerary features the country's must-sees, including a walking tour of Old Havana, Hemingway's Finca Vigia home and the historic town of Las Terrazas. In addition, it offers unique cultural experiences such as visits to an organic community farm, primary school and art studio. The offer includes: Nonstop roundtrip flights from Miami to Havana Four nights at the 4-star Hotel Nacional de Cuba One pre-trip night at the Crowne Plaza Miami Airport Hotel 10 meals: Four breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners English-speaking guide and escorted tours throughout All ground transportation, transfers and luggage handling in Cuba One checked bag and priority airport check-in Cuban entrance visa fee, departure tax and health insurance The trip is available for departures May 8, 22; +$50 June 12. Additional departures through October 2016 start at $100-$150 more. This is part of a larger sale including other Cuba vacations. For more information and to book, click below, or call 877-459-3441. Use promo code TZ081315 to get the special pricing. The sale ends Aug. 27.

Hey Everyone, I finally proposed to my partner of 14yrs in April and I've been dying to share it all with your guys. I've only received approval from NSW Rural Fire Service yesterday and now I can share it with my cigar family. I posted it on FB last night and it just exploded! Even made it on Channel 7's 6 o'clock news! Please check it out from the link below: https://www.facebook.com/yichuan.jin.5/videos/1705246916369725/?l=4072428466863754352 Cheers, Jin

I'm the good looking young guy on the left. Habanos Mike on the right. It's a terrific cigar shop and lounge. Here's a pic I posted on the U.S. board the other day as part of a live review for our blind pass. Mike stumped me bad. That part of the lounge is probably less than a third of the smoking areas. Lots of big screens around too.

I have a PSP box from BUM JUN 14, and they look and taste phenomenal.

Having a Jose L. Piedra Brevas with a glass of Lagavulin 16. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Lagavulin 16 with a Jose L. Piedra Brevas. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Well, it's not a CC, but it is green...

Great way to celebrate! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed on the need for a sticky on this specific topic. As a newbie myself I made the same error (though my smokes are real) with my first topic. I think the fake vs. real angle is a driver of folks to sites like these (thus helping to grow the community). I know it's annoying to most, but a lot of folks can use the benefit of the wisdom you all possess.

Quintero Nacionales or Brevas (41 x 140, Corona, Short Filler) Avg price: $3.25 Price ratio: 90 Did I like it: Sure! Will I buy it: Nah... At first: Very one-dimensional (albeit tasty) tobacco flavour. Dominant sweetness. Later on: Carries on in the same vein. Tobacco, sweetness. A little cuban twang. In conclusion: I enjoyed this in the dusk (hence the dark photo) in a lawn chair star gazing (looking for the Perseids). I'm not sure if this was the Brevas or Nacionales, but I think it was the Nacionales. Bought both at the same time and didn't mark them... Regardless, it was a pretty nicely constructed cigar (which is why I think it was the Nacionales). The flavours were remarkably one dimensional, with nothing but tobacco and sweetness going on. On the other hand, the flavour was rich and enjoyable, with a thick viscous smoke. Not bad at all! No dryness or bitterness. I might get a fiver to tuck away a few years to compare with the JLPs of the same size, but this specimen alone was not enough to win me over. By the way, this is the tenth review so far in this series! Thanks for reading and commenting - I'm having a ball trucking through these cheapies!

Anyway, staying on topic and for all interested in a good meal in HAV - here's an updated list of the best places to eat that I compiled after my latest trip this June for Canadian friends travelling there - plus Bars, LCDH's and replies to FAQ about visiting Havana : http://flyingcigar.de/startseite/visiting-havana-faq-about-hotels-casas-and-cigars-2/ Cheers !

Long day at work with a good outcome and settling down for a late dinner. No time for a stogie tonight but poured a measure of Redbreast 12 Year Old from a fresh bottle. Celebrating the small victories.

10 Hamlet Flying Pigs that smell unreal

Another serious whisky night last week: Some Lost Spirits Ouroboros, a peated, sherried single malt from California. Then an old fashioned made with Abraham Bowman 147.25 proof. This was STRONG stuff: Then some Elijah Craig 20 yr. And finally some single cask Glendronach to end the night. The PX casked Glendronach is excellent. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I generally try not to smoke if there are little kids nearby. Otherwise, it's fair play!

Still more out there

The PSP RASS 50 cabs have arrived.

Esplendidos UME ABR 15

I've never seen a box of Behikes in real life, so can't comment on those. For Sir Winstons, 898's etc., I pitch the cardboard and write the code on the bottom of the box.

Cello on

Amazing smelling SP Belicosos from 24:24 LTB AGO 13

Original release with the second band. Great smoke can't wait to try some from this jar. Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy

[emoji123][emoji123][emoji123] Sent from my iPhone

From which humidor? The Chambrair?