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2002 LGC MdO No 4 on a balmy October night in Toronto.

Giving Padron another go at Rex Cigar Club NY

Feb 19

BRE JUL 18 Connie 1

Nice evening for a Eddie

TLU MAR 2020 Reyes this morning.

Very happy with this acquisition Happy weekend FOH!

Punch Regios de Punch Edición Limitada 2017.

El Rey Del Mundo Tainos 1/2020 SOR

VR Famoso on a nice afternoon

Had a mix of CC and New World, fired off with a VR Famoso and then was gifted a maduro Padron 2000 (2nd photo). VR was killer as always but this Padron was different, super toothy and such a beautiful flavorful stick. Definitely going to pick up a box, I was so surprised by a 9 dollar stick.

Have a nice Saturday evening everyone ...

Just got this partial box (15) MOL AGO 19

Tatuaje 7th capa especial

Montecristo No. 2 (BRU AGO10).

I just let the cigar tell me how to smoke it. I try to never be in a hurry and savor it. A good cigar is a joy to indulge in.

It’s October!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I find smoking socially helps. The natural flow of conversation gives a great non-timed breaker between draws. If I smoke on my own I find I'll rush it as in the back of my mind there's generally something else to be done and I should have the cigar and get to it. If its social either there are people at mine which means under the sacred laws of hospitality I must give them my undivided attention and can so switch off and smoke away at leisure. If at another's house it would be rude to ignore mine host/s and again I switch off. Glitches in the matrix.

again, apols for rob's site failing to allow these to be loaded simply. and thanks to the mystery person - presumably John - who rectifies this. there was also a stellar magnum of 2005 Bouchard Corton Charlemagne. the stars were the magnum of 08 VC la grand dame, the clos des lambrays, the de vogue bonnes mares, the massolino and the mini vertical of pertimali. and perhaps especially, the wynns 1986 John Riddoch. it was stunning stuff. all served blind and everyone went for a great vintage first growth Bordeaux.

Friday afternoon bliss with this 2021 Esmeralda from our host

Opus X Belicoso XXX.

What's up for the weekend folks? man Cave refurbishment this coming week means prep this weekend. eek. My two contractors (tweedle dee and tweedle dumber) arrive Monday and while not the two sharpest tools in the shed ....(they were the only ones available this side of Christmas)..... they mean well and should be able to get this done. Gardening (which I love), BBQ and cigars will fill in this weekend. Quiet one!

Smoking the Diplomaticos PCC 30th Anniversary. A really special treat that I wasn't sure was going to live up to the hype but ending up blasting my socks off. 1/3 croissant, almond praline, a sour note I couldn't put my finger on, black pepper, red bean paste and vanilla bean. 2/3 some icing sugar, cacao, prunes & dried fruits and some baking spices 3/3 still a very rich but dry cigar. Some white chocolate accents of sweetness from time to time, otherwise a chocolate powder and salt, raw cashew and orange citrus ending with the occasional blast of herbs de Provence. Incredible cigar. I would have to say that this trumps the Behike I had a few years back. Beats the Diplomaticos Bushido. Tops the Cohibas I've had. In my memory this is in my top 5 and I think the best cigar I've had to date in my life. For the following 12hours I've had the flavours of a custard donut linger on from this cigar. It was rich, dry and delicious. Price was outrageous but I recommend you try it if you can find nonetheless. Some experiences, moments and memories transcend money. This was one.

1st 3rd starts off with some cedar and mild floral notes, especially on the finish. There's another woodsy note, but I can't quite place what it is, it's very enjoyable though. Plenty of smoke output and fairly straight burn. 2nd 3rd, the cedar continues, the floral and woodsy note come and go. I'm getting a creamy note as well. Burn got a little wonky. Final 3rd, cedar is fading, cream is picking up. Floral note is still there along with the woodsy note. Still very enjoyable. Burn has evened out. Very enjoyable smoke, thanks goes out to @Chas.Alpha for this treat. 8.5/10

I would say the majority of cigar smokers whether it be soft flame or jet flame will light a cigar partially, then put it in their mouth and draw on the cigar with the flame on the end of the cigar. To me this is a big no-no as it's effectively creating the effect of a blow torch running up the cigar...soft flame or not, it doesn't matter. I think the attached video of an early mouth operated 'blow' torch makes that clear. Drawing on a flame, effectively creates a blow torch. When using a jet flame on a deflecting angle, (and avoiding having the tip of the flame on the cigar) working from the middle of the foot outwards, I find it's easy to keep the majority of the heat off the cigar, zero chance of burning the outer wrapper, and then simply finish lighting the ember by looking at it, and blowing on the foot to fill out any unlit areas. Although using a jet lighter, I believe this actually keeps the cigar at a lower temperature that someone drawing directly on a soft flame or match. I have never actually tried, but I'm convinced if you were to cut both lit cigars open along their length, it would visible, that drawing directly on a flame creates a concave burn line in the cigar from the very beginning.

What a week. My daughter's journey to a second straight World Karate/Kickboxing Championships was killed a few months back as our (now former) dojo pulled coaching support, so we pivoted from Greece to a family vacay in Florida. The first item on the docket was UCF Knights at the Florida Gators in The Swamp. Our first college football game and definitely not the last. The Gators are far removed from greatness, but the Swamp put on a good show. It was the 3rd annual Tom Petty day to celebrate a late great musician who was a Gator fan and Gainesville native. Next up was the Magic Kingdom, then Universal Studios for my son's birthday before pulling an all-night drive after the official Milton alert on Monday and arriving in Atlanta at ~6am. There were a few moments of insanity, but people were well behaved for the most part. From there it was a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and the Coke Museum before boarding our flight a little early and now departing from Atl instead of Orlando as originally planned. We're happy and safe, so our hearts go out to all of those that couldn't make it out in time. Maybe I'll relax on the next trip 😆 Cheers!

Good read. Recommended. Switzerland's standing in the world of cigars has had more than an occasional "wobble" in recent times. Fake Cohiba Cigars Uncovered at Popular Zurich Banker Hangout Written by Florian Schwab | Publishing Director In the heart of Zurich's financial center, a high-end bar frequented by bankers has been found selling counterfeit Cohiba cigars at 115 Swiss francs apiece—clearly distinguishable at first glance from the real deal. This startling discovery was made during an investigation by the specialist magazine «Cigar», in collaboration with finews.com. CONTINUED

This is coming along very very nicely😙💨

Started the weekend with a Fundie to celebrate the last warm day of the year (over 20 degree C). Got Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend so turkey and naps will be in my future!

Getting in another of the final rounds of golf for the year tomorrow with my friends that have been mostly absent all summer. Since these guys all have kids with a lot of sports and other activities, I've been playing as a single. It will be a lot of laughs, insults, and foul language. Can't wait! Hopefully we can get in a couple more rounds but it's cooling off fast and the geese are flocking.

College homework, spending some time with the wife and dog, I'll probably fit in a 64 padron maduro and a vegas famosos, grilling some tuna and sea bass tonight for sure. Only 3 classes left until I graduate, full time job and full time school is brutal.

Ultimately people tend to gravitate to their optimum method of enjoyment naturally. Take Laurence Davis for example. For many of us his style of smoking is an abomination, the chewing and the fact he can get through a Churchill in 25mins with his relentless machine gun puffing. All that said, it works for him and it's how he optimises his enjoyment, so whilst we might all agree their are certain truisms, it's all down to personal preference in the end. The only thing I really try to focus on is ensuring I've given the cigar the best chance I could in enjoying it. I.e. taking a bit of time to enjoy the aroma unlit, the tactile feel and look of the cigar, then once lit, try to tune into the Palate smoke, Retro smoke and Foot smoke. Sometimes a cigar can be an absolute POS on the palate but the foot smoke is wonderful. This approach is really borne out of all the numerous failure factors you can get with Cuban Cigars. I.e. get your wins where you can. If the cigar looks beautiful, take time to enjoy it, if the retro is fabulous, luxuriate in it. A Cuban cigar where all the stars align is quite rare, so my only advice to offer, is try to appreciate everything they can offer, through all your senses.

A good friend gifted me with this box today. Diplomáticos Leal Edición Regional Cuba 2021. He sure knows how to make someone’s day.

Generous bonus stick from a fellow FOH swap.

Mofo Trini today

Opus X Fuente Fuente.

Short story. Fun little smokes.

VR FAMOSOS BSM AGO 20

1988 911 Targa

Winter has very much arrived to Dublin. Even the poxy dog was cold. Nudie PC going well.

12 ish year old custom and a MILF-lure

An outstanding 20 Epi Especial

Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters – Frank. Delicious.

PLPC this morning. When the head is too tight and you don't have a perfect draw handy, you have to improvise.