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My ‘23’s are out! Malt, sweetness and tangy on the Classic Gouda! Subdued macadamia nut and slight salty notes with the Baby Swiss. The Cheshire is beyond belief. Smooth, creamy and walnut finish. I’m so damned proud of myself I could bust!!! 😬

Big week and weekend here. Happy Fathers Day to all! Paul Garmirian Gourmet Number 1 La Gloria Cubana Turquinos H Upmann Regalias Romeo y Julieta Cedros No 2 Por Larranaga Montecarlo H Upmann Half Corona Punch Coronations Bolivar Libertador Montecristo Number 2

Wish they could all be this good. ‘00 SLR Churchill.

ARS JUL 19 Vigia Tubos. Happy Father’s Day gents. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Happy Father's day!

A delightful Father’s Day smoke. Much more like a Hoyo than a Boli but still quite a pleasure and a unique stick. From a brother here with much gratitude. Thanks @Jack

ThrbladtSitting on a few boxes of these. Finally cracking one open. Off to a great start

Montecristo No.4 - UEB Mar 2018

Saturday night cigars 24' Ramon Allones Absolutos Edicion Limitada Stonefruit, Hot Chocolate, Molasses 1/2 13' Cohiba Siglo I Honey Comb, Vanilla, Citrus Blah Ok Good Tasty Heavenly

Celebrating the Don

Dark oily JL2

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father’s Day y’all!

Montecristo Edmundo (EOL JUN21).

LGR 18

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there! My Father's Day smoke is a Cohiba Ambar.

Early birthday Present from @LaoFan Thank you sir! Adding this to my 54-55 RG lineup.

A Partagas Shorts BOE AUG 2018 out of a box I got from @garbandz. PLPC RAT JUN 2020. Montecristo 2TLE JUN 2021. PLMC LGR OCT 2019. A 2021 Lanceros from our host. Love these, although I'm getting really low on these. A freebie Armistice from back in the Bellhop days. Actually surprised me. A Monte Esp#2 PSP SOP FEB 2020 from my first order from FOH. I bought a 6er to try for $79. This cigar is close to the best Monte I've tried. It is surprising close to @Nevrknow's Monte 1s, if you've ever had the pleasure to smoke one. It's been a busy Father's day. I started replacing the brakes on my Dad's truck yesterday evening and the thunderstorms rolled in, so I got up and finished that job this morning, planted some more flowers the wife drug in from work Friday, and finally getting to enjoy a cup of Joe and this cigar and it's only 7:30 am. Getting ready to crockpot a roast for supper tonight.

UTE DIC 16 Siglo IV Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Order is in with Manny. I don't know if I will ever use it. Happy to support FOH folk.

Cigar 3 This contest reminds me of a golf tournament I recently witnessed - a true test of resilience. Will I have a tantrum in the midst of my failure or will I take a breath and visualize success prior to execution? I’ve composed myself and sit outside on a humid evening. Not ideal weather conditions, but that’s hardly my only headwind in this challenge. The wrapper is slightly oily and feels a bit wet, despite holding it in humidor for 4 weeks at roughly 62RH. Although the draw seems optimal, I’m getting bitter notes in the cold draw. Perhaps a bit of fruit and floral underneath. The cigar burns relatively well despite the humidity. However, my confidence wanes as I no longer taste the notes in the cold draw. Instead it gives off a bit of clove and spice. As I pass the turn, I note a developing cream and bit of salt (“these pretzels are making me thirsty!”) At this point in the contest, I’m shooting from the hip, but have submitted my best guess. In the future, I’d love to purchase two sets so that I can go back through after the reveal and try to see if I can identify the error of my ways.

For the father who has everything. SUL JUN 24. Spice- clove and cinnamon stick, incense and cream. Better than I expected it to be, and I really enjoy the vitola. Good change of pace cigar for those who enjoy variety. Most important edit - Happy Father's Day!

Beautiful Sunday morning ...

RA Super Ramon RE Canada 2011. An absolute gem from the legend @X-Man in Shanghai.

PLPC BRM AGO 24

Perfect Siglo VI in the Cigarden watching US Open finish. The way I played this morning was the golf version of a skiing “yard sale”. I’m glad to be in my happy place with a wonderful cigar.

Swiss Wizardry vs. Havana Romance: Davidoff’s Rise to the Cigar Throne Zino Davidoff (left) and Dr Ernst Schneider. (Image: Courtesy) Written by Florian Schwab - Publishing Director, Thursday, 12 June 2025 From its humble Basel origins in 1875, Oettinger Davidoff has matured into a family-owned powerhouse. As it celebrates its 150th anniversary, the company is steering a 546.2 million francs empire through changing markets, stricter laws and shifting geographies – all while preserving the art of the handmade cigar. Picture a morning in 1875: Max Oettinger lifts the shutters at Eisengasse 9, revealing a modest tobacconist’s window. That understated elegance ignited a story of heritage, craftsmanship and bold growth that still unfolds today. Fast-forward a century and a half, and Oettinger Davidoff remains privately and family held. More than 4.000 employees staff 65 flagship boutiques and supply 700 select merchants across over 130 countries. «Record year,» proclaim the 2023 results: revenue rose 10.5 percent to 546.2 million francs – the second consecutive all-time high. (The company is expected to announce its 2024 figures next week.) First Store in the Late 19th Century. (Image: Courtesy) The Oettinger and Davidoff Alliance Yet this global success belies modest beginnings. In the 1960s, Basel lawyer Dr Ernst Schneider (1921–2009) – son-in-law of Georg Huppuch, who had acquired the firm in the 1920s – breathed new life into the business by partnering with Geneva tobacconist Zino Davidoff (1906–1994). Davidoff’s store was then the epitome of tobacco enjoyment, revered by aficionados far beyond Switzerland. The honorific insistence on the «Dr» in Ernst Schneider's name remains an affectionate title inside the company (and wider Basel), used to this day as a sign of respect for Schneider’s legacy. A Global Brand is Born The two men created the first mainstream, non-Cuban premium cigar brand – Davidoff – and pioneered marketing across Europe, then Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and the United States. The American expansion, initially with the Zino brand as Davidoff was still associated with Cuba, was aided Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, who opened key doors in the American society. The collaboration between Schneider and Davidoff elevated the Davidoff brand, now the bedrock of Oettinger Davidoff’s portfolio, to a stature once reserved for Cuban cigars. «Finca Dr Ernst Schneider» near Santiago de los Caballeros. (Image: Courtesy) Schneider's Decisive Move Schneider’s boldest move came in the early 1990s: he shifted production from Cuba to the Dominican Republic amid concerns over quality and intellectual-property rights, establishing a fully integrated «crop-to-shop» model. The portfolio has since expanded to include AVO, Camacho, Cusano, Griffin’s, Private Stock, Zino and Zino Platinum. Schneider also ventured into cigarettes, perfumes, spirits and wholesale for kiosks, railway station shops, petrol station stores, motorway service areas, and the tobacco trade – initiatives later sold or converted into franchising agreements held directly by his heirs and separated from the company. 49 Million Handmade Cigars Today, Oettinger Davidoff focuses squarely on cigar production in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua, rolling about 49 million handmade cigars a year – a volume that rivals, if not surpasses, Cuba’s undisclosed premium output. «It is a great honor and pleasure to lead Oettinger Davidoff into the future,» says CEO Beat Hauenstein, citing innovative products, unique limited editions and unrivalled shopping experiences. Oettinger Davidoff's Main Production Facilities in the Dominican Republic. (Image: Courtesy) From Monaco to Hong Kong Scale without compromise is Davidoff’s hallmark. Under Hauenstein’s leadership, production capacity in its Dominican hub has doubled, a new blending center opened in February 2025 The glass-walled Maison Davidoff in Basel, unveiled in 2017, pairs lofty offices with cedar-rich lounges. New flagships in Hong Kong, New York, Monaco and key travel-retail hubs signal renewed global ambition. Boldness as North Star Remaining privately held after 150 years is remarkable. What began as a single Basel boutique is now an international house that resists conglomeration, shielded from short-term pressures and guided by its founding values. Boldness has long been Davidoff’s north star. In 1991, as Cuban quality slipped and the state tightened its grip on tobacco, Davidoff and Schneider took the unthinkable step of leaving Havana. New Blending Center in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. (Image: Courtesy) Period of Self-Discovery That was hardly the firm’s only trial. After World War I, the founder’s fortunes waned, forcing creditors to appoint Georg Huppuch, who eventually gained ownership and paved the way for Schneider. After Schneider’s death in 2009, the company entered a period of self-discovery, divesting several side businesses. Between 2011 and 2017, a highly marketing-driven – and costly – strategy produced acclaimed lines such as Davidoff Nicaragua and Escurio, albeit at a steep price on the company's income statement. Latin Passion, Swiss Precision Since Hauenstein became CEO in 2017 – and Domenico Scala (who is also on the board of Basler Kantonalbank) succeeded Andreas Schmid as president of the Board of Directors –, the approach has grown more strategic and disciplined, while maintaining a high cadence of innovation. If entrepreneurial daring drives the company, Swiss precision sets the tempo. Every bale of tobacco is tracked from curing barn to humidor – quality control as exacting as any in the industry. CEO Beat Hauenstein at Maison Davidoff. (Image: Courtesy) That devotion to flavor is matched by an equally meticulous sense of responsibility. A board-level human-rights policy funds schools, sports and healthcare in producing regions, while the firm’s scale helps secure market access amid mounting regulatory headwinds. Oettinger Davidoff's Soul Ultimately, Oettinger Davidoff’s soul rests in skilled hands and in passion for premium cigars. In Santiago, «torcedores» (many of whom second- and third-generation) roll each cigar leaf by leaf – a slow ritual yielding smokes designed for unhurried contemplation. Signature white-band Davidoff cigars open with cedar, evolve into cocoa and leather, and finish with a wisp of clove – a flavor arc savored from Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse to New York’s Madison Avenue and Hong Kong’s Central district. Source: https://www.finews.com/news/english-news/67970-oettinger-davidoff-150-year-anniversary-zino-ernst-schneider-beat-hauenstein

Blessed are the cheesemakers! Great stuff, Chas!

‘02 Sir Winston faltered, quality problems put it in the lo-mid ‘80s. Following up with a ‘00 SLR Churchill that’s not disappointing!

Ambar GES Nov 23 Robustos Extra

🔥

A 2021 Lusi, first DC in a looooong time...

I got a box of Bond Roberts petit 109‘s in, and I liked the first one so much I lit up a second. It’s the best non-Habano I have had in a long time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Siglo VI OGA MAR 12

Gorgeous A VICTORIAN SILVER AND ENAMEL VESTA CASE by Lawrence Emanuel, Birmingham 1886, of rectangular book form, enamelled with the image of a cigar and inscribed It all ends in, engraved J.B. Pewtress 1888.

Many thanks to Crazy Katy the Cow Lady…

Started with a VR Famosos, Monte PE and an awesome 2006 RyJ Cazadores.

This place is a bit of an institution here. Not the greatest of food, but after a cigar tasting evening and with old, old friend. Sorry bud 😝

Picked something special for my Father’s Day morning smoke while watching the US Open. Father’s Day was one of the 3 times a year my father would have a cigar after dinner with me. I’d hand him his Churchill and he’d say, “time for the piece de resistance” and watch him smoke, smile and stare at his cigar. This cigar has a nice smooth colorado wrapper and is nicely filled at 15g. Draw is fine with a cold flavor of ginger ale. 1/3 wildflower honey. This is a juicy cigar, 2 puffs in and I’m licking my lips and smiling. It’s under medium body but very rich, with a mouth coating sweetness. 2/3 honey ginger cookie 3/3 medium body now, dark honey, spicy with a sweet earthy finish. It’s so deliciously rich it’s dripping down my throat. A wonderful cigar to start what should be a day of yummy cigars and dinner with my son. Unfortunately my son does not share my love of a fine cigar, but I do smoke enough for 2 people. HAPPY FATHERS DAY

‘98 Vegas Robaina Classicos - 6 1/2 X 42 Lonsdales - from the glory days (at least MY glory days) when Lonsdales were available from most of the Cuban marcas. This one was early production as they were just introduced in ‘97. So many flavors! Standouts were tart cherry, heavy cream and pepper. Chewy gooey smoke. 90 minutes of glory.

Pre Father’s Day Shenanigans: Monte Petit # 2 - RAP NOV 22. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hoyo Double Coronas TAP AGO 24

Romeo y Julieta Churchill (GEL JUN20).

JL1

Montecristo Petit Edmundo (BUP April 2018) oily, coco, coffee and a firm white ash.

Cohiba Siglo IV - EOT Sep 2015

Hoyo de Mena bhk 54

Sitting on a few boxes of these. Finally cracking one open. Off to a great start.