Leopolis Semper Fidelis

I've stored cigars, obtained from all over the world (but not Cuba directly), for more years than I can remember and have never frozen any of them - nor have I needed to.

The man has class: a great cigar accompanied by the perfect libation. Dates don't get much better than this...what more could one ask for?

Such "authority" is purely gratuitous and can be gratuitously denied.

Decreed by whom? By what authority? I agree that some Indians speak "The Queen's English" very well. Aussies and Kiwis alike would probably concur that some accents found in parts of England itself (not to mention areas of the US) would grate on them and would, therefore, be the worst for them.

Doesn't it cut both ways? Kiwis think the Australian accent is worse than theirs. Who's to say they are right or wrong? How is the Oz accent "better" than the NZ one? Isn't it a subjective matter of personal preference/prejudice? By what criteria can the topic be judged impartially? Should the "Queen's English" be considered the norm, with other versions of English, wherever spoken, relegated to the inferior category?

I'm delighted you weren't offended, Ken. People say (and I would be the first to agree) that my sense of humour can be rather peculiar.

I knew that all along, and was just pulling his leg. I hope Ken wasn't offended!

Yes, there are those who would be prepared to pay that much (I certainly wouldn't!) - but the authentic version would fetch far more.

If you mean the original BGM (not the later ersatz version), you'd be right - but I wouldn't sell mine.

Ken, I could ask you the same question!

Who are the "so many"? How can they use a gadget that isn't available yet?

КУРЕНИЕ УБИВАЕТ means SMOKING KILLS (I think). What the hell does that have to do with smoking? Nanny state in Russia, as elsewhere (including Cuba), wants to protect you from yourself!!

I remember the original BGM (discontinued in the early 1990s) - one of my favourites. The flavour of its successor was/is vastly different, worse so. The interloper masquerading under the moniker is a shocker. Its deletion elicited no tears from me; one of the few sensible things Tabacuba has done.

Why not? It could be an interesting experiment/experience!!

Many thanks for that useful information. I have seldom smoked that size (a bit too small for me), but I shall have to re-consider if the El Principe measures up. In the meantime, some Distinguidos have to be sampled to see whether they deliver that strong roasted peanut flavour I am seeking.

¡No hay problema! Lucky you still having these gems!

It doesn't matter, as I love dessert cigars too!

Unfortunately, the Serie du Connaisseur Nos. 1, 2 and 3 were discontinued some years ago and are now as scarce as the proverbial hen's teeth. How very, very unfortunate as they were classics!

Likewise, apart from the SCDHL El Principe, which I've not yet tasted.

According to Marvin R. Shanken's Cigar Aficionado's Pocket Guide (1997 edition): "BLOOM - A naturally occurring phenomenon in the cigar aging process, also called plume, caused by the oils which are exuded during later fermentations. It appears as a fine, white powder and can be brushed off. Not to be confused with cigar mold, which is bluish in color and stains the wrapper. MOLD - A potentially damaging fungus that can form on cigars stored at too high a temperature. OIL - Oil is the mark of a well-humidified cigar. Even well aged cigars secrete oil at 70-72% humidity, the level at which they should be stored. [I can't help including this one as well: "PERIOD OF SICKNESS" - A time when cigars should not be smoked. Fresh cigars are fine, as are aged ones; but avoid cigars between three months and a year old. (No reputable store would sell you a cigar of this age.)".] + + + + + + + Now we turn to Richard B. Perelman's Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Havana Cigars (Second Edition, 1998): "Aging of [cigars with strong flavors] will result in a mellowing in the strength of the cigars as the fermentation process continues. During this period, the internal oils of the leaves will migrate towards the exterior and will leave the wrappers oily and aromatic...Cigars which show white mold, also known as "plume" should simply be wiped clean with a barely-damp sponge or a soft cloth. If the mold has turned green, the cigars are ruined." + + + + + + + Note how Shanken and Perelman are at odds: Marvin says plume is caused by migrating tobacco oils and is not mold. However, Rich states that plume is white mold. By the way, has it been established scientifically that tobacco oils move themselves to the surface of the cigar, or is this one of those urban myths associated with cigars? Do cigars actually "ferment" as they age? I could pose some more questions, and make a few comments, on the above extracts, but will leave it at that.

One of the best reads I have had in a while. You don't have to be a Catholic to appreciate it.

These "sparkles" are to be found on my Cohiba 1966s. They have to be bloom/plume!

One retailer is currently selling them for £799 a box - now that is b....y crazy!!

This is the bane of my cigar smoking experience! Ditto. That has been my experience too, but not the panties after prom bit...

Thank you, one and all, for your information. It appears that the Cuaba Distinguidos is the most popular candidate meeting my criterion. As I said, Cuaba is not a favourite of mine, so I might just force myself to re-taste the Distinguidos some time. I hope I am pleasantly surprised!