dobbs

You weren't wrong, I got a bottle of the still-strength blanco and it just may be my favorite tequila right now. -dobbs

Agree on all of this. These days I mostly drink blanco tequilas, and enjoy El Tesoro, Siete Leguas, Lalo, and Tequila Ocho. I still need to try Fortaleza. -dobbs

Well, I can't speak to those, but what I can say is that I have Zalto universal glasses, and they're awesome. I bought two and did taste tests between them and much more reasonably priced glasses, and the Zaltos killed with most types of wine, particularly champagne. I haven't bothered to try between other high-end glassware or the other shapes that Zalto puts out, but have been very happy with the purchase. The article mentions that the Zalto are delicate, and I have broken one, but they're not what I would call fragile. Folks on this forum seem to know and enjoy wine, so I'm interested to see other's opinions. -dobbs

Not trying to raise a zombie thread, but this seems appropriate... A friend gifted me an '08 Muralla and I am smoking it now, in short, it is fantastic. This is my first, so I can't say whether anything has been lost, but this cigar is smooth in the extreme and very flavorful. I can see why some taste chocolate, but I'm getting more of an herbaceous carob flavor. Lots of grassiness, mint, and strong peanut flavor as well. Interestingly, there was a cheez-it (American cheese crackers) flavor on the cold draw which never showed after lighting. This is a very unique smoking experience for me and I am lucky to have been gifted this cigar. Enjoying with an Alvear Pedro Ximenez sherry (inexpensive) and my dogs on the deck. -dobbs

HDM Epi #1 would be my guess. Very light at first and my notes are usually floral, nutty, and leather, but not strong like Partagas for example. What do I win? -dobbs

EML May 15 PLPC I may have smoked a third of the cab and they're not at all interesting, never mind any caramel or even burnt sugar. I've had many PLPC which deliver, but this box just hasn't. -dobbs

gotta agree with this, the story was meant for the stage and it shows. the writing is brilliant, and the performances probably push the film version to an 8 for me, but it is clearly a play shot on film. -dobbs

i don't, but i generally get 45 without trying. the point though was to fit the cigar to the window of opportunity. a 60min window is perfect for a 45min cigar. -dobbs

to me, this cigar is perfect for what it is trying to be: a tasty small cigar. i get that some folks don't like short cigars, but for those of us who routinely find ourselves with a 40-60min window and want to enjoy a tasty cigar, the huhc fits the bill. -dobbs

i have boxes of nc's that i've "aged" only because i've got enough cigars and wandering attention. the blanket statement that nc's don't change over time has not been true in my case. i have some 2014 tatuaje black label corona gordas that are still smoking fantastic. i like to let any cigar rest for 3 months before starting in, regardless of country of origin. buy cigars, smoke the ones you like when you want to smoke them. it really is that simple. -dobbs

one of my favorite pictures of all time, top 5 for sure. the theatrical release is crap, but once they removed the narration and the "driving into bliss" ending, it clicked. the subtle editing is great, has tons of visual jokes, the set design is near perfect (for its time), the romance is laughably forced, and it all comes together with that score from vangelis. the picture asks us what is so important about being human, drops a bunch of hints about why deckard is and isn't so special, invented the visual style of a dystopian megalopolis which inspired so many good and bad imitators, wrapped it in a neo-noir package so tasty, and had rutger hauer releasing a dove!!! what the hell more do you want? 10/10 -dobbs

i'll somewhat echo el presidente. i think that currently there are a lot of desk jobs that cannot be outsourced, but it is only a matter of time. not that long ago chinese manufacturing was a joke... -dobbs

i've had several and have never been impressed. i even bought a few of the anejados hoping to taste what everyone else loves, but no dice. i finally had a "good" one about a year ago, but it wasn't good enough to purchase more. i definitely don't get it. -dobbs

these slow & low are a little too sweet, but not bad in a pinch: the cans sure travel easy. -dobbs

it took a while for me to get a good one, but once it hit, i totally got it. great cigar, still sitting on a few, takes me a little over 1-1/2 hours to smoke one and it is fantastic when on. not much can touch this cigar when it's firing on all cylinders. one of the best, without a doubt. -dobbs

i quit cigarettes almost 20 years ago, but handrolled my own from drum. can't imagine rolling in advance of smoking, but then again yours have filters. a machine i assume? -dobbs

the book is by one of our greatest living writers and the movie is largely faithful. the coen brothers have made some amazing films (some bad ones too though). the performances are outstanding and there's not much keeping it from being a perfect picture. i understand the topic is not to everyone's taste, but it is seriously packed with nuance and in my top 5 for sure. one of my favorite parts of the movie is the fact that llewellyn's death is completely outside of the action. super-daring narrative move that keeps focus on the core concept of the film: it is not an action movie, it is a study of morality and a meditation on how little has changed. to be fair the book handles it that way as well. not much recent filmmaking comes close, 10/10 for sure. -dobbs

great picture, changed filmmaking for better and for worse. definitely tarantino's high-water mark, all downhill from there. i remember it was released to indie theaters before getting wider release in shopping-mall theaters. when i saw it at a tiny theater, several people walked out, the rape scene got the last few squeamish folks. the picture is a masterpiece, in that only a master filmmaker could have made it. the timing and editing are impeccable and hugely influential. the non-linear storytelling is largely a gimmick, but it works. the brutally funny moments are probably its greatest quality. the casual profanity and violence contrasted with some super-mundane dialog was definitely a breath of fresh air, and importantly, the characters are presented from a very human and relatable perspective, despite the fact that they're not normal people at all. unfortunately its success led less-talented filmmakers and studios to hack together mouthy, violent, and "shocking" movies to capitalize on pulp fiction's success. also unfortunate was the license handed to tarantino to make some really bloated and/or bad films in its wake. top ten? maybe based on the influence it has had, definitely not in my top 10, maybe top 25. i'm probably being unkind, but my taste in film is unpopular. -dobbs

the d4 can be great, i have a bmp nov 16 box that i'm savoring. not all are amazing, but there's a very good average. honestly, the d6 blend is better to my palate, but pricing is ridiculous, an that factors-in for me. i always get the sourdough note, and i love it. some good spice and rotating notes of earth or woodiness. partagas might be my favorite marca, and i really enjoy the d4, but i get why some may not. -dobbs

i am not, i live in the sf bay area but have been to san diego a few times with people who love the place. thanks for the invite! -dobbs

heck yah, san diego mexican food rules. if you get drunk-hungry or hungover, try a california burrito. hell, try one regardless, that's the only city in the world where they are awesome. that ceviche looks legit, by the way, but corn on a taco is a sin. -dobbs

absolutely love the lusi. i usually claim it as my favorite cigar. head and shoulders over the ramon allones and the hoyo, haven't had a punch dc (or an slr for that matter), so partial answer there. i've only been smoking it since '17, and some boxes smoke different from others, but not sure i could chalk it up to a blend change. maybe sometime i'll try the 109 version, but not holding my breath. definitely takes me longer than 2 hours to smoke one, but always a pleasure. i usually get sweet and savory spices with some floral notes. sometimes a bit woody or earthy, but not strong or bad. tasting notes i have from an aso mar 17 box (smoked may 2020, sorry, i barely keep notes) are that there were some amaro and cola flavors, which i remember were awesome. all said, it is a classic for a reason. great poll topic! i'm interested in hearing from others. -donbs

good lord, no thank you... -dobbs

i recently picked up the weber kamado and it is amazing, but since you already have a kamado that changes things. to be honest, if you're not looking to do long smokes, you should pick up a weber kettle (yeah i like weber) or a badass gas grill. your budget is plenty, it just comes down to whether you want to work over charcoal or gas. gas is convenient and absolutely has its place, but i love the flavor of lump charcoal. -dobbs

mine are the same as many: walking to elementary school, outside freedom, general media disconnect. but the one that gets me, here in caifornia at least, is that we used to be able to decide to go camping, and just go do it. seems nowadays everyone wants to sleep outside and most places require reservations. i used to live not far north of bug sur, and in the 90's we would just drive the coast and be alone. i don't know what happened, but it's a damn traffic jam all the way down. my private theory is that cars got more reliable. that and instagram. -dobbs