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Enjoyed some great cigar weather this past weekend. 2019 Hoyo Epicure Especial hit the spot!

2022 CORO

Unbanded Esplendidos from El Laguito.

Nice 3s! Even nicer cigar! Hope you're having a memorable time in La Habana!

I was in Havana a few weeks ago, and the shelves are still mostly empty in the shops there. I was hoping to find a little more quantity and selection given it was the week of the Partagas Festival, but there was no such luck. Interestingly enough, I saw a group of Asian gentlemen at the airport, leaving the country with stacks of cases displaying the Habanos insignia 🤔

My brother in law received his book last Friday here in California. I live in the same area and still haven't received my copy or shipping updates.

Is that the LCDH in Tijuana? 🧐

Looks like that hotel is being lax with Mexico's new smoking ban. Enjoy brother!

Great podcast! Keep up the good work gents 👍

The LCDH in TJ is the ONLY trustworthy place in the city to buy CCs. Been going there for years and have never had any issues with authenticity. Their storage conditions used to be a little questionable back in the day, but I've noticed a big improvent in recent years. Their selection has always been relatively decent with some occasional gems, but I havent been there in about a year, so I can't comment on their current stock situation. Also, you may be shocked by the pricing due to ridiculously high tobacco taxes in Mexico. I usually just stick to buying the Mexico regionals. They also have a house custom roller who makes decent cigars at a decent price. Hope this helps...

I haven't had a Cuaba that I didn't like. I love the earthy flavor profile that I get from them. Quite unique amongst the other marcas and I appreciate the change of pace.

Monte 2 and RASS for me. When I first got into CCs I wanted to love these, but I was greatly disappointed with them. Now I love them and both are currently amongst my top three favorite cigars.

I have this same tradition on my 7 year old daughter's birthday. And I agree with you, they are excellent cigars. Cheers brother!

Looks like VR has changed up its packaging.

This was most likely the case. That area is crawling with zombies. I was there for the grand opening and was nearly attacked by a belligerent lunatic as soon as I stepped out to leave.

By far my favorite PC right now. These are one of the most consistent and reliable smokes in my humidor. Always rich and flavorful, they never seem to disappoint. I haven't smoked any that were rolled before 2019, so I guess you could say I enjoy them young. I'm a slow smoker, so these take me about an hour or so to finish.

MEG ABR 17 VR Unicos Rough looking cigar, but smoked like a dream.

I haven't been impressed with the handful I've tried so far. At best they've been decent. Currently my least favorite in the short smoke category.

I know I'm in the minority here, but D4 is a cigar that I "don't get". I've tried plenty over the years and have yet to find one that I liked. Not even a PSP '20 box is doing it for me right now. I would rank the D4 as my least favorite in the robusto category. Please don't hate me for this guys.

Epi 2s have been a bit of a rollercoaster cigar for me. When I first got into CCs I heard nothing but good stuff about these so naturally I wanted to love them. But I was quickly turned off when the first few I tried were really crappy. A few years down the road I gave them another shot and felt they were boring/bland smokes. Fast forward to '19/'20/'21 and now I "get it". Not sure if I would attribute that to a tweak in the blend or just my taste evolving over the years. Not my favorite HDM nor my favorite robusto, but I definitely have been enjoying them lately.

Lusis have been hit or miss for me. I had a bad experience with a '17 cab that was mostly plugged and unsmokable. But when they are on and not plugged they are easily one of my top 3 cigars. I prefer their flavor over HDM and I haven't had enough experience with the RAGs or Punch for a fair comparison. I also don't have the tenure to detect a change in their blend/flavor over the years. As far as smoking time goes, DCs take me at least 2 hours to conquer.

HDM Rio Seco from a PSP MGL MAR 20 box. So good I ordered another box!

SCDLH Prado / RAT FEB 20 Outstanding cigar! I was pleasantly suprised how good it was. Wish I had a lot more of these.

I haven't tried any of these yet, but I was told by a very reliable Cuban source that this line is not very good due to the tobacco being sourced from outside the Vuelta Abajo region.

The Mrs enjoys taking puffs out of just about anything I'm smoking (I only smoke CCs). When it comes to her smoking a whole cigar of her own she prefers shorter smokes. Her favorite right now is Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales. I believe she's smoking through her 3rd box of those. Mind you she's generous with her friends and sisters who come over and want to be "Cool" like her and smoke Cubans.