raney

Good Lord, I take a brief respite from the online community and come back to find that they've now opened the doors to absolutely ANYONE. XXX, here? And blaming it one me... Seriously guys - I don't know him that well, and it was just that one time, and i thought it was a woman, I swear... that's what you get when you ignore the '151' part of the name on the bottle :-) Glad you could make it Dustin - hope you 'n Echo are getting back to the normal... lifestyle. R

Hey Skip! Nice to see you made it. :-D

Richard, Nice to see you here!

Commendable post Rob. It is very reassuring to have your intentions and vision for FOH (and CC) on the table here... it really lends to the trust and the 'family' feeling of the board and the business.

This is one of the first lessons I learned from the 'elders' who taught me about habanos. I agonized unbearably over the first few boxes I bougth, sending pictures and test sticks to people, even went to far as to pull out the calipers (lotta good that did me with box-pressed Bolis!) The clincher for me was Rob's post of the Demy-Tassy box and later, a survey of about 30 different bolivar bands from different boxes that someone with an enormous collection posted. The variation in those bands was really eye-opening. What I rely on now is my nose and tastebuds, and the integrity and knowledge of the vendor. Which is why I'm here Nice post El P!

Welcome from (yet) another Jerseyan. Fortunately for you, you have now joined the ranks of those who never need to question a cigar's authenticity again. At least not from here...

I have had and enjoyed both, but my experience with the Charlottes is somewhat variable. At their best, the charlottes (these were from 98 boxes) were very similar to the SdC #3, but many from other years were much more muted and not nearly as good. I have only had SdC from three different boxes (ABR and SEP 03 and JUN? 02) but all were stunningly good and so consistent they could have been from the same box. If it were me, I would always go with the SdC given the choice.

Well said - and no two ways around it: simply outstanding servie, and quality.

Great review, Chuck. I have one of these in my humidor that was a gift, but I think I'm going to be sorry I didn't pick up a box.

» » attaboy! What'd you get? » » Bolivar Bonitas 03 » QdO Gran Coronas 02 » SP Molinos 01 » SCdlH Principes (fresh) » » nevermind easing my way in... » ;-) Just got a box of those bonitas myself - and I've been very happy with them so far. easing in is grossly overrated - just leap and find out if you can swim or not

Box Code OSU ABR 03 I am NOT very proficient at reviewing, and have only been smoking habanos for about a year so i would welcome any feedback on my review style. My ability to name what I'm tasting is in its infancy, so please take this review with a grain of salt. The setting: In-laws are visiting Cez Raney this week, so I've been finding a lot of excuses to take long drives and smoke a cigar. Tonight, it turns out the best place to get take-out for dinner was 30 minutes away (my suggestion - silly me ) The SdC # 3 is not the most beautiful cigar I've ever seen, but the smell is absolutely to die for. I clipped the head and tested the draw - spot on, with just enough resistance. I knew form the moment I toasted the foot that I'd made the right choice. First third is extremely rich with the classic peppery partagas flavor - I can identify it by the sharp and spicy sensation in the nose. Similar to much of the partagas line, but much subtler and more subdued than, say, a Short or 898V. The first third is characterized mainly by this sensation floating over top of a classic taste of roasted nuts. Just a lovely sensation. Second third settles down a bit more (I speculate that this is due to my tastebuds and sinuses acclimatizing to the smoke, but what do I know?) and opens up into a greater depth of the nutty undertone. I'm admiring the way a cigar can occupy so much of my attention, the flavors dancing around like the equivalent of a laser-light show of aroma. Then as I get to the final third, out of nowhere (like a bass drum kicking in) comes a wave of pure cocoa that reminds me of a Monte Joyita more than anythign else. It is sublime. I get home just as I get to the last inch. I consider staying outside to smoke the last bits of the cigar, but decide to quit on a high note instead (there is nothing I hate more than overstaying my welcome, and finishing a great cigar with a mouthful of tarry smoke. This is a cigar that rewards patience and a relaxed demeanor, and delivers what I smoke habanos for in spades. Just a spectacular cigar, and while I have had better they are few and generally much more expensive. On a 100 point scale, I'd give it a 92

I had this experience earlier this week from a Partagas SdC #3 - though I've been a bit sick the past few days. I'm still a bit afraid of the Cazadores from my experiences with them the first 2 times.

Well it's either put a few here, or write a terrible review, so...

I think it's just easiest to say that one box of Monte #4's I bought didn't blow me away. Other than that (and this includes a second box of the monte's) I don't think I've met the mareva I didn't like.

Lisa deserves all the praise she gets. If you have to raise the prices a tad to give her the raise she deserves, so be it. (we arranged a kickback on my orders anyway;) ) To Lisa!