rspdiver

Fuzz, from tasting them both, I'd say smoke the Tampa, save the Czar. The former was very approachable and delicious now, and the latter had a good bit more body and power that could certainly develop into a legendary smoke with a bit more time.

Indeed, and I enjoyed it thoroughly! It started off mildly, a pleasant surprise to the first few draws of many cigars. And it really built in a slow, steady progression through the first 1/3. There was something very familiar, yet difficult to place on the palate. Almost like a very very mildly astringent layer on rare woods. And that's about as fruit-filled as this review is going to get! Suffice to say, it was a grand smoke, in great company. I think the fault Van and I both faced was leaving the cigar lounge in the crap weather (cold and very humid) to the safety of the nearby eatery where the pics were taken. From then on, burn and light were an issue for both cigars, but while going strong the Czar was fantastic, smooth, and drew very well. Which I had concern about, as I cut a relatively small opening, and instantly thought I'd have problems with later. Those issues never developed! So, thanks to Van for sharing a rare treat, and thanks to the Master and Commander of this real for creating such a fine smoke. A few years on one these cigars will reward any owner.

Here's a thought: With as marvelous as Ken is with cigars and teeth, and as splendid as Lisa is with...well everything, perhaps the good people of planet Earth should investigate cloning a super race based on their combined DNA? :-P

High time Lisa was appreciated. ;-)

Good to see you around here, bro! Can't have too many good guys in one spot.

Welcome to the FoH board, Skin! Looking forward to the next time we can burn some rolled up leaves together, my friend. ;-)

I have a box of CoRo from Dec 04 that I will smoke one of on every one of my daughter's birthdays until they are done, or I'm pushing up daisys. I also have a box of RyJ Churchill tubos from Dec 04 that I am saving for her wedding day. I will smoke on, her mom, maybe her and/or her new husband, and they get the rest. Her birth month is Dec 04, by the way. Other than that, the box of Habanos Festival 2000 PCs are pretty special.

» many thanks. have heard from stan and dropped him a note. much appreciated. He's the salt of the earth, and I'm glad you could regain contact with him. If you aren't busy, you should try to make it up our way this fall (September) for a cigar. Small commitment for you, right? ;-)

» just out of curiousity, wondering if there is a stan cutts from north » carolina hiding behind any of these aliases. if there is and you wish to » retain anonymity, drop me a note on kgargett@bigpond.net.au. I'll see that your message gets to my good friend. I haven't seen him on here yet, though.

Well, sadly I'm smoking the last of the 3 cigar sampler I purchased from Rob recently. Man, I wish like hell I had bought more. These have been some of the finest cigars I have smoked, and unique unto themselves. They have almost a mentholating quality to them that opens up my sinuses. I thought it was a fluke with the first one a few weeks ago, but this one tonight is the same. With that, they have a marvelous herbal woody flavor that is hard to put my finger on, but is completely satisfying. *sigh* I suppose these are the last we'll see... Unless Rob can flex his vendor muscles and get them put back into production, at least for a special run... :-D

H.Upmann Super Corona Punch SS2 Sure as hell would like to see another run of Monte and/or RyJ Robustos (the EL blend), though that's not in the scope of the question.

Sounds like a hell of a cigar. Sadly mine never showed up. Oh well, maybe I can get in on a later tasting. Does that mean I'm exempt from a waiting period to join a tasting? :-D

» Still waiting on mine to show up:-( ditto

I'm just so happy that the Cohiba DC EL is the subject of this month's taste testing! (commence tribal feuding and bickering) Truth be told, I have tried one Sublime and found it to be well before it's prime (vegetal, as Rob suggests, seems to fit), although superb. I don't recall any DC ELs being available through my preferred vendor of singles and boxes alike *shamelss plug*, or I would offer a lenghty comparison. The do seem to be held in a very similar high regard for those that are fans of the Cohiba line and ELs, however.

CigarNexus.com has a pretty decent fake education section, though it's dated. I think the single best piece of advice for the budding cigar buyer/collector is: If a deal seems extremely good, almost too good to be true, it likely is. Case in point: the recent rash of first run ELs popping up on the market at reasonable prices. Many come from "forgotten stashes" and such. It's BS. I'm sure Rob will attest that selling cigars, not saving them to try to sell later, pays the bills around his place. Caveat emptor