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Dear FOH, It was overall a successful foray looking through our July shipment. Whether you purchase from ourselves or elsewhere, what I hope to canvass is the good, great or otherwise in order that you get maximum bang for buck when purchasing online. I would recommend you visit our Live From The Warehouse Forum to familiarise yourself with what was found with box codes et al. If you are purchasing from other vendors, try to track these codes down to give you a better chance of great stock. Remember, they are only a guide as there is plenty of rubbish stock in most box codes. For those wanting to pick up an excellent box through ourselves, jump on the Cigar Underground Network website www.*****int.com (international) or www.*****as.com.au (Aussies) or contact the lovely Diana directly. Keep in mind we are flat out shipping last weeks Live Form The Warehouse orders and will be shipping orders from today early next week. Let's start with what I would spend my coin on. My Top 10 for June 2013 1. Cohiba Siglo VI The quality of the Cohiba Siglo Vi this month were brilliant. They have the right wrapper, perfect construction and an aroma at cold that promises something way above the average. Way too often we have been presented with "Ho hum" Siglo VI. Actually it is not just average Siglo VI, but averge Cohiba standard and Siglo lines. It was an absolute pleasure to come across a batch of Cohiba that live up to the "premium"demanded. If you are a Cohiba Siglo VI fan, then this is the month to jump in and pick up a box. 2. Montecristo Number 2 I often point out that this is one cigar never to purchase blind Montecristo Number 2 is about as consistent as ken's Fly casting (If fish were in trees then they would be in trouble). Blow and behold this month I came across a Mastercase of Monte 2 that were the epitome of both consistency and beauty and I have set this case aside for FOH (get in quick as orders will come from these until they run out). There are few better cigars than a great Montecristo Number 2. If you have experience this then you will know what I mean. If you haven't then it is about time you did. 3. Montecristo Number 4 The Monte 4 are stellar this month. The Number one selling Cuban cigar by a country mile. There are months where I would say "Seriously?" These are the months when box after box is as anemic as an extra from a Zombie movie. Yet, when they are this quality, Colorado Maduro, an aroma at cold of cocoa spice, and construction where it appears the rollers actually cared...well they are BRILLIANT! Pick them up. 4. Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure Number 2 Last month was a bad month. This month is a cracker for the Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure Number 2 The HDM E2 has been consistently one of the top 2 Robusto's each month. It is good to see that last month's fall from grace was an aberration. If you are seeking a high quality robusto just over medium in body and with a creamy, toasted tobacco flavor then jump right on in. 5. Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 2 They really are stunning. They should take the Quality Control manager of these, take him to revolutionary plaza and throw a parade! There are times when selecting stock that a batch of cigars is that good that you just take a break, sit back and admire them. This was indeed one of those times. Where possible, when you buy stock, buy what is "great". Put these on your list. 6. H. Upmann Magnum 46 I am a Magnum 46 groupie. Along with the Partagas 898 varnished, when I want a high quality full bodied cigar, it is the Magnum 46 that I seek out. This was a magnificent batch of Magnum 46. There is a pungency to the aroma at cold that screams "mongrel". The wrappers are dark and malevolent. The construction is A1. Each month I promise myself I will smoke less of these and bring something else into my rotation. Each month I am proven a liar. I can't do it. This cigar has bewitched me. 7. Bolivar Belicoso Finos There was a discussion on the forum recently as to how the BBF of late has been subject to some issues of underfilling. I don't disagree (and it is not just the Boli Beli). This was a great seam of stock and I checked very hard for any evidence of underfilling. I found none. What I found were remarkably consistent high quality cigars. Nice to see. What I love about the Boli beli is that for its gauge it is one of the fuller cigars flavor wise. It is earthy but also brings to the table some fantastic complexity when on. Having smoked one of these Last Thursday, It was one of the best Beli's I have had in the past 12 months. Purchase without fear. 8. Upmann Number 2 The Upmann number 2 is not a cigar that captures my imagination. I know....many of you prefer It to the Montecristo Number 2 (or any other Piramide). We all have different tastes but I will take a great Monte 2 any day. Mind you, it has been said that my tastes are that of a barbarian and I can appreciate how well Upmann Number 2 age. I just don't have the patience. If I was to age an Upmann it would be a Sir Winston. If you are an Upmann Number 2 fan...jump on in. They are well rolled with great sheen and aroma. 9. Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill There are not too many cigars smoking better than the R&J Wide Churchill. Let me put this straight. I hate the big gauge but I can't argue with the Morelo cherry notes that simply exude from this cigar. At its best the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill challenges the Wide Churchill as the best cigar in the R&J line up today. However in terms of consistency and flavor, the R&J Wide Churchill is way ahead right now. 10. Bolivar Petit Corona I am not sure that there is a better more consistent Petit Corona out of Cuba today. The recent PLPC have been superb. Yet they can always do with a little age. The Monte 4 picked this month are at the top of their game. Most months they are not. However the Bolivar Petit Corona are excellent quality and deliver from day one even when young. There is a fullness in body and intent that reaffirms this is a cigar that generally always knows what it wants to be. I always like having a great box of Monte 4, Boli PC and Por Larranaga (cab) on hand. Between them they almost capture the entire kaleidoscope of Habanos flavours. If you would like a best of June 2013 Sampler form the above (one each of the 10 Cigars) then please and we will take care of it for you. International $135 USD Aussies $225 AUD * Click the above Best of June 2013 Sampler link to order and let Diana know your full name and details. The best of the Super Premiums Behike 54 and Cohiba Piramide Extras were the best of the crop. I am finding the Cohiba Piramide Extras I am smoking hold their own against the best Behike. Let's see how long this lasts but quality and flavour are excellent. There is a current sale on Cohiba Piramide Extra (Boxes and Singles). Just head to www.*****int.com (international) and www.*****as.com.au (Aussies). Some other Noteables There were plenty of other great cigars discovered during the warehouse foray but most have now gone to FOH members. If you can find these elsewhere, give serious consideration to picking them up. Ramon Allones Specially Selected 50 Cabs Congrats to those who picked these up. Simply scrumptious cigars of the highest order. 50 cabs of RASS don't come around that often (at least to us) and seldom in the quality we saw here this month. If only all cigars were made this way! Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure 2 50 Cabs Whoever picked this stock up will be very happy indeed (there may even be a cab or two remaining). I would have pushed these harder if it wasn't for the fact that the boxes of 25's were of such tremendous quality. If you love 50 cabs....and you love HDM Epicure 2's....e-mail Diana. Cohiba Robusto There are times when I look at Cohiba Robusto and wonder "What the hell went wrong". Thankfully this was not one of those months. They are very bloody good and some of the best I have seen over the past 2 years. H. Upmann Petit Corona Nuts, shortbread and milk coffee is the flavour profile and it is hard not to love. If you enjoy the Upmann Sir Winston but don't have time to smoke a Churchill regularly, then consider a box of these. Now, they are not as classy as the Sir Winston....but you will note the unmistakable DNA between the cigars. San Cristobal La Punta San Cristobal has a unique flavour profile predominantly of molasses and toasted tobacco/cream. If you are fond of the "sweeter things in life" then this is a cigar that should be on your radar. The La Punta Belicoso is quite a consistent cigar however to be at its best it needs the right wrapper. The boxes I selected are definitely "On" Montecristo Edmundo 25's Some cracker boxes were picked this month (contact Di) but by Hades there was a huge disparity between what was good and what was junk. Even within the same box code there is disparity in any mastercase...but in terms of the Monte Edmundo It was Jeckle and Hyde stuff. Montecristo Petit Edmundo 10's If you are considering purchasing Montecristo Petit Edmundo in 25's this month, go have a cold shower as they are pathetic. The Monte Petit Edmundo's in 10's however are fantastic so do yourself a huge favour and pick up one, two or three boxes instead. Save yourself the pain! The Monte Petit Edmundo has a huge following amongst FOH'ers. In the 0's they will have a great month. H. Upmann Connoisseur Number 1 Of all cigars I hear the following phrase most when it comes to the Connie 1 " I am not sure why I don't smoke more of these". The Connie 1 is a sleeper and it's fans want to leave it so. Some excellent quality this month! Bolivar Short Bolivar Asia Pacific LE From 2008 and aging nicely. I still can't come to terms with the Petit Robusto format but I know many of you adore this cigar for it's great rendition of black coffee and cooking chocolate. While they are still available in good quality, snap them up. What to avoid when buying blind There are a few things to avoid this month when purchasing blind (anywhere). Ensure your vendor hand picks your boxes. Partagas Serie D 5 's (10's and 25's) are some of the worst cigars I have seen. Bolivar Royal Corona has plenty of dud boxes amongst them Cohiba Siglo III and IV. My god....what were they thinking. Cohiba Esplendidos. I have a few high quality boxes. The rest look like they have been hit with the "ugly stick". Cohiba Lancero. Just another month when they are going through the motions. El Rey Del Munco Choix Supreme. I have some excellent boxes. The rest you could use as dowels. Montecristo Petit Edmundo (25's). Someone in quality control was asleep on the day they rolled these. Montecristo Open (all). I actually didn't even bother looking but I will include them here anyway Partagas 898 Varnished (25's and 10's) . A disgrace (will mention more below). Punch Punch. With the extent of mold they looked like a lab experiment. Ramon Allones Specially Selected (25's). Be a little careful here. Much like the BRC...some seriously dud boxes. Have them hand picked. Romeo y Julieta Serie P Number 2. A joke. Romeo y Julieta Serie E ....a bigger joke. Vegas Robaina Classicos/Familiar/Famoso. Seriously, if that is the level of care then they should shut the marque down now. Special mention Partagas 898 Varnished One of my favourite cigars and I am seeing an unsettling trend in both the quality and quantity of cigars available (particularly in 25's). I don't want to push the panicbutton on these yet but I am getting concerned. Have a great week! El Pres www.friendsofhabanos.com