My Phnom Penh LCDH Pickup

[mncz]

Hi everyone,

Last week, I posted an introductory thread introducing myself and also detailing my first CC purchase. The thread also expressed my concern for the condition of the sticks. Below is an excerpt from that post detailing the experience.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=118453

"Over this past winter break, I had the opportunity to travel internationally with a group of colleagues and faculty. We were conducting water quality testing surveys on rural village wells in various regions of Cambodia. It was a wonderful experience. At one point, I had the pleasure of visiting LCDH after reading a recommendation by Smallclub on this very website. The owner was not there, however, I was met and graciously welcomed by a nice man who was overseeing the place in Guillaume's absence. Most unfortunately, his name escapes me, but I do believe that it started with an R.

I spent some time in the cigar room chatting happily with R and slowly selecting sticks based upon interest. This was my first encounter with habanos. R was happy to educate me as we went along and I was ecstatic all the way through. I took a break to have a small stick (pardon the ambiguity – I've not yet mastered the jargon) and a drink of lovely rum which he paired with it (complimentary for mentioning the FOH reference). By this tale's end, I walked out having purchased small yet relatively diverse box of cigars: approximately $200 worth, 6–8 in total."

The cigars seem to be in pretty good condition. Although I don't have a hygrometer, I've assessed them by hand. They still feel spongy to the touch and not at all perceivably dry (by my limited knowledge).

I've stuck a Boveda 69% pack in the 898 cedar box and sealed it up in a strong plastic container (one of the Boveda "Fuenta Humidor Bags"). I'm not going to touch them for a few months at least.

I am, however, smoking the 46 as I write this. It's smoking excellently. My palate is not very advanced and therefore I will reserve the tasting notes so as not to take the risk of an inaccurate description. I will say, however, that the cigar picked up a lot in the second third. I was even getting a rich choclate for a few good pulls. Otherwise, predominantly hay from what I could tell, and very smooth. An excellent pairing with the Glenmorangie LaSanta 12 year (sherry cask matured). Also enjoying a Charlie Palmieri album (Latin Bugalu) – I really must explore some authentic *Cuban* music, but for now, Charlie is setting the mood just swimmingly.

I know that at least one or two of these sticks have a decent vintage (is that the proper term in the cigar world?) that dated back at least a year or two. Unfortunately, I didn't have "R" write down a list for me, so I don't know the specifics. Could anyone serve to assist in identifying them? In particular, I'm curious about the Bolivars, HUCAs, and the VR (I'm not even sure which VR this is).

Otherwise, the box seems to contain (again, unknown dates):
(2) H. Upmann Connoisseur A, (2) Bolívar Coronas Juniors (RE Asia Pacifico), Partagas 898, H. Upmann Magnum 46 (smoked!), and an unidentified Vegas Robaina

Thanks for looking. I'm happy to report that they seem to have withheld an excellent humidity and look forward to enjoying a couple in the months (or years) to come.

Please feel free to leave your comments or pose questions, in particular regarding some of the inquiries that I've posed.

With best wishes and good health to you all,

Matthew

[Dmatzkin]

Very nice pick-ups!!!!

[Stanislaw]

The bolivar is the bolivar short Asia pacifico... Excellent smoke!

[CUBANO]

The Bolivar As Stan mentioned is from 2008. The Connie A is LCDH 2013

[Troels]

Looking good. The Vega robaina must be a famosa, the bolivars is called short robusto I believe - enjoy

[CaptainQuintero]

Great pick ups and it sounds like a great experience too.

Storage-wise you should be fine with double-bagging the box and boveda pack into two zip-lock style bags. I think you will run out of cigars before running into any major storage problems

Enjoy! Let us know how you find the rest of the cigars as you progress through your selection!

[Mr.T]

Great pick ups! Glad to hear you had a very nice experience at the LCDH. R did a very nice job

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[PuffDaddie]

Nice.

[OZCUBAN]

Great pickup all good smoke look in good condition as we'll enjoy

Cheers