Havana Diary March 24-28, 2017

[Puros Y Vino]

Just did a four day stint in Havana with some good friends. No debauchery, just some good, relaxing times.

A Trinidad Topes EL 2016 outside our "hotel" which seemed to be a running joke with the other hotels.  Not going to bother with this release myself.

Hanging out at Club Habana after emptying the place out of Monsdales. 

Enjoying a mid 1970's Sir Winnie at 5 y 16 LCDH with an espresso. I like bringing these old classics to their birthplace to smoke.

While at 5 y 16, Carlos Robaina handed me his cigar for the day to enjoy.  Smoked it later that night at the Nacional. Simply brilliant! Probably the spiciest, full bodied Cuban I've had since the RACF.

Some silliness in an old Chevy.  Lot's of silly faces in this one. 

La China rolling at Partagas whilst singing to herself.

Enjoying the Partagas VIP lounge all to ourselves.

Love this building.  So glad they finally finished the restoration work.

The leg of lamb at La Terraza. It just doesn't get any better than this.

FYI. The clay pot chicken at El Aljibe is worth the 45 minute wait (while you smoke of course)

Enjoying a modern classic.

El Capitolo facelift coming along.  Looking better since my first trip in 2012. 

[luv2fly]

Looks like fun!  Thanks for posting your trip!

[Corylax18]

Awesome photos! Looks like a great trip, I cant wait to go back!

 

[Drguano]

Ah, looks great. I am more than ready to go back. What did Carlos Robaina give you to smoke? It looks like a well rolled stogie.

[MooseAMuffin]

Great read along with great pics!

I know you already have a great collection but, did you find any interesting cigars to bring back that you're excited about? 

[ebhead]

Will post up mine a bit later today. Need to detox from the Only Cold Water/No Water/Broken Toilet trauma from Izlasul Colina for four days...

 

[gusto616]

Beautiful pictures
Thank you for sharing


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[ebhead]

But here's a photo of my haul from the trip

On my last day there Dantes and SLR Cuba REs started to show up in volume across the city, and there was ample supply of both at the Varadero airport last night when a couple of us were heading back. Outside of singles both the Topes and Capuletos were nowhere to be seen.

Most stock was regular production. Oh, Havana also had a few Sir Winnie's floating around. 

[Puros Y Vino]

  On 3/29/2017 at 2:43 PM, Drguano said:

Ah, looks great. I am more than ready to go back. What did Carlos Robaina give you to smoke? It looks like a well rolled stogie.

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It was a Robaina farmie, BHK56 sized. 

[saintsmokealot]

Cool pics. Thanks for sharing.

[Cigar Surgeon]

I'll be writing up an extensive article later today on my experiences.

[oside]

Thanks for sharing this!

[SteveH]

This was an awesome read w/great pics - thanks!

[Egluck1031]

Looks like an amazing time. 

[ebhead]

Here are my photos of the 4 day trip. Not too many I'm afraid, too busy smoking some cigars.

Lounging around:

Custom Cigar Time:

A view from the other side:

You Talking to Me? (yes, he decided to attack his reflection after this photo):

The best for last (a lesson in cigar rolling):

[torsion]

Takes me straight back to this time last month! Great pics and looks like you had a fantastic time! I will need to remember about the claypot chicken next time at El Aljibe

[helix]

  On 3/29/2017 at 2:32 PM, bundwallah said:

A Trinidad Topes EL 2016 outside our "hotel" which seemed to be a running joke with the other hotels.  Not going to bother with this release myself.

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Thanks for sharing .  LOL!! the Colina ,was a running joke... stayed in Nov. kind of grows on you in a weird way . Great front patio for watching a huge mass of people and traffic going about the day in Vedado , if , you can handle all the exhaust fumes , just wicked at times .

[El Presidente]

You do it well mate!

Can't wait to get there come Christmas. 

[LLC]

Great write up

Aside from no hot water, the Colina location was good. The rooms were clean and comfortable for a hotel 1/10 the current rate at The National. The front patio was a great place to smoke while waiting for the group to assemble to head out.

Habana Libre had multiple boxes of Capuletos.


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[subport]

Awsome. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience. 

[ebhead]

  On 3/30/2017 at 4:03 AM, LLC said:

Great write up

Aside from no hot water, the Colina location was good. The rooms were clean and comfortable for a hotel 1/10 the current rate at The National. The front patio was a great place to smoke while waiting for the group to assemble to head out.

Habana Libre had multiple boxes of Capuletos.


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Really? Habana Libre? Oh, wait, right. I was mesmerized by the Sir Winnie. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

[gusto616]

  On 3/29/2017 at 8:09 PM, ebhead said:

Here are my photos of the 4 day trip. Not too many I'm afraid, too busy smoking some cigars.

 

Lounging around:

 

 

 

Custom Cigar Time:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I assume you brought that Matusalem 15 with you into Havana ?

 

 

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[ebhead]

No, the Matusalem was there. And it was amazing. I unfortunately don't know the provenance. 

[a2vr6]

The Matusalen and the cigars paired with it were amazing, great pics bro. Although you could of waited for me to recover from the car fumes before snapping the picture in the Chevy lmao.

[amaxp81]

Thanks for the photos and details - where did you take the rolling class out of curiosity?