Quick Partagas Encuentro 2019 wrap-up and stock report?

[El Presidente]

I have been living vicariously through the reports of  those of you who went! I look forward to getting there next year 

 

for those that did make it, can you post up for us:

• Quick LCDH stock report. What was surprisingly plentiful, what wasn't seen. 
• Favourite paladar restaurant this trip
• Favourite moment?
• A photo or two that sums up the week for you. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

• Punch La Islas everywhere. Stacks upon stacks upon stacks. No surprise San Cristobals were being reserved for VIPs.
• Forget the name of the restaurant but the fish / sushi place by the river was notable.
• Very long dinner at La Terazza was fantastic, but the private dinner with Alberto was the highlight.
• See below

[SigmundChurchill]

LCDH Stock was pitiful.  If you wanted singles, you could find anything you wanted, but as for boxes, they all had the same exact stock.    You could find boxes of common stuff pretty easily, like PSD4s, but as far as Cohiba goes, they all had plenty of Medio Siglo, Siglo I, and Siglo II, and that is it.  No Sir Winstons.  Didn’t see much in the way of Trinidads.  Rare regionals and EL’s, etc.  A few stores had Monte Dumas, and only one of the stores we went to also had Leyenda and Maltes.

Favorite restaurant was definitely Santy’s.  The sashimi melted in your mouth like butter.

Favorite moment was probably just running around Havana on missions, with our group of 6 guys, which kind of turned into 7 guys on the last day.  The whole trip we were constantly trying to get or find SOMETHING, and jumping through hoops to do it.  Then when we got what we were looking for, it was on to the next mission.  It was a lot of fun, especially with this particular group of guys.

.....Oh, the El Laguito tour was nice too.  And meeting everyone at Santy’s

 

Unfortunately I dont have any pictures of the guys at Santy’s, but I have a picture of the sushi from there.

 

[Drguano]

I finally found boxes of QdO 50s labeled as 54s (see other thread)but no luck on the real deal. No SCdH Cabanas or H.Upmann Proprios. Lots of Montes and RyJ. One box of Siglo IV. 1 packet of 3 Silo VI. I did come across some older Sancho Panza Non Plus from 2016, 2017 and a 2019. The last morning found Partagas E2s at the Nacional.

Found the usual suspects at various bars and clubs. Great times.

 

Best new restaurant for me was Ivan Chef Justo near the Museo de la Revolution.

[El Presidente]

3 hours ago, Drguano said:

 

 

 

 

 

.... I am not even going to ask 

[Fuzz AI]

3 hours ago, Drguano said:

Stu: I'm gonna get my groove on!

 

Oh. My. Sweet. Lord. What is he doing?

3 hours ago, Drguano said:

 

[Habana Mike]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

.... I am not even going to ask 

As a witness I agree best not to..

[Drguano]

What happens in Havana...

[Corylax18]

I'm still recovering from another great trip from the 16th to the 26th. It was great to see everybody from all over the world again. The long lunch at Espacios was, as always, a great way to spend a few hours. 

La Isla where everywhere! I saw at least 500, maybe 800 boxes spread across every shop we visited. There was no shortage at all. I bought three boxes and we smoked through one of them during the trip. MUP OCT 18 code and the cigars where ready to smoke. On the mild side, but very smooth with a nice sweetness. Construction was also good. 

We were asking about La Cabanas all trip and we got about 5 different answers. Most of them, some variation of "Mannana" They started trickling out towards the end of my trip. I was able to snag a couple boxes of them as well. I was also able to sample a single, which, like the La Isla, was very smooth and approachable already. Ill update with codes and photos in the "post your haul" thread once I pull everything out of the freezer.

Stock was otherwise pretty standard. Plenty of cigars at most shops, but not much that would blow you away.   

Santy, again, takes my vote for best paladar on the trip. I've never had a bad dish there. However the best meal of the trip was actually at a farm in Pinar del Rio. (picture below) We were served the best lobster, by far, that I've ever had. Fresh and perfectly prepared.

Favorite moment was the 3 days I spend Scuba Diving in Bay of Pigs. Playa Larga is Quiet, very laid back and beautiful. (by Cuban Standards) The photo below is from about 140' deep in "Fish Cave" about 15 minutes south of Playa Larga. I could dive BoP for weeks before I ran out of spots. 

[westg]

Great photoes Cory . Thanks for the write up . 

[Derboesekoenig]

Wow that is so cool. I've been wanting to get my scuba cert. for some time now. Adding Bay of Pigs to my list. And as always, Hector's farm is an amazing experience I'm sure! We were starving by the time we got there, and it was delicious food. Highly recommend

[Nino]

Just got back home yesterday and trying to get back on German time ...

Havana was a good experience again, especially as shared with many old and new friends.

Had a great time with @Corylax18 and with Gene and Javi, with the Canucks - good to see a milder Keith ? and with all other present - good to meed Elliott, and finally meet Yann from Montreal.

The FoH meetings were fantastic and great fun, thanks to Andy, Stu and Javi for all the good plans !

Found COH Novedosos to smoke and they were delicious, a tremedously good cigar.

Punch La Isla was all over the stores - SCDLH La Cabaña not so much ... ?

Found a nice touristy place that I only used to buy booze and never checked the back room to have some interesting stuff that tourists overlook ... Sir Winnies, Fundadores etc.

Best Paladares other than Marea and Santy's to me are Tocamadera and Destino.

Here some of my pictures of the FoH events - thanks again to Andy and Stu for a fantastic time !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ElJavi76]

I certainly agree with @nino @Corylax18 @Drguano and @SigmundChurchill. The Punch Isla were bountiful. I had my first on Sunday night thanks to Pete at El Sauce. Pete must've thought... What kind of Cuban tragedy is this? Why is Javi not smoking right now? Thanks again Pete. 

I, like Cory, thought these were approachable and for the price I didn't argue. I picked up 5 boxes. Elliot and I asked at every stop we made for any of the new Trinies? They all chuckled. We didn't see any Fundadores, Connie B, and Cohiba was in short supply unless you're into Siglo Is and IIs. The Medio Siglo boxes were sprinkled lightly throughout, but maybe one or two boxes per shop.

From the "back room" I got two boxes of Upmann Propios, three boxes of Cabañas, two E2 UAO boxes (they even pull those from inventory), a CoRo, and a 2019 Talisman. 

As far as fav food... Santy's is Santy's and it's in its own lane. However, the Wednesday night that the whole crew landed we went to La Guarida and had lobster tails. Holy moly that was a great meal. The best part of it was the check. We ate amazing food for a fraction of what we're used to paying in the NE. 

Marea also gets honorable mention. Nino pointed it out to me, and it will be part of the rotation for every other future Cuba trip. 

Another 10/10 trip for me. Here are a few pics. Had to take that last picture from the plane on departure. Isn't she beautiful?