Introducing: Parallel Burns — The FOH Side-by-Side Series

[El Presidente]

This should be fun 

Introducing: Parallel Burns — The FOH Side-by-Side Series

This is where tradition meets disruption. In each edition of Parallel Burns, we pit a Desnudo or MOFOH or BR cigar against its Cuban counterpart in a blind or open head-to-head tasting. No pretense. No favourites. Just honest comparison, shared through the lens of FOH members who live and breathe cigars.

We kick off  Sunday 31st of August at 8:30PM New York time with a classic: the H. Upmann Magnum 46 versus the newly blended 2025 MOFOH Spada Gorda.

Here’s how it works:

🟫 FOH members nominate themselves to participate on this thread. Make sure you have that date and time free!
🟫 You must have an H. Upmann Magnum 46 in your rotation to qualify. Any year...but you are bringing it to the review.
🟫 If selected, we’ll ship you the 2025 new blend Spada Gorda next week to smoke side-by-side.

Four participants. Two cigars smoked side by side. One tasting experience worth tuning in for. Yes this will be recorded for FOH members to watch. 

This is about more than comparison. It’s about conversation. Complexity. Curiosity.

Parallel Burns begins now. 

[griller]

LOVE this !!!

[Lucas Buck]

This will be fun!

[LizardGizmo]

This is a great idea Rob! I love both cigars. I’m available 8/31 and am happy to participate if selected.

[joeypots]

Great idea. I have the '46 and would love to join in.

[BG318]

I would love to participate in this in the future, although I don't have a 46. I will enjoy watching whoever is selected for this round though.

[BoliDan]

Interesting. Love this. Will the videos be posted in the Puro Desnudo & MOFOH Cigars sub forum?

[MagicalBikeRide]

Cool idea. I’d very happily join, and have many Mag 46’s, but also conscious that the time zone is tricky. Excited to watch the videos either way. 

[El Presidente]

George (Lizard) + Joe are locked in. James check to see if you can make it from Dublin at that time...tough one. If you can, count yourself in. If you have a 46 and the date free, jump let me know asap so that I can get the new blend Spada Gorda out to you next week. 

I am not married to four people. Happy to have up to 6 if there is enough interest in a given cigar. Dan, I will post the videos in the Waterhole first before moving them to another location. 

[Perla]

Would love to participate. Great opportunity to burn a Mag 46 from the jar. 

Europe time zone. This is what matters. 

[El Presidente]

On 8/10/2025 at 1:05 AM, Perla said:

Would love to participate. Great opportunity to burn a Mag 46 from the jar. 

Europe time zone. This is what matters. 

Tough one indeed. 

Assuming: London/NY/Brisbane that would be 9:30PM/4:30PM/6:30am   

 

Rope in  Banos and two more.   I will send out a 4 pack and we can do a different vid midday on a Saturday/Sunday your time 

 

[El Presidente]

...and I still need two more participants for the Mag 46 tasting! (US/Canada/Asia/Oz). If in Oz it will be on a Monday 11am

[ChanceSchmerr]

Ah nuts - I'd have loved to join, but just moved back to the UK from Canada this month, so I guess I don't qualify from Canada anymore LOL 

That and my Mag 46 box is in transit across - who knows if I'll even have it on hand by 31 Aug!

Looking forward to watching this!

[targa88]

I will sacrifice a Mag46 for a good cause.

[Glass Half Full]

Daggummit! ...Away (on a plane) on 31st Aug. All  X$#?&! day. Please do this again.   

[El Presidente]

7 hours ago, targa88 said:

I will sacrifice a Mag46 for a good cause.

In!

[riderpride]

This sounds so awesome. 

@El Presidente- is this the '25 blend, or is this the next batch?

Cheers!

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, Glass Half Full said:

Daggummit! ...Away (on a plane) on 31st Aug. All  X$#?&! day. Please do this again.

If George, Joe and Colin can do it, let's kick this back to Sunday the 7th of September 8:30 PM NY. 

Check your diaries gents and we will lock it in 

[El Presidente]

1 minute ago, riderpride said:

This sounds so awesome. 

@El Presidente- is this the '25 blend, or is this the next batch?

Cheers!

25 Blend 

[joeypots]

Sounds good to me.

 

[Ruggerpgh99]

I am interested, available, and have a Mag 46 ESM Oct 23 that I have been dying to try. Would be my first time tasting either cigar, not sure how anyone feels about that. 

[MagicalBikeRide]

I’ll rule myself out @El Presidente. You have enough above now I think. Also unsure that the sight of me, huddled in the garden shed / shelter, at the early hours of the morning - would make for an engaging video. Especially if it’s raining 😂

[Glass Half Full]

I'm sorry. I was wholly incomplete in my earlier chagrin.  

...And please do not hold up things on my account. I'm in Argentina through 15th September, much of the time in lands w/out reliable service. (As they say, "Don't cry for me..."  )  

But, if you did happen to do this late in the month of September, I would be there.  

Apologies for my complications -- and (as you know) I will follow this thread with great interest in any event! (What year of Mag 46?) 
-c

[Perla]

On 8/15/2025 at 3:36 PM, MagicalBikeRide said:

I’ll rule myself out @El Presidente. You have enough above now I think. Also unsure that the sight of me, huddled in the garden shed / shelter, at the early hours of the morning - would make for an engaging video. Especially if it’s raining 😂

You were the reason why I threw my hat into the arena. 😂😂😂

If the offer stands from you @El Presidente and maybe a few more Europeans take heart, I'd be happy to take part.

 

@ChanceSchmerr,If you be intrigued, I'll send you some. It's easy to solve.

[MagicalBikeRide]

Sorry 😂