Us "Collecting Nerds" and the "Average Joe"

[GVan]

My wife and I held a party for 64 of our friends from my Men's Golf League. An awesome evening of fun, friends, discussion, food, drinks and just camaraderie very similar to what @El Presidente has created for us at FOH!

At the party we had 6 brands of beer, Corona Non-alcoholic beer, 20 different Scotches from 10 to 27 years-old, 13 different Rums from 2 to 23 years-old, 49 different Bourbons from 86 to 126.8 proof. More interestingly, for the wine drinkers, we served 2 different Chardonnays, a Pinot Grigio from Italy, a 24 year-old Napa Cabernet, a 3 year-old Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and a 26 year-old French Bordeaux. (I will post the interesting wines at "What's in your Glass?").

More apropos to this blog, I set-up a Cigar Bar in my Office with a selection of 8 cigars from my current smoking rotation (see the picture below). The sign says if you don't like what's out, or want something different, just ask and I'll guide you through the humidor to pick your selection for the evening.  

I selected cigars that span from very mild to full. Each cigar had it's own full-page description listing where it was from, what tobacco's were used by the blender, any awards the cigar had won, the size,  ~ how long it will smoke, it's ~ age, and what flavors you could expect. Some interesting stat's / story's from the party ....

• Out of 64 people, 12 men and 2 women smoked cigars (~22%).  At the end of the evening another couple said they loved cigars but just wanted to mingle and wouldn't accept a cigar to take home (too bad, would have gotten it to 25%).
• Only 3 people picked a Cuban despite the Humidor across from my desk showing 38 boxes of Cubans and two boxes out on display (~21%).
• All but one chose something that was in the Cigar Bar.  A friend who has been here smoking several times chose a Sancho Panza Non-Plus (EOS-MAY 19).  An excellent choice and one of my favorites after a big meal.
• One couple, who are both very experienced cigar smokers, chose the Illusione Haut 10.  The only Churchill in the selection at 4.5 years of age; both nubbed it and complimented it as an excellent cigar.

Best Stories:

• I may be in trouble  - one gentleman who said he hasn't smoked in 9 years wanted any Robusto - and was really enjoying the AJF New World Dorado on the second-floor smoking porch until his wife found him!
• Another gentlemen, was really excited to try all the different Bourbon's and "only the Bourbon's that he had never tasted".  He was feeling pretty good by the end of the evening when I asked him which Bourbon was his favorite.  After a good 2 minute pause - he pointed to the 18 year-old Flor de Cana Rum!  He did Uber home.
• Lastly, the "hit of the night" with the most selections and discussions by the smoking party goers -- was the MOFOH Sovereign Suns.  Hopefully, Rob and the MOFOH Tasting Panel will not mind that I chose intentionally to highlight Hamlet and the Miami rollers in the description of the cigar.  But, be assured that all the rest of the MOFOH story was thoroughly discussed as we smoked the cigars. I live 2 hours north of Miami and the fact that it was a locally-rolled cigar seemed to impress -- also, the ladies seemed to like the picture of Hamlet !!!

Good friends, good drink, good food -- it doesn't get any better than this!

[sbsbsb1]

Wow what a spread...very generous.

[Havanaaddict]

Very nice job on hosting the party, the detail was spot on 👏  

[StoagieSnape]

What an Incredible host and a curated gathering. These types of "soirees" are so fun and meaningful...and memorable. I'm inspired after reading this and looking at the photos. Well done at preserving standards of elegance. 

[El Presidente]

Brilliant work 

Nothing more special than creating memories through putting smiles on faces 

[sbsbsb1]

Gotta love the signs giving background/details on the smokes....going all out

 

[Gemini_Man]

" I want to go to there." 🥳

[zacca]

That looks like it was an amazing time. Thanks for sharing. And your office has the kind of woodworking I want to do in my own. 👊 

[barrygoodvibes]

Wow.  I need better friends.