Run Down on what I recommend on this weeks Specials

[El Presidente]

[perfectform]

I cant wait for the next review guys. Just this evening I enjoyed a Casa Magna Robusto and was thinking how great it would be to see how you guys feel about the much maligned CA #1 cigar of 2008. I feel it is a tremendous smoke...Cheers!

[Ken Gargett]

have you gone camera mad? do you really expect me to watch a vid that i am not in or you and smithy not ripping into each other?

can't we get a quick written precis?

[Spartan]

I tried the Casa Magna Colorado Robusto and thought it was a nice (not great) smoke. IMO definately NOT worthy of the 2008 championship.

[Lanthor]

Rob,

Once again thanks for the thoughts and insight, have a good weekend mate appreciate the perspective and candor!

Can't wait for the next review.

Cheers,

Mike

[brutusthebuckeye]

It will be interesting next week to see Casa Magna vs Monte Edmundo....love the reviews and the suggestions

Viva El Presidente.....

[bobsled]

Love the candor, its great to have a trusted cigar guy making the recommendations!

[FireDigger]

Interesting to see the RyJ Churchills have gone to the Short Churchill-type bands; double banded instead of a single gold band.

[SamuraiJack]

If the Edmundo has had any sleeptime at all it will SLAY the Casa Magna (it should anyway)

[terrantheman]

I've yet to try the casa but I keep hearing good things I also know that an edmundo is awesome so that casa better be one damn good smoke to even compete!

[Chicago]

THose H/Ups look tasty.

[Colt45]

Simply for the sake of conversation / playing devil's advocate, re the Casa Magna -

It's been mentioned here previously that CA has their own unique criteria for rating cigars. Personally I find no fault or don't begrudge

them their choices. It's their magazine.

I would find a direct comparison between the casa magna and petit edmundo somewhat odd - kind of like comparing a french cabernet to

an italian sangiovese.

Personally, I'd rather see the cigar reviewed for what it is and on it's own merits, without any direct comprison to any cuban cigar, and

leaving anything CA out of the equation.

On one hand I understand that it's more than likely all in fun, on the other, this is Friends of Habanos

[Ken Gargett]

Simply for the sake of conversation / playing devil's advocate, re the Casa Magna -

It's been mentioned here previously that CA has their own unique criteria for rating cigars. Personally I find no fault or don't begrudge

them their choices. It's their magazine.

I would find a direct comparison between the casa magna and petit edmundo somewhat odd - kind of like comparing a french cabernet to

an italian sangiovese.

Personally, I'd rather see the cigar reviewed for what it is and on it's own merits, without any direct comprison to any cuban cigar, and

leaving anything CA out of the equation.

On one hand I understand that it's more than likely all in fun, on the other, this is Friends of Habanos

colt, i think that last it is the key. fun. as i've mentioned, i very rarely see a non cuban and know bugger all about them so i am really looking forward to it, especially up against a cigar i enjoy.

and yes, each to their own. i think we'd get bored following the CA line and i struggle to imagine marvin shanken fitting in to our style. room for all.

[PigFish]

I was not aware that they made cigars outside of Cuba!!! Really now! -LOL

[El Presidente]

I can assure you Colt we are not looking for a public execution of the Magna

I hope it is an exceptional cigar. In comparing it to a good Upmann Edmundo, it is only because of the review I have read it appears to share similar profiles.

If the review goes to plan we will be celebrating what they share as well as the great qualites which make them different.

Then again we will tell the truth either way.

[Colt45]

I can assure you Colt we are not looking for a public execution of the Magna

I hope it is an exceptional cigar. In comparing it to a good Upmann Edmundo, it is only because of the review I have read it appears to share similar profiles.

If the review goes to plan we will be celebrating what they share as well as the great qualites which make them different.

Then again we will tell the truth either way.

I'm fairly sure you guys know I'm just making conversation - I have no stake either way. If we were all sitting around throwing back

a few, I'd probably ask something like "why the f@#k you wanna do that for?"

And I'm not suggesting this is anyone's intention - I've just never seen a need for "bashing" CA's ratings.

P.S. I'm pretty sure the Edmundos, large and small, are of the Montecristo line........

[Lanthor]

Prez, do you have now, or plan to get the HU 46's and 50's A/T?

Edit: Had a TEB 06 Edmundo tonight, if that turns out to be what the Casa is up against it is in serious trouble...

[ironpeddler]

I bought a box of Magna Robustos (as did a few friends of mine) and they were all a bit wet. Check yours and make sure you don't need to dry box them for a bit before your review. All of us had a tough time keeping them lit...it was like sucking on a straw in a frozen milkshake. We persevered as long as we could because of the CA rating and we were all smoking them together, but alas, we finally had to give it up and pitch them. I couldn't begin to tell you how it tasted, I had the cigar equivalent of 'Brain Freeze' from sucking on the damn thing so hard!

Good luck and I look forward to this upcoming review....should prove to be interesting.