The PH Cigar Thread
Discussion
Looking to sell off the majority of my collection. I have a 50 count humidor from CGars that will come with a hygrometer and Xicar beads as well as about 40/50 Cuban cigars. Obviously willing to split if there is interest. All EMS cigars ranging from 2009 to 2013.
Email is in bio for any interest.
Please advise if this breaks any forum rules, I am unsure if this post breaches anything.
I will not post humidor.
Email is in bio for any interest.
Please advise if this breaks any forum rules, I am unsure if this post breaches anything.
I will not post humidor.
Mastodon2 said:
sc0tt said:
Thank you for the info.
Happy not to take too many, I'd prefer quality. I'd have to trust a ziplock bag though as I don't have a humidor.
Can you recommend any shops local to East london?
How much would a jet lighter cost?
I'd totally agree, quality is much more important than quantity. I'd rather have 5 or 6 great sticks than 15 rubbish ones. I can't recommend any London shops personally, but my friends who go to London on business use James J. Fox in Harrods. I don't know if cigars are more expensive in London but for £80 you should be able to get 5-6 decent sticks, I'd go for a mix of Cuban and New World, you tend to get more tobacco for your cash with New World, and I find their flavours a bit more complex than Cubans, but it's good to have some Cuban stuff too to get a good mix. If you're not a regular smoker just ask your tobacconist to help you out with choosing a few. Happy not to take too many, I'd prefer quality. I'd have to trust a ziplock bag though as I don't have a humidor.
Can you recommend any shops local to East london?
How much would a jet lighter cost?
You can get a jet lighter the size of a standard Bic pocket lighter for £1 and they don't last long, or ones with a bigger butane reservoir for a few quid, say a fiver, and they're refillable. No need to spend £50 on a fancy metal item, just whatever you do, don't use a normal cigarette lighter as it will make the cigar taste rank. Whatever you get, take a backup.
To light, hold the cigar at 45 degrees to the flame and toast the end, rotating the cigar to get an even burn. Once it's nicely charred (doesn't need to be glowing white hot) put it in your mouth and puff it while holding the flame to it. Once the flame jumps up as you draw, it's ready. Turn it around and blow on the foot, look check it's glowing orange all over, if it's not, give the black spots a quick blast with the lighter, and enjoy.
I'll look to get a cutter and a lighter prior to me going out there.
Top cigar night for me, it was a night out for the regulars of my local cigar lounge, we headed to a pub in Northumberland for drinks, smokes and food. We arrived at the venue to our private terrace and started the smoke with a San Cristobal El Principe. This was a great choice for a pre-dinner smoke, it was quick and light, taking no more than half an hour for most of us and being a very light and easy smoke. No big, obvious flavour profiles here, just typical Cuban but lighter. Reminded me of the Punch Coronations I've been smoking in the garden, but with less body. It didn't colour my palate and I didn't need to drink the taste away for the food.
The food it should be said, was excellent, I had breaded langoustines and mussels which were absolutely terrific for a starter, and pork belly, black pudding and mash for the main. The food was excellent and I'll head back there just for another go at the menu.
After dinner, we went back out to the terrace, warmed handily by some very effective heat lamps, where each man found a Cuaba Distinguidos waiting, a truly excellent cigar. These are a figurado, with a tapered foot, the kind where you light the tiny tip and smoke it, using your draw to grow the cherry and get it working. It's a satisfying thing in itself, feeling the draw open up as you work at it, but not as satisfying as the rich woody flavours on offer. No pepper, no harshness or bitterness, just incredibly smooth, rich flavour from start to finish. Absolutely fantastic. Even though there our group numbered in the twenties, the cheeseboards brought to us could have served a hundred men, so I took ample lumps of stilton on crackers in between draws, with some red grapes to moisten my mouth again. Absolutely heavenly. I was glad to have the good weather, dry and windless and more than warm enough with the heat lamps after dinner, the conversation and drinks were in full flow and everyone had a great time.
The food it should be said, was excellent, I had breaded langoustines and mussels which were absolutely terrific for a starter, and pork belly, black pudding and mash for the main. The food was excellent and I'll head back there just for another go at the menu.
After dinner, we went back out to the terrace, warmed handily by some very effective heat lamps, where each man found a Cuaba Distinguidos waiting, a truly excellent cigar. These are a figurado, with a tapered foot, the kind where you light the tiny tip and smoke it, using your draw to grow the cherry and get it working. It's a satisfying thing in itself, feeling the draw open up as you work at it, but not as satisfying as the rich woody flavours on offer. No pepper, no harshness or bitterness, just incredibly smooth, rich flavour from start to finish. Absolutely fantastic. Even though there our group numbered in the twenties, the cheeseboards brought to us could have served a hundred men, so I took ample lumps of stilton on crackers in between draws, with some red grapes to moisten my mouth again. Absolutely heavenly. I was glad to have the good weather, dry and windless and more than warm enough with the heat lamps after dinner, the conversation and drinks were in full flow and everyone had a great time.
A heads up for anone passng through Schiphol.
I bought a box of Montecristo Open Master and a box of Junior from a duty free place called Exclusive, it is mainly a whisky shop but has a small walk in humidor.
The two boxes cost just over 200GBP, the retail of a box of Master in UK seems to be around 300 so I think it was a great deal.
I was in a rush to catch a flight and there was a huge queue at the main shop so went there, I didn't have time to browse so grabbed these as the price looked good.
I have only smoked one Junior so far and it was OK, nothing special (not that I am an expert) but qute pleasant, the Master seems to get a better review though and I will try one of them later today.
I bought a box of Montecristo Open Master and a box of Junior from a duty free place called Exclusive, it is mainly a whisky shop but has a small walk in humidor.
The two boxes cost just over 200GBP, the retail of a box of Master in UK seems to be around 300 so I think it was a great deal.
I was in a rush to catch a flight and there was a huge queue at the main shop so went there, I didn't have time to browse so grabbed these as the price looked good.
I have only smoked one Junior so far and it was OK, nothing special (not that I am an expert) but qute pleasant, the Master seems to get a better review though and I will try one of them later today.
Edited by Corpulent Tosser on Thursday 17th September 08:05
This thread is due an update!
I've not had that many cigars of note recently, my lounge has a load of new stuff in, mainly from Drew Estate and Gurkha. but I've not sampled a great deal of it, but here is a quick run down of what I've had:
Drew Estate Undercrown in robusto - A great stick, rich and smooth with the excellent construction Drew Estate are renowned for. Medium-full but eminently smokeable, just so smooth, rounded and tasty. Probably my favourite cigar at the £15 price, where is where new world cigar competition is really stiff, which says a lot about this fantastic cigar.
Gurkha Ghost - Another great smoke. I'm not sure what size I had as Gurkha use silly names for the vitolas (Shadow, Angel Torpedo Tubo, Exorcist, Asura). They claim it has "cocoa and cinnamon", I can't remember any of that, I just recall it having a cured tobacco flavour similar to a Partagas P2 but without the mouth-watering strength and body. I remember it being quite dark and heavy to smoke, but it is a great Friday evening stick. I'd probably put the extra £3 in and get an Undercrown in future though.
Gurkha 125th Anniversary - Apparently contains "Vanilla, spice and chestnut" and was "rated 96" (out of 100) - that tells me all I need to know about why I don't trust magazine reviews. I got none of that from this stick, I just found it a bland, generic smoke. Not bad, but no reason to choose it over any number of other cigars in the humidor, but reading a 96 rating you'd think it was the closest cigar to God.
They've got the Gurkha Royal Challenge Maduro in, which I may have to try as the standard RC is my favourite mild, easy smoker cigar. I don't know if the RCM will be as strong, mainly because it's competing for my attention with some other very good maduros. When I want a mild, easy smoke I pick an RC, if I want more sweetness and complexity the RCM will have to work hard to get my attention.
The lounge is also stocking the Drew Estate ACID line, which are made with flavour-infused tobacco. A friend had the Kuba Kuba and I had a quick puff, it was like smoking a can of Lynx and left a chemical sweetness on my lips and tongue which was still echoing on my tastebuds 6 hours later. At the time I wasn't impressed, but I want to try a whole stick myself, it had a strange allure. Also in stock is the ACID Atom, which is an infused maduro stick which I'd like to try. Some people can get a bit snobby about these infused cigars, but they're America's most popular cigar in terms of numbers sold, so we owe them something at least for getting people into cigars and keeping fresh blood flowing into the market.
I've been smoking my pipes more than cigars recently, I've really been getting into luxury pipe tobacco, the range of flavours is amazing and I can always find something for my mood. I've picked up a few tins that I've been dipping into , a J.F Germain Plum Cake Mix, which is like smoking a plum cake with hints of star anise, it's a loose, very thin ribbon cut so packs and burns really nicely. I then bought a tin of Sam Gawith's Firedance flake, which I hated at first - way too floral, like smoking a Turkish delight, too wet and bit the tongue hard. However, a week of on-off drying and a week or two to sit in the tin and I gave it another go and it's phenomenal, the awful fresh taste giving way to a delicious blackberry with hints of brandy warmth. Finally I picked up some Sam Gawith's Celtic Talisman, a cherry and vanilla flavoured blend which didn't need much drying at all, but gives a delicious, smooth and gentle smoke. It's a lot more complex than some cherry blends, it's not a cherry powerhouse, it's a subtle, smooth and growing flavour. I'm loving pipe tobacco at the minute, it's just excellent and a brilliant change of pace from cigars. Pipes are a bit niche, even in a tobacco lounge and can be intimidating to those who haven't had a few pointers from an experienced smoker, but it's well worth giving it a go and persevering when the first two or three smokes don't give amazing results.
I've not had that many cigars of note recently, my lounge has a load of new stuff in, mainly from Drew Estate and Gurkha. but I've not sampled a great deal of it, but here is a quick run down of what I've had:
Drew Estate Undercrown in robusto - A great stick, rich and smooth with the excellent construction Drew Estate are renowned for. Medium-full but eminently smokeable, just so smooth, rounded and tasty. Probably my favourite cigar at the £15 price, where is where new world cigar competition is really stiff, which says a lot about this fantastic cigar.
Gurkha Ghost - Another great smoke. I'm not sure what size I had as Gurkha use silly names for the vitolas (Shadow, Angel Torpedo Tubo, Exorcist, Asura). They claim it has "cocoa and cinnamon", I can't remember any of that, I just recall it having a cured tobacco flavour similar to a Partagas P2 but without the mouth-watering strength and body. I remember it being quite dark and heavy to smoke, but it is a great Friday evening stick. I'd probably put the extra £3 in and get an Undercrown in future though.
Gurkha 125th Anniversary - Apparently contains "Vanilla, spice and chestnut" and was "rated 96" (out of 100) - that tells me all I need to know about why I don't trust magazine reviews. I got none of that from this stick, I just found it a bland, generic smoke. Not bad, but no reason to choose it over any number of other cigars in the humidor, but reading a 96 rating you'd think it was the closest cigar to God.
They've got the Gurkha Royal Challenge Maduro in, which I may have to try as the standard RC is my favourite mild, easy smoker cigar. I don't know if the RCM will be as strong, mainly because it's competing for my attention with some other very good maduros. When I want a mild, easy smoke I pick an RC, if I want more sweetness and complexity the RCM will have to work hard to get my attention.
The lounge is also stocking the Drew Estate ACID line, which are made with flavour-infused tobacco. A friend had the Kuba Kuba and I had a quick puff, it was like smoking a can of Lynx and left a chemical sweetness on my lips and tongue which was still echoing on my tastebuds 6 hours later. At the time I wasn't impressed, but I want to try a whole stick myself, it had a strange allure. Also in stock is the ACID Atom, which is an infused maduro stick which I'd like to try. Some people can get a bit snobby about these infused cigars, but they're America's most popular cigar in terms of numbers sold, so we owe them something at least for getting people into cigars and keeping fresh blood flowing into the market.
I've been smoking my pipes more than cigars recently, I've really been getting into luxury pipe tobacco, the range of flavours is amazing and I can always find something for my mood. I've picked up a few tins that I've been dipping into , a J.F Germain Plum Cake Mix, which is like smoking a plum cake with hints of star anise, it's a loose, very thin ribbon cut so packs and burns really nicely. I then bought a tin of Sam Gawith's Firedance flake, which I hated at first - way too floral, like smoking a Turkish delight, too wet and bit the tongue hard. However, a week of on-off drying and a week or two to sit in the tin and I gave it another go and it's phenomenal, the awful fresh taste giving way to a delicious blackberry with hints of brandy warmth. Finally I picked up some Sam Gawith's Celtic Talisman, a cherry and vanilla flavoured blend which didn't need much drying at all, but gives a delicious, smooth and gentle smoke. It's a lot more complex than some cherry blends, it's not a cherry powerhouse, it's a subtle, smooth and growing flavour. I'm loving pipe tobacco at the minute, it's just excellent and a brilliant change of pace from cigars. Pipes are a bit niche, even in a tobacco lounge and can be intimidating to those who haven't had a few pointers from an experienced smoker, but it's well worth giving it a go and persevering when the first two or three smokes don't give amazing results.
Updates:
As per Mastodon's post (we go to the same cigar lounge), I've recently had the Acid Kuba Kuba. It's a bit of a strange one, I had one a few years ago before the cigar club was active and really liked it. However, I was a grasshopper then, so it was a treat to come back to the brand after nearly a decade off (when they didn't have a UK supplier). As a smoke, I'd rate it as pretty good overall. Very good construction, great quality tobacco and a delight to puff away on. An easy draw coupled with an even burn made for a stress free event, and the clouds of thick smoke produced were verging on comical. The taste is a little different to what I remembered; it seemed like last time it was almost a Coca-Cola type sweetness. This time, there was an obvious flavouring, almost astringent at first, and settling into a deeply sweet taste on the palette. Not dissatisfying by any means, but it impacted on everything I smoked that night and twelve hours later, as I drove home from work after a night shift, I could still detect the artificially sweet flavour in my mouth!
I took have smoked more pipe tobacco recently, I've found it to be a very complex world of flavour compared to cigars. There is a little more art and craft to smoking a pipe, but the benefits are a cost effective night of enjoyment and a product that is genuinely more surprising than a cigar. I've really enjoyed smoking Samuel Gawith's 'Connoisseurs Choice', which has fruity rum flavours. I've got a Peterson Aran pipe, which is a thing of beauty. Smoking it is a bit of a ritual and there is a technique to getting the right pack and burn, which is so satisfying and meditative when done well. I'm hoping to try more blends over the next couple of weeks as I've some time off work to enjoy the Friday night events.
As per Mastodon's post (we go to the same cigar lounge), I've recently had the Acid Kuba Kuba. It's a bit of a strange one, I had one a few years ago before the cigar club was active and really liked it. However, I was a grasshopper then, so it was a treat to come back to the brand after nearly a decade off (when they didn't have a UK supplier). As a smoke, I'd rate it as pretty good overall. Very good construction, great quality tobacco and a delight to puff away on. An easy draw coupled with an even burn made for a stress free event, and the clouds of thick smoke produced were verging on comical. The taste is a little different to what I remembered; it seemed like last time it was almost a Coca-Cola type sweetness. This time, there was an obvious flavouring, almost astringent at first, and settling into a deeply sweet taste on the palette. Not dissatisfying by any means, but it impacted on everything I smoked that night and twelve hours later, as I drove home from work after a night shift, I could still detect the artificially sweet flavour in my mouth!
I took have smoked more pipe tobacco recently, I've found it to be a very complex world of flavour compared to cigars. There is a little more art and craft to smoking a pipe, but the benefits are a cost effective night of enjoyment and a product that is genuinely more surprising than a cigar. I've really enjoyed smoking Samuel Gawith's 'Connoisseurs Choice', which has fruity rum flavours. I've got a Peterson Aran pipe, which is a thing of beauty. Smoking it is a bit of a ritual and there is a technique to getting the right pack and burn, which is so satisfying and meditative when done well. I'm hoping to try more blends over the next couple of weeks as I've some time off work to enjoy the Friday night events.
I've recently tried two more blends, both very fine.
Last Friday I was on the Rattray's Winter Edition. It comes in a lovely tin and is like smoking a Christmas pudding. Fantastic stuff.
Today, I had the Peterson Nutty Cut. That was a great smoke. Fresh from the tin, it could have done with a little more time to cure but it still smoke very well this afternoon. Lovely rich, nutty flavours with a little fruity sweetness before it's lit. Once burning, it was quite mild and savoury. A great blend that I'll go back to.
Last Friday I was on the Rattray's Winter Edition. It comes in a lovely tin and is like smoking a Christmas pudding. Fantastic stuff.
Today, I had the Peterson Nutty Cut. That was a great smoke. Fresh from the tin, it could have done with a little more time to cure but it still smoke very well this afternoon. Lovely rich, nutty flavours with a little fruity sweetness before it's lit. Once burning, it was quite mild and savoury. A great blend that I'll go back to.
I'm not an aficionado but, I would assume the same.
According to some it's more a sign that your cigars are being properly stored, though possibly a tiny bit too high on humidity.
I've had this a few times since acquiring a humidor, but never had a problem with the cigars themselves when smoking. (though I was quite horrified the first time I noticed it)
According to the guys at Fox's in St James, they generally recommend storing the cigars closer to 67/68 relative humidity for optimum smoking condition. A small difference, but I have found that works well for me. That 2-3 percent difference certainly does not leave them dry in my experience.
How easily that is achieved is quite dependent on the size of humidor and how you manage the humidity of course.
It appears that you have a traditional single compartment desktop humidor?
So maybe consider reducing the size / number of the hydrators if possible?
But, they should be fine as is.
According to some it's more a sign that your cigars are being properly stored, though possibly a tiny bit too high on humidity.
I've had this a few times since acquiring a humidor, but never had a problem with the cigars themselves when smoking. (though I was quite horrified the first time I noticed it)
According to the guys at Fox's in St James, they generally recommend storing the cigars closer to 67/68 relative humidity for optimum smoking condition. A small difference, but I have found that works well for me. That 2-3 percent difference certainly does not leave them dry in my experience.
How easily that is achieved is quite dependent on the size of humidor and how you manage the humidity of course.
It appears that you have a traditional single compartment desktop humidor?
So maybe consider reducing the size / number of the hydrators if possible?
But, they should be fine as is.
Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Sunday 6th December 10:26
I've had a few good cigars over the Christmas period. Mostly at the club in familiar surroundings, some outside of that setting.
Christmas day was a memorable one, mainly for the setting more than anything. I was at work and a colleague and I sat outside and one one. He was lucky to get an Upmann stick in the work secret Santa. Not sure which one it was, but the tube was the same as the Upmann Coronas as I had earlier this year, albeit shorter. I had a tubed Punch Coronation. The Punch was as reliable as ever, and whilst they were my favourite (and first) cigars a few years ago, my tastes have changed to more complex New World smokes. Still, the Punch is as good a representation of exactly what a cigsr should be as you'll find. A bit more grassy and peppery I remember them being. The setting was more memorable though, sat in a small (heated!) open fronted garage at work lit with harsh white lighting. Designed for getting fleet vehicles in out of the weather to work on them and littered with old tools and flammables. We sat in comfort, watching the rain lash down in front of us.
Before Christmas, I had a nice CAO Brazilia and a Dunhill Aged Churchill at the club. The CAO remains probably my favourite smoke. The Dunhill was really nice too, with a pleasing Connecticut wrapper of a lighter shade than most of the cigars I go to. Great value for a longer stick, very mild and very creamy with a large smoke output. One I would go back to.
Christmas day was a memorable one, mainly for the setting more than anything. I was at work and a colleague and I sat outside and one one. He was lucky to get an Upmann stick in the work secret Santa. Not sure which one it was, but the tube was the same as the Upmann Coronas as I had earlier this year, albeit shorter. I had a tubed Punch Coronation. The Punch was as reliable as ever, and whilst they were my favourite (and first) cigars a few years ago, my tastes have changed to more complex New World smokes. Still, the Punch is as good a representation of exactly what a cigsr should be as you'll find. A bit more grassy and peppery I remember them being. The setting was more memorable though, sat in a small (heated!) open fronted garage at work lit with harsh white lighting. Designed for getting fleet vehicles in out of the weather to work on them and littered with old tools and flammables. We sat in comfort, watching the rain lash down in front of us.
Before Christmas, I had a nice CAO Brazilia and a Dunhill Aged Churchill at the club. The CAO remains probably my favourite smoke. The Dunhill was really nice too, with a pleasing Connecticut wrapper of a lighter shade than most of the cigars I go to. Great value for a longer stick, very mild and very creamy with a large smoke output. One I would go back to.
I had a piece of good luck. Last Christmas, a good friend had bought two Romeo Y Julieta Churchill tubos and then forgot to send them to me!
They arrived three months ago having been left in his dresser drawer or similar for the intervening time.
While not a particularly challenging cigar, I do thoroughly enjoy them every time. But even after being de-tubed and spending three months re-hydrating in my humidor, I was of course quite prepared to be disappointed.
I needn't have worried. The wrappers were still in perfect condition, with no signs of swelling or cracking. Perhaps not 100% in their prime, but I would have to do a side by side to spot any difference.
As always fantastic, with a vintage port as accompaniment.
They arrived three months ago having been left in his dresser drawer or similar for the intervening time.
While not a particularly challenging cigar, I do thoroughly enjoy them every time. But even after being de-tubed and spending three months re-hydrating in my humidor, I was of course quite prepared to be disappointed.
I needn't have worried. The wrappers were still in perfect condition, with no signs of swelling or cracking. Perhaps not 100% in their prime, but I would have to do a side by side to spot any difference.
As always fantastic, with a vintage port as accompaniment.
I didn't recognise them, but a quick google says they are Nicaraguan.
I tend to stick with Cubans, but I have had a couple of okay-to-nice Nicaraguan cigars in the past, on the advice of others.
Cigars, like cars, whiskey and women are all a matter of personal taste.
The important thing is always; enjoy it!
Cigars are quite a bit cheaper in Spain than the UK (around 30% I think), so take advantage of your (currently still valid) EU purchasing power
I tend to stick with Cubans, but I have had a couple of okay-to-nice Nicaraguan cigars in the past, on the advice of others.
Cigars, like cars, whiskey and women are all a matter of personal taste.
The important thing is always; enjoy it!
Cigars are quite a bit cheaper in Spain than the UK (around 30% I think), so take advantage of your (currently still valid) EU purchasing power
Thought I'd resurrect this thread and see what people have been smoking during the summer months?
I've had some interesting cigar shop visits this past couple of months with transiting through dubai duty free a few times (best prices I've seen yet) and paying a visit to one of the oldest cigar shops in the world in Amsterdam (amazing place with excellent customer service - http://www.hajenius.com/nl/) and finally, visiting a reputable shop in barcelona where I purchased aged, at no extra cost, hoyo D epi espesial and h upmann mag50s. Next best in terms of prices after dubai. Surprisingly close in fact.
Needless to say the 50 cigar humidor I have is now brim full.
So mainly focusing on cubans at the moment. Keen to age some myself but fear I lack the patience and/or will power to leave them alone for more than a couple of months.
Enjoyed a nice Ramon allones - club allones Ltd ed (Jul 15) yesterday.
I've had some interesting cigar shop visits this past couple of months with transiting through dubai duty free a few times (best prices I've seen yet) and paying a visit to one of the oldest cigar shops in the world in Amsterdam (amazing place with excellent customer service - http://www.hajenius.com/nl/) and finally, visiting a reputable shop in barcelona where I purchased aged, at no extra cost, hoyo D epi espesial and h upmann mag50s. Next best in terms of prices after dubai. Surprisingly close in fact.
Needless to say the 50 cigar humidor I have is now brim full.
So mainly focusing on cubans at the moment. Keen to age some myself but fear I lack the patience and/or will power to leave them alone for more than a couple of months.
Enjoyed a nice Ramon allones - club allones Ltd ed (Jul 15) yesterday.
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