The PH Cigar Thread
Discussion
paulguitar said:
I finally got around to smoking the Bolivar last night. It was superb, actually the best cigar I have had for perhaps a couple of years. I might buy a full box, I think.
Today is my birthday. I am in Costa Maya today, about to head out and have some afternoon beers. Later, I will have a Partagas Serie E no 2. Life's good!
Hope you enjoyed the E 2 and your birthday.Today is my birthday. I am in Costa Maya today, about to head out and have some afternoon beers. Later, I will have a Partagas Serie E no 2. Life's good!
I recently stocked-up on Partagas E 2 the other week, a nice cigar. It's almost cigar o'clock so I may light one up for this evening's smoke
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Sunday afternoon/evening at the whiskey club, for a cigar tasting.
The featured cigar was a Vegas Robaina Clasicos Cigar. 17 year humidor aged. Absolutely lovely cigar.
Gauge 42
Length 6 1/2"
First accompanying whiskey was the Compass Box 'Oak Cross' blend. Very nice.
Second whiskey was a sampler of a new blend cask strength (name uncertain, but I will update if I get it).
While I have never been a fan of the heavily peat flavoured Laphroaig style of whiskey, this one may have changed my mind regarding the style, if not for Laphroaig itself. Absolutely brilliant.
Sounds like a good time was had The featured cigar was a Vegas Robaina Clasicos Cigar. 17 year humidor aged. Absolutely lovely cigar.
Gauge 42
Length 6 1/2"
First accompanying whiskey was the Compass Box 'Oak Cross' blend. Very nice.
Second whiskey was a sampler of a new blend cask strength (name uncertain, but I will update if I get it).
While I have never been a fan of the heavily peat flavoured Laphroaig style of whiskey, this one may have changed my mind regarding the style, if not for Laphroaig itself. Absolutely brilliant.
I am quite a novice when it comes to cigar smoking and certainly would be lost when talking humidors etc as I have always tended to smoke a cigar when I'm out socially at somewhere that has a good cigar menu and generally have taken the advice of friends on what to buy.
I have seen that a number of places sell selection packs which give you a good range to try. Anyone found any decent selections that they are willing to share links to?
I have seen that a number of places sell selection packs which give you a good range to try. Anyone found any decent selections that they are willing to share links to?
craigjm said:
I am quite a novice when it comes to cigar smoking and certainly would be lost when talking humidors etc as I have always tended to smoke a cigar when I'm out socially at somewhere that has a good cigar menu and generally have taken the advice of friends on what to buy.
I have seen that a number of places sell selection packs which give you a good range to try. Anyone found any decent selections that they are willing to share links to?
I wish I could offer some help on this, but it's just not how I buy/try cigars.I have seen that a number of places sell selection packs which give you a good range to try. Anyone found any decent selections that they are willing to share links to?
Most offers of sample packs I have seen are based upon a single brand.
You could do far worse than pop into or email Fox's and ask them to create a selection based upon a budget and any other information you can give them about what you've enjoyed in the past in terms of brand and/or vitola.
Three of their sales staff have earned the The Higher Certificate from Hunters & Frankau. There isn't much those guys don't know about the cigars they stock.
Likes Fast Cars said:
paulguitar said:
I finally got around to smoking the Bolivar last night. It was superb, actually the best cigar I have had for perhaps a couple of years. I might buy a full box, I think.
Today is my birthday. I am in Costa Maya today, about to head out and have some afternoon beers. Later, I will have a Partagas Serie E no 2. Life's good!
Hope you enjoyed the E 2 and your birthday.Today is my birthday. I am in Costa Maya today, about to head out and have some afternoon beers. Later, I will have a Partagas Serie E no 2. Life's good!
I recently stocked-up on Partagas E 2 the other week, a nice cigar. It's almost cigar o'clock so I may light one up for this evening's smoke
I had another E2 last night, it really is a superb cigar in my opinion. I also have ordered some serie P no 2's, the torpedoes. I have not tried those before, so looking forward to those.It's my night off here in cruise ship land, so tonight I will be choosing between an E2 or an Oliva serie V Melania torpedo. Decisions..........
Goaty Bill 2 said:
I wish I could offer some help on this, but it's just not how I buy/try cigars.
Most offers of sample packs I have seen are based upon a single brand.
You could do far worse than pop into or email Fox's and ask them to create a selection based upon a budget and any other information you can give them about what you've enjoyed in the past in terms of brand and/or vitola.
Three of their sales staff have earned the The Higher Certificate from Hunters & Frankau. There isn't much those guys don't know about the cigars they stock.
They do an excellent Cuban 'sampler' at Cuban Lou's. I am not sure if I am allowed to post a link here? Or, as Goaty Bill quite rightly points out, you should get some excellent advice from someone in the trade with a good knowledge base. Ultimately it comes down to your own tastes. A Cohiba Robusto is very different to a Macanudo Petit Corona, just as a Lagavulin is very unlike, for example, an Auchentoshan. It is all good fun experimenting though!Most offers of sample packs I have seen are based upon a single brand.
You could do far worse than pop into or email Fox's and ask them to create a selection based upon a budget and any other information you can give them about what you've enjoyed in the past in terms of brand and/or vitola.
Three of their sales staff have earned the The Higher Certificate from Hunters & Frankau. There isn't much those guys don't know about the cigars they stock.
Goaty Bill 2 said:
You could do far worse than pop into or email Fox's and ask them to create a selection based upon a budget and any other information you can give them about what you've enjoyed in the past in terms of brand and/or vitola.
That's a good idea. I'll visit first week in August when I'm back in London paulguitar said:
They do an excellent Cuban 'sampler' at Cuban Lou's. I am not sure if I am allowed to post a link here? Or, as Goaty Bill quite rightly points out, you should get some excellent advice from someone in the trade with a good knowledge base. Ultimately it comes down to your own tastes. A Cohiba Robusto is very different to a Macanudo Petit Corona, just as a Lagavulin is very unlike, for example, an Auchentoshan. It is all good fun experimenting though!
I've spent 20 plus years trying different cigars, everybody has different tastes and preferences. Places like www.cgars.co.uk do some great samplers, that allows you to try various different sizes and types of cigar without having to commit yourself to a box of them.It's been a good week.
Cuban Night at Fox's last night included not only a fine cigar, but an almost unlimited supply of rum.
The featured cigar was an H.Upmann Magnum 54
Gauge 54
Length 4 3/4" / 120mm
A proper fist full of cigar this one, and a very pleasant full bodied but cool smoke, being especially interesting through the middle to the end.
Sadly mine did not last out the evening and was followed by one of my go-to choices; a Monti. No. 4
The first rum was Havana Club 15 year old.
The second was Havana Club Tributo 2016 (blended rums up to 80 years old, aged in 40 year old, multi-purposed casks)
If you've not tried a straight rum, or have been a Bacardi drinker all your life, you really should try other rums.
Fortunately Havana Club has a much less expensive version on sale in most supermarkets that also goes very well with cigars; for when you are looking for the full Cuban immersion experience
Entertainment was provided by three Cuban musicians, one of whom I understand is a regular at Ronnie Scotts.
A very atmospheric and pleasant evening.
Cuban Night at Fox's last night included not only a fine cigar, but an almost unlimited supply of rum.
The featured cigar was an H.Upmann Magnum 54
Gauge 54
Length 4 3/4" / 120mm
A proper fist full of cigar this one, and a very pleasant full bodied but cool smoke, being especially interesting through the middle to the end.
Sadly mine did not last out the evening and was followed by one of my go-to choices; a Monti. No. 4
The first rum was Havana Club 15 year old.
The second was Havana Club Tributo 2016 (blended rums up to 80 years old, aged in 40 year old, multi-purposed casks)
If you've not tried a straight rum, or have been a Bacardi drinker all your life, you really should try other rums.
Fortunately Havana Club has a much less expensive version on sale in most supermarkets that also goes very well with cigars; for when you are looking for the full Cuban immersion experience
Entertainment was provided by three Cuban musicians, one of whom I understand is a regular at Ronnie Scotts.
A very atmospheric and pleasant evening.
jinkster said:
Enjoyed a Partega Series Number 2 earlier this evening in a Cigar lounge in Qatar.
Its my go to cigar as i'm new to cigars. Its a good smoke but the torpedo end I have to keep cutting it.
You might want to consider getting a V-cutter. It's my preference for any cigar in fact.Its my go to cigar as i'm new to cigars. Its a good smoke but the torpedo end I have to keep cutting it.
The idea behind the torpedo / pyramid shape is that the taper concentrates the smoke and the flavour of the cigar, so you ideally want to make a fairly shallow cut in any case if using a traditional guillotine cutter.
Moisten the cigar end (cap) in your mouth first to help avoid splitting the cap as you cut it. Again true for any shape of cigar.
As you have possibly already learned, cutting any cigar too deeply will result in damaging or removing the cap and causing the wrapper to unwind. That will really spoil your day
Edit:
I came across this for anyone that hasn't tried a V-cut and doesn't want to spend a fortune to try it out ;
Lotus Vertigo Duet 2-in1 (£2.69)
Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Saturday 22 July 17:51
jinkster said:
After seasoning my £30 humidor from Amazon with 2 boveda packs for 2 weeks I am pleased to report that my sticks are in and it is holding 75%Rh and around 20 degrees.
Following Boveda instructions it has been brilliant and am happy with the results.
Boveda is indeed the way to go, in my experience, it makes things very much easier. Following Boveda instructions it has been brilliant and am happy with the results.
Are you certain you want 75% humidity though? That seems rather high, I tend to aim for around 67%
Looks like you have a good selection in your new humidor. I think I can see a Partagas Serie P No 2 in there? I will be choosing between one of those or a Serie E later tonight…..
paulguitar said:
Boveda is indeed the way to go, in my experience, it makes things very much easier.
Are you certain you want 75% humidity though? That seems rather high, I tend to aim for around 67%
Looks like you have a good selection in your new humidor. I think I can see a Partagas Serie P No 2 in there? I will be choosing between one of those or a Serie E later tonight…..
Glad to see you've got it up and 'running', and a nice selection too Are you certain you want 75% humidity though? That seems rather high, I tend to aim for around 67%
Looks like you have a good selection in your new humidor. I think I can see a Partagas Serie P No 2 in there? I will be choosing between one of those or a Serie E later tonight…..
I'm going to second that thought on the humidity level.
I have learned to expect a bit higher percentage in the summer - up to %70, but the rest of the year I aim for 67/68%.
The particular dangers of having the humidity too high are; over expansion of the cigar leading to possible splitting of the wrapper; a remote chance of any cigar weavil larvae hatching when over the 'magic' 70%/70F limit; a cigar that is too moist to smoke well.
I've never suffered the first two rather more catastrophic events, but can attest that cigars stored at 67% (as compared to 70/71 % have certainly smoked better in my experience.
If you've seasoned the humidor well, and it certainly seems that you have, then that humidity won't decrease too quickly, and indeed you wouldn't want it to as rapid expansion or contraction may also damage the wrapper.
I note that Fox's recommends "below 23 degrees Celsius and between 65-74% humidity", so it's nothing to panic over.
I am near certain however that they aim for 67% in their shop humidor so the cigars are ready to smoke.
Just to add: Hunters & Frankau FAQ says; "Havanas should be stored at between 16-18°C and 65-70% relative humidity (RH)"
Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Thursday 10th August 00:03
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Glad to see you've got it up and 'running', and a nice selection too
I'm going to second that thought on the humidity level.
I have learned to expect a bit higher percentage in the summer - up to %70, but the rest of the year I aim for 67/68%.
The particular dangers of having the humidity too high are; over expansion of the cigar leading to possible splitting of the wrapper; a remote chance of any cigar weavil larvae hatching when over the 'magic' 70%/70F limit; a cigar that is too moist to smoke well.
I've never suffered the first two rather more catastrophic events, but can attest that cigars stored at 67% (as compared to 70/71 % have certainly smoked better in my experience.
If you've seasoned the humidor well, and it certainly seems that you have, then that humidity won't decrease too quickly, and indeed you wouldn't want it to as rapid expansion or contraction may also damage the wrapper.
I note that Fox's recommends "below 23 degrees Celsius and between 65-74% humidity", so it's nothing to panic over.
I am near certain however that they aim for 67% in their shop humidor so the cigars are ready to smoke.
Just to add: Hunters & Frankau FAQ says; "Havanas should be stored at between 16-18°C and 65-70% relative humidity (RH)"
Managing humidity has become easier for me since I started using Xikar’s PG solution; whereas before it took management to keep ~67-70%, PG solution buffers in this rangeI'm going to second that thought on the humidity level.
I have learned to expect a bit higher percentage in the summer - up to %70, but the rest of the year I aim for 67/68%.
The particular dangers of having the humidity too high are; over expansion of the cigar leading to possible splitting of the wrapper; a remote chance of any cigar weavil larvae hatching when over the 'magic' 70%/70F limit; a cigar that is too moist to smoke well.
I've never suffered the first two rather more catastrophic events, but can attest that cigars stored at 67% (as compared to 70/71 % have certainly smoked better in my experience.
If you've seasoned the humidor well, and it certainly seems that you have, then that humidity won't decrease too quickly, and indeed you wouldn't want it to as rapid expansion or contraction may also damage the wrapper.
I note that Fox's recommends "below 23 degrees Celsius and between 65-74% humidity", so it's nothing to panic over.
I am near certain however that they aim for 67% in their shop humidor so the cigars are ready to smoke.
Just to add: Hunters & Frankau FAQ says; "Havanas should be stored at between 16-18°C and 65-70% relative humidity (RH)"
Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Thursday 10th August 00:03
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff