The PH Cigar Thread

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Discussion

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
Grabbed a few on the way through Dubai recently.

Mag 50s in fine fettle x10
Hoyo epi 2 x3
Trinidad Vigia x3

Especially looking forward to smoking the Trinidad’s since the last (first) time I smoked these they were nothing short of superb!

I have to say I’m impressed with the quality in Dubai right now.

They are also trying to push the sale of 12 years aged Cubans in various guises. One batch looked incredible, maybe next time....


paulguitar

23,104 posts

112 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
Some good looking cigars there. I like Hoyo, very aromatic, but I find them a little too mild for my tastes these days, having got a bit more into Partagas and Bolivar. I used to partake in Trinidad a fair bit a few years ago, but the ones I had were ‘Fundedores’ which are the same size as Cohiba Lanceros, IIRC.


I picked up a few cigars passing through Abu Dhabi airport earlier this year, I wonder how the prices compare with Dubai? Where are they the least expensive, does anyone know?


I am in Grand Cayman once again tomorrow and may well pick up a few sticks. If so, I will report back. Right now, I am heading to the cigar bar on the ship for a ‘custom rolled canonazo' from my internet supplier of choice.


paulguitar

23,104 posts

112 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
Well, I am back from a small shopping expedition in Grand Cayman. I get a very good deal from the shop there since I try to bring some business to them from the ship. I have a varied little selection, Cohiba Siglo 2, Siglo 6, Punch Punch, Bolivar Belicosos, Monte Edmundo and Double Edmundo.

Happy smoking everyone!



jinkster

2,235 posts

155 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
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The cheapest place I remember seeing Cigars was at the Cafe de Paris in Monaco surprisingly!

theguvernor15

943 posts

102 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
Guys,

I feel like i need something to collect, i've decided maybe cigars...
Where's best to start? I presume i need a humidor?

Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
theguvernor15 said:
Guys,

I feel like i need something to collect, i've decided maybe cigars...
Where's best to start? I presume i need a humidor?
hehe

It would be a shame to buy collectable cigars and then leave them to dry out and become worthless.
They don't even make good fire lighters when dried out.
So yes, a humidor is a good idea, though some buy cigars and leave them with a cigar shop to store (for a price).


craigjm

17,907 posts

199 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
Good night at JJ Fox cigar event tonight

Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Saturday 14th October 2017
quotequote all
craigjm said:
Good night at JJ Fox cigar event tonight
beer
Well, ports actually: Noval white, a Noval LBV and Noval tawny, all provided by the nice people from Quinta Do Noval themselves, including the obligatory, but interesting talk about their vineyards and port.
A much under appreciated house in Britain in my opinion.
I was encouragingly informed that my '77 Novals were indeed a good purchase, and that while they are drinking 'quite well' now; my children will obtain an even greater pleasure from them by my passing them on. Fat chance hehe

As for the Cigar... A Romeo y Julieta of some description.
I'll update the post as soon as someone updates me. Bloody blind tastings!
I recognised the flavour but couldn't place it. More fool me.
I had however guessed quite correctly by stating "I believe it is a cigar".
I recall Craig making a quite similar observation when questioned.

Edit:
And finally. It was...
Romeo y Julieta Anejedos Piramide from 2007
Gauge: 52
Length: 6 1/8 / 156 mm



Another great smoke.
And yes, someone did actually get the brand, vitola and the vintage, to win a large crystal cigar ashtray.
Did I say how much I hate bloody blind tastings? hehe

Unusually for a RyJ, this smoke really developed as it went along.
While very smooth and easy to smoke, it started by fooling me into believing it was perhaps Nicaraguan, but soon became recognisable as Cuban. Without losing any of it's smoothness, it strengthened and developed into something more full flavoured than one might traditionally expect of RyJ.



Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Monday 23 October 16:31

craigjm

17,907 posts

199 months

Saturday 14th October 2017
quotequote all
Goaty Bill 2 said:
I had however guessed quite correctly by stating "I believe it is a cigar".
I recall Craig making a quite similar observation when questioned.
His face when I said I would be impressed if it turned out to be a cigarette hehe

I am going to get a bottle of the white. That was very interesting

Mastodon2

Original Poster:

13,818 posts

164 months

Saturday 14th October 2017
quotequote all
theguvernor15 said:
Guys,

I feel like i need something to collect, i've decided maybe cigars...
Where's best to start? I presume i need a humidor?
Cigars are for smoking, not collecting.

Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
Cigar club Sunday.
Lovely day for it on the refurbished terrace at the Whiskey club.

Bolivar Super Corona Edicion Limitada 2014
Hermosos No.3
Gauge: 48
Length 5 1/2 / 140 mm





Another excellent choice by the club aficionados.
A warm and pleasant afternoon of top shelf whiskies, quality cigars and the finest of company.


jinkster

2,235 posts

155 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Cigar club Sunday.
Lovely day for it on the refurbished terrace at the Whiskey club.

Bolivar Super Corona Edicion Limitada 2014
Hermosos No.3
Gauge: 48
Length 5 1/2 / 140 mm





Another excellent choice by the club aficionados.
A warm and pleasant afternoon of top shelf whiskies, quality cigars and the finest of company.
I guess you are in London Goaty?

craigjm

17,907 posts

199 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Bolivar Super Corona Edicion Limitada 2014
Hermosos No.3
Gauge: 48
Length 5 1/2 / 140 mm

How did it compare to the Friday secret cigar?

Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
jinkster said:
I guess you are in London Goaty?
Within reasonable travelling distance.
It was much nicer when I was working up there. At least once a week at JJ Fox then smile


Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
craigjm said:
How did it compare to the Friday secret cigar?
That's a tough call.
Very different, cigars, but not so different you'd prefer one over the other by a large margin.
The Bolivar is a little stronger, but by no means overpowering. Then again the RyJ, was unusual for the breed.

To be honest, I know it's a 'cigar' club, but I spend most of my time talking politics and literature, and tend to pay less attention to the cigars than I should sometimes smile


Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
Nearly a month of silence frown
But as it's been a month, it was Cigar Club yesterday (Sunday).

Por Larranaga Picadores
Gauge: 48
Length: 5"


Accompanied by a selection of craft beers from the shop downstairs, including 'Old Engine Oil'.

Not my favourite cigar to date.
While nothing I could put my finger on, it was, for me at least, unspectacular, though not bad in any way.
Also, as I inhale a tiny amount (cigarette smoker), I found the smoke particularly harsh from this one.
I think they may well have been suffering from slightly too much moisture content, as I found myself relighting several times, far more than normal.

On the plus side, I had just enough time for a small Partagas, a Petit Coronas I believe, that was absolutely lovely and kept me going right up until chucking out time smile
I will definitely be smoking more of those.

I finally acquired my own Xikar 'v' cutter.
A vast improvement on a straight cut.




Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Monday 13th November 14:54

paulguitar

23,104 posts

112 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Nearly a month of silence frown
But as it's been a month, it was Cigar Club yesterday (Sunday).

Por Larranaga Picadores
Gauge: 48
Length: 5"


Accompanied by a selection of craft beers from the shop downstairs, including 'Old Engine Oil'.

Not my favourite cigar to date.
While nothing I could put my finger on, it was, for me at least, unspectacular, though not bad in any way.
Also, as I inhale a tiny amount (cigarette smoker), I found the smoke particularly harsh from this one.
I think they may well have been suffering from slightly too much moisture content, as I found myself relighting several times, far more than normal.

On the plus side, I had just enough time for a small Partagas, a Petit Coronas I believe, that was absolutely lovely and kept me going right up until chucking out time smile
I will definitely be smoking more of those.

I finally acquired my own Xikar 'v' cutter.
A vast improvement on a straight cut.




Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Monday 13th November 14:54
I use a Palio cutter which is great but I have never tried a V cut, what is the advantage?

I am back in the UK now after 4 months at sea, and smoking far more cigars, one every night for the past 3 weeks. I will cut down now and make it a weekend only treat. I have had several Monte No 2's, a couple of Bolivar Belicoso and several Cigars of Habanos custom rolled. All superb!

Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
paulguitar said:
I use a Palio cutter which is great but I have never tried a V cut, what is the advantage?
I had to look those up. They certainly provide a wide range of finishes!

I've had my original straight cut Xikar xi1 for quite a while


Very solid and reliable, clean effortless cut every time.

One of my club colleagues suggested I try a v-cut as that's all he uses these days. Seeing as he is also a manager at JJ Fox, I presume considerable knowledge on his part in these matters and took up his offer.
For me, it doesn't appreciably alter how the cigar smokes in any way, but since using one (I've borrowed his often when possible), I haven't had a single wrapper failure. There are few things worse than discovering the wrapper wasn't quite made correctly, or that you've cut too deeply, and then having it unravel until eventually the cigar becomes un-smokable.
Also, I find one has less fear when cutting of making the mistake of cutting too deeply.
My previous method was to open the Xikar and lay it flat on the table. Then putting the cigar into the gap with the cigar cap directly onto the table, then snapping the cutter shut, thus ensuring a fairly shallow cut. It works well enough but can't account for a poorly made end cap.

The other benefit is in retaining most of the cap and in a sense moving the filler tobacco further from your mouth. This helps to keep the filler tobacco dry while assisting in maintaining cap integrity while smoking.

They also work well on pyramids, though there is also a strong argument for using a punch for pyramid shaped cigars.

paulguitar said:
I am back in the UK now after 4 months at sea, and smoking far more cigars, one every night for the past 3 weeks. I will cut down now and make it a weekend only treat. I have had several Monte No 2's, a couple of Bolivar Belicoso and several Cigars of Habanos custom rolled. All superb!
Returning to 'the real world' is always painful.
Sounds like you had a great time, at least cigar-wise.


paulguitar

23,104 posts

112 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Goaty Bill 2 said:
paulguitar said:
I use a Palio cutter which is great but I have never tried a V cut, what is the advantage?
I had to look those up. They certainly provide a wide range of finishes!

I've had my original straight cut Xikar xi1 for quite a while


Very solid and reliable, clean effortless cut every time.

One of my club colleagues suggested I try a v-cut as that's all he uses these days. Seeing as he is also a manager at JJ Fox, I presume considerable knowledge on his part in these matters and took up his offer.
For me, it doesn't appreciably alter how the cigar smokes in any way, but since using one (I've borrowed his often when possible), I haven't had a single wrapper failure. There are few things worse than discovering the wrapper wasn't quite made correctly, or that you've cut too deeply, and then having it unravel until eventually the cigar becomes un-smokable.
Also, I find one has less fear when cutting of making the mistake of cutting too deeply.
My previous method was to open the Xikar and lay it flat on the table. Then putting the cigar into the gap with the cigar cap directly onto the table, then snapping the cutter shut, thus ensuring a fairly shallow cut. It works well enough but can't account for a poorly made end cap.

The other benefit is in retaining most of the cap and in a sense moving the filler tobacco further from your mouth. This helps to keep the filler tobacco dry while assisting in maintaining cap integrity while smoking.

They also work well on pyramids, though there is also a strong argument for using a punch for pyramid shaped cigars.
Thanks for the info, I shall consider trying one of those.

The Palio indeed comes in lots of flavours, I have the traditional one but a friend has one in carbon fiber!

Goaty Bill 2

3,393 posts

118 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
paulguitar said:
Thanks for the info, I shall consider trying one of those.

The Palio indeed comes in lots of flavours, I have the traditional one but a friend has one in carbon fiber!
From December last year: (referring to an episode that I had in fact recently watched on TV)
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Good advice above.
I might add, ask the tobacconist if they have a 'V cut' cigar cutter.
For anyone that's not tried one, I strongly recommend it.

In Columbo:
"A Trace Of Murder, we learn that Columbo has begun smoking uncut cigars. We have no doubt that they’re as cheap and aromatic as his old brand, but they do require some preparation. Columbo has taken up the practice of biting the end off his cigars.

Columbo is chided for this practice by Clifford Calvert (Barry Corbin), who tries to persuade Columbo to use a “wedge” cigar-cutter.

A wedge-cutter, says Calvert, is “the only civilized way to prepare a cigar for smoking…keeps the filler tobacco out of your mouth. What do you do? You gnaw on it like a beaver! I don’t know how you smoke ‘em after you mangle ‘em like that.”

Calvert offers a wedge-cutter to Columbo -- “Here,… at least make some little attempt to be civilized.”

Columbo is briefly converted to civilization. Later, breaking out his new wedge-cutter, he piously tells Barney, “The way you cut a cigar makes all the difference in the world.” Then Columbo tastes his cigar with the civilized wedge-cut, and makes an awful face. He bites off the end of his cigar with a loud crunch, loudly spits the end to the sidewalk, and happily strides into Barney’s Beanery, puffing away."