I've tried the trio of new releases dubbed 'Side Projects' from Man o' War: the Chisel-like '52C' is a no-go in my book, the hefty 'Phalanx' (6.5x56) is fine but unremarkable, but the 'Little Devil' (5.5x44) is pretty good. MoW's 'Puro Authentico', also a Corona at 5x42, is their best stick in regular production IMO, so I like MoW's smallest cigars. If you want to smoke something larger blended by AJ Fernandez, I say go to the San Lotano Oval Robusto or Toro - not complex at all, but both exhibit really attractive, earthy aromas and flavors IMHO.
Casa Magna Domus Magnus Centurione (new size - box-pressed robusto) - not nearly as good as the original release Optimus (box-pressed toro extra), at least not now. Seemed rather young and unharmonized. Wait and see, but I don't see these ever being as good as the originals.
Monte #2 on the golf course today. Cigar was brilliant, my game was not, but the cigar was so good I didn't really care.
marcb - The Behikes you sent are headed North soon. Hand delivered!
I can't wait to partake!
I can't wait to partake!

quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
marcb - The Behikes you sent are headed North soon. Hand delivered!
I can't wait to partake!![]()
KSC,
I know my friend...I know

Just lit a 'custom roll' that the boys and I enjoyed in Vegas....about the same as it was in LV 

quote:Originally posted by marcb7:quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
marcb - The Behikes you sent are headed North soon.![]()
....I hope you enjoy them!
Thanks again, marcb

quote:Originally posted by marcb7:
Just lit a 'custom roll' that the boys and I enjoyed in Vegas....about the same as it was in LV![]()
That is to say special, unique, truly outstanding...

At a friend's very strong recommendation, I tried the La Palina Robusto... um, meh. 'Sadly quite underwhelmed. 'Hoping the 'Kill Bill' is better.
'Gotta say, since returning from LV Wolf Pack weekend, I've had a hard time getting excited about anything but the most outstanding sticks. Island custom rolls, properly aged island classics, stock from Casa Fuente, well-aged Opus X... the bar is set rather high.

Over the past week or so...
RyJ Short Churchill Tubo...09'
Cohiba Robusto...08'
Opus X Fuente Fuente...06'
RyJ Short Churchill Tubo...09'
Cohiba Robusto...08'
Opus X Fuente Fuente...06'
Enjoyed a Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro Gordo yesterday while walking around Colonial watch golf.
Over the holiday weekend:
My Father LE 2011 - as always, great, well-balanced flavors
Cohiba Behike 52 (ABR 11) - complex and wildly exotic floral character
My Father LE 2011 - as always, great, well-balanced flavors
Cohiba Behike 52 (ABR 11) - complex and wildly exotic floral character
quote:Originally posted by stickman:
Over the holiday weekend:
My Father LE 2011 - as always, great, well-balanced flavors
Cohiba Behike 52 (ABR 11) - complex and wildly exotic floral character
Very, very nice.

Cohiba Genios 2011...wow...if the 2011 vintage is this good now...it will be unreal in 3-5 yrs..
over the past few days... Cohiba Siglo IV, Montecristo #2, Partagas #4 series D. With lots of rum in Curacao.
quote:Originally posted by marcb7:
Cohiba Genios 2011...wow...if the 2011 vintage is this good now...it will be unreal in 3-5 yrs..
Thanks for the heads-up: 'sounds like a 'must-buy' to me!
quote:Originally posted by vinoevelo:
... Cohiba Siglo IV, Montecristo #2, Partagas #4 series D...
Wow, nice little run there! What are your thoughts on the Siglo IV?
quote:Originally posted by stickman:quote:Originally posted by marcb7:
Cohiba Genios 2011...wow...if the 2011 vintage is this good now...it will be unreal in 3-5 yrs..
Thanks for the heads-up: 'sounds like a 'must-buy' to me!
2 thumbs up Stick!
quote:Originally posted by marcb7:quote:Originally posted by stickman:quote:Originally posted by marcb7:
Cohiba Genios 2011...wow...if the 2011 vintage is this good now...it will be unreal in 3-5 yrs..
Thanks for the heads-up: 'sounds like a 'must-buy' to me!
2 thumbs up Stick!
I had eyed these earlier this week and just went back to purchase; they're gone! Face it, when you're the godfather, you move product!


No worries...there will be more and if not, let me know 

quote:Originally posted by stickman:
Wow, nice little run there! What are your thoughts on the Siglo IV?
Great smoke with tons of complexity. Big, but not in your face. Had 3 over the week and each time I had one it kept surprising me how balanced it is while still having a very masculine style.
quote:Originally posted by vinoevelo:quote:Originally posted by stickman:
Wow, nice little run there! What are your thoughts on the Siglo IV?
Great smoke with tons of complexity. Big, but not in your face. Had 3 over the week and each time I had one it kept surprising me how balanced it is while still having a very masculine style.
Duly noted; thanks for the assessment.
Recently:
Liga Privada T52 Robusto: rather unimpressed by the opening, but this stick really blossomed at the half-way point and finished like a dream.
Tatuaje Seventh Reserva: love the broadleaf character of this smoke, but its lack of complexity may be causing me to lose interest - not feeling compelled to buy more.
Liga Privada T52 Robusto: rather unimpressed by the opening, but this stick really blossomed at the half-way point and finished like a dream.
Tatuaje Seventh Reserva: love the broadleaf character of this smoke, but its lack of complexity may be causing me to lose interest - not feeling compelled to buy more.
quote:Originally posted by stickman:
Recently:
Liga Privada T52 Robusto: rather unimpressed by the opening, but this stick really blossomed at the half-way point and finished like a dream.
Tatuaje Seventh Reserva: love the broadleaf character of this smoke, but its lack of complexity may be causing me to lose interest - not feeling compelled to buy more.
I agree with the Liga T52....assuming this is the newly released one, the blend is a bit different than the old T52's.
I prefer the Natural to the Reserva. But the complexity isnt huge...its a great 2nd cigar or golf cigar for me.
A couple notables:
Cohiba Robusto 08'
Vegas Famoso 10'
Opus X Power Ranger
quote:Originally posted by marcb7:quote:Originally posted by stickman:
Recently:
Liga Privada T52 Robusto: rather unimpressed by the opening, but this stick really blossomed at the half-way point and finished like a dream.
Tatuaje Seventh Reserva: love the broadleaf character of this smoke, but its lack of complexity may be causing me to lose interest - not feeling compelled to buy more.
I agree with the Liga T52....assuming this is the newly released one, the blend is a bit different than the old T52's.
I prefer the Natural to the Reserva. But the complexity isnt huge...its a great 2nd cigar or golf cigar for me.
A couple notables:
Cohiba Robusto 08'
Vegas Famoso 10'
Opus X Power Ranger
M, I'm in Italy. Make sure you bring your own cigars when you visit. All of Europe smokes, but serious cigars are impossible to find.
quote:Originally posted by marcb7:
I agree with the Liga T52....assuming this is the newly released one, the blend is a bit different than the old T52's...
I didn't know that there was a new release, but it makes sense. This one didn't show the tangy-sweet opening of the T52s I've had in the past. This wrapper also seemed a bit thicker than I recall with past T52s. I'll give the rest of the batch some time before I try another.
Saint Luis Rey Pacifico with a Rogue Dead Guys Ale.....pretty good pairing actually.
Padron Serie 1926 #6 Maduro Robusto
A beautiful, late evening, smoke on the balcony.
A beautiful, late evening, smoke on the balcony.
quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
Padron Serie 1926 #6 Maduro Robusto
A beautiful, late evening, smoke on the balcony.
Ain't that a #9, KSC? And GLAD to hear you have a balcony again!
PH
quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
Padron Serie 1926 #6 Maduro Robusto
A beautiful, late evening, smoke on the balcony.
Ain't that a #9, KSC? And GLAD to hear you have a balcony again!
PH
Did the snow and ice finally thaw?

quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
Ain't that a #9, KSC? And GLAD to hear you have a balcony again!
PH
Did the snow and ice finally thaw?![]()
AH! My mistake. You are correct, PH.
And yes indeed, very nice to have things back to normal.
And yes, the snow is Looong gone now. Full Summer here and gorgeous

quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
And yes, the snow is Looong gone now.
Same here.

quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
Full Summer here and gorgeous![]()
The days are now long and the cafe' terraces are all out.
Everyone is outside now. I LOVE Montreal in the Summer!
quote:Originally posted by KSC02:quote:Originally posted by KSC02:
Full Summer here and gorgeous![]()
The days are now long and the cafe' terraces are all out.
Everyone is outside now. I LOVE Montreal in the Summer!
A great six weeks indeed.

We never saw 80 regardless of where we were in Italy, and I do not recall ever dining inside for lunch or dinner.

Also, I learned the difference between Italian food and Roman food at one of the places Longboarder sent us.
I also now have one more taxi story to add to my list.

quote:Originally posted by wine+art:
I also now have one more taxi story to add to my list.![]()

Kristoff Criollo Matador on Thursday , which seems to have become a hard smoke to find.
Recently:
Montecristo #2, '09: Construction and burn = not great, but not particularly problematic; flavor = outstanding, though I suspect these are still far from 'mature.' Will try to let the rest age for at least another year.
Casa Magna Domus Magnus Optimus: despite the limited production, I've experienced a fair amount of variance between different boxes, but the sticks from my best box are really outstanding - a measure of restraint in the power, but very flavorful, with the outstanding tobacco and anise notes being complemented by a mild vanilla and red fruit character. 'Love it!
Montecristo #2, '09: Construction and burn = not great, but not particularly problematic; flavor = outstanding, though I suspect these are still far from 'mature.' Will try to let the rest age for at least another year.
Casa Magna Domus Magnus Optimus: despite the limited production, I've experienced a fair amount of variance between different boxes, but the sticks from my best box are really outstanding - a measure of restraint in the power, but very flavorful, with the outstanding tobacco and anise notes being complemented by a mild vanilla and red fruit character. 'Love it!
Earlier this evening: Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios ('08) - simply fantastic! When I'm seeking the most complexity and richness, I still prefer the BHK52; when I prefer that classic 'habano' character, I still prefer the Siglo VI; but when I'm looking for a rustic, maduro character but with a Cuban finesse, the Genios is easily my favorite.
quote:Originally posted by stickman:
Earlier this evening: Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios ('08) - simply fantastic! When I'm seeking the most complexity and richness, I still prefer the BHK52; when I prefer that classic 'habano' character, I still prefer the Siglo VI; but when I'm looking for a rustic, maduro character but with a Cuban finesse, the Genios is easily my favorite.
This are terrific but I will say I think the 2011 are going to be even better....
Last few sticks include:
BRC 08'
My Father LE 11'
Opus X Double Corona 05'
Liga Privada #9 Double Corona
quote:Originally posted by marcb7:
... I will say I think the 2011 are going to be even better...
'Thought you might say that; they are at the very top of my search list. In general, I'm hearing very positive things about 2011 releases from our favorite island, including from a notable former employee of WS who knows a thing or two.

quote:Originally posted by wine+art:
I also now have one more taxi story to add to my list.![]()
Ah, jeez.....
PH
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