Who knew our friend Mr. Pease...

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That necklace, are those pooka shells? I vaquely remeber those from 1974 :lol:

I prefer a slender cigar. I think the Bigger is Better trend in cigars has some deeply seeded roots in small man syndrome. Give me a corona or lonsdale over those fashionable jawbreakers any day.

Hey Hollywood, get some Randolf Engineering Aviators.

Grwat article BTW :)
 
Puff Daddy":2v5ytr42 said:
Give me a corona or lonsdale over those fashionable jawbreakers any day.
Grwat article BTW :)
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I'm with you there Bro.
:D
 
I've gotta admit, Greg speaks the truth. The truth can be hard to come by, because speaking the truth can step on a lot of toes in the cigar and tobacco industry.

When it comes to non Cuban cigars, there are some companies who really go the extra mile to give us a quality cigar nowdays. Nick Perdomo, Litto Gomez, Jesus Fuego, Josa Padron, and Don Pepin Garcia are some of my favorites. Some cigar smokers are so satisfied with todays non Cubans, they are content to purchase most of their cigars right out of the humidor of their local tobacconist.

I'm looking forward to anything Greg writes, as it is proven he certainly knows how to make magic with premium tobaccos. :cheers:
 
I think those shades as well as the harsh goatee, are very fitting of a cigar smoking portrait.

By the way, in reference to Greg's article, I have only had a few Cubans in my time, one was a wonderful Cohiba that was gifted to me by a very well traveled friend. I was very put off by the fact that when I took it out of its wrapper I was punched in the face by a deep dog-turd like aroma. I thought I was in for a major disappointment but still to this day that was one of the best cigar smokes I have ever had.
 
DrumsAndBeer":rbykd2zq said:
when I took it out of its wrapper
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:suspect:

I would question the authenticity of that particular cigar. Very few Cuban cigars use cello, and I don't believe Cohiba ever has. I don't suppose it came in a glass top box?


 
Dave_In_Philly":utlm9m7p said:
DrumsAndBeer":utlm9m7p said:
when I took it out of its wrapper
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:suspect:

I would question the authenticity of that particular cigar. Very few Cuban cigars use cello, and I don't believe Cohiba ever has. I don't suppose it came in a glass top box?
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It wasn't in cello. My friend wrapped it up to keep it from drying out. He wrapped it in a wax paper bag and saran wrap at his uncles place prior to leaving Austria.
 
When I was last in Jerusalem, I bought several Cuban cigars for my Rabbi. He said they were a good smoke. The shop owner wrapped them in a regular ziplock assuring me they would be good for the several weeks before being placed in a humidor. He was right, thankfully. My regret is that I did not try one. This was several years ago, before I first tried cigars and pipes. Next time, I am definitely picking up a few for myself as well as for gifts.

*back on topic* : Nice article, thank you for sharing.
 
Dave_In_Philly":z8vnqldg said:
...was so well versed in areas beyond the briar:

http://cigarchronicles.com/up-in-smoke/havana-fantasy/

Sir, while I appreciate your bucking the trend of tree trunk sized cigars and choosing a smaller gauge cigar for your Bio-Picture, I simply cannot support your choice of sun glasses :no:

;)
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LOL! The photo was something of a joke. Sort of. The photo was taken at the end of a rib BBQ competition I was part of, and I'd had more than a few beers... That is, they're not mine. Really. I borrowed them to hide my bloodshot eyespheres. The goatee, on the other hand, is genuine, as was the cigar.

With respect to baseball bats masquerading as cigars, I've had a couple of fat smokes that were pretty good, but give me a corona or a lonsdale any day, even a double corona or a robusto. The balance is completely wrong in a fat cigar. The wrapper, the finest, tastiest leaf in the blend, takes a back seat to the filler. There's no joy there for me.

Interestingly, I was chatting with a cigar maker who is launching a new brand, and when he told me they'd be doing a 660 and 770, I, without thinking, and without the convenient excuse of beer, exclaimed, "Those are just stupid."

"Yes, they are," he responded, "but they sell, and we can't ignore the market." Sad.

If I ever launch a cigar brand, I can assure you, there will be no baseball bats in the range. Period. Screw market demands. I only produce and sell what I can believe in. It certainly has not made me rich, but at least I can look at myself in the mirror in the mornings, bad shades or not.

I promise never to be seen in the shades again...

Once Kevin and I figure out the direction the magazine needs to go, and it's more Kevin than me, since he's got the "Chief" thing in his title, and there's only "Associate" in mine, it'll be nice to go back to writing about cigars again. And, expect a wine and spirits column, as well. In the meanwhile, PipesMagazine keeps me busy.
 
Hahaha - Greg, you are such a down to earth fellow on so many fronts, I can't get over it.

Keep up the great work.
 
Fishfuzz":j08oleca said:
Hahaha - George, you are such a down to earth fellow on so many fronts, I can't get over it.

Keep up the great work.
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Who's George?
 
LOL - sorry, Greg. I was processing wedding photos for someone named George. ;)
 
Look, bottom line is Greg hits some great points.

Lots of people "don't get" Cubans because they are misinformed, smoked certain cigars too young (Ramon Allones are wonderful young, whereas most Cohibas and Upmanns need 5 years to show greatness and 10 years to ruin you for life), smoked some cigars from the dog years of inconsistency (1999-2002, depending on marca and vitola), to downright fakes. A guy who smokes Padrons all day and smokes a 1998 Trini Fundadore is just not gonna get it (most of the time).

Navigating the Cuban landscape is complicated; there are so many different flavor profiles, good years and bad, coupled with issues of provenance, and expanding your palate is a whole other thing all together. See where I am going here? A mentor, patience, and knowing your sources is a HUGE part of understanding and enjoying good cuban tobacco.


I have been a food and wine guy for a long time and I think it made it easier for me in some ways to "get" a cigar and know what I like. I had smoked a lot of Nica and aged DRs before my first "good" Cuban. Forget about a reference point and "figuring it out," it was the quality of tobacco that zapped me first. I had NO reference for that kind of richness and depth of flavor, NONE. I kid you not, I had smoked everything.

I regret Mr. Pease didn't mention price, but I know he wouldn't want to encourage doing something as perilous as breaking the law. :drunken:

I knew a "friend" who bought a 50ct cabinet of RASS from 2008 and smoked them late last year and early this year. I was lucky enough to smoke a number of these cigars. This cigar, shipped to his door was $6.60 a piece!

We both agreed that we could not find a better cigar in one of the biggest cigar shops n manhattan for 5 times the price. Not even close. And we weren't even talking the HOLY GRAIL! This cigar is a staple of people's humidor if they smoke Cubans.

Smoke a 92 Upmann # 2 and you will almost cry. I know I almost did. :D
 
Never crossed my mind to considerate the possibility to smoke a more than 56 ring gauge... and I will never do. Period.
 
I havent smoked a lot of cubans, a couple when I went to my buddies cottage in Canada, I don't know if it was because I am used to smoking Nicaraguan cigars but I didn't really care for them, altho I know my search for one I like is not over I will keep trying

As far as ring gauge is concerned , I prefer my cigars to be at least 52, under that I find them unsatisfying, and uneventful,
and also kind of like a pipe I like the way they feel in my hand and I also clench on them a lot, and to it seems as tho something with a bit more size to them, holds up to the abuse of clenching while I work
 
BigCasino":ukx330id said:
I havent smoked a lot of cubans, a couple when I went to my buddies cottage in Canada, I don't know if it was because I am used to smoking Nicaraguan cigars but I didn't really care for them, altho I know my search for one I like is not over I will keep trying

As far as ring gauge is concerned , I prefer my cigars to be at least 52, under that I find them unsatisfying, and uneventful,
and also kind of like a pipe I like the way they feel in my hand and I also clench on them a lot, and to it seems as tho something with a bit more size to them, holds up to the abuse of clenching while I work
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One of these days you and I must hook up. I will bring a few samples for you. After your first Boli Petite Corona we'll have you singing a different tune.
 
well Someday I hope to visit your side of the state, it would be nice to come there to watch the Pens punish those broad street bullies, but if I am ever coming out there I sure will try and get together with you, and like wise, I hope you do the same if you ever come to Pittsburgh
 
brando71":x0hclg4x said:
Never crossed my mind to considerate the possibility to smoke a more than 56 ring gauge... and I will never do. Period.
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Better put a lock on that mind just to be sure....
 
Love this thread...
Blue Blockers, puka shells and cigars.
How do they all fit together so entertainingly? :cheers:
 
of these days you and I must hook up. I will bring a few samples for you. After your first Boli Petite Corona we'll have you singing a different tune.
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I've had those petite Boli's...true art in a little stick.

The thing people forget with CC is they need to age some. Non-Cuban cigars makers age their stock so they're ready to smoke today, Cuba often doesn't.
 
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