Havanas anyone?

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RWS
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Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:52 pm

Come, come. Surely you're aware that many, many refugees from Castro's Cuba have lived in the United States for nearly two generations, strongly influencing the policies of both major political parties; by contrast, most Chinese residents of the States are very newcomers, much more interested simply in making money than in shaping the politics of a country that most don't view as a permanent home. And Cuban exports of rhetoric and ideology visibly affect America's near neighbors.

Nonetheless, it's clear that the great conflict, economic or military, of the early twenty-first century may well pit the United States against China, not Cuba.

Wait 'til Castro dies.
Will

Fri Jun 24, 2005 10:28 pm

If only China produced Cohiba Esplendidos!
stagfoot
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Sat Jun 25, 2005 6:04 am

Ah, I'm from New Zealand, So I'm less aware of the refugee influence.
Actually I don't know why I'm complaning, the ban probably keeps the prices down for the rest of us.....mmmm (puff) that's awfully good. :wink:
alden
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Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:32 pm

The ban does keep the price down...did I say "down?"

Tobacco is a "terroir" product and it grows very well in Cuba and there is a limited amount of Cuba available. When the ban goes away and our American allies can buy...au revoir bonheur!..the prices (already extravagant) will go up. There are speculators already buying as many Havanas as they can these days with the hopes that the relaxed ban will turn their collections into fortunes. Some have as many as 50,000 havanas in huge humidors in their homes. Among them are American collectors who keep their massive stocks in London, Paris and Madrid. So they are already driving the prices up, up, and up.

So, start funding all the anti-smoking lobbies in the US! Maybe we can incite a "prohibition" movement. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea anyway.

Cheers
Art Tatum
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Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:32 am

Last week I was fortunate enough to smoke quite a few freshly rolled havanas by a Mr. Hamlet Jaime Paredes from Romeo Y Julieta. These are a much different breed from the norm, and much stronger I might add. The size I was smoking was equvilent to a Siglo VI, and I thought I stepped into a boxing ring with the cigar half way through it!

I don't know how often the other members of the forum have had such an opportunity, but an event like this is pretty rare for me, so its only fitting that it was one of the greatest cigar experiences, personally. Meeting and talking with Mr. Paredes, all the while enjoying a freshly rolled cigar by him...it just doesn't get any better! :D
Art Tatum
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Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:33 am

Oh BTW, my personal favorite Havanas are Montecristo #2 and Partagas No. 4.
alden
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Tue Jun 28, 2005 9:09 am

You have had a very fortunate experience. When you see a master torcedor at work you understand better why their works are included in a site dedicated to bespoke, hand crafted products.

Some individuals go as far as to fly their chosen torcedors from Cuba for a week or so and have them roll a few fresh ones. It was my pleasure to participate in one such event. Watching a master torcedor at work and smoking a perfectly rolled cigar is an enormous pleasure.
uppercase
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Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:06 am

Well, I haven't had the pleasure of having a freshly rolled cigar.

But I have smoked cigars fresh from Cuba and I can tell you, there is a world
of difference between those fresh Cuban cigars and the Cubans having been stored
in a store's humidifier for a long period; the taste of Cuba is lost.

On the other hand, not traveling to Cuba in the near future, what London tobacconist is recommended for a fine, well stored Cuban?

And I would still love to buy myself a fine Dunhill DR grade pipe in the near future.
Any experience with Dunhill pipes? Or is it all hype?
alden
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Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:47 am

http://www.jjfox.co.uk/static/19%20St%2 ... istory.htm

As regards, Dunhill and other hand made pipes, a thread dedicated to the subject will be created.
Leon
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Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:20 am

Very interesting article in the How to Spend It supplement of this weekend's London Financial Times (2/3 rd July 2005)

Habanos SA is bringing out a range of reserva cigars. In these the filler, binder and wrapper are aged for up to 5 years; usually a year's maturation is the norm. The first brand available is Partagas, 20 robustos for £640. The main UK supplier is Davidoff, 35 St. James St. The writer uses the analogy of laying down wine, in comparing the normal serie D with the Reserva...

Leon
ccox
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Sun Jul 03, 2005 2:22 pm

uppercase,

I have a Dunhill pipe. It is very pretty and the grain superb. I don't think it's a top of the line grain, though. Does it smoke any better than my other, less expensive pipes? I'm not sure. I only smoke Old Virginia Flake and really can't tell the difference in the pipes, yet. But I've only smoked a pipe for two years now and infrequently at that. I suppose time will tell which of the pipes is the best.

CCox
uppercase
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Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:06 pm

Yes, indeed, the beauty of a pipe is a pleasure in and of itself, and perhaps does not really affect the quality of the smoke.
I use different pipes for different kinds of tobacco; so my latakia blends are smoked in a different pipe than the aromatics. Better not to mix.
I'll be visiting Dunhill, London, hopefully in a few weeks and will look into their pipes on Jermyn St.
Also, there is supposed to be a very nice store in Milan, on Via MonteNap, I can't recall its name, but it does apparently sell a large variety of pipes and rare Dunhills. I didn't visit them on my last trip but do hope to visit them next time around.
second hand
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Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:26 am

I personally enjoy smoking smaller cigars. I like the Hoyo Epicure #2. I have also purchaced a box of Montecruz Corona Chica 4.5 by 36. They are inconsistant but the good ones taste like strong coffee. Amazingly similarto strong black coffee. Any recommendations for small cigars? I have a few habano in my humidor but can't forsee smoking them.
alden
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Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:15 am

Leon,

If you go to Dunhill's humidor on Jermyn Street, they have some boxes of the Riservas you mentioned in stock. Last week, we had the chance to see them. The aroma is superb. But you can acheive the same by ageing your own cigars!

Cheers
Leon
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Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:20 pm

You are probably right! I don't smoke cigars that often. So, I am ageing my stocks by default. However, after a recent trip to Cuba, I have outgrown my own humidors, and have to deposit stocks with friends. Still guaranteed of a good cigar when visiting!

Was at the Dunhill store on Wednesday, but investigating watches rather than their humidor...

Leon
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