monkey66
23-09-2011, 10:00 AM
After working like a dog for the last few years me, Mrs and mini Monkey grabbed a last minute deal for a nice apartment in Cannes (South of France).
Now holidaying with a 15 month old is not the same as holidaying as a couple but some time was found for some special moments and some nice cigars. I won't do detailed reviews but hopefully you get the picture. Smoking was done when mini-monkey was asleep (afternoon and evenings). The apartment had a great balcony overlooking the Med so this was a strong selling point for me :41:
Great produce, fruit, veg, patisserie, wine, cheese etc to be had in Provence …and we made the most of it, a cooks dream.
Excuse the randomness and rambling. I will try to list in order.
FdC Short Robusto '10 - I don't know if it was these have rested a bit since my first one, or it was the first cigar of the holiday but sat on the balcony mid-afternoon it was just magical, one of the best short smokes I have had (and quite a difference from my first one). Delicious, unique and smoked beautifully.
Trini Robusto T '09 - This was the evening following the FdC and it was a bit of a disappointment. Nothing wrong but just nothing special. funny as prior to smoking I would have expected to flip my opinion on this and the FdC. This is the second time I have been underwhelmed by the ‘T’, I am starting to reconsider my previous praise of this stick.
Por Larranaga Magnificos '07 - the last one of these I smokes (a year or so ago) was something special but I knew from the pre-draw this one was not. Far too loose in the draw and it killed the cigar, just tasted a bit mentholy but no proper profile, an expensive disappointment. Did manage to finish my first book ‘Gipsy boy on the Run’ …a great read.
R and J PoW '98 - A lovely dinner in Mougins. Mougins is an acient mountain town where no cars are allowed and is (for me and Picasso) a magical place. Warm enough to be in short sleeves at midnight. Escargot’s Provencal, mountain lamb and a tart au citron to die for. Sitting outside drinking coffee at the end of the meal with the chief and other patrons there was a wonderful atmosphere. The elegant PoW added to the warm night perfume and seemed ‘in place’. A lovely walk around town with Mrs M and the R and J was done. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Trini Reyes '09 – A nice afternoon smoke while reading Keith Richards autobiography (a really great read!). You can't always get what you want.
Edmundo Dante Condo 109 '08 – It has been a year or so since I last fired one up. The best way to describe this unique smokes profile is cookie dough (thanks to ewhipper for that one). Anyone who thinks this is a re-branded Monte has never smoked one, it has a unique (‘ish …see JLSS below) profile. My only criticism is it is quite one dimensional which is not ideal for such a big vitola. Nothing that another 10 or 20 years won’t turn into magic though. Poulet Roti, salad and bread with a nice bottle of red.
Juan Lopez Selection Suprema '09 – After hearing so many good things I cracked into my box to try my first one. This is a big, friendly sweet smelling stick. Perfect construction and draw. I can only describe this is a sweet, approachable stick. In a blind taste I would never know it was a JL, not a powerhouse but loads of umptious, sweet smoke. On the balcony we had just enjoyed a couple of cote de veau’s, grilled to perfection on the bbq and enjoyed with some lovely tomatoes and grilled red peppers …and a bottle of Rose of course.
R and J Romeos Ancient Humidor Replica '08 – A year or so since I last tried this smoke. This was nothing like a year ago. The young, prominent, very defined R and J profile was muted. This cigar is sleeping and should be revisited in 5-10 years. A nice smoke but IMHO the opportunity to smoke young has passed.
NB - The Ashtray is one of those big spoon holders normally found in the kitchen to keep stirring spoons off the surface. The best single cigar ashtray I have ever used!
Now all I need is a nice holiday to recover!
76717672767376747675
Now holidaying with a 15 month old is not the same as holidaying as a couple but some time was found for some special moments and some nice cigars. I won't do detailed reviews but hopefully you get the picture. Smoking was done when mini-monkey was asleep (afternoon and evenings). The apartment had a great balcony overlooking the Med so this was a strong selling point for me :41:
Great produce, fruit, veg, patisserie, wine, cheese etc to be had in Provence …and we made the most of it, a cooks dream.
Excuse the randomness and rambling. I will try to list in order.
FdC Short Robusto '10 - I don't know if it was these have rested a bit since my first one, or it was the first cigar of the holiday but sat on the balcony mid-afternoon it was just magical, one of the best short smokes I have had (and quite a difference from my first one). Delicious, unique and smoked beautifully.
Trini Robusto T '09 - This was the evening following the FdC and it was a bit of a disappointment. Nothing wrong but just nothing special. funny as prior to smoking I would have expected to flip my opinion on this and the FdC. This is the second time I have been underwhelmed by the ‘T’, I am starting to reconsider my previous praise of this stick.
Por Larranaga Magnificos '07 - the last one of these I smokes (a year or so ago) was something special but I knew from the pre-draw this one was not. Far too loose in the draw and it killed the cigar, just tasted a bit mentholy but no proper profile, an expensive disappointment. Did manage to finish my first book ‘Gipsy boy on the Run’ …a great read.
R and J PoW '98 - A lovely dinner in Mougins. Mougins is an acient mountain town where no cars are allowed and is (for me and Picasso) a magical place. Warm enough to be in short sleeves at midnight. Escargot’s Provencal, mountain lamb and a tart au citron to die for. Sitting outside drinking coffee at the end of the meal with the chief and other patrons there was a wonderful atmosphere. The elegant PoW added to the warm night perfume and seemed ‘in place’. A lovely walk around town with Mrs M and the R and J was done. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Trini Reyes '09 – A nice afternoon smoke while reading Keith Richards autobiography (a really great read!). You can't always get what you want.
Edmundo Dante Condo 109 '08 – It has been a year or so since I last fired one up. The best way to describe this unique smokes profile is cookie dough (thanks to ewhipper for that one). Anyone who thinks this is a re-branded Monte has never smoked one, it has a unique (‘ish …see JLSS below) profile. My only criticism is it is quite one dimensional which is not ideal for such a big vitola. Nothing that another 10 or 20 years won’t turn into magic though. Poulet Roti, salad and bread with a nice bottle of red.
Juan Lopez Selection Suprema '09 – After hearing so many good things I cracked into my box to try my first one. This is a big, friendly sweet smelling stick. Perfect construction and draw. I can only describe this is a sweet, approachable stick. In a blind taste I would never know it was a JL, not a powerhouse but loads of umptious, sweet smoke. On the balcony we had just enjoyed a couple of cote de veau’s, grilled to perfection on the bbq and enjoyed with some lovely tomatoes and grilled red peppers …and a bottle of Rose of course.
R and J Romeos Ancient Humidor Replica '08 – A year or so since I last tried this smoke. This was nothing like a year ago. The young, prominent, very defined R and J profile was muted. This cigar is sleeping and should be revisited in 5-10 years. A nice smoke but IMHO the opportunity to smoke young has passed.
NB - The Ashtray is one of those big spoon holders normally found in the kitchen to keep stirring spoons off the surface. The best single cigar ashtray I have ever used!
Now all I need is a nice holiday to recover!
76717672767376747675