La Casa Del Habano, Teddington. Wed 15 Apr 09.

[Robusto]

Gentlemen.

LA CASA DEL HABANO, TEDDINGTON

I visited the casa for the first time yesterday having discovered IT IS ONLY TWO MILES AWAY FROM MY SON'S STUDENT HOUSE IN KINGSTON! Win!

I'm writing this because there are so few accessible cigar shops around and we need to burn them into our brains for when any of us is out and about. This is the closest true cigar shop to me, and my home is 70 miles away.

A beautiful cigar shop in Teddington with a sumptuous cigar lounge downstairs, and a room with customers' humidors and keeps.

A possible future venue for a forum herf, I thought... :smoke:

I spent a couple of hours in the great company of Ajay Patel, the proprietor of the Casa, and of his staff. Coffee was served. Cigars were inspected, sniffed, squeezed in the large humidor. Cigar smokers and the brotherhood that bonds them were discussed. Cuba was discussed in detail when Ignacio Balmasede, the man in charge of La Casa Del Habano worldwide, arrived to see Ajay out of the blue! It was very useful to talk about Cuban homestays and cigar rollers and hotels and places to visit in Havana and Trinidad, frankly, as I'm thinking about the detail of our family trip to Cuba.

All of which might make it sound rather formal. It wasn't at all. My two hours there were cool. We discussed the aroma in a walk-in humidor as SEXY best of all. (I get excited. I used the word. Ajay agreed. Apologies in advance for Saturday boys lol).

I bought a number of single sticks, a punch cutter (to compare draws - I've never used one) and a 2-Robusto cigar case, and I think I smoked just about the most arousing cigar I've ever experienced. See the stick pic below.

PARTAGAS SERIE P, NO 1, PYRAMIDAS

I LOVE Partagas, but this was a big step higher than what I'm used to. Ajay asked me a few cigar preference questions, and if I'd had lunch, and suggested this cigar.

What power!

From the very first draw, it was beautifully rich and very strong... If I start describing this, I won't get my breakfast this morning! Trust me - It was a zapper of a smoke. I love powerful stogies. As a real man, they never outface me. :biggrin1:

Has anyone smoked one of these? I believe it was so rich because of the time it had been aged.

I'll end here. Just wanted to put on record for fellow brothers that if you are in Richmond or Kingston in South-West London, you would really regret not dropping by here. In fact, you'd be a fool! :biggrin1:

And it would be great to get a write-up about any other good cigar stores around the UK because they are precious commodities.

Bryan

[Stevieboy]

.

[Stevieboy]

.

[Stevieboy]

Fantastic review Bryan :thumb:
Never had a P1 (yet) is it a petit version of the P2? Was it from a jar?

(Sorry of the cock-ups above...I'm not trying to boost my post-count, honest :rolleyes:)

[Robusto]

Cheers, Stevie!

We oppressed minority leaf-boys have a DUTY to share the knowledge, I think.

It was definitely a Number 1. Got that confirmed before I put it in.

I naturally want to fire off the F word about the stick. It was that fucking good.

[Stevieboy]

Was it the following Bry? Sounds like you got one of the first tastes of one of these!! Well done dude!! :p:p:p


2009 Travel Retail Series

Partagas - Serie P No. 1 - 50 x 127 - Petit Piramides - Jar (number unknown)


http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/common_images/news/2009-PartJar-TravRetail.jpg

[Robusto]

That's the one, my man! :cowboyic9:

I was told in the store that I'd be the first! :biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1:


I shall wear a special badge today. CIGAR EXPERT OF THE WEEK.

I'll take the other one off which says CATATONIC first, tho.


Only a bit of a connoisseur would know, Squire! :hail:

[Stevieboy]

That's the one, my man! :cowboyic9:

I was told in the store that I'd be the first! :biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1:



BASTARD!! :eviltongue::eviltongue::eviltongue:.... I'm not jealous or anything

:biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1:

Seriously dude, nice one. Be proud :rock:

[Robusto]

I BLOODY LOVE THIS!!!!!

It's still smacking my chops with its lusciousness! :cowboyic9:

I've got a VERY long way to go before catching up some of you Knowledge Boys - actually, I never will - but whenever I can ride the winner's cart at the County Fair and catch the thrown coins in my lap, I shall!

http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/uploads/1156281126/gallery_414_82_1157190589.jpg

I hope you will still love me when I go back to having nowt. :biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1:

[nicwing]

Nice work Bryan, I knew you had a good time, looking forward to catching up in more detail on Saturday.:smile:

[Stevieboy]

but whenever I can ride the winner's cart at the County Fair and catch the thrown coins in my lap, I shall!


Hahahahaha!! :tongue::tongue::tongue:

[Robusto]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/ABCD0017-14-1.jpg?t=1239876029

[whisky77]

That's the one, my man! :cowboyic9:

I was told in the store that I'd be the first! :biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1:


I shall wear a special badge today. CIGAR EXPERT OF THE WEEK.

I'll take the other one off which says CATATONIC first, tho.


Only a bit of a connoisseur would know, Squire! :hail:

Robusto, i take my hat off to you.I never even new these existed and the fact you have actually smoked one only rubs salt in the wound.The presentation jar looks very nice indeed and will no doubt cost an arm and a leg.I love the SP No2 and actually prefer it to the SD No4.Green with envy!:evil:

[Robusto]

Boys.

I have to tell you that Ajay recommended me this cigar as I mentioned other Partagas I love. This was a CORKER of a cigar, and whilst I was savouring it, he KNEW those of you who know a thing or two about cigars would react like this.

It amuses me no end, this - I am sad like that - but I'm also savvy enough about cigars and their tastes to know that this was a truly magnificent beast. I honestly haven't had such a memorable first draw on a cigar for years. It was that good. Last time was with a Cohiba.

Ajay also advised me to take deeper draws that I usually do. This was good advice as I am a bit ginger with mouthfulls as I want to make the cigar last longer. He explained that modest tugs will make the cigar go out.

Applying deper draws to this cigar was awe-inspiring.

I'm sorry to bang on a bit, but it was a memorable smoking 'event' in several ways, this. :biggrin1:

[nicwing]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/ABCD0017-14-1.jpg?t=1239876029

I expect this pin-up to be appearing on a greasy garage wall near you very soon :biggrin1:

[daverave999]

Looks like a great place! I'll definitely have to have a go on one of those Serie P No. 1 when they come into wider circulation. Sounds like just my kettle of fish. Great thread!

[Stevieboy]

I expect this pin-up to be appearing on a greasy garage wall near you very soon :biggrin1:


One again Nic - ROTFLMAO!!!! :p:p:p

[Stevieboy]

Sorry Bryan - Had To Be Done!!! :smoke::smoke:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3446719061_9bb846f2d0_o.jpg

[whisky77]

Boys.

I have to tell you that Ajay recommended me this cigar as I mentioned other Partagas I love. This was a CORKER of a cigar, and whilst I was savouring it, he KNEW those of you who know a thing or two about cigars would react like this.

It amuses me no end, this - I am sad like that - but I'm also savvy enough about cigars and their tastes to know that this was a truly magnificent beast. I honestly haven't had such a memorable first draw on a cigar for years. It was that good. Last time was with a Cohiba.

Ajay also advised me to take deeper draws that I usually do. This was good advice as I am a bit ginger with mouthfulls as I want to make the cigar last longer. He explained that modest tugs will make the cigar go out.

Applying deper draws to this cigar was awe-inspiring.

I'm sorry to bang on a bit, but it was a memorable smoking 'event' in several ways, this. :biggrin1:

I have only been on this site a short period of time and it is starting to become clear to me now that you are indeed a twisted individual.What sort of devious mind would set out to entrap his fellow Cigar smokers by smoking something and raving on about it, when the cigar in question is not in general release.V poor, and i am still envious.:evil:

[Robusto]

Prettier than Jilly Goolden and her airbrushed chomping toff's mouth, anyway.
I'd go for me, greasy, over her. :smoke:


I also brought home some accessories plus one each of these:


Monte Petit Edmundo
Partagas Serie D No5 - Edicion Limitada 2008
La Gloria Cubana Gloriosos - Exclusivo Reino Unida

The Casa deals in all sorts of hard-to-find cigars for you collector boys.

I'd brass-rubbed this into my mind-map along with the equally gorgeous Soutter's, Davidoff and JJ Fox on the Cuban Stogie Stalk, soon to be touched and humi-sniffed by the merry band.

[Robusto]

you are indeed a twisted individual

Be quicker, Whisk. :biggrin1:

[whisky77]

you are indeed a twisted individual

Be quicker, Whisk. :biggrin1:


Once bitten....

[Robusto]

Just got to find the readies now. My younger son will have left Uni (if he gets in) in 2013. Until then, it's got to come from gig cash after I've kept HMI happy.

I am a bit of an obsessive as far as managing things in real life goes, and I think that stickler gene will quite happily bump over to wider cigar knowledge a few years down the line.

I'm sure you might be like this, Whisk.

I would quite happily pass on dinner tonight to smoke another P1 Pyramides in its place. When cigars are great, they are completely mind-blowing. Very stimulating, and very relaxing all at once.

[whisky77]

Just got to find the readies now. My younger son will have left Uni (if he gets in) in 2013. Until then, it's got to come from gig cash after I've kept HMI happy.

I am a bit of an obsessive as far as managing things in real life goes, and I think that stickler gene will quite happily bump over to wider cigar knowledge a few years down the line.

I'm sure you might be like this, Whisk.

I would quite happily pass on dinner tonight to smoke another P1 Pyramides in its place. When cigars are great, they are completely mind-blowing. Very stimulating, and very relaxing all at once.

I think i would agree regarding the knowledge side of things.If i become interested in something then i can become slightly obsessed, blinkered, and this is something i have realised about myself for some time.

I don`t think i have the stickler gene, although i may have the focused gene, and like yourself i would rather spend time smoking a cigar in peace.

[pedro_han]

oh deaaarr....do I see Cohiba Piramides Jar???

[whisky77]

Easier to find Lord Lucan i would imagine.

[nicwing]

OK OK, you got me, I'm going to an early meeting in west London and have a couple of hours to kill before I meet TJ for a smoke, so after Robusto's glowing review it would be rude not to go and have a skegs.

Teee Heee :smoke:

[cohibaIV]

Bryan....Bloody great thread mate, and what a cigar you had...(I WANT ONE)..

Can't wait to talk more on Saturday...:smoke:

[nicwing]

Bryan....Bloody great thread mate, and what a cigar you had...(I WANT ONE)..

Can't wait to talk more on Saturday...:smoke:

Hey mr IV, good news, I just checked and Sautter (stop 2 on our walk of delight on Saturday) has the Parttagas Serie P No1 Pyramidas in stock... so you should be able to get your hands on one around 11.00 on Saturday!

[Robusto]

Sorry Bryan - Had To Be Done!!! :smoke::smoke:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3446719061_9bb846f2d0_o.jpg

Stevieboy. I'd hug and Gay Bear man-kiss you if you were here, you big kilt! :biggrin1::biggrin1:

Chaps - I think men are anoraks about things. Don't you?

Cars, speed, biotches, musical instruments.
Collecting things. Ordering things.
Real Ales. Wines. Football. Lists. Toolsheds.

I know that's a deeply unoriginal statement, but I do believe it's true.

I gave a couple of hours' help to a songwriting mate on the piano today. He brought round two Montecristo tubos. My folk here have understood what gets a semi out of me, and they use just the right currency.

I realised (re the above) how obsessive I am about the mechanics of playing an instrument. To teach, don't over-power with too much theory. Show patterns and finger tricks rather than confuse.

I cannot play the collector game that some of you do, but it honestly gives me great pleasure when I can see the Knowledge Boys swapping, sharing, connecting, comparing on here.

I'm welling up - and beginning to sound like one of my own fucking assemblies at work.

So I'll shed a quiet tear, deal with my semi, and let you get on.

I can't play Rachmaninoff, but I can do some Dr John licks pretty well. That is a metaphor for cigars and me, and I'm quite happy.

I am really looking forward to Saturday. :smoke:

Meanwhile, I'm still temporarily Stogie King over the Knowledge Boys! :)
Hehehehehehe!

[cj121]

So I'll shed a quiet tear, deal with my semi, and let you get on.


Bryan, you're a legendary cigar pervert. Class:smoke:

[Robusto]

Takes one... :biggrin1:

[cohibaIV]

Hey mr IV, good news, I just checked and Sautter (stop 2 on our walk of delight on Saturday) has the Parttagas Serie P No1 Pyramidas in stock... so you should be able to get your hands on one around 11.00 on Saturday!

O YES!! Now Dale's in a happy place.....:biggrin1:

[nicwing]

I feel a bit like a pimp.:849:

[Robusto]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/ABCD0015-13-1.jpg?t=1239913094

[Stevieboy]

O YES!! Now Dale's in a happy place.....:biggrin1:

Dale - any chance you could text me the price when you're there and mebbe get me two for three? I'll PM my phone # if you can do this

[Stevieboy]

You rotten BASTARD!!! :eviltongue::eviltongue::eviltongue:

:tongue:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/ABCD0015-13-1.jpg?t=1239913094

[Robusto]

On Saturday, if they have these in stock, I will DEFINITELY be buying another one for the walk! Love affair! :biggrin1:

[cohibaIV]

Dale - any chance you could text me the price when you're there and mebbe get me two for three? I'll PM my phone # if you can do this

No probs mate, sure will. Send your number mate..

[cohibaIV]

On Saturday, if they have these in stock, I will DEFINITELY be buying another one for the walk! Love affair! :biggrin1:

Might be worth all chipping in for a jar if there is enough interest...:cool:

[cohibaIV]

I feel a bit like a pimp.:849:

You got a man bag then BIG DADDY:cool:

[nicwing]

Not yet, I might buy one in Bond Street on Saturday.

I've got a big furry hat though!

[Robusto]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/Cohiba%20Robusto%20Nov08/ABCD0016-1-1.jpg?t=1239923333

Off to love me. Night night.

[daverave999]

Might be worth all chipping in for a jar if there is enough interest...:cool:
I'm in for a few if you do, dependant on final pricing of course. Assuming someone would be kind enough :angel: to visit the post office for me.

[Stevieboy]

The font is a bit hard to read...does it say Weiner??? :p


http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/Cohiba%20Robusto%20Nov08/ABCD0016-1-1.jpg?t=1239923333

Off to love me. Night night.

[daverave999]

The font is a bit hard to read...does it say Weiner??? :p
:D Ha ha! I was SO tempted to say the same thing. :D

[Stevieboy]

:D Ha ha! I was SO tempted to say the same thing. :D
You should have done Dave...you know how he loves the attention :p

[Robusto]

Qui?
MOI?!?!

Good use of the sausage card there...

[Boss Hog]

The font is a bit hard to read...does it say Weiner??? :p


LMFAO :hail:

[cohibaIV]

PARTAGAS SERIE P, NO 1


?????????

Can't find a dealer???????

WHY??????

[nicwing]

Hi Mate, it turn's out that not only are they a limited edition but they have not actually been released yet.

Robusto scooped us. If I remember rightly, without going back to my notes, it will be on general release next week. JJ Fox and Davidoff will proably have them, give your new chums a ring and ask.

That pesky Robusto.

I've got some really sexy pictures from my trip to the Casa but I am waiting for a Robustolesson on how to post really big pictures.... and to create some suspense :tongue::biggrin1:

[cohibaIV]

Thanks Nic, Can't wait to see the pics...:cowboyic9:

[Stevieboy]

Robusto scooped us.



AARRGGHHH!! Don't say that! He'll be unbearable now! I imagine a pic with 'SCOOPED' written at the bottom is being prep'd as we speak :p

[nicwing]

This is a test, this is a test!!! Oh yeh baby!!! Thanks Deano, now to turn it into a realcigarpornoslideshowerama
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/DSC_0752.jpg

[Deano]

lol how'd u manage that?!

[nicwing]

OK guys, half way there. Click on the picture below and it will take you though to the Slide show, just got to get Superbusto to tell me how he managed to embed a slide show in the page...
http://s702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/th_IMG_3475.jpg (http://w702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/?action=view&current=af290ea1.pbw)

[Stevieboy]

OK guys, half way there. Click on the picture below and it will take you though to the Slide show, just got to get Superbusto to tell me how he managed to embed a slide show in the page...



Brilliant slideshow Nic. Wish I'd been able to meet you lads....mind you...there's always Edinburgh (if I say Edinburgh enough, it might become a reality...anyone interested :confused:)

[TJCoro]

OK guys, half way there. Click on the picture below and it will take you though to the Slide show, just got to get Superbusto to tell me how he managed to embed a slide show in the page...
http://s702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/th_IMG_3475.jpg (http://w702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/?action=view&current=af290ea1.pbw)

I think you got the hang of it Nickieboy!

:bandit:

[TJCoro]

Brilliant slideshow Nic. Wish I'd been able to meet you lads....mind you...there's always Edinburgh (if I say Edinburgh enough, it might become a reality...anyone interested :confused:)


Yes! I'll start saving.......NOW!

:bandit:

[Boss Hog]

OK guys, half way there. Click on the picture below and it will take you though to the Slide show, just got to get Superbusto to tell me how he managed to embed a slide show in the page...
http://s702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/th_IMG_3475.jpg (http://w702.photobucket.com/albums/ww24/Humbert_bucket/Friday%2017th%20April%2009/?action=view&current=af290ea1.pbw)

Fantastic slideshow, I came twice!

[Stevieboy]

Fantastic slideshow, I came twice!
Trust you!! :p

[Boss Hog]

When's the next herf down there?

This place looks the dogs nads, they do chocolate as well by the looks, (my real area of expertese) I could be very comfy in some of those nice chairs with some coffee, chocy & puros

[Stogiedog]

Robusto, I'm thinking that we should have an away morning / afternoon at the Casa for a mini herf PM me, perhaps we could find time in our busy schedules to meet up ??

:rock::41:

[Deano]

I'm in London on Thursday night, from about 6/7, if anyone fancies a mini-herf at the Casa...

[Robusto]

Phone in advance because the cigar lounge isn't an automatic walk-in off the street thing.

Really one should be a member, so do check! The proprietor is called Ajay if you contact.

Just a Health and Safety prod to avoid disappointment, guys.

[Stogiedog]

Deano, sorry mate working Thursday night till 2300hrs :frown:.

[Deano]

Ah damn it. There's one in soho u can smoke in, might go there. Bryan, u about?

[Robusto]

No mate. Sorry.
I am in London on the Saturday, tho, so will post something about that.

[Pantomimehorse]

Dean if your here on Thursday why not go to the Nub launch at jjFox? Im going with a couple of blokes from work and the Wingster will be there too

[nicwing]

Hey boys, thought you might like this:

http://www.broadweighs-cigars.com/blog/indexblog.html
(read the 7th May Vintage Cigar tasting post)

and look there are some left chaps, only £87 per stick, fill your boots!:cool::cool:

[Stevieboy]

Hey boys, thought you might like this:

http://www.broadweighs-cigars.com/blog/indexblog.html
(read the 7th May Vintage Cigar tasting post)

and look there are some left chaps, only £87 per stick, fill your boots!:cool::cool:


£87 bloody hell!! Do you think a 70 year old cigar would still be as amazing as the reviewers make out? I reckon they'd paid their cash then thought "Christ!!! This is crap!"... got Buyer's Remorse, plastered on a fake smile then made out it was worth the money to justify their purchase all the while thinking "My wife will kill me!! I've just bought an old farking tea-bag!!" LOL!!!

[cohibaIV]

£87 bloody hell!! Do you think a 70 year old cigar would still be as amazing as the reviewers make out? I reckon they'd paid their cash then thought "Christ!!! This is crap!"... got Buyer's Remorse, plastered on a fake smile then made out it was worth the money to justify their purchase all the while thinking "My wife will kill me!! I've just bought an old farking tea-bag!!" LOL!!!

FLMHO....LOL....:biggrin1:

Could ring true tho...