Went to TomTom yesterday...

[bloodhound]

....and smoked my first Cuban after years. It was an Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2. The cute French lady in the store recommended it as that's what she smokes regularly.

Smoked it with a mocha. Ok so it may be regarded as mild/medium but I found it strong tbh. Maybe at the moment I like the image of Cuban cigars more than smoking them.
Time needed? Should have shared the smoke maybe. Think I'll ease myself into this anyway, was ready to go out and buy humidor and all.

Another thing which surprised me and which was very honest of the her was that she said buying a cheap humidor (up to 150 GBP) was as good as putting the cigars in a ziplock bag and using a wet sponge. Apparently customers of their shop keep purchases in their shop humidor for years.

Don't shoot me down huh?

BH.

[Simon-JG-hr]

You smoked a stick because it's a girl's regular...

Any photos? (Of the cute French madame, not the stick in this case - I might have to make a special trip ).

I've never quite worked out how this sponge in a bag works - surely there's a chance that the cigar could roll onto it and become very damp? I don't know... But, when you can get a little humi for less than ?50 - which looks great too, then I probably wouldn't use the bag (but that's just me) - unless you've got no space for it (or have a very set lounge design).

Anyway, good work getting back on the wagon - hope you enjoy your next one a bit more. Give an El Rey del Mundo a go - a very nice, and not at all overpowering range of sticks.

[misterbulgarin]

I bought my humi for the look alone, let alone the cigar storing possibilities. Couldnt imagine putting my sticks in a baggie heh. 'blunt material' my mates might think

[Seriesteve]

Epi 2 is a great Cigar it is a medium Cigar but got bags of flavours, maybe not yours.
Plenty others to try thats the fun
Remember when your are just starting out smoking Cigars better to have one after you have eaten.
Also this is no sprint
It's the longest marathon I've been on

[bloodhound]

Epi 2 is a great Cigar it is a medium Cigar but got bags of flavours, maybe not yours.
Plenty others to try thats the fun
Remember when your are just starting out smoking Cigars better to have one after you have eaten.
Also this is no sprint
It's the longest marathon I've been on

Ah yeah, good advice.
I think I got bit too eager cos I'd been looking forward to smoking one for a coupla weeks now. Anyway no doubt I'll try some more soon. Will try another brand.

[bloodhound]

You smoked a stick because it's a girl's regular...

A guy's gotta try.

[monkey66]

As an engineer I think her comments on 'a cheap humi' my not be correct. Anything with decent wall density, breathable seal and spansh cedar (with approprate hunidification) should peform quite well.

CE have done plenty of tests and there is not a big gulf between a ?200 and ?2000 humi.

BTW Their coffee shop is one of the few in London I would call good.

[daverave999]

Smoked it with a mocha. Ok so it may be regarded as mild/medium but I found it strong tbh.

Strong in taste or nicotine? I suspect you would have had a completely different experience with the exact same cigar if you'd eaten beforehand.

Another thing which surprised me and which was very honest of the her was that she said buying a cheap humidor (up to 150 GBP) was as good as putting the cigars in a ziplock bag and using a wet sponge.

I would worry about making them too moist with this. For another super-budget option, there's always the tupperdor. You'd need something to regulate the moisture, but there's several very cheap options there too.

As an engineer I think her comments on 'a cheap humi' my not be correct. Anything with decent wall density, breathable seal and spansh cedar (with approprate hunidification) should peform quite well.

CE have done plenty of tests and there is not a big gulf between a ?200 and ?2000 humi.

CE? I'd be interested to look at these tests myself, being of inquisitive mind and cheap of wallet.

[cohibaIV]

Sorry, got to say it...''TOMTOM THE BIGGEST RIP OFF CIGAR SHOP IN THE UK''

There...said it

[Lascaux]

is that the place near victoria station? also, do they sell decent single estate coffee beans?

been looking for a great place to get my coffee in london, theres that monmouth coffee shop in covent garden but they're beans haven't blown me away yet.
somewhere that does great coffee and great cigars?
well holy shit thats my new hang out

[monkey66]

I get my coffee mail order - below all send day of roast so you can nail that 4-8 day post-roast magic window.

Take a look at these guys (I can recommend them all). You will never look at Monmouth again.

http://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/

http://www.coffeebeanshop.co.uk/

[Lascaux]

wow hasbean looks great, thanks for that mate
and its got the costa rican finca de lincho, order placed

[monkey66]

NB - Be sure to give any freshly roasted beans 4 days from date of roast before use.

[Pantomimehorse]

ta just stuck an order in

[HabanoSy]

Great heads-up Monkey66

Order placed, can't wait...

Cheers, HabanoSy