Another Island Adventure.

[cbob]

very nice haul bob. I'm off myself in a few weeks how much were the Montecrsto A's and the Partagas Presidentes. For budgetry purposes of course

Monte "A" are $99.75 CUC for a box of 5 individual coffins.
Partagas Presidentes are $136.25 CUC /25 a bargoon IMO

[cbob]

Maybe I'll have to give the Monte Open Regata another shot - my sole memory of the one (half a one) that I had was that it was truly and utterly disgusting.

I had heard such reviews from so many folk that I just HAD to try one of these Open cigars. A good friend (and the only one to actually show up for a meet-up in Havana) mentioned that he actually liked the Regata and immediately laid one on me to try. I smoked it on my first day in Varadero along with a Cubata to clear the palate.
First impressions were clearly that the cigar drew perfectly and burned evenly. There were initial mild grassy flavours but distinctively Cuban ones and the strength and body of the smoke increased as the cigar was consumed. I would not describe the flavours as typical of other Montecristo cigars but I was actually reminded a bit of Cohiba Robustos I've smoked. I've yet to have one of the highly-hyped "CoRo" that impressed me at all favorably.

This was not a cigar that I would cross the street to buy again but I am going to try another size just to say I did.
"Truly and utterly disgusting"? Certainly not. In fact I'd question if such an over-the-top reaction could be applied to any production Cuban cigar. Those Australian "performers" (Rob, are you out there?) lost all their credibility with me.

[Ryan]

The "I should have known better" award : to all the folks who called meet-ups and then didn't show. I was the sucker who cabbed all over Havana and ended up smoking alone.

Hi cbob, well I'm probably one of the most deserving recipients of that award.
Stuff came up and I didn't make it over to the Nacional until about 5pm that Sunday. Of course by then I realised I had not organised a way to contact you nor knew what you look like.
I had a look around for somebody who might look like a "cbob" but no luck.
I'm terribly sorry I didn't make it. There's nothing more I can say other than I deserve any abuse you send my way.

[cbob]

No abuse intended to any of the "no shows".
Trying to get folks together in one spot in Havana is always hit/miss.
If it's any consolation, the Nacional terraza was cold and windy and not the best place for a drink/smoke both times I hung out there.

[eggopp]

Oohhhh!


Soiled me knickers, I did.

OK everyone.. theres the confession the rocket scientist wears KNICKERS... Just what sort of person does NASA employ?? lmao

[mackem keith]

oh dear ive just had a sex wee looking at those pics

[HabanoSy]

Bloody hell...

Great looking haul cbob...

Love the look of those Dipi No.1's...

Cheers, HabanoSy

[cbob]

Love the look of those Dipi No.1's...

You'll be cheered to know that they smoke just as beautifully as you'd expect with a 9 yo Diplomatico.

[Lee Nub]

I really need to persuade the wife to go over, maybe do a week in cuba after florida. It looks so intriguing.

[tippexx]

OK everyone.. theres the confession the rocket scientist wears KNICKERS... Just what sort of person does NASA employ?? lmao

Standard janitorial issue Eggy .... no loos when you're sweeping those big sheds!

[Simon-JG-hr]

"Truly and utterly disgusting"? ... I'd question if such an over-the-top reaction could be applied to any production Cuban cigar.

Unfortunately, on that occassion it was. I've forced myself through some distinctly average smokes over the past few years, but I couldn't even keep going to half-way with that one. It actually made me slightly nauseous...

Extra annoying was the fact that I had been looking forward to trying it since I'd heard of its release - I really thought it was going to be my cup of tea (and had shunned all the comments about the series being quite poor).

[pedro_han]

hey any chance you want to share those Santos? hehe

[snooky]

Great stash there Cbob i'll be over there in April, I will have to get the best suppliers address from you along with best places to drink & smoke, i will be stopping at the Nacional.

[cbob]

hey any chance you want to share those Santos? hehe

If you were knockin' @ my Cava door right now I'd welcome you in to sample a fresh Santos or two.
I've some aged Santos Cervantes calling my name so I guess I'm smoking "customs" tonight..

[cbob]

... i will be stopping at the Nacional.

The shop in the Nacional had a great selection when I stopped in. Not many with any age on them though. Lots of 2009.