I am not a fan of the Fire Cured, but didn't expect that kind of result. I do know of some people that smoke with a root beer all of the time. I never tried it though myself.

I'm not usually big on infused cigars, but I just found 3 Gurkha Reserves that had been infused with Louis XIII Cognac. Some years ago I got to try one and I remember them to be very good cigars.

Who needs Cuban's when there are so many outstanding no Cuban choices out there!?!

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
I am not a fan of the Fire Cured, but didn't expect that kind of result. I do know of some people that smoke with a root beer all of the time. I never tried it though myself.

No alcohol permitted in the local B&M, so it's soda, coffee or water. (or whatever you smuggle in, but I choose to respect the owner's rules). A lot of the guys go with a ginger soda, I hated it. Love the root-beer though.

I didn't jump on the padron deal because the 4 pack is the same price at my B&M. So tonight I finally got to smoke the Perdomo 20th anniversary maduro I bought 2 weeks ago for Turkey day but was too busy to smoke. Ill note that I had a glass of glenlivet 15 year with it so ymmv.

I generally use a punch cutter if draw is too tight I'll go to the trusty colibri. Tonight only the punch was needed. Pre light draw had a sweetness to it and heavy tobacco flavor which was expected of a full flavor Nicaraguan puro. The sweetness was a surprise that disappeared as soon as it was lit. Instantly I was hit with strong peppery flavor, delicious and almost overwhelming. I drink my scotch with an ice ball and together the scotch and cigar were almost too strong, I did get a little nauseous during the first third. So I let the ice melt for a bit before I sipped any more. The first third was all pepper, some leather and oak, maybe a hintvof bourbon(the wrapper is aged in bourbon barrels for 14 months). The second third mellowed out and brought in more cocoa and oak flavor, very smooth and enjoyable, at this point my ice ball had melted some and the scotch was a little less stout. The last part of this smoke is where it really shined, a mild pepper/spice lots of oak and bourbon flavors. As I sit here writing this, down to the nub, slightly burning my fingers I can only think about getting to smoke another. Ill let the next one age a few months before I revisit. Tomorrow I plan on enjoying a Montecristo Espada. They have been advertising the crap out of it and my B&M has been pushing it so I am really looking forward to this one. I really am a fan of the Nicaraguan smokes, it seems like the Puros never disappoint and tonight was no different.

I am having a second new world by A J Fernandez. This a a good cigar. I find the cold weather mutes the subtle flavors on some cigars. But this has been good linear but with good solid flavors. Paired it with some bourbon.

JayW post your thoughts on that monte I have one and I have wanted to try it just haven't gotten to it yet.

Montecristo Espada. Pre light draw was very mild. Light tobacco flavor. I punched a hole and fired it up. First part so far is very mild. More leather than anything. Not much spice. I will compliment the finish and construction on this stick. Rolled very well, beautiful wrapper, my first ash is right at an inch and the draw is perfect. No change until the halfway point. Some spice kicking in not heavy as I prefer but enough to be enjoyable for me I'm picking up a little sweet aftertaste and the leather/cedar is getting stronger. This cigar is rated as medium to full but I rate is at just under medium strength a Perdomo champagne Connecticut has more kick.

I gotta say for the price the Espada is not worth it. I am a bit disappointed. Not much spice, too much leather/cedar. No creamy flavor but a hint of sweetness at the nub. This would be a good smoke at work where I get interrupted alot. If it was 5-6$ I would recommend it but as it is I give it a 6.5/10. Today my B&M swindled me out of some cash. I came on looking for a Perdomo edicion de silvio which at first he claimed to not have. So when I go to check out with 2 Perdomo double aged 12 years and a few assorted cle's he says oh I have that silvio in the back let me go get it. So I got more than I bargained for lol. Ill review those next weekend maybe sometime this week.

Thanks for the write up Jay. I have found that most of the "big" names are not worth the money.

Something I am learning the hard way. So far the 2 montecristo the davidoff and the Ashton I've had were a letdown. Also all the Gurkha and drew estates I've tried were less than stellar for the price.

JayW find Tatuaje. This is the standard by which I judge Non-cubans. If a cigar is as good for similar cost or less I will buy more, if it's not as good and costs more I never buy them again.

If you haven't tried them start with the plain brown band, then the reserva and cojonu. These are the origins of the brand. From there give the 10th anniversary a try. I recommend them second as they are slightly more refined and once you have one it might ruin the original band for you.

Tatuaje, La Gloria Cubana, CAO Flathead series, My Father, in no particular order are all good sticks at decent prices.

I was able to enjoy a cigar this afternoon as the temperature was in the mid 50's. So what did I smoke? A CI blend lab YH-456.

A Monte and MNF

CLE corojo today at work, not very good, i like the connecticut better.

What didn't you like about it?

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
A Monte and MNF

Typically cannot go wrong with a Monte. Is that a #2?

Have you tried the whites? One of my all time faves!!!

The Monte Espada was a letdown for me.

Petr the corojo wasnt bad, it just wasnt very good, i prefer the heavy spice flavors and it only briefly had spice, all leather and some other flavor i cant identify. Alot like a milder version of the Espada i had sunday.

Monte White are my favorite right now.

I havent given up on Monte just yet, i have a sampler pack which includes the White, a platinum, a reserva negro and plain old #3.

** Today's Confession **

Sometimes when I need my cigar fix, I will open up the Prometheus filled with "the good stuff", and just slowly inhale the smells.

Is the prometheus your humidor? I often find myself gazing through the glasstop of my humidor. Sometimes i will open it up and get a wiff of the different smells.