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Yeah, like somebody put a cigarette load in it.

Thanks Rob! It means a lot coming from you. I do recall your own name change issue which was obviously higher stakes. Great advice & class act as per usual.

Tobacco police? Good lord, it’s already over.

I wish you every success Chris! You deserve it. Habanos lawyers have been on the IP warpath for the past 6 years. I don't have a problem with them protecting their IP. FOH had to change from Friends of Habanos to Friends of El Habano after receiving a legal letter 5 years (?) ago. I took it to the higher levels given we are "Habanos Specialists" and have represented/Habanos officially since 2002 (and prior to that as a pirate since 1996). No go. They were adamant. Fair enough and to be honest, it was a god send. Take the licking, move on, be bigger and better.

Hello all I have been busy with work and travel and not too active on the forum for several weeks ... I wanted to share an overdue update. Habanos and their lawyers had YouTube remove my channel -Habanos Chris- towards the end of 2025. Someone (not ha_banos believe it or not lol) even suggested that it was somehow Kirby Allison who was worried about my upcoming top 5 review 🤣 I highly doubt I was on Kirby's radar and anyhow, the Kirby review is actually quite positive and was near completed when my channel was removed. The truth is Habanos and YouTube said this was all due to copyright issues. I guess using the name Habanos and some of the likeness of their logo wasn't the best idea in hindsight. Also, Habanos had removed my Instagram a long time ago. I think I even mentioned this in the interview with Rob and feelings that they may come for my channel. So in other words, I had plenty of time to defend against this by changing my channel name and logo etc. So call it being stubborn or lazy but I didn't want to change my name. Also, even with worry they would yank my channel, I didn't even back up some of my reviews. So if there are any "superfans" out there that downloaded my reviews reach out to me as I missing a few. However, I was able to find most of my reviews and was thinking of doing a re-boot under Havana Chris. I created a channel and made a new bumper (below). I know people are fatigued with cigar reviews and I am a bit myself but I felt my channel was slightly different in some ways with some brand history and somewhat unique video editing. I will keep you all posted if/when resume making YouTube cigar content. http://www.youtube.com/@havanachris I do really appreciate the friends I made through the channel, all the support, and getting to meet some of my cigar world heroes!

https://shakinghandband.bandcamp.com/album/shaking-hand early modest mouse + women my favorite thing of 2026 so far

let’s hear it

Singer Sade's "Smooth Operator" comes to mind when I think of the Cohiba Siglo III. While it is often grouped with Lonsdales, it is technically a Corona Grande......that 10mm makes all the difference. What a cigar. Perhaps the greatest 42 ring gauge smoking experience in the world today. Big call I know but tell me who knocks it off the top spot? Silky smooth, complex, rich, nuanced, honey - citrus goodness. The Siglo III has it all and these days comes a price to match. The Cohiba Siglo III is the topic of todays "Beneath the Band" Deep Dive. JOIN THE DISCUSSION Have a cracking day! 24:24 kicks off at the following AEST times — check your local time so you don’t miss out Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 10:30 AM Friday: 8:30 AM A few quick reminders to keep things running smoothly If you order late Friday or over the weekend, Di will get back to you Monday. No stress. Please email [email protected] — no PMs. Include your full name and forum handle, State and Country in every email. Emails missing key info or order details will be deleted. If you’re new, or your details have changed since your last order, please let Di know. Other bits to note Once your order is confirmed, please settle up promptly. If you’re unsure or can’t commit, best to hold off. Orders under $100 USD will have a $25 USD shipping fee. Emails missing your name, handle, Country and State won’t be acknowledged. Bolivar Belicoso Finos (Dress Box) (25's)ALL SOLD 52 × 140 mm (5½″) Campanas PTE OCT 25* Mostly Clearance. You know it. If you are looking for a rich Cuban cigar experience, Boli Beli Fino is your friend. The flavour of great BBF is immense and the layers deep. Creamy stout goodness with a touch of liquorice, leather, coffee, biscuit. The Bolivar Belicoso Finos warms the soul. Box $ 599 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Cohiba Siglo III Tubos (15's) ALL SOLD 42 × 155 mm (6⅛″) Long Corona OEG SEP 23 Mostly Clearance Brilliant. Siglo III is pure class. Very light mocha coffee spine but a spice den of flavours dipping in and out. Smoke it slow and enjoy the ride. They will age superbly and it is one cigar where I will recommend some 4 years +. My zone is 5-8 years. The evolution is worth the wait and one of the reasons aged examples command such a good price on Bond Roberts. Class, flavour, elegance. Box of 15 Tubos $ 863 USD Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 216 USD Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your ordr this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** H. Upmann Half Corona (25’s) ALL SOLD 44 × 90 mm (3½″) Half Corona EPO JUL 25 *Mostly Clearance You guys and girls hoover these up with a passion. This cigar is certainly a forum favourite delivering a beautiful full coffee and doughnut spine. Put them away if you can but if you have to dip in, try not to do it for 90 days. Box $ 217 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members **when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted*** H. Upmann Magnum 46 Tubos (15's) ALL SOLD 46 × 143 mm (5⅝″) Corona Gorda ESM DIC 24 *Mostly Clearance BBF/Mag 46/Bolivar Petit Corona/Nudie N3/young PLPC are staples for me. Partagas 898 is another with a similar profile. One of my go to cigars. Smokes big and bold. You can enjoy it young if you don’t mind big cigars. You could lay them down for 20 + years. Your call. Dark coffee, roasted nuts, liquorice. Recently more sweetness in terms of burnt sugar. Box of 15 Tubos $ 386 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 97 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** H. Upmann Magnum 54 Tubos (15’s) ALL SOLD 54 × 120 mm (4¾″) Robusto UAR JUN 24 Mostly Clearance Along with the HDM Rio Seco, few cigars are smoking so well straight off the bat. Cream, cake, shortbread, mezzo espresso, burnt sugar nuances, starts mid bodied (but be prepared), smooth. Perfect coffee and/or fortified companion. Box of 15 Tubos $ 398 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 100 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure Number 1 Tubos (15’s) ALL SOLD 46 × 143 mm (5⅝″) Corona Gorda ORB DIC 23 Mostly Clearance Highly complex exploring the array of sweet spices, cream, toasted tobacco, coffee bean. Box of 15 Tubos $ 383 USD Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 94 USD Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Hoyo De Monterrey Petit Robusto (25’s) ALL SOLD 50 × 102 mm (4″) Petite Robusto EOA MAR 25 * Mostly Clearance HDM Petit Robusto hits those sugar cane, cream, cedar and toasted tobacco notes. Fine cigars, consistent and flavoursome. Box $437 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Quarter Box (6) $ 132 USD **Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Juan Lopez Seleccion Number 1 (25’s) ALL SOLD 46 × 143 mm (5⅝″) Corona Gorda BRT JUN 24* Mostly Clearance Flavour Monster. If you only had a quiver of 12 Cuban cigars, then this would be one of them. Don’t think twice. Medium full bodied, citrus, coffee, cocoa, toasted tobacco. Big complex flavours without a big price tag. The citrus coffee note is divine. This is simply a complex, flavoursome, consistent cigar….and it comes in the best vitola of all! Box $ 475 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Quarter Box (6) $ 143 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted ** Montecristo Edmundo Tubos (15’s) ALL SOLD 52 × 135 mm (5⅜″) Edmundo GES ABR 25 Mostly Clearance Chocolate soldiers by look and taste. It is a cocoa, cream and sweet biscuit spectacular. You are in for a magnificent Willy Wonka ride. Box of 15 Tubos $ 450 USD Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 112 USD Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Montecristo Media Corona (25’s) 44 × 90 mm (3½″) Half Corona BRT JUN 24* Mostly Clearance Rich in cocoa and cream ….all that is good about Montecristo! Cream cocoa and coffee wonders. If you love an excellent Monte Petiti Edmundo then you should be purchasing one of these. What you have here is a mini Petit Edmundo. All cocoa and coffee that hits the ground running and holds onto your taste buds until the very end. Excellent cigar when you only have 30 minutes or so. Great with a coffee on a Sunday morning. Box $ 335 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Montecristo Number 5 (25’s) 40 × 102 mm (4″) Perlas ESM JUL 25 Mostly Clearance Cinnamon/roasted coffee bean. Powerful cocoa/coffee hit. Sweet cocoa/cream/toasted tobacco, sweet spice goodness. Box $ 300 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Half Box (12) $ 180 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members **when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Montecristo Petite Edmundo Tubos (15's) 52 × 110 mm (4⅜″) Petit Robusto SAE MAY 24 Mostly Clearance The Monte Petit Edmundo is all about the interplay of dark and milk chocolate. What I think most people enjoy is that it is a touch fuller than the Monte 2 and Monte Edmundo. It does everything this vitola should do and that is deliver big marque defining flavours from the first to the last draw. Box of 15 Tubos $ 359 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 90 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Partagas Petit Corona Especials (25’s) 42 × 132 mm (5¼″) Corona BAO ENE 25 *Mostly Clearance It is more than a cheap and cheerful. They fit the bill for everyday smoking when you don’t want to blow your wad on a $$$ cigar. Box $ 230 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted*** Partagas Serie D Number 4 Tubos (15’s) ALL SOLD EPO ABR 25 *Mostly Medium bodied, just over-toasted sourdough, Nutella, touch of cream intermingled with a smidge of sweet paprika. Box of 15 Tubos $ 374 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Pack of 3 Tubos $ 90 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Partagas Serie D Number 4 (25’s) ALL SOLD 50 × 124 mm (4⅞″) Robusto BRM JUL 25 *Mostly Clearance Solid 91 every day of the week. Occasional 96 D4 is a forum favourite for a reason. Medium bodied, just over-toasted sourdough, Nutella, touch of cream intermingled with a smidge of sweet paprika. Box $ 573 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** Ramon Allones Specially Select (50 cab) ALL SOLD 50 × 124 mm (4⅞″) Robusto EBP DIC 24* Mostly Clearance Fruit toast lashes the taste buds. Raisins, peel, gingerbread. Medium bodied. Rest them for 3 months and then enjoy the cherry/stout, stewed fruit, creamy goodness that is superb Ramon Allones specially Selected. Cab (50) $ 980 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** El Rey Del Mundo Demi Tasse (25’s) 30 × 100 mm (3⅞″) Small Panetela PGM FEB 25 * Mostly Clearance In a world of overblown pansies, these are still worth it. They really are smoking sweet. Honey, flowers, tea. They take up no room. Box $ 189 USD * Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** San Cristobal Principe (25’s) ALL SOLD Minutos BRM MAY 25 *Mostly Clearance They will deliver that rich cake and molasses flavour. Always a favourite among members. Unique, satisfying. Box $ 267 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members Quarter Box (6) $ 81 USD *Additional 10% Tariff Surcharge for US members ***when placing your order this week, please state your full name, forum handle, country and state. Emails without those details in full will not be acknowledged and deleted *** We've given the Bundles Saver Deals a Buff! And Bond Roberts Cigars are now available to add too! Use our Bundles Saver Page to grab the following discounts*: Any 2 item Bundle = 15% Off! Any 3+ item (max 10) Bundle = 20% Off! *Discount cannot combine with other coupon codes, promos, etc. Available on all House Blend bundles and all Bond Roberts boxes and cabinets. Sale ends midnight Sunday 25th Jan 2026 (ET). CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW! Normally (outside of the week before Christmas), the process for orders placed each week from the 24/24 sales is as follows, the stock is ordered from the warehouse the following Monday and once received shipping will commence that week. All clients will be notified by the logistics department when their order has been shipped and tracking details will be provided. If per chance there are delays with shipping we ask clients please to bear in mind our staff in logistics are doing their best to ship all orders placed the previous as swiftly as they can. If you order on a Saturday/Sunday there may be a few days extra delay (as it falls into the following weeks cycle). Similarly, if you order on a Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri then they go out the following week 99% of the time. Public holidays can occasionally throw a spanner in the works. If you have multiple orders, then they will be scheduled but the team will correspond with you. Do not contact Diana unless there has been a significant delay outside of the above. · This selection will be up for 24 hours. First in first served as quantities are limited.

Every movie that Ben Affleck was in would have been better if someone else played his role. Even Steven Seagal 😁

Ok, Sig III sounds like a good fit tonight. 2021 version is pretty damn good. It’s got a little bite, a lot of barnyard, and a little sweet. Yum

Im no expert but that would be a hard stop for me.

Another fun cigar deck discussion with the lads....and it was a cracker. God we laughed. My nomination : Steven Seagal No man went so far.... with so little talent. Kudos to him.

Brick by brick the Lizards are becoming my Father Fans! I feel the same way on a lot of their lines. I've enjoyed the Le Bijou and the Blue line, and to be honest I've only ventured into a few of their core lines. They've either been excellent or awful, never in-between. But hey, maybe My Father is on a good run.. P.S. I'll never forgive CA for the Flor De Las Antillas winning in 2012 over the Cohiba 1966 LE 2011. Shameful!

This week The Lizards pair the My Father Le Bijou 1922 in Torpedo Box Pressed with Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port. The guys reveal the new Cohiba "Excelentes" LE Coming in '26, they share that Gizmo has been named FOH Man of the Year and Senator details his latest trip to Panama. PLUS: More Chen Zhi Chaos, The Pod Debut of Port, Sweden Bans Habanos S.A. & What Does the Future of Cuban Cigars Look Like?

I think that the Monte 1 and the QD Coronas Claro are the only other cigars in the 42 gauge that could challenge in sheer excellence when "on". Mind you, the Cohiba Siglo III would need to be near its best to stave off the challenge. I still feel a great Siglo III has a few more gears.

I couldn't resist. Cheers brother!

John, these will look lovely next to the 2017 Sir Winston’s

For sure!

I've had Monte 1s that would give it a good run. They are completely different but equally satisfying in my book.

Congratulations!

It's probably your best chance to win 😁