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We know they want regime change there - I think it’s still up for debate how far they’ll actually go beyond economic pressure. Venezuela and Cuba are ultimately motivated by similar but distinct interests. Venezuela is about geo-strategic resource control, both for its inherent value and as a check on China. As a result, the admin will work with whoever ends up in charge as long as they give the US priority access to their oil and dance to Washington’s tune in their relations with other major powers. There’s no question Cuba is a huge priority for Rubio as a second generation Cuban. Rubio also knows this could be his last job as a public official in Washington, and what an accomplishment it would be to see real change there. But Cuba is different than Venezuela. It’s importance to the US is mostly geopolitical and, to some extent, still ideological. Cuba has been a fixation - some would argue near obsession - for foreign policy hawks for decades. Many would contend that their focus is way out of proportion to the island’s actual value. Cuba can’t offer the US control of a vital resource to placate the administration, and is less valuable to adversaries as well. That begs a question: does Washington want anything short of regime change, and if so, what? Nobody who cares about Cuban emancipation will be satisfied with promises to liberalize the economy. Realistically, regime change is very unlikely except at the end of a gun barrel. As I see it with Cuba, the administration either goes in for window-dressing “reform” we’ve seen before, or they buy the whole enchilada. I’m skeptical they’re ready to pay that price. I guess you can kidnap the entire regime but, as that housekeeper said, who takes over then?

Fonseca 2007 Age doesn't fix everything

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Welcome to FoH!

I smoke a few of these from this box every year and enjoy having them with my wife who loves them. Love seeing how they evolve over the years. After 6 years they’re hitting their straps right now. Started off with an intense burst of earthy, burnt buttery creaminess, that quickly transformed into a walnut smoothness, but with none of the bitterness of walnuts. After several puffs, (first third) the nuttiness mellowed right down. Caramello (milk chocolate with a caramel centre) was starting to come through. Second third was pure caramel candy, very intense sweetness (almost like Manuka honey!) Last third, the sweetness dissipated, but it was my fault - We smoked it too fast, sharing it with my wife, as she didn’t want her own stick. A bit hot and peppery towards the end. But hey, it was a joy while the sweetness was on...

Confratulations @joeypots!

I am in although my weight loss has slowed to a crawl now. At least my feet look good.

No I bought a 6 count. I like these in this vitola enough to buy a box.

Those tankers were headed to China. Some tankers headed to Cuba had been going to Nicaragua or Mexico. Then they would change crude to other tankers that travel under another flag. Right now who ever is in position to make a buck and save themselves in Venezuela will be doing so. They are not thinking about Cuba. They are thinking about filling those bags of cash and going abroad. At some point no one is going to hold their ground. BTW, those tankers going to Cuba are not about the locals. It's about who they can sell it to in the region; Cayman, Bahamas, Jamaica so they can blame everything on the blockade. John

Starting the new year with new experiences and glad to be a part of this wonderful community. I have been smoking cigars for a few years now and absolutely enjoy it. Fell in love on a trip to Havana with my first puro, which was on one of the tours of Pinar del Rio. And I have never looked back. Now I hope to share all the wonderful Cuban cigar moments with all of you.

Aladino Cameroon RGPE RASS

I used to enjoy reading Halfwheel’s old January tradition of “Holy Grails” (which I gather they’d given up on). With that in mind -- and keeping in mind my forever appreciation to @Colt45 (Ross) (and to Rob) for being able to experience such wonders -- today seemed a good day to have another of the few "Holy Grails" available. Today's was the second of my two Bolivar Coronas Gigantes from Ross. It's a 47 x 7" (LOB Mar 2003); a line discontinued in 2017. Opening light is classic Bolivar just ever so much softer: This “Boli” leather is supple; this earthiness is wholly rich and wet. (Anything could grow in it But the opening retros still have that “Boli” strength. Mouthfeel is dense, in a good way. Retros at the middle of the first third (perhaps not even possible when this was young), these bring dry grass (not hay) but a strong sense of an aged, loamy field. A slight caramel set of flavors come in to the fold, adding to the classic leather & earth, as the puffs transition to the 2nd/3rd. A bizarre mildness then sets in, perhaps for 6-8 puffs, before a deep mineral twang builds in intensity. Some hot coffee I’m sipping perhaps influences my experience, adding a set of delicious bitter chocolate notes; richness on top of the building funky twang. By the start of the 3rd/3rd -- even after 23 years -- this becomes full on “Bolivar” (if that’s your thing). It’s become multifaceted Boli intensity. Perhaps influenced by the coffee, the chocolate notes lean hard into the pronounced leather in just a “wow” way.This was a memorable Bolivar, in all the best ways. Looking back at the previous experience, I'm so thankful that this was the 2nd of the two cigars. Again with appreciation, -Cliff.

You have a pic of the box?

After reading the CRC review from @VasileDulap on his Upmann Royal Robusto, I've come to conclusion that we had a nearly identical experience from a construction and flavor profile perspective. Mind you, I have never smoked a Royal Robusto (have one from a trade a few years ago; maybe I need to go ahead & light it up) but after I read his thoughts I was blown away that my review mirrors his nearly 100%. So where I differ...I didn't notice the soft spots he described. This box is coming along nicely but the 5-6 I've smoked since I acquired the box in 2022 haven't lived up to the 1st smoke. I'd say last night's smoked hit 91 or 92, so a very good cigar but not a "mind blown" or change my life kind of experience. It actually had me thinking that the Fab5 offerings (in particular, the Lonsdale) may better suite my palate & vitola preference now. I like the skinnies vs the fatties & while the Connie A is very approachable from a ring size perspective, there is something about a lonsdale or lancero that does it for me. Anyhow, very good cigar & looking forward to the aging development but probably won't revisit again until the summer at the earliest. I will say that it pairs well with a marinated & grilled BBQ pork tenderloin quite nicely!

Montecristo is perhaps my favorite marca, and this has not disappointed (only have 3 left from this box). Very little spice/pepper in the beginning (barely noticeable) with milk chocolate and coffee flavors. After 15-20 minutes, the spice disappears and is mellow but the coffee and cocoa flavor still remains with some earthy flavors at the end. Very enjoyable cigar, about an 1 hour 15 minutes smoke.

When I bought 4 boxes of of this Regional Edition cigar from Casa del habanos in Belgium and Luxembourg respectively, I did it with intent to hold, age - and honestly possible flip a couple. 🤑 I spent that next 6 years sporadically sampling them across all 4 boxes, with widely mixed results. It was a chilly December morning last year that I sampled my best of the bunch, the best cigar of 2024 and possibly one of my best ever. Which boxes smoked better? Which shade of wrapper worked better for the Diplo? After sampling across all boxes, there were no definitive answers. This one however, at 6 years nearly matched that flawless experience I had exactly a year earlier. Truly one of the finest cigars I had all year. It was full of the signature Diplomaticos nutmeg dominant note. Complimented by deep oak and maple flavour. A rich cigar that never got harsh and really benefited from the age that rounded and accentuated all flavours. This profile makes it a candidate for an ideal winter cigar for the December break for smoking indoors overlooking the freezing London streets. If only they were all this good… In general terms, I am a big fan of the Regional programme, I find them much more interesting that Limited Editions.Truly distinct cigars that are often true to their marcas. It’s a shame to see many of them become unreasonably price, especially when compared with some of my favourite regular production sticks. Cracking cigar, 95 points from me. Paired with a 40 year Private bottling Panama Rum to which I picked the cask. Oh and a shtickle NFL too.

Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2022) Best cigar today, shockingly.

I'm depending on the handwriting here. It was good, but my hat and socks are firm.

They are likely out of power and oil/ energy real soon. There's nobody coming to their rescue anymore.

TEB 08. These box codes were epic.

Fuente Opus X Angel Share and Montecristo Petit Edmundo.

Congrats!

I had reason to sort through singles and this was the oldest, so here we go. I famously don't like Bolivar, but this is immediately mellower than expected with marshmallow and hay. Picks up a dusting of milk chocolate and spritzes of orange oil. Smoke isn't quite velvet but smooth enough to retro with that citrus zest coming and going. Continues along neatly until the nub, lemon curd and lashes of brioche. A very atypical Bolivar from my experience.

Congratulations @joeypots!