El Presidente

This Ramon Allones Club Allones Extra Edicion Limitada 2011 divided the global cigar community like no other. You either loved them or hated them but those that bought them certainly were on one side of the fence or the other This 44 X 143 mm cigar wasn't expensive and it was generally deemed to be one that would age well given that many although it had some "rough edges and elbows" on the palate, it did have richness in spades. Coming on 15 years since release. How did they evolve? Did they evolve at all? Did they age well? Your experience? Have your say

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world. To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor) 4-6 (Average to good) 7-10 (very good to excellent) Use the Poll. You are more than free to comment away The Quai d'Orsay Corona Claro is a favourite of mine and of many members here. Yet this opinion is far from universal in the cigar communtiy. Somehow, this "unfashionable" cigar has managed to miss the Habanos executioners axe over the years and remains in production albeit in very limited numbers. Have your say!

Hamlet is getting into the swing...

Breakfast of champions

Couldn't help myself.😅 Full day today but I will find some time for further digs later 👍

Ali's name came up last night at the launch event and I hope to catch up with him at the Cyprus launch of the Punch later this week. It looks like we will be making this region a regular stop. I will post photos of last night's launch later today.

Yes...well...the plastic covered sheets were indeed a concern No need to worry however as we were whisked away for a series of cigar and catchups on a beautiful Kuwait day, before heading off to a farm for a traditional cigar, meal and magnificent evening. There is something magical about sitting under the night sky in such a traditional setting. The conversation was entertaining and engaging, the cigars magnificent. The standout was the sheer generosity and kindness of the entire Kuwait cigar community. Bloody brilliant! In

I will be updating this daily Tapping this out 8am while enjoying a Nudies Ninfa and three black coffees in the courtyard of the Marriott Residences in Kuwait. Kuwait day one. I landed into Kuwait yesterday around noon. Honestly the 18hrs to get here were pretty smooth and so I unpacked and had a quick kip. Rob Fox and Alex Groom were arriving around 6PM and Hamlet was to arrive around 8PM. Hamlet was carrying all the cigars for the BR events we are undertaking in Kuwait and so he was the one we were all relying (sweating!) upon as the 50 cigar limit for entry wasn't really going to cut it for us. Kuwait customs clearance for a first timer can be a little daunting. Fingerprints, scanners, visa control but I had little to worry about. Hammy was the concern for me but he is Cuban and I know the man can talk his way out of anything. I mean, I probably should have told him about the limits but the worst thing that would happen is that the BR events would be as dry as the drinking...and I would be posting bail for him sometime next week...preferably after I had left Cyprus for home. He made it. We celebrated like we had won the lottery. He thought we were just happy to see him. We caught up with our gracious host Mohhamed Al Mansour at The Cabinet Club Kuwait for evening cigars. Great cigar club and one of our events will be held there tomorrow. Trinidad Casildas all around (excellent), but come 11PM we were knackered and headed home for an early night. Mohammed has arranged a trip to the desert today for the four of us as we have a function free day. I have no idea what to expect but I will post up some photos progressively. .

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Almost to Kuwait. Tough flight.

SIGLO 1 REYES DAYLIGHT Monte Media Corona MONTE 5 SC PRINCIPE BOCJ RASCC SHORTS HUHC

I will go with a Padron 1926 Anni Principe Maduro (46x4.5) over a Cohiba Siglo 1 these days. $13 V $26. Painful to say.

It's not the ageing aspect that peeves me. In the end I think peeps are achieving 92/93 point experiences but are waiting/believing there is a 95/96 point experience in there. That's what I am reading. $150 cigar should be a 95+ point experience every time in my eyes. Every time. No BS about it's a handrolled product and so you the consumer should expect some variability. No, at the super premium price point the manufacturer has taken on the responsibility for a perfect QC experience every time + the blend is spot on cigar to cigar.