mrcoin

Those photos bring back my memory of last years skinfest where I got to meet Chuck for the first time. We had many phone conversations over the years, but never met face to face until last years skinfest. RIP Chuck. Your memory will go on in my heart forever.

A couple of photos of Chuck at our get together last Sept.

I couldn't sleep for some reason tonight so I thought I'd read FOH for a while. I'm still in shock to hear this terrible news. Chuck was a great friend of mine who helped me every time I ever needed it. We have spoken by phone countless times over the many years we've known each other. I finally got to meet him in person last Sept. at a get together at a friends home in North Carolina. I will cherish that memory forever. RIP Chuck.

Yeah, I forgot about the time differences.

Any band or no band is fine, as long as it doesn't have a "diplomatic" band.

Did you mean you found the pictures or you found Andy Ryan's post at the HCF forum this morning? They were from the 2009 trip, not 2010. It still is not clear to me if these Palma Real bands are truly diplomatic bands or merely bands put on gift cigars of any kind from Cuba. One thing is very clear though. An authentic box diplomatic cigars is one that actually passed through the hands of a diplomat. It will come with a letter. Anything purchased from a factory, whether it be back door, front door, side or or thrown from the balcony is not an authentic diplomatic cigar. Anyone selling these "factory sourced" items and calling them authentic diplomatic cigars is committing a fraudulent act.

It's amazing how these nonsense stories spread like wildfire.

I have 2 boxes of the SUA ES00 code and other than a couple of very tight draws they are off the hook. For under $60 USD per box it was a great deal; for me anyway.

Please let us know your impressions when you return.

Well, there ya go. They are genuine because Adam Collins says they are genuine. That's all the proof ya need right? Never mind that the number sequence on the Befakees is incorrect. Never mind that those diplomatic bands don't exist and never mind what Cigaros told us about the Russian visit. Looks like another seller of fakes has been outed. As he should be.

Thanks for the information cigarros. May I quote you on that? If not I'll respect your wishes.

How about some more fuel for the fire? Both Jimmy Ng's box and Adams Befakee box have two latches. Has anyone here ever seen any Cuban box or humi with two latches??????

They are fakes. We'll be seeing the proof soon enough, but not on cA. LOFL

You're probably right Van. He is relaying the story as it was "sold" to him. Key word there being story. I can't wait to see how many duplicates of the #4001->5000 eventually turn up. It's all about the money folks.

I'd like to hear Robs opinion. I'm thinking these were just a way for some "dealers" to make a little extra coin with a good story.

Now that is what I call entertainment. Thanks guys. Made my day.LOFL

They probably wouldn't share your sense of humor. LOL

» Prez - » » I was wondering on this last work day of the week about the salary » structure in Cuba for those in the cigar industry. I would assume that » those individuals high up in HSA do pretty well, but what about everyone » else? For example what does a high level roller make in comparison to a » new roller? Or the person who sorts the cigars by color? or the blender? » or band applier? . . .etc » » I thought you may have some insight into this, if not, no worries I am » just thinking out loud here. :-D » » Have a good weekend guys Even a high level roller like La China makes very little in Cuba. Which is just one reason we always make sure we send her a few things when any of our HCF guys go to Cuba. On the last trip we (Skindiver) presented her with an award plaque naming her our roller of the year. Also a little cash as a token of our appreciation for the great work she does. It brought tears to her eyes. The plaque in this photo now hangs in the VIP lounge at the partagas factory.

» Gentleman just got back in from LAs Vegas..What a hell of a trip! The IPCPR » is overwhelming. » » Justed wanetd to say what a great person Rob is in person and an excellent » host with gobs and gobs if awesome stories.. Also wanted to thank Don » Candido for being a very fun person and thanks for sharing your smokes and » great stories with all of us. Aso to everyone else I didnt get a chance to » talk i apologize! But we needed to leave to get some dinner and ROb and DC » were just the greatest BOL I have met in a long time.. » » » Also Belicosos should be a great time. Nothing better than catching up » friends and smoking cigars! Belicosos is a fantastic shop. It was a great time for all. Thanks for the invite.

» We all have cigars spread out over numerous years, marques and vitolas. We » have those we enjoy, those we hope beyond hope that they will improve, and » then we hold those gems that we know currently are or will » become classics/legends 6/6 smokerings or 95+/100 works of Habanos » art. » » In your heart of hearts list what you have in that final category. To make » your personal list you can have no doubt. If possible list box code » or at least year. » The list will invariably be small so if not a classic now, estimate how » much more time they need to become one. » » Remember....current and future classics only. Cigars which are (or you are » certain will become) the epitome of Habanos greatness. Every time I try to think of a true winner when someone asks a question like this, my mind constantly goes to the Habano Festival 2000 Commemorative Cigar. You remember, the P/C with the black label and the word Habanos in red script printing across the band. Most if not all were made in March of 2000. If you can still find them they are sure to be, if not already a classic of all time in my book.

» Just a wrap up on this or at least my perspective. » » We all know the Monte Sublime does not come in packs of 3. » » I have tried Monte Sublime from Habanos s.a (given at an official » tasting), I have tried Monte Sublime procured from Cuba and gifted to me » by members, I have tried Monte Sublime gfted to me by friends/factory » managers in Havana. None of them have tasted the same. The only certain » genuine Monte Sublime I have tasted is the one at athe HSA tasting but » that is not to say that the others are fake. » » * The HSA tasting cigar could have been a slightly different blend » intended to impress. » * Storage conditions of all three sources were different. » * Smoking conditions (heat/humidity/aircon/) at different tastings were » different. » » They could all have been genuine. I simply have not had enough Monte » Sublimes to conclusively call one a fake or otherwise so I don't know how » others at this point can. » » Until regular production Monte Sublimes come out ....the jury is out. » » I would avoid however Glass top three packs of Monte Sublimes ;-) Now this was a very funny and entertaining thread for me. Nice work Chuck. Tosser? I'm not familiar with that term. What ever happened to troll? LOFL. Great to see that not one single person here went for that lame hook. :-D

» » » » What is the best site to purchase quality Non Cubans from? » » There is no such thing as a quality non Cuban cigar. Ain't that a fact!!!!!! LOFL

» must have been a wonderful time rob! » would love to get some names added to the pics. » :-) First photo is the HCF crew that showed up. Left to right = Whty (Ryan), Ringmaster (Tim), Rob, mrcoin (Ed), Sparkey_5 (Randy)

Boli P/C's are my go to smoke. I never buy dress boxes though only 50 Cabs. I just finished one with that same box code and only noticed one or two very tight sticks. Wrappers were a lot darker than the pictures shown here.

» Ok, now I'm jealous. You guys had a much better turn out in Florida, than here in Chicago. Maybe I gotta move South. LOL