winelover

I have a lot of sympathy with some of the comments expressed above. I've been smoking Edmundos since they introduced the vitola and I've had quite a mixed bag. I tentatively tried one in London at v recently opened smart hotel on Tuesday for an eye watering £65 (yes, the horror!) and well... it was spectacular - superb balance and duly nubbed. I asked if it was aged stock, and the reply was probably a year old and recently received from H&F. Incidentally so much better than a CoRo smoked the day before. The cigars in the original post look great. If first impression is not mesmerising, just try and forget about them and revisit in 6 to 12 months.

I was in JJ's in St James's Street this afternoon. Funny how many people in the smoking lounge were smoking Nudies (except they were called "House Blend") which seem to be the talk of town, although I gather the blend of their HB is slightly different. The HB Robusto was very good, but prefer my Nudie Canonazos. The Bolivar PC that followed was utterly excellent - forgotten how good (really nicely balanced).

I am increasingly reaching over my CCs for my Nudies*! I am not sure if anyone else is feeling that way? From a long time almost exclusively CC smoker. *I have just the Canonazo atm.

In the UK, by far the majority of bills include the "discretionary service charge" usually at 12.5% and it is paid. The establishment need not share the tips with the staff (as a matter of law, rather than whether they should morally). Many people round up the bill so pay more than is added, and I suppose if the service is woeful, then one can ask for the discretionary service charge to be removed. As we are generally cashless, I doubt it is fun being a waiter / waitress as it used to be. The "National Living Wage" is £10.42 once 23 years or older.

Another Puro Desnudo. My Canonazos are on song so these are getting the nod ahead of my Cubans at the moment. Guilt free smoking and to be fair these are an easy 93 / 100 for me right now. Oh... and the 2013 Islay Barley is fantastic - one of my favourite Bruichladdich expressions.

Unhelpful to say, but stay clear of this category and order the nudies instead. If one has to, then at least aspire to fork out for RASCC, PSD5, Boli Corona Juniors etc. (Once upon a time Trini Reyes).

The Raj nr St James' Park tube is an under the radar gem for a quiet and civilised place to smoke whilst one gets on with tasks in hand... Note the shelter, outdoor heaters and stunning botanical garden... And my (in focus) nudie Canonazo...

Back in the day when the E2 was released it seemed a bit oversized and it didn't seem many people were crazy about them (nothing wrong with PSD4s, P2s, 898vs and Lusi's for special occasions). I guess times have changed. I've not had one yet, and will try soon out of curiosity, although I think I would still reach for a D4 or P2 - even if they don't win any trophies!!

What's with the name change to MOFOH from Puro Desnudo? Hopefully stylistic rather than lawyers at play...

Nice review. I have had best results when this cigar has been well humidified and poorer outcomes when it has been at a dryer RH. First and most recent have been best, middle two suffered from being a bit dry and harsh.

Serie du Connaisseur - the no.1s were perhaps my favourite smoke ever Boli Corona Gigantes Orherwise Cubans across the board. Luxury goods now in so many instances.

Smoked my first this evening. I had lowered expectations as I had only rested mine a week. Any how... Absolutely stonking smoke. Really well balanced - love the medium bodied profile. Did not make me yearn for Cuban tobacco at all. Kudos to Hamlet, Rob and the Sampling Committee.

I probably missed where it was mentioned, are the Nudies rolled in Miami?

Surprised that nobody is smoking

Rob, loving the project, and eagerly anticipated is an understatement! I just hope that I am not snoozing when these finally get released, because folks here won't hang around to snap up as much as they can - which is why I hope that there is a limit of one box per person. I will try my best to be on top of things - just wish there was an email alert! Best G

I guess in the UK we have duty as per @NSXCIGAR's post, and then 20% VAT on top 🤕 I didn't realise how much of a crime smoking a cigar is in Oz, truly eye watering duties 😰

Almost no point buying internationally anymore, may as well pay London prices. Never thought it would ever turn out like this!

Agree 100% If it was top 3 or even top 5 then that might be a bit more inclusive to the wider membership.

Ukraine - Putin dies in office and the grinding war goes on (as new leader isn't any improvement), with Ukraine finishing 2023 having retaken most of their lands and beginning an incursion into Crimea, with the Russian public becoming increasingly concerned re the casualty toll. Russia tests a nuclear device in the Arctic and now fights a war of rhetoric spooking the NATO led alliance considerably, but Ukraine has the military advantage and is not minded to surrender. Crypto - Bitcoin ranges between $12K to $25K and closes at USD 14K Inflation - has peaked and continues to fall across the world (in general) over the year Tesla / Twitter / Elon - other motor companies continue to gain market share in EV and Tesla share price remains in the doldrums, particularly as EVs become less attractive given lowish oil prices. Elon remains as CEO of Twitter, makes some minor improvements, and begins to improve monthly ad revenues since takeover Habanos - remains sold out almost everywhere including in major airports and on average across the board prices move up 50%.

These are great during Northern Hemisphere winters when it is f-ing freezing and one wants to condense smoking pleasure to 30 to 40 mins in the purist form . A more respectable alternaive to mainlining crack...🤭 Ranking favourite MCs would make a great thread. My all time favourite is probably the MC2 and I've had better experience with the 1s over the MEs. I think box age can be a huge variable. For example young Monte DE doesn't fly off the shelves and get spoken about in hallowed terms. Yet the 2017s I picked up from Rob in a 10 box (PCC purchases of Spanish stock) are really elegant subtle yet complex smokes.

Monte C from 03 with fireproof wrappers. Exeptional 🙄 N.B. Apologies to the pedants as think this was an LE not RE...

We found Shooaways at One&Only Mauritius guarding the buffet - which reminded me to get some, and eventually we directly imported from Oz as prices and colour selection (this was in 2020 and we didn't want black) were better than in UK / Europe. Is this still a JV with Smithy? Hope he is doing well.

Glad I only buy from Rob or EMS stock from London or UK airports. Not sure I would spot a high end fake.

Do we even know it is fake when Cuban QC is not first rate and errors can occur with packaging and labelling?

In general, in the early days I failed to fully appreciate mild to medium bodied smokes. These days I love a subtle smoke. Also a common newby error used to be smoking cigars too young but less so nowadays. However if cigars are in a sick period, do not persist - leave them alone for a while - another mistake i used to make.