HenryMartin

Jemma Freeman ❤️

Something that hasn't been said here is about keeping boxes. I know that its a precedent for clutter, its becomes an unnecessary hoarding mentality and that was the reason I didn't do it. But for the newcomers looking for useful tip, I think its worthwhile to consider keeping the special boxes. It just crossed my mind that I had wished I kept the RE boxes because they were numbered. I suppose a photo of those numbered boxes would have sufficed but those boxes did have a one-of-a-kind vibe about them. Number hundred something out of total, which if you do pick them up maybe worthwhile to keep or photograph for sake of collectible memory.

You've got three stores on St James's Street: James Fox, CGars and Davidoff. Maybe there is more around the area but I never checked. Now as you mentioned price, I think there is a caveat to this and this opinion is purely my own coming from personal experience. All the Cubans I have got from this street, James Fox especially, have been outstanding. Whether this is because all the Cubans are EMS, I am not qualified to answer that appropriately but once more, my personal experience certainly supports that theory. Two interesting places to smoke your shopping cart: Cavendish No. 6 and also given the weather in April, there is the American Bar across St James's. Here is my photo of a Magnum 46 at the American Bar. Enjoy GB 🇬🇧...and don't use your phone in public! 🤭

Don't forget this aging dilemma. Have Fun!

Love 'em or Hate 'em: Quai d'Orsay

Thank you so very much!! Truly privileged to be part of FOH. What a way to celebrate my joining of the FOH community precisely ten years ago in 2015. 🙏

Gen Z cashiers too lazy to give change, trying to tell me its "new policy" as if cash is a boomer concept. When I bring up the real policy, they say I don't have change. I usually end up walking out as a sign of protest but sometimes I really need that artisan coffee!!

Never liked them, in fact, never came across anything palatable from Brazil.

You can't smoke but you can get high. Fascinating...I used to think that legalisation was the cornerstone of a frontier civilisation but in practice its always far from utopia. Now that Thailand has legalised, I see that civilisation may in fact have very little to do with it, then again you can do both in the Land of Smiles and to be fair, much much more. Singaporeans love to tell the world what they do to those who dare to get high and is known to be very anti-smoking but interestingly of late, has allowed cigar lounges in closed premises away from public view. @LaoFan Thanks for the city review, albeit an inhospitable one!

Does the RA Gigantes not qualify as a Corona Gorda? Personally I often think that HSA as a whole is missing a vitola in regular production, which is small torpedo at 43 x 5. They refer to Petit Belicoso from time to time but its usually at 52 x 5 or larger qualifying as a Piramide, there is a San Cristobal Petit Piramide 50 x 5, still a farcry to a 43 x 5. AF Don Carlos No 4 is a good example of this vitola and its a brilliant smoke that I wish had regular production in HSA every time I have one. Given the choice, I would love to see this vitola in an ERDM, which already lacks line-up anyway. It would fill a void in the marca and HSA as a whole as floral offering with a bit of intensity in a comfortable vitola as casual smoke. As for a darker shade, a small torpedo just above Trinidad Reyes would be just right as a flavor bomb.

Documenting today an artefact of the Montecristo marca, the iconic No 2. An illustrious viola with two years of age, which I have judged based upon the aroma of its wrapper - ready to burn. I think it’s fair to have pre-conceptions before lighting up a cigar, we are human after all and perhaps coming into a review without expectation is a challenge that we all share. Because this is my first No 2, I immediately recall the No 4 of the marca, one that had left me a particular lasting impression. A No 4 that has so far shaped my understanding of the marca given that my other experiences with Montecristo have been less than satisfactory. Expectations therefore, of a performance worthy of praise. Before lighting, I felt that a pause was appropriate to briefly remind ourselves just how truly fortunate we all are, to be part of the so few on earth who are still able to kick back with a cigar, especially one as illustrious as that of the Monte No 2. The virgin puff on this cigar signals a peace of mind, stemming from a well-constructed and well-kept cigar in prime condition. Immediately pre-conceptions are re-affirmed, a profile synonymous with the Montecristo that I have come to know. Musk and mushrooms, the two characteristics that have become so familiar to me, not because I smoke many but because its a characteristic unique to Montecristo. The Montecristo No 2 is a great construct. Not just in construction but also in experience. I choose to believe that its great construct is a result of craftsmanship, an intended experience by meticulous design and workmanship. The cigar starts slow, if unimpressive but it builds and builds. A foundation as it were, for a much anticipated spectacle towards the head of the cigar as it continues to shed a beautifully fine ash. As it transitions towards the second half, it leaves its short finish far behind and begins to intensify with complexity. A brilliant transition that somehow remain in medium strength despite its dynamic shift towards singing its high notes. A cigar that belongs to a certain class that I have come to admire. The last third is a cigar emanating with radiant flavours. As final remark, I am pleased that my expectations were surpassed by the timely end of this cigar of 135 minutes.

I'm a big fan of JLP. Always curious about it originating from Vuelta Arriba instead of Abajo. Does anyone know any other Habanos that originate from Arriba? Also, what does Vuelta actually mean? I think I made the mistake of thinking that it means valley.

Apparently I am part of the masses as the "Great Setting" criteria leads on at 40%. Although every cigar moment is a treasure, finding a great setting is special for the memory of the occasion. This is true for me when travelling and finding a cigar spot somewhere new. The photo below is from an English countryside, a cold winter night around Luton Hoo. It was freezing and hence the modest vitola.

There seems to be mixed opinions on aging Opus X. I wanna try doing my own to find out for myself. Strictly the original line that is. I haven't been fortunate in experiencing the newer Opus X variations. Variety really is a double-edged sword in the new world realm.

Allones at its best but for the age old debate - I lean towards the Superiores.