Goldeneye

Thanks for reply, my son brought some back from the DR and I quite enjoyed them. I bought some more in Canada and didn't find them all that enjoyable but am thinking of trying again, still on the fence if I will or not.

I am curious what your thoughts are of the La Aurora are when you are done with it?

Epi 2 and Guinness as long as the island has a ice cave to keep the Guinness cold otherwise Red Breast 15 year old.

This is great news, been missing the Reyes. I'm very excited to get some of these.

I have only tried 3, the Robusto Trinity, the QC and PC and I enjoy the Robusto the most and then the QC. I will buy these now whenever I know a friend is travelling up to Canada from the States.

After my last trip to Cuba in 2022, it is likely we won't be going back again, or at least not for a long time. Going to Cuba for a winter holiday and having friends/family doing the same made getting CC fairly reliable, but with fewer people I know going down it is hard to replenish the CC supply. I can't afford to buy cigars in Canada so I need to buy them while on holidays. I have been looking for NC's to take the place of CC, especially on my dog walks which account for about 75% of my cigar time. After trying many different NC's I have found that I really enjoy AF Hemingway Short Story and Bestsellers, the perfect cigar for a dog walk. I have also managed to get some Nudies through friends coming up to Canada, and really enjoy the Queen Corona and Trinity Robusto. I would say these NC are as enjoyable as comparable CC for myself and will continue to buy these whenever I can even if I had a reliable CC source. So I would say yes, I have found some NC that I enjoy as much as CC, but for most of what I have tried, not even close.

For me at the moment it is seeing people on their phones scrolling constantly. I have an image seared into my memory from this fall...I was walking my dog passed a playground and there was a child sitting on a swing with a sad expression, while their dad was sitting on a bench on his phone ignoring his kid. People cant seem to be in the moment anymore without constantly being on their phones. For me the only reason to take a phone while going for a walk outside is so I can take pictures of my dog. I am also seeing people in the sauna at the local Rec Centre, scrolling while sitting in a sauna, can't you take 15 minutes without being on your phone, I really feel for our next generation and what we are teaching them about what is important. Another thing that is pissing me off is the state of my back yard cigar lounge, I am done with winter and ready for spring.

There are 3 of us who regularly meet up for cigars and when I am providing cigars it is either Nudies or AF Hemingway. A couple times a year it may be a Cuban either a PLPC or Monte #4, mainly due to my dwindling Cuban supply.

Been a tough off season for Blue Jay fans and I think this year will only be getting worse as it feels like they won't be able to sign Guerrero Jr to a long term extension. The way things are going I suspect he will be signing with the Dodgers after the 2025 season.

Had some duck (mallards) from this past fall hunting season, always a big hit around the table.

Hits - finding some NC alternatives - AF Hemingway, Nudies, and a trip to the USA to replenish my supply of very enjoyable cigars. Misses - dwindling supply of CC with not many options to replenish. Will probably never be going back to Cuba and friends and family traveling there these days is a rare occurrence.

For me time in the fall chasing elk and deer in the foothills of SW Alberta, ducks in the marsh and grouse in the forest with my dog does wonders for me. I need time out of the city with friends and fresh air every fall. It seems to really rest me mentally and physically for our long winters.

Picked up a dozen AF Hemingway Best Sellers from a friend who was visiting from the U.S.

Plan to watch this series over the Christmas break, looking forward to it the reviews seem really positive.

AF Hemingway Short Story MOFOH Robusto Nudie Queen Corona 2024 was the first year since 2010 I haven't purchased any Cuban cigars, so all my regular production cigars I can comment on are NC.

My highlight for the 2024 smoking season was personally discovering the Hemingway blend. Being priced out of Cubans, this has become a great option for daily cigars.

AF Best Seller, still no Cubans in this price range where I am from.

A few pictures from a recent deer and elk hunt in Southern Alberta.

Thanks for this info, a big help in picking a hotel, much appreciated.

Around $15 Canadian would be reasonable. These used to be my go to cigar for dog walks when I could them at a reasonable price while visiting Cuba. I doubt I will ever buy another though at the current price and I have a new dog walking cigar, AF Short Story and I'm quite happy.

Sadly the Blue Jays season was terribly disappointing, however late in the season a local kid got called up to Cleveland and that is a big deal for my hometown. We produce lots of professional hockey players but baseball players coming from Alberta to Majors is a rare thing. So go Cleveland!

Thanks for the responses and great ideas, looks like it will be very easy to find things to do and places to see, all the ideas sound fantastic. As for accommodations we are looking for a 3-4 star hotel in a good location walking distance (30 minutes) to Fenway or by transit to get around. Would like to stay in an area close to the things you all mention or easy to get to. Really appreciate the comments and ideas and can't wait to watch some baseball in Fenway.

A bucket list item for me is going to watch a game(s) at Fenway and my wife and I are in the early stages of planning to go in May of 2025. I do not know much about Boston and was wondering what are some of the key things to see and do outside of watching baseball during a 4 or 5 day trip. Also, any recommendations of where to stay? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks for the write up John, quite a thought provoking little story.

Beautiful weekend, spent time with the my kids and parents. Enjoyed some quiet time in the back yard with my pup and a couple fine cigars.