orangedog

Always been a fan of the smoking jacket... have a black on black for formal occasions and a hoody for the firepit. Looking forward to my cigar room opening in 10 mos which I expect to lead to a broader selection of smoking jackets... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Painful? Karl is a role model.

Somebody buy Sam Leccia a cigar!

was hoping for more of a toro, maybe even a fat toro. I saw it was a shorty at 55... but now at 58...? bummer. I suspect I will be voting with my wallet on this. I like the occasional smoking of a large cigar - sublime, o'reilly, etc., but this will likely be too large for me to realistically expect to smoke with any regularity. QC... some of your earlier posts were incredible!

coincidentally ramstad just sent around that he is doing another run of his bands, which I really like: http://www.bobramstad.com/BBB/

Conn Creek and Exclusive Malts previously referenced... and a new pick up of the Les Forts... cleaning stores out one-by-one. Also a 2013 Laga 12.

Great strategy... I've been putting gym a few items aside as well... my wife theorizes that the kids will break into the stash well before they're "allowed". We'll see... best if luck keeping that secure!

2010 Les Forts De Latour 2013 Beaujolais 2010 Kosta Browne Garys' Vineyard 2010 Kosta Browne Gap's Crown 2004 Williams Seylem (drank before pic) Didn't want to touch what I have saved away on the Les Forts de Latour so snagged another bottle to go with dinner. Excellent wine. Would love to have a couple cases. Worth the hype and price IMO. The Williams Seylem was pretty good, and the Gary's Vineyard was smooth and easy drinking... but interestingly neither compared much to the "standard" Pinot blend from Kosta Browne, also not pictured, from a couple weeks back.

I get the impression that this is worth saving... even if I'd need someone to translate. Count me in as another appreciative reader.

Ah, good call. I've only had a few ports that were to my tastes, but it brings to mind Madeira as well.

I drink wine quite often with my cigars, although I do not find it to be the best beverage to pair. Some of the sweetness in Champagne makes sense... I've had the best luck from a pairing standpoint with Reislings... and a friend converted me to German over the PacNW. If you want to go red, and have a stronger cigar, I've had good luck with aged Amarones. Otherwise, I don't think the flavors mesh well together - at least when compared to rum. Scotch works as well, but typically speysides, lowlands, etc. Highlands or islays? Can be risky waters. Don't get me wrong... I thoroughly enjoy them all... just potentially not optimal in terms of pairing. I recently did a sampling of rums that were "finished" in wine casks... similar to what many of the distilleries started doing a decade ago. One was finished in Latour, one in Y'Quem, and one in Lafite. They were unreal. I think the Latour was the only one that had a flavor I really liked, but they were incredibly unique - much more than I expected, and for that reason were very enjoyable. Back to wine... interestingly, I agree with your point on a softer wine pairing with cigars. I have not had a lot of fun with French wine when paired with meals/steaks, or on a stand alone basis... but wines that have a bit more finesse, like French wines, do go well with cigars. And, I would be remiss to mention cult Cali Cabs and the Super Tuscans when I want an all out flavor assault... big dark fruit, tobacco, smoke, dirt... you can taste it until lunch the next day. Fantastic!

Not to sound like a prick but having learned the hard way, easiest solution is to only buy from 100% trusted folks or just accept that you are rolling the dice.

Diplo 2

Where was the quote... Edinburgh comedy festival...? "I only have to look better than single parentdom."

1969 Trinidad Gran Panatela great little contest, btw - thanks!

Balvenie Tun 1401 batch 3 - very fun stuff... I'm sold on the cask strength scotches in general

1978 Conn Creek Cab Sauv Lot 1 Glenrothes Sampler (1998, 2001, Select Reserve) 2005 Exclusive Malts Laphroaig 8 2003 Exclusive Malts Speyside 10 2010 Clos du Val Cab Sauv should be fun...

Aaron had to break my heart with the news on Sportsmans closing... maybe Magnum's up off of 7th and Union Hills.

Assuming Rob doesn't mind the repost: * every code is a bell curve of quality. Mid point is average. * Code for a particular mastercase can be dead centre (average), skewed to the right (above average) or to the left (below average). * Open the same code over 10-20 mastercases over several months of different shipments and different cigars and you get a better feel for that code. * MUR is dead set average. Just like UPE * POU highly skewed to the right * AME skewed to the right * LOM skewed to the right * OGA/AOL skewed to the right (just) * BRS/BAM skewed to the right

Trinidad Reyes Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos

Absolutely agree. I was totally caught off guard by how good these releases are - definitely worth a spin.

"I approve"

protectionism! share them with the world (or at least California)! enjoy OP!

wow! impressive series of photos... meals look great!

very nice book - thanks for posting the pics!