orangedog

Actually somewhat admirable... I skipped all of the informative bits in order to have more time hunting down hapless guards.

Seems that after the Spurs were the "nice bad guys" back in the mid-2000s they are finally getting some respect as the good guys. Looking forward to watching another Spurs Finals. I haven't followed NBA much since the Twin Towers era ended with Robinson's retirement. I'm with Aaron on that one... team ball is becoming a lost art so I've moved on to other sports.

As far as I can tell, the 15 single barrel is the same price as the 12. Both are in the $65-$70 range. I'm going to have to revisit a handful of the 15 SBs because off the top of my head, at the moment I'd go with the 12 SB. A couple of the 15 SBs I've held on to have been a bit older too... 17 years, 18 years, I think I have one at 21 years, etc. Still, I'm impressed by this 12 SB. Maybe I ended up with a lucky cask. Sadly I'm down to about 1-2oz in this bottle. Just ordered a replacement so we'll see how that stacks up.

...but it has DRAGONS!

Thanks for posting! I've seen GBs for the shirts on forums but if there is a place to order I think a bunch of us would be interested!

Well that sucks... A round trip flight would've been less than 20% of retail...

...interesting you got a big discount when they were flying off the shelves. I'm surprised retailers were willing to offer discounts on them, but well played nonetheless.

Balvenie 12 Single Barrel, 47.8% Nose: Honey, light bananas foster, cream Palate: More of the nose! Add a bit of heat, slight bit of salt Finish: Warm, worth adding a splash of water to soften One of the better Balvenie drams I've had! surprisingly good for a 12 year old... I'd take it over the Founder's Reserve 10, DoubleWood 12 and Signature 12. I bought this for a "scotch, cigars, and poker" party I threw (Orion was there) and this was a winner for everyone who tried it. I will likely buy another bottle as an everyday drinker.

Prancercise... quickest way to look like a horse's @ss

Yeah, these are the one that may not be in the binary equation... they are neither very good nor terrible, just an ok quick smoke. I'd go with the new Half Corona instead, though. Indeed, and kudos to them on their success. A lot of people really enjoy their cigars, the "hunt", and I suspect the culture. A well executed business venture!

There are a couple that have been very good, but my experience with Tatuaje has been very binary... they are either very good (which are very few), or terrible. Examples of very good: Reserva SW Maduro, Boris, Black Lancero... that's about what comes to mind.

Arrived today - one day early!

Rob needs more tattoos and a hardcore-themed entourage of accessories to be able to pull off names like that.......

Seems we have a number of Balvenie fans here, which is nice! I'll add to the thread as I go... I have a number of other bottles to discuss. Balvenie 10 Founder’s Reserve (Cognac Bottle), 40% Nose: Salty oak, dandelions, Palate: Green peppers, butter, heather, honey Finish: Honey, heather, decent burn for only 40% Balvenie 17 Sherry Oak, 43% Nose: Sweet raisins, like raisin syrup, mild oak Palate: This one delivers… sherry! Vanilla, spicier than the 17 Madeira Cask Finish: Sweet, fruity, a late bit of burn Balvenie 14 RumWood, 47.1% Nose: Vanilla, simple syrup, rum is most noticeable on the nose Palate: Almond, vanilla, honey, sugary and almost floral Finish: At cask strength, sugars give way to a long, stringent burn Balvenie 1992 Cask Selection (Out of Cask 2006), 47.8% Nose: Caramel! Palate: Very little bit of oak, jammy, honey with caramel, malty and almost viscous Finish: Just sweetness! A very mild burn very late, even at cask strength Balvenie 12 Signature (Batch 002), 43% Nose: Citrus…orange peel, salty oak, honey sweetness Palate: Citrus, vanilla, oak, straightforward Finish: Decent burn, oak, slight sweetness Balvenie 12 Signature (Batch 002), 43% (Review from the past) Nose: honey, almond, citrus, and cream, small amounts of caramel and oak in the background Palate: note nearly as dominating as the nose, spice, sherry, citrus, cream Finish: spice, sherry, cloying Balvenie 17 Madeira Cask, 43% Nose: Honey, apricot, and a madeira aroma Palate: Honey and oak, dark wine, cherry and raspberry, apricot Finish: dominating oak Balvenie 17 Islay Cask, 43% Nose: Smoke, brine, peat, undertones of navel oranges, mild chocolate, slight sherry Palate: smoke is more prominent than peat, sweetness still remains, and is focused into floral, honey, and vanilla notes Finish: smoke transitions to honey Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, 40% Nose: Sherry, chocolate, and orange bringing to mind the choclate-orange sticks found on grocery shelves around Christmastime, honey, and a bit of caramel Palate: Smooth! Sherry, orange peel and vanilla, faint caramel and vanilla Finish: sherry, cloying, slight burn and oak Balvenie 14 Carribbean Cask, 43% Nose: Vanilla, unripened orange, bit of black licorice Palate: Caramel, vanilla, orange, spiced rum kicks in about halfway through Finish: Long lasting. Light sherry, a little warm and a little drying, mild oak, rum continues Balvenie 14 Roasted Malt, 47.1% Nose: bit of caramel and honey sweetness, oaky Palate: starts with slightly honey and sugar sweetness, then turns sulfur-ish, woody, oaky, salty, almost overbearing Finish: oak, long burn Balvenie 30, 47.3% Nose: Caramel, vanilla, slight oak, fantastic balance Palate: Strong but smooth, caramel and sugary, viscous, such light oak for the age, bit of floral Finish: Not much burn for the strength, sweetness, with oak picking up when the burn does kick in later

Perfect spot for a great cigar and drink!

Excellent cigar, medium at most with plenty of time left. Down to one or two sticks with another box in back up.

For once a lot of people are going to agree with Shlomo... Ha ha ha...

Gives Di some time to go shopping for sunglasses!!! Best wishes on a speedy recovery...

To the original question, this is how I deal with setbacks. I have had many, and on occasion they rattle me... then I think of this and I'm briskly on my way.

agreed - best thoughts and wishes for those in the area... unfortunately brutal.

You are faaaaaaaaaar too greedy! I only demand authentic kangaroo scrotum http://www.australiagift.com/scrotum_shop/scrotum.htm ...and some kiwi wine... (talk to Ken, he loves the Kiwis!)

Cuba has been using draw testers for a few years now, no? I've had one 1966 that was almost plugged. I just dry box them now. Maybe Suckling was right about quality going down 2012+.......

...and Aussie expats in the US wonder why all Americans think the island is full of nothing but Mick Dundee-types...

depends on what you like out of a cigar... I'm ok with flavor over strength. a strong cigar going mild works - but that is not for everyone. Cohiba DC - worth trying one now and then sitting the rest for another year and reassess Cohiba Sublime - smoke one now, be prepared to burn through the rest rather soon Cohiba Robusto 2008 - quite good now, plenty of time left

I'm in - email sent!