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How fitting this week's Fat Fundy review is. The Grandes are almost impossible to get hold of. Now I was lucky enough to get hold of three single cigars. Cold draw is very good. I can taste sultanas marinated in rum. Light chocolate. And now light it up. And because they are quite young, they have the typical stable odour and dung, but not pronounced. It's not underfilled and not too much tobacco. Just right. Draw is very good. Quite dry in the mouth. Lots of smoke. Flavour of black tea. Very light overall. Ash is very loose. There is a slightly roasted hazelnut flavour, fun to smoke. Light medium Now we have arrived at medium. Taste of black tea remains, a little liquorice. Dry mouth feeling, need something sweet, so I went for a chilled rose Port, which fitted nicely. There are small bubbles on the ash, which for me means that the cigar will keep well. In terms of price, the cigar is a Cuban bargain. Would I want to stock up on boxes? No. Honestly, I would rather buy and store MC Especial which are almost the same price in my country. But I'm already looking forward to the Fat Fundys. Keep it coming.

This is a little write-up about a cigar that is on the long list of axed Lonsdales. With a slightly rustic rosado wrapper it is a nice cigar to look at but not 10 out of 10 on the visual Tastewise in essence it is a Montecristo No.1 light; light-medium in strength and a very nice flavor mix . Below is the breakdown that I experienced 1. Cacao 2/5 2. Caramel 2/5 3. Cappuchino 2/5 4. Wood 1/5 5. Citric accents 1/5 This was really a one-off as I have no more left and am unlikely to encounter more.

The Dip 4 was my very first Cuban. I can remember walking into the Casa Havana in Soho very nervously and asking for a recommendation. Does anyone remember these smokes and does anyone have any left considering they were discontinued a few years ago.

Oh the pain!!! Hello all, been awhile. More life and times according to Mr. Piggy. If you have 20 minutes to burn, light up a Chicos and join me! -Piggy

So this one is from a few days ago. You may need a hit of nicotine to keep you awake through it... or perhaps a little 'crank' in yo' coffee! Diplomaticos Exclusivo Países Bajos.... Jesus, I challenge you to say that five times fast! I cannot even pronounce it... Well, you will see in the video! Thanks again Chris @ChanceSchmerr for this rare opportunity for me to smoke a Macanudo, ahhh... I mean this fine exclusive cigar! Love ya' man!!! -the Pig (take your alarm clock)

I've decided to post my 2016 Xmas Sampler Review in the Review Section for future reference purposes. It was originally posted in February this year in the 'Daily Smoke' thread... Cigars I've smoked lately... The 2016 Xmas Sampler (dedicated to our dear friend @Hurltim) Did you happen to pick up El Pres' 2016 Xmas Sampler? These cigars represent Rob's most consistent quality cigars for 2016. I smoked through these fine cigars during my January vacation time, on my own, watching sport, watching movies and sometimes in the fine company of some other dear fellow cigar enthusiasts. I promised Hurltim I'll review these when done, but as February is a busy month in Australian work life culture (as a result of everyone returning from leave en masse!), I've finally been able to find some time to share my findings! Firstly, below are the 13 cigars included... They are, from left to right, Diplomaticos Bushido, Diplomatico No.2, Bolivar Coronas Gigantes, Partagas Lusitanias, Montecristo No.1, Fonseca No.1, H.Upmann Magnum 56 LE 2015, Ramon Allones Club Allones LE 2015, Punch Punch, Bolivar Belicosos Finos, San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerza, Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince and Cohiba Robustos. My review will follow in chronological order... 1. Ramon Allones Club Allones LE 2015 (SOM Dic 15) I decided to start off with the 'powerhouses', the most full-bodied of the lot. I smoked this and the BBF watching the Boxing Day Cricket Test, which is traditionally Australia's most watched and attended event of the sporting summer. The Australian cricket captain, Steve Smith and leading bowler, Mitchell Starc were hitting runs aplenty on this day of the test, and it was exciting to watch Australia comeback to bowl Pakistan out and win the game. This cigar was so strong, much stronger than other RACA I've had. It had the traditional stewed profile that I enjoy in Ramon Allones, but the nicotine buzz of this wore me out by the late afternoon. 2. Bolivar Belicosos Finos (TOR May 16) So, by the time lit this in the early afternoon I was somewhat feeling a little drowsy, on account of the strong Ramon Allones Club Allones LE I had earlier and the warm weather of this particular Sydney afternoon. I thing I enjoy about BBF's are when they have an element of cream to them, alas, no such luck here. It had typical flavours associated with this vitola such as earthiness, leather, sour dough spine dipped in coffee and dark chocolate. Still, I hold hope for the next BBF I smoke! 3. H.Upmann Magnum 56 LE 2015 (MEG Mar 16) This is the special cigar I decided to have on New Year's Day this year. I made a Brandy Alexander for myself and my wife, and together with my standard long black espresso coffee, this cigar was one of the highlights of my summer! What can I say in regards to accolades about the H.Upmann Magnum 56? Smoke aplenty, mild chocolate (like all limited editions, eh?), toasted tobacco, licorice and so beautifully refined. Yes, I wish it wasn't 56 ring gauge, but I used my Credo 3-in-1 punch cutter again on this and 'sipped' it from the back. 95 minutes of pure joy and yes, I gladly nubbed it...look below! 4. Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince (TOR Jun 16) When I smoked this on the 3rd of January, little did I know that I would be saying goodbye to a dear friend. Why, oh why did I not get more boxes? Oh well, I'll live with what I have and I'll try to get some more this year, if I can. Still, I'm in disbelief in regards to this fine cigar being deleted in 2017. Rob mentioned in his tasting notes the following,..cream, cedar, bitter cooking chocolate and black coffee. This description is about spot on for me. My recommendation for all Le Hoyo line HdM, is to age them. If you enjoy them young, try to smoke through half a box, and rest what's left for a minimum 5 years. That combination of cream and cedar, when aged, is just so ineffable. Some of you will know what I mean. 5. Punch Punch (ALO Mar 16) Did you get yourself a 50 cab of these recently? Well, I certainly hope you did. The Punch Punch will be around in 2018, but only in 25 dress boxes, there's something nostalgic about this in 50 cabs that this cigar deserves. Again, I very much enjoyed this, cream, leather, spice...just Punch at its finest, and how surprised was I on account of its youthfulness? I wish there were two of these in the sampler! 6. Diplomaticos No.2 (TOS Mar 16) This was the very best of all the cigars I smoked from the Xmas Sampler. Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Sourdough...just 100 minutes of sweet joy that I hope Habanos S.A can replicate for this cigar for sometime. If you've put this away, or are smoking through some TOS 15/16 Diplomaticos No.2 currently, you are truly fortunate! 7. San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerza (TOS Mar 16) Cocoa, coffee, molasses and sweetbread...this is quintessential San Cristobal de La Habana. This is a marca I absolutely adore because I'm a sweet tooth. This cigar was very, very good and I was well-satisfied, but it goes to show how good the Punch Punch and Diplomaticos No.2 were on this day for me to rate those vitolas higher. 8. Cohiba Robustos (ETP Jun 16) This, and the next two cigars, I enjoyed in the company of some fine Sydney Friends of Habanos members at a get together at my house. Again, it was a warm Sunday summer's day, but this Robusto was still distinctively Cohiba, with that combination of grass/hay, honey, citrus and cream we all know and love. 9. Fonseca No.1 (UME Mar 15) Apparently this cigar has been deleted a few years ago, but it just seems to go into production now and then ever since the announcement. Wood, floral notes, soft marshmallow and very, very mild. This is suitable for a change of pace. Construction on this was outstanding! 10. Montecristo No.1 (BUM Abr 15) How good is it to have this Lonsdale cigar smoking this well? This was the third cigar of our get together and I think I saved the best for last! Montecristo cocoa, cream and leather in a 1 and 3/4 hours smoke. I don't think I have these often enough! 11. Diplomaticos Bushido (TOS Oct 15) This is an incredibly special Asia Pacifico Regional Edition release. You know this from the very fact that the cigar is tapered at the head, a Numero 109, a vitola saved for the very best cigars. And, this is one of those cigars so deserving of that praise. I saved this for a get together with Trevor and Alex to discuss Cuban Cigar Website on a mid-week day in January. Unfortunately, the day was extremely hot, over 100°F (38°C). Still, I savoured that Diplomaticos sourdough and cinnamon goodness, and the fine, fine company! 12. Partagas Lusitanias (OBM Jun 16) I can't remember the last time I had a double corona, but after having this, I made sure to pick up a box from a 24:24 sale soon after. I found this like a milder Partagas Shorts...mild, smooth spice, coffee and sourdough. It went for 2 hours and 5 minutes and after I finished it I wanted to light one up immediately thereafter! 13. Bolivar Coronas Gigantes (PUR Mar 16) I smoked this watching 'La La Land' with my wife and boy did this cigar send me there. Oh what a pity it's being deleted, and even though Bolivar is not favourite marca on account of the earthiness in its profile, still, I can appreciate the spice, coffee and toasted tobacco spine. How apt I should end the Sampler series on this cigar. Farewell BCG...you will be long remembered!

Review: Diplomaticos Bushido Asia/Pacific Regional Edition Date Smoked: July 20, 2015 Vitals: Dimensions: 50 * 7.2" Vitola: Nro. 109 / Double Robusto Pre-Light Notes: Firm construction, no hard spots, no sign of knots/stems, spongy throughout. Smooth wrapper, light oils. Aroma at cold: When I first received this the aroma was reminiscent of an aged cigar. I let it rest a few weeks and that aroma has since dissipated. As I'm prepping to light up, I smell cedar, a fruity/nutty aroma some cookie dough and honey. Reviewers Notes: My style of cigar reviewing is “open”. I try to jot down what I’m experiencing with every draw. When you see a “//” consider that a break in between puffs. What I leave out in fancy prose is made up with observation. Consider each segment a play by play. This style works for me. I hope you enjoy it. First Third Start Time: 4PM EST Tangy smooth draw // herbal vegetal notes // woodiness, tangy finish // slight tannins, good burn // bready notes // wood again // excellent draw, decent amount of smoke // excellent draw, decent amount of smoke // dry on the palate thus far smoke // hints of fruit // light bodied smoke in this first third //a couple of hits of espresso // sweet like caramel for a draw // meaty flavour // ash is black & gray // tastes like popcorn on this draw! // very luscious smoke now // dry, chalky mouthfeel // soft, creamy flavour, similar to latte // latte again // feel a bit of a nicotine buzz take hold, very sneaky like the La Escepcion Selectos Finos // dry, toasty notes // hints of pepper and sharp cedar // ash still holding well // nutmeg & latte // nutmeg again // very smooth cigar but not much progression in terms of flavours // ash barely hanging on // a tangy draw with some pepper on the finish // ash falls right into the Stinky ashtray just as I'm about to set it down // grassy notes // nice, rich draw of coffee // tangy // good to see some changes towards the end of this third Second Third cedar opens things up // dry, tanniny finish // pepperagain // coconut?! (a first for me) // nuttiness // a very sharp hit of cedar, like chewing on a cedar liner // "chalky" mouthfeel persists // sharp cedar on the next three draws // strong espresso notes now // rough, tanniny puff // great burn, no touch ups needed so far // rich cedar with tanniny finish // more sharp cedar // starting to get banal // settling down into baking spice notes, much better! // nuttiness and hint of cedar // rich coffee grounds on the palate // cedar again // woody, though not cedary draw // cedar once again (it seems to rule this second third) // tapped ash // hints of ammonia in the cigar, I do a purge and sure enough the cigar looks like a roman candle as the gases burn off // cigar has calmed down, the purge seemed to help // slighty nutty/stone fruit tasting note // toasty/bready // toasted coconut finish (really nice) Final Third tangy sourdough // more sourdough // tanniny notes // cedar // did another purge as the cigar seemed bitter // strong coffee ground notes // coffee // cedar // nutty with a sharp, tanniny finish // lots of pepper in the back of the throat now, for a few puffs // toasty tobacco // latte // a few minty, herbal draws (that aged tobacco I smelled earlier on perhaps?) // perfect burn line // lots of thick, white smoke // toast // latte // minty draws // cedar // toast // rich, floral and minty draws // caramel sweetness // toasty tobacco // the chalky mouth feel is now an oily one // vegetal notes with tanniny finish // burn starts to go askew // ash off, do a touchup // mint again // latte // dry, cedary puffs // bready // baking spice with a mix of strong tobacco // wood // hints of tea // nicoting buzz creeping in // very meat, BBQ like flavours for a few draws // nub is hot // mint/baking spice finish // toasty tobacco // sweetness on the palate // my final puff is tangy, caramel FIN 5:52PM EST Final Thoughts Lots of interest in this cigar and it definitely was interesting. From the moment I received them (2 in total) the aroma threw me off. They smelled like an aged cigar. They had a bit of mustiness on the foot, in a good way, and less of those freshly rolled, "bright" aromas. The 109 vitola is rare these days so it's good to see a recent release sporting it. We've all seen the packaging on this. Very nice, though I must admit when I saw a few boxes in person at the LCDH they were not as impressive as I thought. And if that's what held up its' release, it wasn't worth it IMO. Too bad they didn't pimp up the band a bit, similar to what was done for the UK LGC regionals where they used deeper embossing and a richer color palate. The Diplomaticos band is pleasant but underwhelming. For such a grand release, a nicer band would have been cool. As to how it smoked. I enjoyed it though at times I thought it was stagnating. These are still relatively young and fresh I suppose. I won't touch my second stick for a good year or two. . Though I'm certain, if I wait too long and find that I enjoy them, the supply would be long dried up or secondary market prices would be ridiculous. A catch-22 scenario. As it stands, I'm glad to have a couple on me but don't think this is one I'd go deep on. At least not based on one initial sampling. And that's the problem with these RE's. If they don't knock your socks off initially, you may not invest in a box or two. And if over time they suit your palate more, they're probably gone. SCORE: 89

Obtained this cigar as a gift from my boss who recently visited the island. He forgot to check the box code he purchased singles from so apologies on that. Size: 4 7/8 X 50 (robusto) First Third Slightly looser draw than average. Creamy coffee. Soft white pepper on the finish and through the nose. Roasted nuts and sourdough bread come through at half inch point. Medium Bodied. Second Third Body scales back to just under medium. Same flavors with the creamy coffee taking on a more cappachino texture. A light cocoa note appears. Flavors coat the mouth and lips with a long lasting finish. Final Third Body increases to just over medium. Sourdough bread moves to the forefront. Touches of salt, earthiness, and black pepper show on the finish with white pepper increasing through the nose. Mouth salivation is quite high. Hardly any young hotness to the nub. Conclusion This cigar didnt have much transitioning between thirds but the flavors I decribed were quite prominent throughout the cigar. They delivered in an overall medium and smooth profile that was quite pleasant and delicate. As far as its similarities with other Diplomaticos Im not the best person to ask but compared to recent Dip2s Ive had it was certainly a lighter profile. I enjoyed this cigar and the time invested though the slightly loose draw kept it under 1 hour. Rating: 89-90

Diplomaticos No 7 Review I had the opportunity a while back to pickup a full box of these. I finally cracked it open and took a stick down to Varadero Cuba to enjoy. This is a somewhat abbreviated review compared to the vintage RA Aristocrats one I just posted. Since I have a few more to enjoy, I thought I'd sit down and do a more relaxed review. Vitals: RG=38 Length = 6.0” Box code: JM NOUU / OCT 88 CCW Link: Pre-light Notes: Smooth claro, wrapper. Firm to the touch, a very well rolled cigar. Good draw. Aroma at Cold: Mint and clove on the nose. A very fresh and floral aroma in general. Paired with Ron Santiago 11YO on the rocks. Reviewers Notes: My style of cigar reviewing is “open”. I try to jot down what I’m experiencing with every draw. When you see a “//” consider that a break in between puffs. What I leave out in fancy prose is made up with observation. Consider each segment a play by play. This style works for me. I hope you enjoy it. RS = I took a sip of Ron Santiago Rum. Sorry for the "potato cam" quality photo of the stick. The light in the cigar room and my camera didn't gel it seems. First Third Smooth, creamy vanilla from the onset // minty hits // smooth cigar, medium bodied // toasty tobacco // strong tobacco flavours weave in and out on subsequent draws. This is nice surprise // some sourdough // hints of sweetness on the finish // some cedar // RS // some saltiness now // a few minty draws // the third closes off with some mineraly flavours. Second Third Nice coffee draw // grassy and herbal flavours // a chalky flavour now // the next few puffs are almost pure vanilla bliss // a salty, minty note ensues // RS // sourdough again; no complaints // toasty tobacco // minimal smoke output from this cigar thus far // smooth, dry herbal notes round out the second third. Third Third Floral and herbal start // the ash is light grey and firm // green tea and toasty tobacco finish // sourdough // mint // RS // salty/mineraly draw // more sourdough // toasty tobacco // dry nutmeg notes // RS // baking spice // sourdough with a sweet finish // salty, cedary notes // the profile of the cigar has increased in it’s boldness, more cedary notes // RS // toasty tobacco // earthy notes // earthier notes! // rich tobacco with a tea like finish // mint // toasty tobacco // sourdough and cedar trade off on the next two draws // mintiness lingers on the finish on the next handful of draws // some floral note // a few more minty draws // as I nub the cigar, my final puffs are floral,like a subtle perfume. FIN Final Thoughts Beautifully balanced cigar in terms of flavours. Can’t imagine it needing any more age. These are more than ready to smoke and keeping my hands off them will be challenging! The cigar was medium bodied overall which is a good sign that the blend has survived all these years. The flavour range was robust and engaging. A very interesting smoke indeed.