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Ready for some cigar pr0n? Someone on FB reached out to me about a shopkeeper who is looking to ID what era these are from and any background information. The items in question are both from Hoyo de Monterrey. One appears to be a salesman sample case with 62 cigars. The other is a huge wall mounted cabinet showcasing the HdM factorie's offerings (in fivers) along with two monster showpiece cigars. There are some really gorgeous bands here too. If anyone here has any insight, please post here. In the meantime, enjoy the pics. Salesman travel case. Top of case. Closeup of seal. Open case. Some closeups of the cigars. Second item: HdM Cabinet. Probably used to hang in the factory at one time. Closeup on fivers. Closeup of "artillery shell" cigar. Closeup on second large cigar.

A while back I bought an old binder full of Pre-Embargo (and a few Post-Embargo) bands all nicely displayed. Below are the 20 Pages from that binder for your perusal. Some are a bit blurry, I think the plastic sheaths the bands are sitting in caused that effect. Otherwise, enjoy. There's some really interesting bands, a lot of one offs or private label examples too. Bonus. 1960's/70's Spanish Distributor Pamphlet. EL_Habano-PrintReadyV2.pdf

Here is an official US Gvt. report from March 2016 on trade with Cuba. Chicken meat alone was exported to Cuba valued at $137 mio., as well as medicine valued at $32 mio. Foodstuffs and other stuff have been exported from the US to Cuba officially since 2000. Food for thought : https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4597.pdf Nino

Ramon Allones Aristocrats 1940/43 I was in Varadero, Cuba last week. I decided to bring this old fella back "home" where it would spend it's last days on Earth. I was taking a break from the Canadian winter. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon in Cuba. I hope you enjoy the review. My apologies for the lack of pictures. Vitals: RG=40, Length=5.1" CCW Link Pre-light Notes slight box press, yellow cello, lots of color in the foot highlighting different tobaccos, Aroma at cold: Hay, mint, slight must, great draw Paired with: flat water 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 Strong tobacco // rich salty hit // lots of smoke // tannic & cedar notes // strong tobacco // good burn // dark ash // bitter finish on draw // very smooth draw // cedar // black pepper // nutmeg notes followed by tea // mint // harsh notes appear with a cedary & peppery finish // a couple of minty draws changes the scene // ash holding solid at one inch // sharp cedar // slight sweet finish on a few draws // I break the ash to avoid a mess // some anise flavours areise // a slight cinnamon note follows // rich tobacco hit with a nutmeg finish // Second Third Rich tobacco flavour // minty // dry feel on the palate // loads of smoke coming from this “old timer” // anise again // strong cedar with a tea leaf finish // big, flavourful draw of cedar, but not too harsh this time around // nutmeg // mint // I ash off again // peppery draw // so far a very bold cigar for its’ vintage, very surprising // some soft, nutmeg draws, very smooth flavour, shows some refinement // more nutmeg with a bitter chocolate finish // cedar & mint // mint // cedar // I take a drink of water to clean my palate // some more pronounced mint flavour from the next few draws, ending in a cinnamon finish on the slightly bitter side Third Third All spice and sweetness on the initial draw from this final third // ash is dark grey with black bands interspersed // big hit of tea // nutmeg // cinnamon // toast // tobacco flavours follow // still a lot of smoke // sharp cedar notes // more cedar // I take a much needed drink of water // flavours tone down a bit, tea notes for a few puffs // cedar // several strong, tannic draws // strong pepper finish on the next few draws // this cigar is not letting up! // handful of cedary puffs with tannic finish // strong tea now // sharp cedar // musty tobacco flavour appears // anise // I am nubbing this relic at the moment // toasty tobacco // some bitter finishes // my final two draws give up some nutmeg FIN Final words As always, it is a pleasure to hunt down and smoke these vintage smokes. This one despite its’ age was an angry cigar. Strong bodied throughout and at times harsh. I enjoy the Ramon Allones brand immensely so when I got my hands on a Pre-Embargo sample I was excited to try it and experience this older, albeit aged blend. Much to my surprise, it did not share much of the flavour profile recent RA’s exhibit. The only nuances were in the cinnamon and nutmeg notes I tasted throughout.

A piece in today's Tampa Tribune explores what might happen when the embargo ends. http://tbo.com/news/politics/cigar-companies-plan-for-when-trade-embargo-with-cuba-ends-and-cuban-tobacco-floods-us-market-20140511/ Well worth a read.

The embargo must go. But, how much do you feel the quality and supply would change ? Once the embargo is eventually lifted...my feelings are it would at least take 5 years to get things straight...maybe more. Thoughts? I would stock up immediately just like (I wish) Kennedy did.