Chris and Brad meet Mel in London

[Professor Twain]

Wow, outstanding. "Rolling your own" takes on a new meaning.

Next time I am in London I will look you up (not really expecting to be there in the near future though).

[stever]

Great photos!

Sounds like the LCDH in SOHO is a must visit. Next time!

[Mel39]

» Wow, outstanding. "Rolling your own" takes on a new meaning.

»

» Next time I am in London I will look you up (not really expecting to be

» there in the near future though).

Shame Prof, I would be delighted to show you around.

[Mel39]

» Great photos!

»

» Sounds like the LCDH in SOHO is a must visit. Next time!

Definitely Steve.

I feel sick not knowing about the LCDH on your visit.

However the good news is that the roller is there from 6pm every evening and the store closes at 11pm.

I must add that the store is very small with a very limited humidor.

Bill from JJs was telling us today that they have had a visit from the authorities, who claimed they had been informed that JJs was abusing the sampling concession and that "an eye" would be kept on the store in future. They are being very careful now and asked us to take our smokes downstairs.

Regards,

Mel39

[stever]

» Bill from JJs was telling us today that they have had a visit from the

» authorities, who claimed they had been informed that JJs was abusing the

» sampling concession and that "an eye" would be kept on the store in

» future.

Achtung! Soon ve vill be marching through Vitehall!! Ze smoke stasi knows ver you are.

[El Presidente]

Six Months!!!!

Mel....there can be no doubt that you are "Rookie of the Year"

In six months you have gone you Cuba, Flown to NY to meet Lise and the boys, commenced a great collection and made a shite load of new friends

I am smoking your PL Magnifico currently :ok:

[Ginseng]

» Mel....there can be no doubt that you are "Rookie of the Year"

I heartily agree! Mel, you are making some kind of splash.

Wilkey

[Mel39]

» Six Months!!!!

»

» Mel....there can be no doubt that you are "Rookie of the Year"

» I am smoking your PL Magnifico currently :ok:

Thanks Pres and enjoy.

The conviviality of the board makes it easy for new members, no matter what their experience, to feel that they fit in.

There is no animosity or put downs of other members and your no nonsense rules for membership prevents the disturbance that can occur on similar boards.

I feel privileged to be amongst what must be some of the best reviewers there are and who share their knowledge altruistically for the benefit of others.

Plus of course the humour, the excellent customer service of Lisa, make it a good place to be and I thank you for making it so.

Mel39

[wp2]

» Wow, outstanding. "Rolling your own" takes on a new meaning.

»

LOL @ the Prof!!

Looks like a good time Mel!!!

[Mel39]

Hi Guys,

I hope you arrived back safely and without too much hassle.

Thanks for a nice day and for the NC samples.

I am currently enjoying the F Op X (with apologies for the bad language) and must admit it is the best NC that I have sampled thus far. A most enjoyable smoke.

Cheers,

Mel39

[trumpetchris]

Thanks for posting the photos Mel! We got back to Atlanta about 9:30 last night. I slept about 11 hours. It was great meeting you and enjoying the ridiculous prices of your great city. Brad got some good shots of my 25 minute cigar rolling ordeal!

[brooklyn]

Mel

Thanks for this. I studied at King's College for my doctorate during the mid-seventies but was not into cigars at the time. Where is the LCDH located?

Peter

[Mel39]

» Mel

» Thanks for this. I studied at King's College for my doctorate during the

» mid-seventies but was not into cigars at the time. Where is the LCDH

» located?

» Peter

Hi Peter,

I worked at KC for a while in 1988. An incredible building and great history.

The LCDH is in Wardour Street. It is on the right hand side walking up from Shaftesbury Avenue or obviously on the left, possibly shorter distance, walking down from Oxford Street.

It is tiny and adjoins a bar. It has obviously been separated from the bar now, by a wall to observe the new smoking ban.

You can still "sample" in the store, but drinkers from the bar are not allowed to enter with their drinks through the adjoining door.

We heard that the Casa's days may be numbered as it is now only around 25 square metres where Habanos SA require 65 for their outlets. Stock is very limited and of course has to be bought from Hunters and Frankau who dictate stock levels.

Mel

[CoryOllis]

You must know I'm envious as all get out you bastid!

So, Chris, when is the next trip to see the folks?

[trumpetchris]

» You must know I'm envious as all get out you bastid!

»

» So, Chris, when is the next trip to see the folks?

Hi Steve, Probably not till summer. They'll be down here in March for one of my chamber recitals. I'm going to try to get home in late may perhaps. You'll know if I'm headed up that way.

[Mel39]

It was great to meet up with these two guys in London today.

We met at JJ Fox and had a blow then we walked down to Soho where there is a LCDH.

I am very ashamed to say that having lived in London for most of my 68 years, I had never been to this Casa and in truth did not even know it existed.

Well I only took up smoking cigars 6 months ago and would not go searching out suppliers in the UK because of the exhorbitant prices.

Well that's my excuse for not knowing of it's existence.

Well what a surprise! They actually have a roller in the shop every night!

So we waited around for the Torceador to show up.

On arrival the Cuban guy made himself a stick, then the Store Supervisor, a great Frenchman called Renaud asked if we would like to make one.

Brave Chris volunteered to have a go:

First choosing his leaf:

Then deftly wielding his chaveta:

And finally the finished article, which I think you will agree don't look bad. Chris was obviously very pleased with his effort. I'm not sure what Renaud thought but he let Chris have it free of charge.

Forgot to add the two sticks I had made for me. A Dalia and a Figurado.

There is a lot of work involved in making the latter.