Cigars

v.keen too.

this may help in coralling the herfers:

http://cigars.co.uk/category/gallery/cosa/comfortable-outdoor-smoking-areas

Mid week is a nono for me but weekends are sweet.
When the weather eases up I'm in!

I've been thinking that if this threads missing anything, it's reviews. I've never written one before, but I'd like to start giving them a go (not for any particular purpose, just for fun. Below is my first attempt... it may be a bit shit!***

Ramon Allones - Small Club Corona. ***

For starters, I like this cigar - It packs a punch but isn't overpowering. The smoke isn't particularly thick, but instead wispy - it produces a decent amount, but not loads. The wrapper is fairly wrinkly and dark, There are a few veins, and I think it's fair to say that it not the prettiest of cigars.

The wrapper is very sweet, which is immediately noticeable on your lips. The first few puffs indicate that the cigar is strong as well as sweet, though both flavours seem to mellow as the end of the first third comes around. As the cigar progresses, I get cocoa, and tea flavours - the cigar has definitely settled, and I'd say the strength is about 6.8 out of 10.

By the second third a creaminess develops, which begins leading the other nuances. The cocoa remains but the tea taste almost disappears. When I first noticed the tea flavour, it reminded me very much of opening a box of English breakfast...

Once into the final third, some of the initial strength returns. The cigar now has an earthy quality, still mixed with the earlier creaminess.

The cigar didn't get harsh, and didn't need to be purged. The flavours remind me of Montecristo, though there are differences between the marcas - I for one would say I prefer RAs. The cigar ends on a high-note, which is fitting. I would recommend the cigar to cigar enthusiasts, though perhaps not to a beginner...

Unfortunately I didn't time it, but the cigar smoked for quite a while considering it's size - It was slightly over humidified though which might have something to do with it.

Cohiba every time. Spicy.

Well played, Jamie. We could use some reviews.

That was interesting to read as it's always fascinating how people's tastes vary and how you described it. I would never have said tea flavours, probably because I didn't grow up with tea, but that is a great description. I can see that tea description being something I have picked up from them.

It's been a little while since I had a RASCC, but I'm surprised at the anemic smoke. The robusto sized RASS has always smoked like a chimney for me.

Ramon Allones is a small but solid marca, and the RASCC is something I would always try to have on hand.

Let's start organising some herfs. It would be ideal to get a half dozen or so in through the good weather this year. Nothing beats a good day with some drinks and far too many cigars.

I'll throw out a date to get the ball rolling. Saturday March 19th, somewhere centralish or at least convenient to those who want to attend.

Any interest?

Yeah, I'm annoyed that I only have 4 left - I'll be buying more soon though I think (box split anyone...?). I think the wispy smoke was in part due to over-humidification.

Are you about this weekend? Molly's gone skiing, so I'm a free-agent!

I leave for snowboarding on the 18th mate. Let's do it either slightly earlier, or a couple of weeks later...

Got Cris' folks visiting this weekend so I'll be doing sightseeing and such sans cigars. I should have the next few weekends free finally so maybe we can sort something out. If not, we'll do something during the week.

No problem on the herf, earlier or later is fine by me. Anybody have some dates they want to propose?

Keep April the 9th at the Britannia in Victoria Park. My wedding reception.

That sounds worthy of a very good cigar.

Keep April the 9th at the Britannia in Victoria Park. My wedding reception.

Isnt that the Tweed Run date Nial?

How about Saturday, March 5th for a herf.

I'm not sure where most people are based (or even who's going to be up for herfing) but I'd like to suggest Clapham as it's close to me, and there are some good pub possibilities. The Falcon in Clapham North immediately springs to mind - it's got a massive back garden, and a sizeable front garden too...

I'm interested. Clapham is a mission for me as I'm coming in to fenchurch st. Not totally unfeasable though.
(would prefer something more city side (; )

http://www.howtospendit.com/#/articles/3745-feature-a-fume-with-a-view

I for one am more of a ruff and tumble cigar smoker - I aint sitting on no cigar terrace blood. Give me a pub with a garden and ale, and I'm golden.

Parry, I didn't think Clapham woud be for all, but it was worth a try!

Working on the 5th unfortunately
Every other Sat apart from the 19th is free (I could make it later on the 19th though)
Happy to meet wherever - havent been to Clapharm for ages, I am in NW10 (sometimes think I am the only cyclist in Brent) .

What about Sat 26th of Feb (2 Weeks from today).

I'm probably free for the 26th but doing it in February means we should suss out a good spot with covered smoking area and heaters.

26th a maybe for me.
Agreed we'd need heaters.

Yeah, I'm sure we can find somewhere suitable. So are we thinkning central then? Any idea of pub possibilities?

26th is go for me.
Where ever, whenever.

I went to Selfridges Cigar room today - it's never had the best selection of cigars, nor particularly knowledgeable staff, but I've always had good service in there and I like visiting it now and again (they once sold me a Virgin Atlantic brand cigar for £4 - I smoked it and thought it was one of the worst sticks I'd ever had. A week later I went back and bought a single cigar, I told the assistant about the VA cigar and how shit it was. He gave me a free ERdM petty corona to make up for it).

Today though, I had shit experience, so much so that I doubt I'm going back... The assistant was basically rude to me, and treated me like I was wasting his time. I browsed for a bit, then asked him for assistance - he let out a sign and then strolled slowly over. I asked if he could point out where the Siglo Seis were. He didn't know what I was talking about so I said Cohiba Number 6 - He looked at me like I was stupid and told me that "they're right in front of your face". They were, and I had completely over-looked them, but nevertheless the guy was a cunt!

I also noticed that a lot of their cigars were in shit condition, which is not something I've noticed before. I'd guesstimate that out of the cigars they had on display, about 30% of them looked cracked and damaged - I wonder whether they had some sort of a humidification accident in there... Regardless, I doubt I'm going back there anytime soon!

By the way Dale, I checked Selfridges non Cuban section, and they have a fair few Padrons. I think the 64s were £17.50 each... Don't know how that compares with the states, though in Selfridges it's in-line with Cuban prices for similar sized cigars.