Dip 2’s? first rate !

It’s been an interesting weekend as I decided to do a blind taste test between Friday and Sunday on the same 3 cigars and rate them.

The cigars were a Monte 2.Upmann 2 and Diplomaticos no.2

Michelle numbered 3 piramides 1,2 and 3 but I (obviously ) didn’t know which cigar was which.

All the cigars were 2007’s.

Happy to report that I managed to identify all three cigars correctly ( good start!) on all three days but was surprised to find that on all three days the highest rated cigar was the Diplomaticos no.2

Now,there was nothing wrong with the Upmann 2,in fact 2007’s are the best vintage I have found in this cigar but it was a bit”tart” in comparison to the other two and I generally enjoy a smoother smoke.The Monte 2 was a great smoke as well but lacked the depth/.complexity of the Dip 2.

So there you have it,after a lifetime of having the Monte 2 as my favourite piramides I can honestly say the Dip 2 for my palette at least was a better smoke.

Lasts weeks travels took me to on a tour around my whiskey and cigars shops in Scotland http://www.whisky-cigars.co.uk/ where I enjoyed smoking the new La Gloria Cubana Gloriosos with my partner Ron whilst enjoying a dram or two of our exclusive Robert Graham single malt range.

Our shops also received allocation of the limited edition H Upmann Magnum 46 jar ( 30 cigars) which can only be described as exquisite. Grab one while you can as there are only a tiny amount available.

I also visited my cigar stores in Liverpool and Chester which were busier than ever.In fact Turmeaus in Liverpool should go in for a competition “how many customers can you cram in a tiny cigar shop”! it was positively buzzing!

I only manage to get around to all our cigar stores every few months these days but love to rummage through the humidors to see what goodies I can find. I even managed to snag a few Ramon Belicosos on this trip…DEE LICIOUS !

Have a great week

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

I’m always trying to research or access as much research as possible regarding vintage Havana cigars. I have most of the decent book that have been written over the years but their always seems to be so much more to learn.

My friend Rolando Salup has compiled an invaluable list of Havana cigar brands and details of their ownership and locations which he has kindly given us permission to publish on our website. http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/html/cubancigarlist.xls

Rolando lives in Havana and is an antiques dealer. It has been my pleasure to meet with him at least twice a year for the last decade and chat about the history and significance of many of the antiques that I have bought for the C.Gars collection and of course for sale on my website. http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cigar-humidors-antique-cabinets-humidors-jars-c-320_187.html and http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cigar-accessories-cuban-photos-paintings-c-319_192.html

Rolando is a mine of interesting information and its a privilege to know him.

The following article http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/document.php?id=havana_cigar_brands.htm was written by Rolando and translated with thanks to my assistant Yudy in our Havana office (with a tiny amount of editing/corrections by ourselves)

I hope you find the articles useful and of course if you have any questions don’t hesitate to email me

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

– Cohiba Gran Reserva …fabulous cigars and I must be replying to 100 emails a day asking when will they be available ? Well I am sorry to tell you that we don’t expect them till October this year. I will of course email all clients who have expressed an interest as soon as we have a firm release date. Only 5000 numbered boxes containing 15 cigars each will ever be made. All the tobaccos in the Gran reserva are aged a minimum of 5 years.

– The new Montecristo Open cigars ( Junior/Master/Regata/Eagle) are expected in May with tubed versions to follow in November

– The wonderful new Trinidad robusto T are expected in June with tubed version planned for December

– 2009 Limited editions include Romeo Y Julieta Dukes,H Upmann Magnum 48 and Bolivar Petit Belicosos

– 2009 UK regional editions are Juan Lopez seleccion Suprema in boxes of 10 ( 3/4/3) expected in the Autumn and El Rey Del Mundo Choix de L’Epoque in dress boxes of 25 expected in June

More details of course on our regular enewsletter

Peaceful puffing and best wishes from sunny London

Mitchell

Do we look silly? you bet we do! But its all for a good cause …Comic Relief 🙂 Yes it’s that time of year again!

So if you wish to top up your humidor or buy some accessories between now and Friday midnight, we’ll be donating 10% to Comic Relief.

So on with the red noses and in with your orders and Monday it’s out with a charity cheque from C.Gars Ltd to Comic Relief !

Oh and my sales team have challenged me to not smoke all day Friday but just have a red nose on my cigar all day. If I can do it C.Gars Ltd will be donating an extra £150 to Comic Relief and if I can’t……. it comes out of my personal account!

Thanks in advance for your support of this worthy cause and Happy Red Nose Day from all at the sales team of C.Gars Ltd.

We were pleased to welcome Thomas Schwab from Switzerland for an office herf whilst he was writing an article for European Cigar Cult Journal

We taste tested the UK regional Punch Serie D’Oro no.1 matched up with Havana Club Barrel Proof rum. A delightful combination indeed 🙂

Have a great week

Best

Mitchell