At last the new 2009 Limited edition cigars have been released and are available for purchase by the box, singles or a sampler (sort of try before you buy the whole box!) buy mail order or at any of our retail outlets

Bolivar Petit Belicosos Limited Edition 2009 – Box of 25
Flavour: Full
Length: 5″ (125 mm)
Ring Gauge: 52 ring gauge
Packaging: Box of 25

Tasting Notes: This brand is presented within the Limited Edition for the first time. One of the most full bodied Habanos that boasts an unrivalled richness of flavour that makes it one of the most sought-after brands amongst experienced smokers. The Edición Limitada distinguishes itself for the careful selection of two-year aged selected tobacco leaves (wrapper, binder and filler) which turns this product into something very special

£339

H.Upmann Magnum 48 Limited Edition 2009 – Cab 25

Flavour: Light to Medium
Length: 4 3/8″ (110mm)
Ring Gauge: 48 ring gauge
Packaging: Cabinet of 25

Tasting Notes: Always regarded as a light to medium-flavoured smoke, this cigar stands out for its smooth flavour and delicate aroma. The Edición Limitada distinguishes itself for the careful selection of two-year aged selected tobacco leaves (wrapper, binder and filler) which turns this product into something very special

£279.00

Romeo y Julieta Duke Limited Edition 2009 – Box of 10

Flavour: Medium
Length: 5 1/2″ (140 mm)
Ring Gauge: 54 ring gauge
Packaging: Box of 10

Tasting Notes: This new size will be delighting the senses of the true Habanos lovers in a delicate combination of passion and excellence. The Edición Limitada distinguishes itself for the careful selection of two-year aged selected tobacco leaves (wrapper, binder and filler) which turns this product into something very special

£169.00

So we have our allocation but it’s small so best to order early to avoid disappointment. English Market Selection and the most splendid wrapper you will ever set your eyes on:-)

Made from specially selected tobacco leaf aged a minimum of 2 years,these Puros are sure to please even the most discerning cigar smoker.

Saludos from sunny London

Mitchell

Good grief, it’s another cloudy weekend, what a surprise… not

Well at least that gives me the opportunity to type my blog in the garden on my laptop whilst enjoying one of my favourite Bolivar Belicosos with a rather tasty bottle or rose Sancerre, light and fruity and very refreshing with the BBF.

Were you one of the lucky buyers of the limited edition Por Larranaga Magnificos humidors ? Well lucky you as they are truly beautiful and the cigars are first rate. Our humidors were signed by Jemma Freeman and Simon Chase of Hunters and Frankau adding a touch more collectible value 😉

I was looking at prices of Por Larranaga Magnums from the 70’s the other day and noted that they sold around 10 years ago for £10,000 per cabinet of 50 cigars (or £5,000 for 25 cigar cabinets) so I offered a friend of mine who has a few cabinets of 50 stashed in his humidor £20,000 for one. Needless to say he flatly refused my opportunist offer.

So I reckon that whilst Bank of England base rate is 0.5% I can’t go wrong tucking more of my money away in the best Havana cigars and with that in mind I have stashed 5 more of the delightful Por Larranaga humidors into our Directors Reserve joining many other goodies that have been maturing for some years.

I’m also stashing UK 2008 regional edition Punch Serie D’Oro no.1 as I truly think this is one of the best cigars I have smoked in the last 10 years. Full bodied so not for the novice. This is a complex blend that has a kaleidoscope of flavours to tantalize even the most sophisticated palate.

I can’t wait for September as we expect the 2009 UK Regional El Rey Del Mundo Choix de L’Epoque to be released. This petit Edmundo sized cigar will be presented in dress box of 25 cigars. I think we will be waiting till next year for the other 2009 UK regional Juan Lopez Seleccion Suprema unfortunately

Also due out next month 2009 Limited Editions and Trinidad Robusto “T” I think I better take a vacation now as September looks like one busy month!

Have a great weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

Does it get any better than English Market Selection? I think not, and I should know as I have been smoking my way around the world for a long long time 🙂

I was discussing this with Jemma Freeman (Managing Director of Hunters and Frankau) yesterday when she visited our London offices for a smoke and a chat. We enjoyed the UK regional Punch Serie D’Oro no.1 and agreed that it is a superb cigar.

We’re looking forward to the next UK regional El Rey Del Mundo which we hope will make an appearance on September the 10th if all goes to plan at a launch part that Hunters are planning 🙂

I spent some time at our fabulous La Casa del Habano in Hamburg on Wednesday and as ever Christophs Club was in full swing with a load of our regular clients enjoying some great smokes with some great drinks including a bottle of 1925 Armagnac which was… sublime (thank you Hans)

Last weekend I was in hot hot hot Marbella visiting clients and friends, no time to hunt around for cigars but I am happy to confirm that UK regional La Gloria Cubana Gloriosos work very well a jug or two of Sangria 🙂

Bolivar Especiales No.2 Regional Edition Germany – box of 25.
This is a fantastic cigar – and it is the first THIN ring gauge cigar from any of the Regional Editions released. It measures 38 ring by 192mm and comes in traditional dress CABINETS – and the cigars are wrapped in aluminium paper inside the cabinet.

Lots of exciting new Havana cigars planned for release next year but I am sworn to secrecy….. for now. But as soon as we are able to bring you the details, you will read it here first!

Have a great weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

At last! Schools out and summer hols have definitely started as London’s roads are no longer congested and it now only takes the time to smoke a Partagas short to get to the office whereas it usually takes a Romeo Short Churchill 🙂

But what happened to the hottest summer on record ? Never mind,maybe next month. I’m getting out of the rain for a few days and heading to Spain to herf with clients and friends. The big decision is what to take to smoke and I’m leaning towards 2008 UK regionals. The La Gloria Gloriosos being the perfect daytime smoke and the Punch Serie D’Oro no.1 being simply… perfect. Complex, full bodied but smooth. Well constructed and vein free wrappers of perfect appearance. I honestly don’t think it gets any better. Get them while you can as I reckon they will be sold out in the next 8 weeks

I’m now hopeful that we will get the 2009 UK regionals late September and we are all very excited to test out the blends

Juan Lopez Seleccion Suprema 6 3/4″ length an d 52 ring gauge in slide lid boxes of 10 and El Rey del Mundo Choix de L’Epoque 4″ length and 52 ring gauge in dress boxes of 25. Can these possibly be as good as the 2008 regional editions? It does seem that the UK still gets the best of the best. We shall see.

We also expect the new limited editions for 2009 to be available early September as well as the new Trinidad T (Robusto) which is a great smoke if it’s as good as the ones I tried in Havana in February at The Festival.

Romeo Dukes 5 1/2″ length and 45 ring gauge boxes of 10

H Upmann Magnum 48 4″ length and 48 ring gauge boxes of 25

Bolivar Petit Belicosos 5″ length and 52 ring gauge boxes of 25

More details to follow as soon as we have firm release dates for these fine new additions to our range

Still no firm release date for the Cohiba Gran Reserva I’m afraid but watch this space and I’ll let you know the minute they are available. Overwhelming interest in this splendid cigars which could well become the fastest collectors item of all times !

Peaceful puffing

Saludos

Mitchell

I’ve had a very busy week testing vintages of Bolivar Belicosos Finos which many will know is one of my all time favourite Havana cigars and has been in my rotation for the last decade or so.

So far I’ve gone through 2001/2004/2006/2007 and 2008 in a variety of cabinet selection and dress box presentations as well as the Belicosos Finos from the Centenary humidor

The 2007’s (particularly TEB June 2007) was outstanding and possibly the best blended Havana of that year, sadly very hard to find now

The 2004 cabinet selection,despite unfortunately being a banded cigar (why are cabinet selection cigars banded now ??!!) was a hell of a surprise. A kaleidoscope of sweet flavours, complex from the first to the last puff. Quite a perfect expression of the BBF. More or less impossible to find now as few seem to have been made

2008 examples are already showing well and I think blending consistency and general quality control is now so high that these will be a sure winner and one to lay down for 2 years (for smoking) – 10 years for aging.

I spent some time in my Turmeaus cigars shops last week and realised how much I enjoy being a cigar retailer, our customers love to come to the shops to sample new cigars all the time as there are precious few specialist cigar merchants left in the UK whereas if you go back 30 years I think every major city would have 2 or 3 specialist tobacconists shops.

I think I’ll open a load more specialist cigars shops in the UK over the next few years. We are already looking for some new great locations to add to our existing network. That should keep me busy for a while 🙂

Have a great weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell