I’m starting to get very excited for the Auction weekend with auction herfs organized at Ten Manchester street on Sunday 25^th and Boisdale Canary Wharf on Monday 26^th November.

Expecting a good crowd of friends from overseas to attend and looking forward to being spoiled with some delicious food at Ten Manchester Street and Boisdale. The drinks and smokes won’t be too shabby either. A few tickets still available for both evenings though you may have to hurry.

Director of Auctions, Brian Ebbesen has now done his final checks on all cigars and rejected a box of Montecristo A as he was not satisfied with quality (Lot 28) which has now been replaced with a 1994 English Market Selection box of 25 Montecristo A instead.

Viewings available at our London offices Monday to Friday next week by appointment as well as Sunday 25^th from noon as a pre-pre-auction herf(!) – where we will be serving Boisdale Champagne, snacks and sampling Ramon Allones Petit Belicosos UK Regional Edition cigars.

You can browse the magnificent selection of 300 Lots online or on the PDF.

Whether its Aged, Rare, Limited Edition, Mature, Davidoff or Dunhill that interest you, there is potentially something for everyone and no doubt some bargains will be had on the night.

If you need any advice or condition reports simply drop us an email at [email protected]

This week I did a road trip to our Turmeaus cigar shops in Liverpool and Chester – 7 hour round trip in a day with a baggie of UK Regional Editions! Started with an El Rey del Mundo Choix De L’Epoque, moved on to Bolivar Britanicas and finished off with Punch Serie D’Oro No. 1. My kinda road trip. 🙂 Sampling sessions at both shops of course as well as a fudge sampling session at Turmeaus retro confectionery store in Liverpool – Yummm!

Also dropped in on the London Robert Graham whisky and cigar shop in West Hampstead for a dram of Hoebeg whilst admiring the HUGE selection of Havanas and other premium cigars in the walk in humidor. Kid in a candy store you could say… And you would be right. 🙂

Cambridge Robert Graham opening date now set for Tuesday 4^th December and I’ll withdraw my raspberry of the week award from last week for British Telecom as they finally came through and brought forward the phone line installation date. However this week’s raspberry of the week award goes to the PPI claims company that has already phoned me 5 times and of course received my usual colourful language reply which I probably shouldn’t repeat verbatim on my blog!

Enjoyed dinner and spent an evening smoking some old Dunhill Don Candido with the Editor of Smokes Magazine at the lovely Ten Manchester Street. I always liked the menu but now it’s better than ever having been completely overhauled with an Italian influence. If you haven’t herfed there… you really should.

Next week I’m off to Scotland to sample some of our old and some of our latest Robert Graham single malt whiskies.

We have three delightful whisky and cigar shops in Scotland (2 in Edinburgh and 1 in Glasgow) and its always great to catch up with the Team at Robert Graham. Someone emailed me the other day asking if he could speak to Robert to compliment him personally on the award winning Ailein Mor. Very nice but had to explain that Robert had been dead 100 years! Ron and I of course took the business over from the Graham family when the business was on its last legs some 8 years ago in one rather run down Glasgow shop (which subsequently burnt down in a massive fire!) and have since recreated the brand successfully online and in 5 retails stores as well as introduced our award winning range of exclusive single malt whisky.

Office herf today with my friend Gennaro Lettieri, the owner of Tabacalera del Oriente who make our Inka Secret Blend cigars. The brand I created is one of the biggest success stories of our year at C.Gars Ltd as the cigars are hugely popular now both in store and on our websites. Shouldn’t be too much of a surprise I guess – very low prices for very high quality handmade cigars in popular sizes. If you haven’t tried Secret Blend, you should as you will be very pleasantly surprised! Next year a new range of Inka Secret Blend will be introduced to the US market through distributors with a new range of sizes for the American cigar smoker. All exciting stuff!

Have a smokey weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

As I write this blog it’s just over two weeks till the next Vintage Cigar Auction at Boisdale Canary Wharf.  I love this time of year as we are so uber busy with the Christmas season as well as the auction events.  It’s just a nonstop buzz with a great atmosphere in our offices and shops.

I try and get round all of our offices and shops between now and Christmas to see all of the Team but as the Group expands this gets harder and harder… nice problem to have I hear you say 🙂 so last week I took a very squeezy Ryan Air flight over to visit our associates at the Decent Cigar Emporium.  

A few of our UK cigar smoking chums joined a few of our Irish cigar smoking chums and we ended up having a jolly large Dublin herf that went on till exceptionally late in the evening/early in the morning. Finishing with some excellent Macallan 18, dinner and a copious quantity of Havanas (Punch Serie D’Oro No. 1, Ramon Allones Belicosos and Punch Medalla De Oro – UK regionals to name a few) at the delightful private members club – The Residence. There were around 20 at the herf and it was a wonderful evening with the best of company that I look forward to repeating with the same crowd next time I visit.

The Decent Cigar Emporium, located on Grafton Street is the only specialist cigar shop in Ireland that I know of and you are assured a warm welcome by Guy, Paul, Ed and the Team.

Next week I think I will zoom up to Chester and then Liverpool to do some quality testing on the stocks there (Including the retro confectionery store we own in Liverpool!) our shops are compact up North but it is legal to sample cigars I am pleased to say.

We’re making good progress with our new Cambridge store and still well on target to open by the end of this month. That is if BT can manage to install the phone lines on time. Currently they reckon it takes 5 weeks to install new phone lines. Raspberry of the week award to BT then. And the second raspberry of the week award goes to the PPI company that keeps phoning me and got a short burst of tourette’s from me last week… Hopefully I won’t hear from them again. 

My auction partner Brian has now lotted up all of the auction cigars and we have clients viewing daily from Monday. If you would like to view the Auction Lots simply shoot us an email. We are open Monday to Friday for viewings as well as Sunday 25^th November from noon.

All details are on the dedicated website including how to get tickets for the pre-auction herf and the auction. You can see all the details on the FAQ’s as well as download a PDF Auction catalogue and of course bid online if you can’t attend.

I looked through the Lots in our London humidor yesterday and was very impressed with the broad range that is on offer in this sale, from splendid mature 1980’s Havanas such as the cabinet of 50 El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme (Lot 10) to some fabulous 1960’s sealed boxes such as Upmann Singulares and Super Coronas (Lots 19 and 20) great Limited Editions such as Cohiba Double Coronas and Sublimes (Lots 132/133/142)

Fabulous Regional Editions such as Ramon Allones Phoenicios ( Lot 176/177) Loads of Coleccion Habanos books (Lots 179 -190) Limited Edition humidors and a wonderful selection of Davidoff and Dunhill Havana cigars.

We are always happy to provide condition reports and prospective bidder’s need only email us the Lot number the report is required for.

We are so lucky to have such great cigar friendly venues such as Ten Manchester Street and Boisdale to assist us with our events – If you are attending, you will be treated to great drinks (Thank you Balvenie!) great smokes (Thank you Habanos S.A.!) and great canapés (Thank you chefs!) I think we are in for a great few days and evenings of herfing 🙂

Finally, if you want a change of pace – Try my Secret Blend cigars! Great value and very tasty smokes indeed. They were in fact our fastest seller of the week last week which was the second week running.

Have a smokey weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

 

Another busy week at my growing empire lol, firstly we had the arrival of a zillion Inka Secret Blend cigars which we have been patiently waiting for over the last few weeks.

I started this project off some time back by testing many blends to see if I could settle on a blend that I would be satisfied with (Believe me I am very fussy!) It was interesting as there are no other Peruvian cigars on the market, so nothing to compare with and the flavours are quite unique. Closer to a Nicaraguan in strength but a unique full flavour that is balanced and smooth. Good smooth vein free wrapper and exceptionally good construction.

We tested out a few popular sizes and made a funky little figurado as well and were quite staggered by the customer feedback which was exceptionally positive. The acid test was not whether we could sell out fast but whether clients would re-order, which they most certainly did, faster than expected! We noted just 1 complaint from a client who disliked the blend whish was pretty good going overall!

So we decided to extend the range substantially and order in a huge quantity to satisfy demand as well as introduce vitolas that our clients were telling us they wanted.

The new sizes are Bombaso (The Bomb!) 4” length by a huge 60 ring gauge (Large enough to keep a big mouth like me quiet!) which I have produced in both medium and long filler in a natural and maduro wrapper. The maduros are sweeter tasting and the naturals are less sweet and more woodsy. We then produced some quick smoke sizes, a chico that is 4 ½” length by 30 ring gauge and a tres petit corona 4” length and 40 ring gauge.

View the Inka information and price list PDF here.

You can see the full range on the website available in singles, sampler packs and packs/boxes of 10 cigars. You can also find Inka cigars at all of our retail cigar stores at the same mail order/internet prices (You can sample in store as well – Where legal) You won’t find them anywhere else in the world as they are exclusive to C.Gars Ltd!

Inka cigars are great value but don’t confuse them for a ‘cheap’ cigar or an inferior cigar. All Inka Secret Blend cigars are completely rolled by hand. The tobacco we use is 100% Peruvian and correctly and properly fermented to bring you a rich smooth smoking experience.

Auction catalogues are at the printers! (Finally!!) and expected to be posted out to clients on Friday. You can also view Lots online on our auction website

Just over 3 weeks to go before our pre auction herf at Ten Manchester Street and the main event at Boisdale Belgravia. 

Over 300 Lots of interesting  aged/mature/rare Havana cigars will be knocked down on the night and no doubt some bargains will be had. We’ll be doing a Balvenie whisky tasting paired up with some great English Market Selection Havanas. Canapés by the Boisdale chefs and the best of company from all over the world should make this the best cigar event of the season. If you need any advice that you can’t find on the FAQ page of the auction site just shoot me an email [email protected] we are always happy to advise and provide specific Lot condition reports.

I had dinner at Boisdale Belgravia last Monday night and the restaurant was heaving full (No recession there then!) food and service was better than ever. Had a Quai D’Orsay Corona Orchant Seleccion followed by a Ramon Allones Petit Belicoso on the terrace. Entertainment was provided by the next table of chaps from Kuwait who were singing all evening… Marvellous(!)

I’ve also been spending some time up in Cambridge as we have now started building our new Robert Graham whisky and cigars shop which is due to open late November. Alcohol licence granted a few days ago – So far so good. The shop straddles two streets so we will have a lovely outdoor seating area to the pedestrianized street well as an indoor sampling lounge and easy parking to the other street. I can’t wait to stock up the walk in humidors as we are planning to have one walk in humidor with the largest range of singles in the UK and another walk in humidor with full boxes/cabinets/jars and humidors. I think that could be a first in the UK.

That’s all the news for now – I’m off for a dram or two of Robert Graham Tobermory 1996 bargain at 35 quid!… Whilst stock last 🙂

Have a smokey weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

Greetings from the madhouse we like to call C.Gars Ltd World Headquarters in rainy London! Fortunately its legal to sample cigars in the comfort of my office and what a pleasure it has been to sample the new monster sized Montecristo 520 Limited edition 2012 which we have released this week.

Measuring in at a hefty 5 ¾” length and a whopping 55 ring gauge, the latest cigar from Havana delivers huge volumes of sweet flavours from start to finish. Medium strength, well balanced and with a very cool draw, this cigars is dressed in the most beautiful vein free, smooth maduro wrapper. Surely destined to become as popular as the now sold out 2008 Montecristo Sublimes.

On the other end of the strength and size scale, we expect to introduce the latest Orchant Seleccion Havana cigar in the next 48 hours. The Quai D’Orsay Corona  is a sweet and light flavour and light strength Havana that is a splendid daytime smoke. It won’t knock out your palate with strength but the flavours are quite delicious. Light colorado wrapper, mild, herbal and toasted tobacco flavours. Only 64 boxes of 25 will ever be made. Available on my website and in our cigar shops from Monday.

Despite the more or less nonstop rain in London we are lucky to have some fabulous cigar terraces that are well protected from the elements. One of my favourites is Ten Manchester Street Hotel, A cigar friendly hotel with great service, smokes, drinks and eats! I herfed there a few days ago and was not surprised how busy the terrace was as it’s such a comfortable place to herf.

My other favourites include all the Boisdale establishments. Super cigar friendly, great value and the best ambience and atmosphere. Boisdale have their own range of wine and Champagne that we are planning to introduce in our retail stores very soon and Robert Graham Independent bottled single malt whisky will be available behind Boisdale bars very soon 🙂

I’m planning on checking out the cigar terrace at the Mayfair Hotel with Karyn this evening. Full herfing report to follow.

But the best is yet to come with the planned December opening of the Wellesley Hotel which I reckon could be the best venue to smoke in the UK… Can’t wait!

My exclusive Inka Secret Blend cigars from Peru have finally arrived in the UK so with any luck the full range will be available, including new sizes, next week.

Enjoyed a Partagas Serie C no.3 compliments of Ignacio, the Cuban Director of Hunters & Frankau, when he popped into the office yesterday with Ricardo from Habanos SA marketing. Funny how my Cuban friends drink Scotch and I drink Cuban rum!

Auction catalogue will be online and posted to clients next week. The 26^th November auction is quite a huge sale with over 300 Lots. Davidoff and Dunhill, Pre embargo and vintage, Limited edition and mature Havanas, a delightful selection indeed. We are also offering an outstanding collection of rare Havanas from a connoisseur/collector recently moved from his humidor and now stored at Davidoff Geneva (Thank you Davidoff of Geneva!)

Viewings on Sunday 25^th at our London offices from noon followed by a pre-auction event herf at Ten Manchester street.

We are very looking forward to sampling  Balvenie Rum Cask 14 and Glenfiddich 18 together with some of the finest English Market Selection Havanas from Hunters & Frankau. Delicious canapés by Boisdale and the best of company should make this a memorable evening for cigar aficionados and connoisseurs from around the world.

Tickets for both evenings are now available on the following links:

Sunday 25^th November Ten Manchester Street
Monday 26^th November Boisdale Canary Wharf
Both evenings

That’s the news for now except that I’m off to Turmeaus cigar shop in Mayfair this afternoon for another Monte 520  and a wee dram or two of Robert Graham Ailein Mor Highland single malt, recently awarded Silver in the 2012 Independent Bottlers Challenge for best Highland.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

So we have Señor Fidel Segui at the offices rolling freshies all week 🙂 and I have him rolling mas fuerte robustos or other sizes on request. Mind, don’t smoke to many on the same day as these puppies are powerful!

Señor Segui began his career at the Romeo y Julieta factory in 1999 and quickly demonstrated the skill and understanding required to achieve the highest ranking within the categories defined by Cuban cigar industry. In 2005 he transferred to his current position in La Corona factory where he specialises in producing many of the larger, more complicated vitolas within the Habanos range.

Señor Segui has previously travelled to Mexico, France and Romania demonstrating the art of crafting a handmade Cuban cigar.

We have an open afternoon on Thursday from noon till early evening if you would like to see a rolling demonstration and sample a freshly rolled Havana cigar. Also available at just £14.99 with purchase of any other hand made Havana from our range. Email for details [email protected]

Montecristo 520’s Limited edition 2012 will be available for shipping mid next week. This monster smoke is going to be hugely popular, further details here:

Montecristo 520 – 2012 – Limited Edition – 1s
Montecristo 520 – 2012 – Limited Edition – 10s

Michelle is on vacation this week so I have been office bound manning the phones… Thank goodness she’s back on Sunday (and that’s the last holiday she’s allowed to take for the next 5 years!) I’ve been recommending and selling Ramon Allones Petit Belicosos UK regional edition to everyone that phones as they are such great smokes and the price is pretty good too (not such a bad phone sales person after all!)

If you want to contrast them with an awesome mature Havana I have just released some of my Directors reserve Ramon Allones Belicosos the original UK regional edition from 2004 which have matured to perfection as I expect the Petit B’s to.

I’m still blasting through the delicious new Partagas Serie C no.3 every evening. Rich, full flavour and complex, the perfect finish to my late nights/mornings(!) on email. If you haven’t tried them yet you are missing out, assuming you are an experienced cigar smoker, you will likely agree that the blend is one of the finest since limited editions were introduced.

The 26^th November Cigar Auction is starting to become a bit of a monster and we now expect auctioneer Brian Ebbesen to be offering almost 300 Lots of fine Havana cigars. Some incredible pre embargo cigars as well as limited edition, books, jars, humidors, mature cigars and of course some Davidoff and Dunhill. If you would like to join us for the event and/or the pre herf evening you can book via the auction website. Be warned though, space for both evenings is limited so don’t leave it until the last minute to book!

It should be quite an evening as we will also be having a fab whisky tasting before and after the auction as well as smoking some great UK regional editions from Hunters and Frankau. Catalogue will be online and in print in a week or two.

Robert Graham single malt whisky seems to be more popular by the week, our range of independently bottled Scotch is ever changing as most of the Scotch that we release of course comes from a single cask. Our cask strength Bowmore 1990 sold out within a week of being introduced! Checkout the range here. It’s great to have our own boutique brand and each of our Robert Graham retail shops have their own individual character. Whisky/Cigars and Chocolate – Who could ask for more?! Our latest store which will open next month in Cambridge will be uber cool but I am sworn to secrecy until we open 🙂

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell