Diplomaticos 'Petit Robusto' Edicion Regional España 2012 (cigar review)

                  I love this size, 50 x 102 (4"), just a hair smaller both in ring gauge and length than the Petit Edmundo. 5000 numbered boxes of 10 cigars were released in 2012. I know many people who have bought these cigars, one of which sent me a couple. It's a great cigar (for the size) to smoke when you either don't have a lot of time or when you want to smoke several (as in my case) cigars within a certain period of time.
                  This cigar was hard to the touch with a flawless construction and a slightly bumpy cap. The pre-light draw was big on cedar. Once lit the draw was a little firm but not too bad. Now I was picking up a touch of earthiness, wood and a hint of floral notes. The burn looked like it was going to be off but corrected itself after the first 1/2". Tasting more earth than wood now and giving me the impression that the profile was somewhat like a regular production Diplomatico which is great for my taste. They don't make enough Diplomatico vitolas but I guess not enough of us buy them....supply and demand. The draw is giving me just a bit of resistance but it only means I have to slow down my smoking so not to overheat the cigar.
                  By the time I reach the first quarter the burn is off and the cigar is earthy, musty and picking up strength. At the halfway mark the ash fell on it's own and just so you know, the floral notes are still slightly there....I don't like floral. The flavours really haven't changed too much so far and it's turning out to be a medium-strong cigar. The burn was still off and I couldn't resist, I touched it up with my torch as I neared the last quarter. I finally had to let it go when it was getting difficult to hold.
                  I smoked this cigar a couple of months ago at a picnic on a long weekend. I wish I could have given it more attention but after all is said and done it wasn't that complicated a cigar. Rather easy to smoke with not a lot of changes. It could use a bit of age and I'm sure one year will make a big difference for this cigar. It's worth a try if you get the opportunity.

Cafeteria Amelia (for Breakfast) Miramar, Havana

                 In all the trips I've taken to Cuba, breakfast has been one of the most difficult meals to find done in a fashion that we in North America are used to. I know what you're thinking, they can't get any meal right. That hasn't been the case lately in Havana. Restaurants have been opening at an unprecedented rate in the big city with quite a few of them being top notch both in quality of food and service. The 'Cafeteria Amelia' is not one of them but they do make a great breakfast. This spot is a typical Government run establishment but being in the location it's in the decor is on the nicer side. The restaurant is located in the 'Centro de Negocios Miramar' or the 'Miramar Trade Center' which is like what we would consider an outdoor mall. The complex was completed a few years ago and houses an array of eateries, bars and services. This restaurant is only one of many units located in the mall. It's not to be confused with the bar-restaurant of the same name located somewhere else in the mall. The Cafeteria entrance is on the 3ra Ave. side, up the stairs closest to Calle 76, on the right hand side.
                 As I said, it's a Government run restaurant and although the breakfast is great, the service sucks. It takes forever to get a waiter's attention here as with most (if not all) restaurants run by the State. On this occasion it didn't matter, I wasn't in a hurry and didn't mind too much. The place is well lit (surrounded by windows) and looks new. The furnishing aren't the greatest and they certainly don't match the space but I've seen far worse. They have other items on the menu which I probably will never try but the Breakfast is what I came for. I ordered the eggs, which will come sunny side up if you don't ask. If you want them done another way you better ask your waiter because he (or she) won't ask you how you want them. They come with side salad (Really?? Look at the picture below) and toast (which didn't seem toasted at all, just hard). If you want a side meat, as in my case the Chorizo, it's extra and must be ordered. The eggs were done perfectly sunny side up and for my first time here I was happy. I know what to expect for the next time. The two of us had my 2 eggs with toast and side chorizo, a ham and cheese omelette, a milkshake, a papaya juice and a coffee.....all that for $6.25cuc. I think that's great value for what we had. Everything else on the food and beverage menu is priced equally as cheap, just take a look at the pictures below.
                 I don't think I would come from the other part of the city to come and eat here (the taxi costing more than the meal) but renting in the area makes this a go to spot when I'm not in the mood to make my own breakfast. I would recommend you give it a try if you're in the area. The 'Trade Center' or 'Mall' takes up a few blocks, it lies between 3ra & 5ta Ave. & Calle 76-80. You can't miss it, it's across the street from the Hotel Melia Habana and the Hotel Panorama.

Monsdale (from the Club Havana LCDH) Cigar Review

                   I bought this cigar myself at the LCDH shop on the Club Havana property in Miramar area of Havana. The date I bought this cigar was Feb.2012 but I don't have any way of knowing when it was rolled. It's safe to say it's at least 1 1/2 years old. It has a Shaggy Foot, a Pigtail Cap and measures 42 x 6 5/8". A Lonsdale would be 42 x 6 1/2 but if you were to cut off the shaggy foot you would get the 6 1/2" length. Enrique Mons was/is the most knowledgeable individual on the topic of Cuban Cigars. He was manager at this cigar shop for many years until his retirement last year. He and Jorge, the house roller, came up with the blend for this cigar and named it the Monsdale, a name which has stuck through the years.
                    This stick was as hard as a rock, something that always worries me. The wrapper was smooth, veinless and dry with blotches over some spots. The pre-light draw confirmed the cigar be a little firm, I picked up wood and chocolate flavours. Once lit, the cigar was smooth right from the start, no harshness and pretty mild with a bit of resistance. It took a few puffs to taste the wood and tea, the burn was bang on by the first 3/4". The burn was off a touch by about the first inch and not long after that the ash fell on it's own. This was turning out to be a mild cigar that was quite easy to smoke. I've smoked stronger ones before but never this old. Either a little age mellows them out or the blend was changed. The firmness of this cigar hasn't been too bad, if anything it's slowed down my smoking to not overheat it and given me more time to enjoy it. The flavours are consistent and haven't really changed too much. The ash fell on it's own again at about the second inch and the burn was still off.
                    Past the half and the cigar began to turn a bit, picking up rustic earthy flavours now. The cigar was beginning to pick up strength and then I got hit with a big shot of leather. I couldn't resist, I had to touch it up with my torch. Nearing the last quarter I flicked the ash, the cigar was burning a little hot through the middle. Did a major touch up with my torch now. The cigar was finishing as a medium body. Passing the last quarter and the cigar was getting harsh so I let it go.
                   I enjoyed this cigar and I love the vitola. It's a shame that the only way to get one of these cigars is by going to Havana. If you're ever there, check out the Club Havana LCDH in Miramar and pick up a few of these famous cigars. Below you'll find the links to my posts on both the Club Havana and the La Casa del Habano on the property.


http://cubancigarsculturelifestyle.blogspot.ca/2013/06/club-havana-formerly-biltmore-yacht.html

http://cubancigarsculturelifestyle.blogspot.ca/2013/04/club-havana-lcdh-la-casa-del-habana.html

Encuentro de Amigos de Partagas (Havana) Nov.2013

                     November is around the corner and that means another edition of the 'Encuentro de Amigos de Partagas' is due to take place. Many who come to this event every year from around the world have already booked their trip months ago. The 'Encuentro' is a 4 or 5 day event that takes place twice a year with the bigger turnout being the one on the 3rd week of November. The other 'Encuentro' is always on the 3rd week of April. There are a large number of Aficionados that look forward to this festival and an even larger one that wish they could make it. It's a great time to see old friends which you may only see this one time a year, at the 'Partagas Encuentro'. The pictures I've posted are from various Encuentros I've attended through the years. Several of the people in the photos have passed away, others (Cubans) have left the country for good and even more no longer work for the Partagas store or factory. One thing is certain however, when all of us get together for this event, it's good times all the way. A great time to meet old friends and an excellent opportunity to make new ones.
                      The pictures are posted in the order that the events usually take place....Day 1. The Cocktail (night), Day 2. Beach (day), Day 3. Campo (day) and Day 4. The Gala Dinner (night). They feed you, booze you up, entertain you and give you cigars at every days event, all that for the price of admission....What more can you ask for. Prices for each days event vary with the Gala Dinner on the last day being the most expensive. I believe I paid $350cuc for the entire 4 day package last year. In my opinion, just taking into account the cigars they give you (12-15), it's a great value. If you're a true Cigar Aficionado, you want to be at this event. Contact Information Below.

The Cocktail

Playa Day

Campo Day

The Gala Dinner