Bernard, are you the guy that started "Pricester"?

Good point BTW.

Tab[/QUOTE]

No, I think that Bernard is a guy who lives in America and has lots of money. I live in South Africa and love Cigars!

That's cool, you're welcome here anyway...lol.

Tab

Ditto Carld - This series has been a great vicarious trip to a place I'd love to go. What I was trying to get at before is how valuable I find the tasting notes James provides to be! And, how I wish there was a place on the CA site where one could access his tasting notes by vitola.

Any of you smoked the Petit Edmundo yet? I am down to my last two...yikes. Love them!

Unfortunately, James, those smokes aren't available here in the U.S. But if you send me one, I'd be more than happy to tell you my opinion of it.

I've smoked a few and agree completely, they are a fantastic smoke. When they became available, I bought two boxes of ten, one for me and one as a present for a good friend.I probably made a mistake and should have loaded up with boxes of 25.I have also had the privlege of smoking the Asia/Pacific Punch Super Robusto and the Ramon Allones Estupendo,both new '06 products, and they were both fantastic as well.

I liked the Ramon Allones better than the Punch, when i smoked them in Hong Kong. Glad you like the PE...

The wrappers on the regionals don't appear to be aged, am I right? If that's the case, then what sets them apart? Is the blend different? I know the 6x50 isn't normally in the Punch lineup...

I was recently in London, where I smoked a nice Edmundo, but when the fella in the shop offered to sell me a Petit Edmundo I declined by saying I thought they'd be too young to be very good. He confessed to feeling the same way. But hearing you rave about the latest batch you've enjoyed, I am kicking myself big time, James!

Owl. The wrapper is standard. It's just the size or vitola that's special.

Hey, James, slightly off topic but since you seem realtime on this thread at the mo' wanted to ask ... I was prompted by your recent Nicaragua blogging to try some Rocky Patel 1990 vintage stogies, but the ones I picked up (off an auction site) were a slightly milder, unpressed Euro version. Quite nice actually, but I wonder if you are aware of these and whether they have been well received in Europe.

I don't think they sell that well in Europe except for Germany.

quote:

Originally posted by James Suckling:
I don't think they sell that well in Europe except for Germany.

Interesting but pretty unsurprising, I suppose. Whenever I'm in London I'm blown away by how expensive NCs are. And with CCs and NCs both selling at such high prices, can't imagine that many NCs sell well in the UK, eh?

I am smokin one of the petite edmundos right now. Right off the bat i like them more than the regular eddies. Fuller in body/flavor, perfect burn and draw, and just a great looking CC.

Interesting that you stayed at the Paradisus Rio de Oro in early February, as my wife was also there with her sister and mother, and mentioned that she saw that "Suckling" guy.

Several other friends also stayed at the Paradisus Rio de Oro, and they gave it rave reviews.

You mentioned that that you tried the Havana Club 15 year old, which is hands down one of the best rums on the market, only to be out done by the 25 Year Old Demerra Rum. Have you tried the new Havana Barrel Proof? Much cheaper than the $85 a bottle 15 year old rum, costing about $40 for 1 litre, and almost as tasty.

You also mentioned that you went to the Partagas factory, which is one of my stops when I am in Cuba. Ever tried the unbanded Partagas Salomones? Are they worth the $8, and how do they compare to the banded Partagas Salomones, which are almost impossible to find in Cuba? Has anyone else tried unbanded Paratagas Salomones? Any thoughts?

Unlike the other guys, and women too (Tabcon?), on this forum who are envious of your cigar and wine life style, I am not. Honestly, it would get in the way of my brutal fitness workouts. But, I do greatly appreciate you sorting out the wheat from the chaff, and helping me pick a great cigar for my occasional smoke.

Regards,

Steve

Steve

Thanks for all the posts! I like the barrel proof a lot but it is slightly more refined and delicate on the palate than the 15-year-old. I have to run for a meeting. I will give you the info on the Salomones...

You also mentioned that you went to the Partagas factory, which is one of my stops when I am in Cuba. Ever tried the unbanded Partagas Salomones? Are they worth the $8, and how do they compare to the banded Partagas Salomones, which are almost impossible to find in Cuba? Has anyone else tried unbanded Paratagas Salomones? Any thoughts?

[/QUOTE]

Ciao,
I have triyed several Salomones rolled by La China and I can assure you they are worth all the 8 $ you spend, specially if you keep them (as I did) for several years in the humidor once back home.

As far for Salomones banded, up to my knowledge, unless they are out from a Partagas humidor tehy will be fake.In France and Switzerland there have been "fake boxe" of Salomon Partagas around in the past years.

China is an excellent roller. Her Salomones draw perfectly. Unfortunately, she doesn't know the blend of the original 1996 Partagas Salomones nor does she get the quality tobacco to make the cigar , even if she knew the blend. Are her sticks worth $8 cigar? Definitely.

I fist bought 20 unbanded Salomones from the Partagas factory about 4 years ago and they were amazing. Pratically roached the first 5 or 6.

I went back there last year amd bought 10 more. Although they looked dark and oily, and smelled great, the first one I smoked tasted great, but was a bit tight. I still have 10 Salamones from my first visit, so I will covet these over the next few years.

I guess the 1996 Salamone is the Holy Grail for me, and will probably remain a myth as they no longer exist (I think).

Regards,

Steve

blackie. Too much AC in the store is right but I think that it never was very good, like many cigars from that period as I assume you know...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: James Suckling,