Sunday Morning Smoke

I torched a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial LE 2004 on Sunday. IMO this is a very good cigar. I don’t pay a lot of attention to how a stick looks but this one was impressive: silky to the touch, a nice oily wrapper and great construction. When I lit up, it was like an explosion in my mouth: very peppery with strong wood notes right from the git. (Bloofington: in the interests of safety, a helmet and some practical “body armor” might be in order, if you flamed this one). What I thought especially interesting was the strong taste of almonds; smoking the second half of the cigar, I experienced the taste of liquorice (I don’t taste that in most sticks). It was not strong, but it was there. The stick lasted about an hour and twenty minutes.

What a triumph, being married 35 years. I never planned on getting married – never thought I would. (I have all of my original teeth and a full head of hair -- getting splashes of gray now and receding a bit – I still wear it long, well below my collar. My wife threatens, if my hair gets much longer she will put it up in two pig tails like my daughters have. Hmmmm. Old age gray and brown pig tails decorated with ponies on red ribbon; that’s a scary proposition. A haircut is definitely on my “to do list”). :roll:

FuManChu, my golden retriever and I are going sailing today. Fu is a good sailor (most of the time) and he tries to take his responsibilities seriously, as first mate and “greeter”. But even with his best intentions, Fu does have lapses: last month when we were sailing a pelican (Fu’s fave chase buddy) landed on deck near a sack of live crabs that I picked up from from a friend. Fu instantly went on high alert. As my intrepid first mate chased the pelican, he galloped through the bag of live crabs (they were sitting in an open igloo filled with salt water), knocking the igloo over and down into the area where my wife, 2 of her women friends and my daughters were sunbathing.

There were 10 large crabs in that bag – all alive. The screams and commentary that followed would have entertained longshoremen, anywhere. 4 of the crabs made good their escape. The disgraced Fu and I rounded up 6 remaining fugitives. FuManChu, of course, got a grade A lecture from Adrienne, who sat him down for a private audience. Unless Fu is a linguist, IMO there is limited value in yelling at him in 3 languages (French, Italian and English). Of course, when the same thing happens to me, I smoke my cigar (and as Malone would say: “the women are coming, quick, bury the booze”), listen to the “Ricky Ricardo yelling @ Lucy" dialogue, and wait for the French hurricane to run out of gas.

Today, we sail sans women: I have put up our favorite lunch: 2 brown bread sandwiches consisting of mashed potatoes and potato chips; couple of bottles of Guinness Extra Stout for me and a gallon or so of water for Fu. I packed a Punch Black Prince which, IMO, goes very well with salt air. It is is a Gran Corona and although rated as a medium is full of flavor: pepper, spice and earth. I’ll get my hair cut another day.

cian

"Hmmmm. Old age gray and brown pig tails decorated with ponies on red ribbon; that’s a scary proposition."

Oh c'mon, Willie Nelson beat you to THAT look decades ago.

:cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh:

man, you are really making me want to get a dog. i really miss the unwaivering companionship of a good dog. they will follow you anywhere and they wont complain at all. all they want is food water and a warm place to sleep and in return they will give you respect and love.

Happy 4th Of July, Vince and everyone!!!

I smoked a Grand Nica Churchill, started late last night, maybe about 2330-2345, and it took until past 0230 this morning to finish.

mg:

Yes, a three hour Churchill, and no, there was nothing wrong with the draw, it's just a very, very slow burning, extra smooth, but very flavorful cigar, very little kick also. I've had these for about six months and they are rounding into shape very nicely. For those of you who like the Nicaraguan flavor, but can't take the kick and extra boldness many of them have, this is a nice alternative, but beware, they burn REAL slow. :dunno: :mrgreen:

Glad to hear Vince is also rounding into shape, and if he is a Sharpe, he's the best looking dog on the block by now. :sm_angel:

So, "this once great republic" is now 229 years old. If you're having hot dogs, like Vince's wife, enjoy them, and whatever else, don't set anything on fire with your fireworks, be safe, and may God continue to bless America!!!

See y'all later. :thumbsup:

Independence weekend is celebrated in the Islands with fireworks and a big party (attended mostly by locals and the occasional tourist). About one-third of the Islands are European; locals (born here) about half and the rest are expatriate Americans whoenjoy the climate and slow Island ways.

It was my turn to host the monthly poker game. Everyone smokes cigars and drinks Scotch, (my wife usually cooks: this is a big draw since she is French and cooks in the traditional way). FuManChu, (my golden retriever) and I cleaned up my office (Fu dusts - great tail action). He warns me when my wife is approaching (whines and quickly plops himself under my cigar cabinet, pretending to count boxes or inspecting his ears very closely).

After dinner, we began consuming Scotch (these guys can drink!): Glenmorangie 18 year old Single Malt and Bowmore 21 year old Single Malt. Cigars were supplied by a great friend (a giver of free cigars is always great) who is a distributor for Habanos in the Caribbean. First, was a Vegas Robaina Don Aledjandro Double Corona. I think this is a medium – strong flavor smoke, great after dinner and goes well with a cup of coffee. The burn tends to be slow with wood and cream notes (but NOT a 3 hour smoke: that would be a Partagas Lusitanias -- being nearly 8 inches long, it does take some time to smoke!). It had a very spicy finish.

The new CA cigar ratings were out in their latest edition. The interview with Michael Jordan was pretty good and his taste in cigars – impeccable. The feature on golf was too funny and being a golfer with more enthusiasm than skill (I haven’t killed anyone yet with errant drives but if trees were people, I’d probably be playing go-fish in the local lockup).


We poured the Bowmore, began playing Texas Hold ‘Em and decided to go to a smooth smoke: Quai d’Orsay Imperiales. If you like pretty, Churchill length smokes, this is one of them. The stick had caramel, nut, and leather flavors and was very smooth. It goes well with peat flavored Scotch such as Bowmore; very nice finish.

By this time, Fu was running escort duty to the bathroom (with or without their consent). I thought it was a reasonable idea; didn’t want anybody taking a wrong turn and falling into the Caribbean. It was time for Glenmorangie and Partagas Serie D No. 2 LE 2003s. I thought this smoke was like PSD No.3s: full bodied, a great oily wrapper and powerfully spicy with a solid leathery earth flavors. By then, I think everything could have had a long spicy finish.

Bloofington: I think Willie Nelson has braids ‘cause it's an easy way for him to indulge in a quick smoke. (note: hemp?)

My wife came in with freshly made coffee (Peets Espresso Roast and Arabian Mocha Sanani) around midnight, declaring that the haze was so thick it was remarkable that we could still see each other, or breathe. We all cheered her powers of observation, poured more scotch and proceeded to torch Cohiba Sublimes LE 2004s. She left, muttering about cigars, men and pollution.

Vince: I am very glad to hear that Mrs. Vince is making a great recovery.

First and foremost, I am a Cohiba fan, and this beauty was a 54-ring gauge! Beautiful construction, excellent draw; flavors were way creamy and rich, (cocoa beans fried in sweet butter). Halfway through it developed a deep earthiness that I think you only find with LEs. The finish was long and sweet. Altogether a great 4th of July holiday weekend so I’ll end my drivel with an old Irish drinking proverb:

Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer and another one.

cian

Did Fu get at least a little nip of the scotch? Can't be pouring fine stuff like that without treating the WHOLE crew! :cryinlaugh: umpkin:

Yeah, you and me can be the starring attractions in Antiques Roadshow. We can be On The Road With American Dinosaurs. Get what you can for the minerals after you take 'em home and dehydrate these guys, folks. :cryinlaugh:

:cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh: :rotflmao: :cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh:

I saw one of "my" groundhogs for the first time in quite a while yesterday, foraging in the circle that used to serve as the foundation for the above ground swimming pool that the first owner had. That's one of their favorite places to nibble. Wonder if the other one is still around. It was good to see at least one still alive, since groundhogs are one of Dutchess County's biggest road kill items.

Hey Vince, when all else fails, and you need coffee, Starbucks is better than no coffee. Didn't know they had a drive through. Pretty soon we're going to have drive through banking.

OOOOOOOPSSSSS, we already have that.

:dunno: :duh: :duh: :duh: :dunno:

The weather has been pretty good here this week, considering that several hurricanes passed by (Dennis in particular) and did damage to Cuba, part of the Caymans and of course Haiti. That doesn’t mean we don’t get rained on (about 1-3 inches this week) but prevailing winds are strong and the storm fronts move on quickly – which brings back sunshine and large puffy clouds.

Vince: you are going to have your hands full, but I’m sure you will enjoy every minute of it.

I decided to borrow a page from Vince’s tales and start doing a “cigar ride”. My wife actually thought it would be a good idea. Islands are not as small as people think, and I have a SAAB convertible that I can load everybody in (FuManChu, my golden included) and we can drive along the Cays and through villages that still make up a good deal of this island. Fu especially enjoys drives (Bloofington: No, I don’t let him drive, even if he asks nicely; and of course I don't let Fu drink Scotch! I'd have to keep the liquor cabinet in my office locked for sure, and the only one who would get deprived in the long run would be me: I'd lose the keys) and like most dogs hangs his head out from his side of the back seat (the “Fu” spot next to my daughters). My wife, of course, is in the front where she can comment on everything (which she frequently does; my driving included); sometimes, just out of spite, I will accelerate into a turn, which causes the tires to squeal, we will skid and this ALWAYS elicits a loud scream from her. What can I tell you, I’m an Irishman. We are a petty folk and we take revenge seriously.

For the outing I packed along a Partagas Serie D No. 4 LE 2001 that I had in the humidor. IMO this is a great smoke with terrific balance: lots of toast, deep spice and nut flavor. This is a stick that just gets deeper, darker, and stronger (like a Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion #4, but becomes more of a powerhouse, which I think, is typical of higher end Partagas Cubans). It’s a little short (I prefer Churchill or double corona length) but well rounded: 5.5 inches by a 46 ring gauge. The flavors and aromas of these kinds of Partagas cigars are absolutely wonderful and very strong; we're talking well-aged tobaccos that end with a sweetness that gives you a kick (Note: This stick should be aged byBloofington for at least 10 years and and a small insurance policy taken out, just incase). I had no problems with the draw at all.

We parked on a rise above Lyford Cay, let the girls and the intrepid Fu out to run around, and watched the sun set on fishing boats headed off toward the Caymans now that Hurricane Dennis has passed into history.

My wife and the girls are leaving next week for the annual “trek to France” (Adrienne’s father owns a small farm in the grape growing region of the Loire River Valley in France. They harvest, bottle and enjoy early harvest wine during the fine weather in August and September each year).

Someone, of course has to make the money to pay for this. My wife worked out the ideal solution (according to her): I make money – she spends it. Very simple. So, I will be here with the stalwart Fu, smoking cigars, doing some sailing and enjoying my scotch. Of course, I have an entire list of things NOT to do while my wife is away (that could go on for a couple of pages).

As I write this, I am enjoying a 2001 Hoyo de Monterrey Doble Coronas. The Hoyo starts out creamy almost from the beginning (IMO Hoyo cigars generally have that beautiful mellow floral flavor and the double corona is the best of the line) Mellow, floral, cocoa, and very creamy tobacco flavors. It is a huge cigar and does take time to smoke. It will keep me company while I read through this year’s list from my wife and with just a little luck, a hot ash may find its way onto the pages, and add another chapter to the usefulness of large cigars.

cian

:cryinlaugh: :rotflmao: :cryinlaugh:

I've had plenty of Partagas Serie D No. 4's in my time. One of the best cigars in history, always flavorful, packs a big punch, and yes, needs to be aged by me for a long time, at least a year. I always have a big meal before one of those, and make sure I'm drinking also. The meal is usually a meat meal, or one with a lot of pasta. Definitely one of my all-time favorite cigars. Always glad to get one of these from those who send me Cubans from time to time.

Your wife's edict on the money thing isn't actually an original idea. It's from page 76, paragraphs 3-5 of the Book Of Eve in the Satan Chronicles. Lead the man into sin, blame it all on him when everything goes wrong.

:cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh:

Tell Fu not to despair. I'll bring him his own bottle of Knob Creek next time I'm in the area. :sm_angel:

Sounds like this ol' ex-bodybuilder, ex-swimmer, ex-track & field guy is going to have to come out there and whip you into shape.

Vince, you're on the right track, activity NEEDS TO GO UP!!!

I know you know this, but I'll say it just for the record.

Think BASAL METABOLISM. And THAT is accomplished by exactly what you said. You RAISE your basal metabolic rate by increasing your frequency and intensity of physical activity, therefore when at rest your "engine" idles at a higher rate, and you burn calories faster even while watching TV, thus losing more weight.

As for the weather, as I type this the temperature here in Fishkill, NY, the new "it" place to be in the Northeast :bigpuke: is 82, the humidity is 80%, and the dewpoint, the most important reading for determining discomfort, is an almost unheard of 75.

mg: mg: mg:

That's a combination of heat and humidity which for someone like me, with neck, back and resulting joint problems, is almost impossible to bear. Sitting still makes me sweat, sleeping makes me sweat in this weather. It's ridiculous, just hanging there with no rain for days.

Late last night I smoked a 7x50 unbanded cigar, dark but not maduro wrapper, with a tight draw, taken from Desk Top III. The humidity level in that humidor has been at 76%, so that could have been the problem. I'm not sure if the cigar was Cuban or not, but it sure was tasty. I actually lit it late last night, but didn't finish it until the wee hours, so it really was a Sunday Morning Cigar.

Have to call my dad some time today to wish him a happy 80th birthday.

Let's also not forget the passengers on Flight 800, which was shot down by a shoulder fired missile in a terrorist attack over Lawn Guyland on this day in 1996. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Vince, you're killing me with this cooking. I'm beginning to think that when I get to take my "dream vacation", it's going to be to Vince's place in Freedom, PA. :thumbsup:

The weather finally cleared from Hurricane Emily. Although 'Em didn't get any closer than 276 nautical miles miles, we had squalls, high surf and about an inch of rain. Hurricane season runs from the end of June to Halloween (that's a suitable date don't you think?). Hurricanes almost all form as tropical waves off the coast of Africa and then make the long journey over water to hit spots in South America, Caribbean and finally landfall along the southern U.S. coast line.

My wife and daughters left for France a little earlier than planned (Emily). Adrienne's father owns a farm in the Loire River Valley and they bring in early grape harvest during late August and September. My daughters will be gainfully employed in one of life's other pleasures: making wine. The weather in Europe has been great this year so the harvest should be excellent for Sauternes, Chardonnay and table white.

So, FuManChu, my golden and I are batching it (note: big smiles on both of our furry faces -- I wear a beard and Fu has a natural one - although less gray in his, then mine).

Fu and I did a cigar ride last evening just before dusk to the south western tip of the island. We could see harbor lights in the British Virgin Islands and the sea planes from the Dutch Antilles and Curocao landing inside the breakwater. I packed along a nice fat San Cristobal de la Habana Fuerza Corona Gorda. Although I prefer churchill or double corona; this “Gordito” was a very nice smoke. The blend: nice floral married with chocolate notes, some earth evolveing into a delicious spicey smoke at the finish (definitely not something that puts you to sleep).

My friend Malone and I were discussing smokes like these this week. Cuban sticks have their own signatures and personalities and sampling a variety educates your taste as to what to expect from each kind, and the anticipation of what each one will bring, when you torch the stick. I had a thermos of Tanzanian Peabury coffe which IMO accents the taste of this particular smoke. Delicious!

Now that the weather has cleared Fu and I will do some sailing today. Salt air and sunshine add to the gusto of such smokes.

I have a Hoyo de Monterrey du Daphin stick and a Partagas 898 Cabinet Varnished for the trip. The Hoyo is smooth and full of rich floral flavors -- IMO many of the same dimensions of the Monte No.2. A good smoke, but it has the reputation of being too woody and more suited to an experienced smoker. I think its mix of sweet flavors and woody after taste has a place in the grand scheme of things. IMO A fast burn means soft and irregular draws are best to experience the qualities of this cigar. Not for beginners.

Of course the Partagas speaks for itself. It is rustic and grand! (Malone: this is one you might want to try --it is for the man (or woman) who favors the big taste) Bloofington: l would have an air hose nearby with a connection to 911 This is one of the famous Havana cigars due to its presentation. The cigar comes in layered 8, 9, 8 sticks, and bundled in the very recognizable Partagas ‘Fagot’ a most powerful Churchill. Flavors of roasted cacao and mocha are the spice flavors along with wood. IMO this is a noble cigar -- made for the experienced smoker.

Of course, my wife has called x4 (my phone bill is outrageous whenever she goes home) since arriving in La France, cautioning me not to smoke myself into a stupor and not to let Fu eat himself silly. Good advice. But, I winked at Fu and he, knowing all about Le Madame's list of don'ts, grinned back as we shared our brown bread sandwich of mashed potatoes with another layer of potatoe chips. I turned my cellphone off. Life is good.

cian

:cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh:

I forgot to name my morning coffee, as you guys did. Although like Vince, I do have Kenya AA on hand, I elected to go with a Freedom Press of La Minita from Costa Rica. The three of us, along with some others on this forum, sure are coffee mavens, no?? :mrgreen:

And as for that famous Cuban Partagas, yes, too much cigar for me.

:mrgreen: :cryinlaugh:

Fresh neighborhood broccoli, and herbs, that's great. The people that my friend had living in here for five years before I bought it used to grow herbs, too. Someday I might revive that basil they had growing out back. Some's still around, and I love basil.

You've inspired me Vince. After a pint of Ben and Jerry's Butter Pecan, I'm going to make the Kenya AA now. Nothing wrong with a second Freedom Press of coffee. It looks like the firm I've been temping at for the past 8 1/2 years needs me tonight. After not hearing from them for over a month, I called on a whim last night, and a few minutes later they called me back and said come in tomorrow night. I sure could use the money. Working for my sister's law practice, plus my other freelance work, just isn't nearly enough, and the eBay auctions aren't going fast enough. Not to mention that Lionel trains don't fetch the big bucks they did during the "boom" of the late 80's and early 90's.

I may even have a cigar. Later on, I think I need to fit some work in around here, too. Got SO much to do around here.

See you guys later, or soon.