for the Love of a good Cigar !!
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HsvToolFool
Well-known member
10-year Desert Island Stogie Stash Photo
I've been procrastinating on posting a photo of the newly
gathered 10-year Desert Island Stogie Stash, so here 'tis.
I haven't taken a precise inventory yet, so I'm guessing
that I have about 1,000 stogies total. About 40 full boxes
and several hundred singles.
First desktop humi is my precious aged Opus collection.
All bought 2 per day over the past several years. The
lower level is 4 deep while the upper tray is 3 deep.
About 80 large Churchills, Double Coronas, and Torpedos
in that one humidor. There is also a tray of 50 smaller
Opus vitolas in the top of the singles cooler.
The second desktop humi is the Padron Anni. Maduro
collection (mostly '64 with a few '26), one 12 year-old
Fuente Hemmingway, plus a dozen Fuente Añejo No. 48s
in the lower level.
The singles cooler has 6 cedar trays full of misc sticks.
The large, 140 quart Igloo cooler holds the bulk of the
boxes I bought recently. About 30 boxes I guess. I was
too lazy to remove them all for a better photo. I'll post
a centerfold later if the other cigar nerds here want to see.
I need to take a full inventory eventually, but I fear that
I the boxes won't fit back if I take them all out.
The Vinotemp fridge holds the other full boxes I bought
before the SCHIP tax deadline last month. About 15 boxes
in there.
I've been procrastinating on posting a photo of the newly
gathered 10-year Desert Island Stogie Stash, so here 'tis.
I haven't taken a precise inventory yet, so I'm guessing
that I have about 1,000 stogies total. About 40 full boxes
and several hundred singles.
First desktop humi is my precious aged Opus collection.
All bought 2 per day over the past several years. The
lower level is 4 deep while the upper tray is 3 deep.
About 80 large Churchills, Double Coronas, and Torpedos
in that one humidor. There is also a tray of 50 smaller
Opus vitolas in the top of the singles cooler.
The second desktop humi is the Padron Anni. Maduro
collection (mostly '64 with a few '26), one 12 year-old
Fuente Hemmingway, plus a dozen Fuente Añejo No. 48s
in the lower level.
The singles cooler has 6 cedar trays full of misc sticks.
The large, 140 quart Igloo cooler holds the bulk of the
boxes I bought recently. About 30 boxes I guess. I was
too lazy to remove them all for a better photo. I'll post
a centerfold later if the other cigar nerds here want to see.
I need to take a full inventory eventually, but I fear that
I the boxes won't fit back if I take them all out.
The Vinotemp fridge holds the other full boxes I bought
before the SCHIP tax deadline last month. About 15 boxes
in there.
Attachments
one hell of a stash you have there Brian ! I could never accumulate that many....I enjoy smoking them too much !
we have two big events happening at our shop coming up....tomorrow it's Camacho nite and next Thur we have Perdomo coming in for a tasting.
I did buy an additional two boxes of my beloved Camacho 11/18's prior to 4/1.
we have two big events happening at our shop coming up....tomorrow it's Camacho nite and next Thur we have Perdomo coming in for a tasting.
I did buy an additional two boxes of my beloved Camacho 11/18's prior to 4/1.
HsvToolFool
Well-known member
Thanks! I only smoke 2 or 3 per week when the weather is
nice, but it's still really hard to lay off the Opus and allow
them to age a few years. I especially love the little Power
Rangers, and they benefit from some age more than any
other Opus.
Now I just need to save up for one of these babies so
I can ditch the cheap Igloo coolers...
http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/aristocrat-mplus.html
Perdomo is having an event and world-premiering a new
blend at my local store this Friday. How cool is that?! I'll
take off a couple hours to attend. Perdomo's local account
rep is also the national VP of sales (or something big like
that). Apparently, he still works a few areas to stay in touch
with retailers.
I've got about six 10th anniversary "Champagne" in the
singles cooler. So far, that's the only cigar Perdomo makes
which I enjoy. However, I'm looking forward to trying this
new blend.
nice, but it's still really hard to lay off the Opus and allow
them to age a few years. I especially love the little Power
Rangers, and they benefit from some age more than any
other Opus.
Now I just need to save up for one of these babies so
I can ditch the cheap Igloo coolers...
http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/aristocrat-mplus.html
Perdomo is having an event and world-premiering a new
blend at my local store this Friday. How cool is that?! I'll
take off a couple hours to attend. Perdomo's local account
rep is also the national VP of sales (or something big like
that). Apparently, he still works a few areas to stay in touch
with retailers.
I've got about six 10th anniversary "Champagne" in the
singles cooler. So far, that's the only cigar Perdomo makes
which I enjoy. However, I'm looking forward to trying this
new blend.
me and a friend would play a game with each other where we give each other a cigar with the label of while we smoke each others cigars we try to guess what it is and come up with some sort of rating for them. what a cool way to really get to know some new cigars not only do you not get to pick them but you have no idea how much they cost or who made them we have given each other cigars from $1 - $50 what fun. obviously certain cigars get "made" pretty easily such as a Padron anniversary box pressed cigar or an el rey maduro robusto anyway you guys get the idea.
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gents....we have a winner !!!
Wow...this one is going to be superb ! ........ my buddy just got back from the dealers show down in "naw Orleans" and brought me a sample of the new Oliva.....called the 'Cain', Toro sized and are you ready....a TRIPPLE ligero !
oh my, this cigar is not for the faint of heart, but if your tastes lend themselves towards complex and full bodied this is sure to please !
Coming to dealer near you soon !!
Wow...this one is going to be superb ! ........ my buddy just got back from the dealers show down in "naw Orleans" and brought me a sample of the new Oliva.....called the 'Cain', Toro sized and are you ready....a TRIPPLE ligero !
oh my, this cigar is not for the faint of heart, but if your tastes lend themselves towards complex and full bodied this is sure to please !
Coming to dealer near you soon !!
I want to thank all you guys for this wonderful thread. I have really enjoyed reading through it. I am a newb myself, but have just lately been getting back into cigars.
The past few days, I have been treating myself to some nice smokes. I had a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series box pressed the other day that was fabulous. Although it was smaller than than what I normally smoke (I think it was the Principe - 4.5" by a 46 ring size), it burned incredibly slow and lasted a full hour. It was tightly rolled, yet had a nice draw and left an absolutely perfect ash. Incredible flavors and just as smooth as it could be. Possibly the smoothest smoke I have ever had. I just about burned my fingers before I finally relinquished it.
Then yesterday, for my 17th wedding anniversary, I treated myself to an Ashton VSG (7.5" by 54). That is another incredible smoke. Smooth and refined, with lots of subtle flavors to enjoy. Looking forward to everyone's recommendations on this thread. Anyone have an exceptional maduro to recommend? Something rich but refined, with some chocolatey overtones perhaps?
The past few days, I have been treating myself to some nice smokes. I had a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series box pressed the other day that was fabulous. Although it was smaller than than what I normally smoke (I think it was the Principe - 4.5" by a 46 ring size), it burned incredibly slow and lasted a full hour. It was tightly rolled, yet had a nice draw and left an absolutely perfect ash. Incredible flavors and just as smooth as it could be. Possibly the smoothest smoke I have ever had. I just about burned my fingers before I finally relinquished it.
Then yesterday, for my 17th wedding anniversary, I treated myself to an Ashton VSG (7.5" by 54). That is another incredible smoke. Smooth and refined, with lots of subtle flavors to enjoy. Looking forward to everyone's recommendations on this thread. Anyone have an exceptional maduro to recommend? Something rich but refined, with some chocolatey overtones perhaps?
HsvToolFool
Well-known member
> Anyone have an exceptional maduro to recommend?
> Something rich but refined, with some chocolatey
> overtones perhaps?
I am hesitant to even mention it because the maddy
Hemmingways are rarely available, but the exact cigar
you want is Arturo Fuente's "Work of Art Maduro".
This highly coveted stick is known as the WOAM on
most cigar forums. The normal Hemmingways are too
mild for me, but the maddy versions are out of this
world. I recently scored a full box of WOAM at the
Humidor Pipe shop here in town. Yes, I am gloating.
You'll not find a better maddy than the Padron Anni
Maduro like you smoked. The PAM 1964 or the scarce
PAM 1926 (which is my all-time favorite stogie) are
awesome. The Humidor Pipe Shop stocks the '64s and
once or twice a year gets a few boxes of the '26.
Both fly off the shelf fast even though prices are
between $12 to $20 each. I think the Humidor is out
of both at the moment. But I was in Montgomery this
weekend and the Prattville Cigar Store off I-65 had
both in stock. Worth the stop next time you head to
the Gulf coast. The owner Patsy is wonderful and has
one of the nicest humidors I've ever seen bar none.
The best Rocky Patel (IMHO) is the "Decade" which is
a mild maduro. I know the Humidor has them right now
and I think the new store at BridgeStreet has them too.
Unlike most Patels, there's enough baker's chocolate
overtones and a hint of pepper to make it worthwhile
for me.
My favorite cheap maddy is the Oliva "G" at about $6
for the 5.5-inch perfecto size. The Humidor has some
4-inch petites in stock right now for about $5. The
BridgeStreet store has the larger sizes, but their
markup is higher.
> Something rich but refined, with some chocolatey
> overtones perhaps?
I am hesitant to even mention it because the maddy
Hemmingways are rarely available, but the exact cigar
you want is Arturo Fuente's "Work of Art Maduro".
This highly coveted stick is known as the WOAM on
most cigar forums. The normal Hemmingways are too
mild for me, but the maddy versions are out of this
world. I recently scored a full box of WOAM at the
Humidor Pipe shop here in town. Yes, I am gloating.
You'll not find a better maddy than the Padron Anni
Maduro like you smoked. The PAM 1964 or the scarce
PAM 1926 (which is my all-time favorite stogie) are
awesome. The Humidor Pipe Shop stocks the '64s and
once or twice a year gets a few boxes of the '26.
Both fly off the shelf fast even though prices are
between $12 to $20 each. I think the Humidor is out
of both at the moment. But I was in Montgomery this
weekend and the Prattville Cigar Store off I-65 had
both in stock. Worth the stop next time you head to
the Gulf coast. The owner Patsy is wonderful and has
one of the nicest humidors I've ever seen bar none.
The best Rocky Patel (IMHO) is the "Decade" which is
a mild maduro. I know the Humidor has them right now
and I think the new store at BridgeStreet has them too.
Unlike most Patels, there's enough baker's chocolate
overtones and a hint of pepper to make it worthwhile
for me.
My favorite cheap maddy is the Oliva "G" at about $6
for the 5.5-inch perfecto size. The Humidor has some
4-inch petites in stock right now for about $5. The
BridgeStreet store has the larger sizes, but their
markup is higher.
Thanks for the recommendations, guys. I agree, that PAM 1964 is going to be hard to beat. I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a box of those. And I'll try the '26 if I get a chance too. Brian, the Humidor is where I normally shop. I didn't even know there was a store out in Bridge Street. I'll have to check that one out. Good to know about the shop in Prattville too, as I head to the coast on a pretty regular basis. And I'll keep my eye out for that Fuente WOAM. Sounds like a winner. And I'll look for that El Ray del Mundo as well, Dave, since I notice you have recommended that one a few times in this thread.
HsvToolFool
Well-known member
The 1926 series is a very expensive, absolutely superb
cigar. It's one of the few stogies I feel is actually worth
$20 each. The flavor profile is similar to the 1964, but
it's about 50% more potent, smooth, and rich. Not for
the novice, however. The perfect balance offered by the
PAM '26 is too subtle for some enthisiasts and they feel
it's over-priced.
The Bridgestreet store is down near the Monaco on the
parking lot side in an alley. It's a wine/cigar "boutique"...
parquet floors, marble tile, and all that. My guess is that
he caters to the Westin hotel guests. Selection is adequate
(especially for business travellers), but not impressive like
the Prattville store. Prices are average to high, while a
few sticks are really outrageous. For example, the AVO
80th was offered at $30 each ($15 is the typical market
price; I bought a bunch at about $9).
Robin at the Humidor is still the best local source. Besides
having the best prices I've seen anywhere, he's survived
all the fads and knows the real deal. He's put me on many
top-shelf stogies long before the word got out. He just got
back from the big cigar convention in New Orleans, so
expect some new lines to arrive soon (including Tatuaje!).
cigar. It's one of the few stogies I feel is actually worth
$20 each. The flavor profile is similar to the 1964, but
it's about 50% more potent, smooth, and rich. Not for
the novice, however. The perfect balance offered by the
PAM '26 is too subtle for some enthisiasts and they feel
it's over-priced.
The Bridgestreet store is down near the Monaco on the
parking lot side in an alley. It's a wine/cigar "boutique"...
parquet floors, marble tile, and all that. My guess is that
he caters to the Westin hotel guests. Selection is adequate
(especially for business travellers), but not impressive like
the Prattville store. Prices are average to high, while a
few sticks are really outrageous. For example, the AVO
80th was offered at $30 each ($15 is the typical market
price; I bought a bunch at about $9).
Robin at the Humidor is still the best local source. Besides
having the best prices I've seen anywhere, he's survived
all the fads and knows the real deal. He's put me on many
top-shelf stogies long before the word got out. He just got
back from the big cigar convention in New Orleans, so
expect some new lines to arrive soon (including Tatuaje!).
HsvToolFool
Well-known member
Rich, I swung by the Humidor after work today on my way
to The Nook. Robin just got in Padrons including the 1964
Maduros (I recommend the "Exclusivo") and a few 1926
Naturals. Get 'am while you can, they will go fast. I picked
up a several Oliva G Maduro Churchills and Torpedos. I
smoked a Torp this evening, and they are an unbelievable
bargain at $5. Yummy!
to The Nook. Robin just got in Padrons including the 1964
Maduros (I recommend the "Exclusivo") and a few 1926
Naturals. Get 'am while you can, they will go fast. I picked
up a several Oliva G Maduro Churchills and Torpedos. I
smoked a Torp this evening, and they are an unbelievable
bargain at $5. Yummy!
Humidification Help
I recently picked up a small desk top humidor that can hold about 75 cigars, but I am having trouble with the humidification. The humidor came with a humidifier that attaches by magnet to the underside of the lid. My cigars have either been too dry or soaking wet. When I really fill the humidifier well and attach it to the lid all the water runs out over the cigars. Also, when really full the humidifier will fall from the lid and I will find it laying directly on top of the cigars. When I don't fill it enough my sticks are dry and brittle.
Any suggestions for proper humidification are greatly appreciated.
I recently picked up a small desk top humidor that can hold about 75 cigars, but I am having trouble with the humidification. The humidor came with a humidifier that attaches by magnet to the underside of the lid. My cigars have either been too dry or soaking wet. When I really fill the humidifier well and attach it to the lid all the water runs out over the cigars. Also, when really full the humidifier will fall from the lid and I will find it laying directly on top of the cigars. When I don't fill it enough my sticks are dry and brittle.
Any suggestions for proper humidification are greatly appreciated.
replace the magnet with Velcro. also you should get a better higher quality humidifier to stick under the hood the ones that come with the boxes are generally are pretty cheap and are either leaking water or dry
If your humistat is dripping you've over moistened it, let it dry to the point of not dripping first.
Now first off you should pre-condition your humidor by wipping the interior cedar lining down with a damp cloth.
Also depending on the relative humidity of the room in which it is located will also be a factor.
Myself I have a locker at the Cigar shop and for house I have a very large
humidor that I merely put a juice glass in one corner filled with water with a sponge that acts as agiant 'wick', works perfect !
HsvToolFool
Well-known member
Rich, Robin did get in some PAM '26 maduros. They didn't
put them out until today, but they are going FAST. Don't
expect them to last beyond Tuesday.
MDSPHOTO, starting a new humidor is a pain-in-the-neck
no matter how many times you've done it. Here's my
best advice...
Don't keep valuable stogies until the box is established
and stable. Usually that takes about 6 months depending
on the humidor's quality your local climate. You can begin
stocking cigars after the initial wipe-down period, but just
keep everyday cigars for now.
Since you are having problems, you may want to temporarily
borrow a little space in a friend's humidor. Hopefully you
don't have too many cigars yet. If that isn't feasible, you
can place them in an air-tight plastic container with a
humidity device until the main box is stable. In fact, some
enthusiasts keep their collections in "Tupperdors" full time
and open them up once a week for air exchange.
For a brand new humidor, wipe the entire interior and
trays with large amounts of water every day for a full week.
Don't be scared to use too much water, and don't add
cigars to the humidor yet! The spanish cedar is initially
very dry. The humidor's air won't maintain 65% to 70%
RH until the wood is saturated to about 40% moisture
content, which is similar to freshly cut "green" cedar. For
my first few humidors, I carefully wiped down the interior
with paper towels. Now I just pour tap water from my
kitchen faucet directly in the box, quickly swish it around,
then immediately wipe away the excess with paper towels.
After a few days, the cedar no longer feels bone dry and
your hygrometer should read anywhere from 60% to 80%
overnight. You can then add cigars to the humidor.
The cigars are the main repository of moisture, not the
humdifier device or the cedar (although both are vital).
An empty humidor won't hold stable humidity and
(surprisingly) neither will one that's overly full. For a
humidor that's intended to hold 75, you need at least
about 15 cigars. You can keep fewer, but don't be surprised
if the RH swings a few points throughout the day and
easily gets pulled low in dry winter.
Even after your humidor is fully conditioned and stable,
you must still wipe down the cedar interior with water
to "recharge" the wood. How often depends on the local
climate. I damp wipe any time I can't seem to maintain
the desired RH no matter how much water I add to my
humidifier devices. In Winter, I must wipe down the
interior about once a month to maintain 67% RH (which
I prefer). But I only need to recharge the wood once or
twice per Summer. In both cases, I use a damp paper
towel and methodically dampen the cedar lightly. Do not
flood the wood with water like when first conditioning the
box. That would shock the cigars with a large RH change.
Always use distilled water to fill humidifier devices. It's a
myth that this prevents mold or fungus. Proper RH and
air exchange prevents mold and fungus. Green florist foam
(that's what's in humidifer boxes), wicks, and silica beads
all work basically the same way. They're porous material
which absorb and release moisture at a fixed rate. Tap
water contains minerals which quickly clogs the pores.
Clogged pores means you have to buy another gadget.
Don't overfil the green floral foam. Shake out excess
water and use a paper towel to wick out as much water
as possible. As you discovered, better to be a little too dry
than too wet.
Unless you spent big dollars, humidors always come with
really crappy humidifer boxes filled with green florist foam.
My personal favorite humidity device is now silica beads.
I also use Drymistat tubes for travel and supplimentary
moisture.
put them out until today, but they are going FAST. Don't
expect them to last beyond Tuesday.
MDSPHOTO, starting a new humidor is a pain-in-the-neck
no matter how many times you've done it. Here's my
best advice...
Don't keep valuable stogies until the box is established
and stable. Usually that takes about 6 months depending
on the humidor's quality your local climate. You can begin
stocking cigars after the initial wipe-down period, but just
keep everyday cigars for now.
Since you are having problems, you may want to temporarily
borrow a little space in a friend's humidor. Hopefully you
don't have too many cigars yet. If that isn't feasible, you
can place them in an air-tight plastic container with a
humidity device until the main box is stable. In fact, some
enthusiasts keep their collections in "Tupperdors" full time
and open them up once a week for air exchange.
For a brand new humidor, wipe the entire interior and
trays with large amounts of water every day for a full week.
Don't be scared to use too much water, and don't add
cigars to the humidor yet! The spanish cedar is initially
very dry. The humidor's air won't maintain 65% to 70%
RH until the wood is saturated to about 40% moisture
content, which is similar to freshly cut "green" cedar. For
my first few humidors, I carefully wiped down the interior
with paper towels. Now I just pour tap water from my
kitchen faucet directly in the box, quickly swish it around,
then immediately wipe away the excess with paper towels.
After a few days, the cedar no longer feels bone dry and
your hygrometer should read anywhere from 60% to 80%
overnight. You can then add cigars to the humidor.
The cigars are the main repository of moisture, not the
humdifier device or the cedar (although both are vital).
An empty humidor won't hold stable humidity and
(surprisingly) neither will one that's overly full. For a
humidor that's intended to hold 75, you need at least
about 15 cigars. You can keep fewer, but don't be surprised
if the RH swings a few points throughout the day and
easily gets pulled low in dry winter.
Even after your humidor is fully conditioned and stable,
you must still wipe down the cedar interior with water
to "recharge" the wood. How often depends on the local
climate. I damp wipe any time I can't seem to maintain
the desired RH no matter how much water I add to my
humidifier devices. In Winter, I must wipe down the
interior about once a month to maintain 67% RH (which
I prefer). But I only need to recharge the wood once or
twice per Summer. In both cases, I use a damp paper
towel and methodically dampen the cedar lightly. Do not
flood the wood with water like when first conditioning the
box. That would shock the cigars with a large RH change.
Always use distilled water to fill humidifier devices. It's a
myth that this prevents mold or fungus. Proper RH and
air exchange prevents mold and fungus. Green florist foam
(that's what's in humidifer boxes), wicks, and silica beads
all work basically the same way. They're porous material
which absorb and release moisture at a fixed rate. Tap
water contains minerals which quickly clogs the pores.
Clogged pores means you have to buy another gadget.
Don't overfil the green floral foam. Shake out excess
water and use a paper towel to wick out as much water
as possible. As you discovered, better to be a little too dry
than too wet.
Unless you spent big dollars, humidors always come with
really crappy humidifer boxes filled with green florist foam.
My personal favorite humidity device is now silica beads.
I also use Drymistat tubes for travel and supplimentary
moisture.
MDS, Brian gives you a very thorough set-up for sure (one which is far more important for long term storage)....all good info !!
I'm curious...how many cigars do you smoke a day ?? You said your humidor is small yet holds 75 cigars(I'm assuming corona size or smaller)
Anyways if you're like me, I smoke 10-15 per week (depends on how much golf I'm playing) you'll be rotating cigars in and out of your humidor fast enough !
I'm curious...how many cigars do you smoke a day ?? You said your humidor is small yet holds 75 cigars(I'm assuming corona size or smaller)
Anyways if you're like me, I smoke 10-15 per week (depends on how much golf I'm playing) you'll be rotating cigars in and out of your humidor fast enough !
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Thanks for the heads up, Brian. I stopped in yesterday and picked up a small stash. I got a few of the PAM '64 and one of the PAM '26. I enjoyed a '64 last night and will try the '26 pretty soon. I still can't get over how smooth and rich that '64 is. I'm almost afraid to try the '26, given their prices.
HsvToolFool
Well-known member
I bought a couple PAM '26 Saturday and I agree that
paying $20 for a stogie really hurts. This is probably a
record for me. Until now, I've never paid more than $18
for one cigar, which was the old PAM '26 cost before
SCHIP and other recent tax hikes.
I also got one of the just-released Oliva "Cain" which is
causing so much excitement. I must admit that it's a
beautful made cigar. I plan to smoke it this afternoon if
the weather holds up. I've heard that it's quite stout, so
I need to plan for a a big lunch.
paying $20 for a stogie really hurts. This is probably a
record for me. Until now, I've never paid more than $18
for one cigar, which was the old PAM '26 cost before
SCHIP and other recent tax hikes.
I also got one of the just-released Oliva "Cain" which is
causing so much excitement. I must admit that it's a
beautful made cigar. I plan to smoke it this afternoon if
the weather holds up. I've heard that it's quite stout, so
I need to plan for a a big lunch.
Thanks
Thanks for all the advice!!
I did wipe the humidor down once when I first got it, but never did it again. Unfortunately many of the cigars I had in there got over moist and developed a fungus or started peeling so I am starting from scratch again. I probably keep 10-15 in there at a time and only smoke 1-2 per week depending upon how much golf I play, which is none right now with a surgically repaired elbow.
Thanks for all the advice!!
I did wipe the humidor down once when I first got it, but never did it again. Unfortunately many of the cigars I had in there got over moist and developed a fungus or started peeling so I am starting from scratch again. I probably keep 10-15 in there at a time and only smoke 1-2 per week depending upon how much golf I play, which is none right now with a surgically repaired elbow.
