Cuban Tobacco in Russia
Posted by Frac, 12.20.2003

Years after the fall of the USSR, some relationships still exist between Russia and Cuba, as well as some habits.

Thus, people in Russia still use to smoke cigarettes made with Cuban tobacco, like the ones we received from Frac: the Bielamorkanal.

A third of tobacco rolled in a thin paper is extended with a tube made of board. You have to squeeze this tube, then repet this operation perpendicularly... then your cigarette is ready to smoke!

The Griffin's Fuerte - Robusto
Posted by Khalamkar, 10.25.2003

Robusto, from the new Fuerte line
Spicy, with bitter dark chocolate when unlit. Starts out somewhat dry. The first drags are disconcerting: one senses the brute strength of a cigar with no aromatic counterpoint or fullness. This gives a sensation of warm, dry dust in the mouth. A largely unappealing acidity is perceptible at the start, but doesn’t last. The excessive force dissipates after a few minutes, leaving a slightly dry smoke to carry timid aromas of old dry wood. A failed attempt for the Griffins who, betting on strength, have forgotten the rest.

Post Cards From Cuba
Posted by Tim Golubeff, 10.25.2003

Thanks a lot to the Club 898 from Wisconsin, USA who sent us these pictures of Cuban postcards.

The Lord of the Pipes
Posted by CCC, 09.20.2003

Look at these two nice object we found at the Intertabak tobacconist meeting of Lausanne: Bilbon's and Aragorn's pipes. These two items are available at Shortcut-Cigars.

Fetish Object
Posted by Khalamkar, 04.06.2003
We just received some nice tobacco leaves from Cuba. They've got a really strong smell (stable) and have a nice dark brown colour.

Jucy Lucy
Posted by Khalamkar, 03.27.2003
It's small, it's ugly, its band is even almost longer than the cigar (a good way to hide a bad warper), it has a twist at each end, but first of all, its name is embarrassing: Jucy(?) Lucy. The marketing gurus are now using very sexist and bad strategies. That's sad. Now, is this cigar good? I'm not really sure...

Ugly Aromaticos
Posted by Khalamkar, 01.10.2003
They are crumpled, the warper is creased, their head is misshapen, honestly they are awful. These Aromaticos seems to have had some hard time. But what's happened with these cigars? Humidity variation?

Zino Platinum (Scepter Series)
"Stout":
Posted by Khalamkar, 10.25.2003

"Stout" from the new Scepter line by Zino Platinum
Unlit, evokes dry earth and horsey scents. Starts out fluidly—no acidity or rough edges: a welcoming vitola with a very rich smoke. The initial vegetal notes (of ferns) point to a Davidoff lineage, yet this obus quickly evolves towards aromas of gamey meat and very strong licorice. Carries on nicely, offering delicious hints of old books, attics, or old dried wood, with a deep, satisfying smoke that warms the palate and nasal cavity. Perfectly balanced, never unpleasant or aggressive, aromatic and satisfying, this new Zino succeeds in pleasing with its own unique charms.

An Oversized Cigar: Samaná
Posted by Khalamkar, 03.27.2003

Whazzat strange yellow thing? Looks a bit like a Robusto, but it's much larger: almost one inch thick. You would probably have to find special cutters to smoke this fat boy. Now, don't ask me how good (or bad) this new friend is, I haven't tried it yet.

A Cheap Humidification Device
Posted by Khalamkar, 01.10.2003
You just need an hermetic plastic box, some florist foam and a piece of screen to make your own humidification device. Make a large hole on the cover of the plastic box, place the foam in the box, put the screen on the foam, then put the cover back on and... voilà!

A Weird Ramon Allones
Posted by Khalamkar, 01.10.2003

Take few seconds to compare these two vitolas. The left one certainely has something wrong: the top is misshapen, the diameter is wrong, the band is not embossed... Is this a counterfeit cigar? Probably.

Woops! My AVO!!!
Posted by Khalamkar, 01.10.2003

I had been smoking this AVO Domaine < 20 > for only few minutes when I heard a small "tick". Then I saw a very small crack in the middle of the cigar. After few puffs, I heard again the same small noise again, so I took a look at my perfecto: The wrapper was now wide open from the middle of the cigar to the foot. It looks like the filler was pushing from the inside. Too much humidity made the filler took some volume? I don't know for sure... However, this cigar was not too humidified. The wrapper did not have any defects. I was even impressed by the perfect shape of this cigar. It was a bad experience.

Montecristo «C» EL 2003
Posted by Khalamkar, 09.15.2003

Here it is! The famous, the magical and long-awaited Edicion Limitada Montecristo «C» is his now available. No comment needed. Enjoy the pictures.

Rare Box of Cigars from Persian Monarchy
Posted by Khalamkar, 01.10.2003
This is a box for cigars especially made at the request of the king of Iran (Shah Reza Pahlavi), on the occasion of his wedding. The top is decorated with the royal emblem: a gilded metallic crown. The wooden box has 13 compartments.