All tagged Cuban Cigar Reviews

H. Upmann No 2/Holgate Mt Macedon Australian Pale Ale/Holgate Temptress Choc Porter

Thank you, the Australian government. What a bunch of loathsome, jelly-backed, contemptible, feeble-minded, desperate, dishonest, faint-hearted, doolally, floundering, cowardly, craven, snivelling, wannabee, lice-ridden buffoons. Both sides. They’d kill their first born if it meant a vote, or that someone would not frown at them. Truly extraordinary. Sadly, as this is a family site, I cannot tell you what I really think…

Ramon Allones Specially Selected/Sanchez Ayala ‘20 Anos’ ‘Galeon’ Oloroso Sherry

Been working my way through Greg’s selection for Kenfessions and will confess (kenfess?) that the first couple have not been stellar. The other evening, pulled out the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. I used to enjoy these but to be honest, I had not had one for ages. No idea why that happened – not deliberately. One of those things. Also, no idea why Greg chose this one, but way to go, Greg. Made me wonder why on earth this fell out of the rotation. It was a really terrific smoke.

Hoyo de Monterrey ‘Le Hoyo de San Juan’/Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon

Do cigars induce weird dreams?

Not sure I have noticed this before but after a big cigar, I had a night full of them. I can’t remember any, except the tail-end of the last one – so often the way.

A group of us were in Havana, Cuba, but it was unlike I’ve ever seen Havana. More like, but different to, Mooloolaba. Anyway, three of us – someone I can’t recall, a mate we’ll call Merls (because that is what we call him – a friend of both Rob and mine, though I knew Merls, the coffee king of Australia, about 20 years before I even met Rob – his was the store where Rob set up his first humidor) and myself. Merls came with us on our 2nd trip, many years ago, but why we were there this time, no idea.

Cohiba Medio Siglo/Laphroaig “The 1815 Legacy Edition”

The Kenfessions idea largely evolved from wanting to take a serious look at the matching of cigars and various drinks (and as a place Rob could quarantine my occasion rants about the world). Now, that is fine, but it has limitations. Namely, like the vast majority of us, I have a limited variation of cigars on hand to do these matches (I do have enough variants of drinks in all manner and form, though). So, unless we want a situation of a series of different drinks with a Mag 50, for example, something needed to be done.

Montecristo No 2/Talisker Dark Storm/Hanssens Oudbeitje Lambic

Now, I know I am an inch from being forever branded a pretentious tosspot for this, but I would like to go on record as saying that I truly do love Shakespeare. I think he is utterly brilliant. Yes, I know that any number of you are looking the other way and quietly whispering, ‘wanker’. And fair enough. But I really do think he is beyond extraordinary (I’d even go so far to say that he was the Springsteen of his day).

I’m sure I was like every schoolkid when first introduced – if memory serves, we did ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Julius Caesar’ – in equal parts, suitably bored and mortified we had this ancient rubbish fostered on us.

Hoyo de Monterrey ‘La Hoyo du Roi’/Ardbeg Islay Ten-Year-Old Malt/Domaine de L’Arlot Vosne-Romanee ‘Les Suchots’ 1999

Cigars and movies. Not cigars in movies.

I know that quite a few of our members do not smoke indoors, for all manner of reasons which I would do best to avoid discussing, but others are not so limited. I have no such issues and probably enjoy a cigar in front of the telly more often than anywhere else.

Sporting events are a must, though I am wondering about the Superbowl (which is to be played tomorrow, time of writing). Sometimes yes; sometimes, a bit early. Currently undecided. But settling back for a rugby test (nice way to get something from the evening, given the way we play) or a good league game, with a top cigar, is always a fine evening.

Cohiba Piramide LE 2006/25-Year-Old Edmund Dantès Rum

It had been one of those days when there had been enough crap to justify a great cigar. Plus, I’d taped (do we still say that?) the wonderful movie, ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, and had been keen to watch it again as it had been a while. I’d promised myself a cracking cigar to do so. It had been a long while since I had seen it, but I was seriously stunned to learn the film came twenty years ago – 1998. Can’t help thinking of Basil Fawlty. “What was that? That was your life, mate! That was quick. Do I get another? Sorry mate. Back to the world of dreams”.

Upmann Magnum 50/Flor de Cana 18-Year-Old

Why does everything have to be so difficult?

I’ll confess that I may not be the easiest person to deal with, and I am making a genuine effort to get in less disputes than usual, but at times, I just despair.

At the moment, I have three matters that are, shall we say, in debate. Naturally, none are my fault. And I assure you that three is far less than usual.

Por Larranaga Petit Corona/Ron Caney ‘Anejo Centuria’

Ken Burns’ latest doco – ‘The Vietnam War’. What a brilliant effort.

I just love this guy’s docos. He just does them so well. When I looked him up, I realised there were quite a few he has made that have not found their way out here, or perhaps I missed them. Other faves I have seen include ‘The Civil War’, which was the first I came across; ‘Prohibition’, ‘National Parks’ and ‘Baseball’. I see he has one in production on Ernest Hemingway. Looking forward to that.

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 2/Wynn’s Single Vineyard ‘Johnson’s Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2014/Rubbel Sexy Lager

A lovely day, looking out over a glorious cobalt ocean and writing about a 60-vintage tasting of the great Wynn’s Black Label Coonawarra Cabernet, has just been spoilt by that blow-up doll who runs North Korea. News is through that apparently, he wants to drop a nuke on Guam. Haven’t we been through this before? Way to be a downer! I really liked Guam for the short time I was there. Felt like I was on the set of Magnum PI. And one imagines that if he does, the ageing Mr Burns on the other side of the planet is going to ensure that NK becomes one large smouldering crater and turn what little tourism they have into a few scientists in white onesies with madly-crackling Geiger counters.

Partagas Serie D No. 4/Four Pillars Negroni Gin

Did I mention I like travelling? Talk about that I should know better than to open my mouth too soon. Though in fairness, I don’t really consider the annual weekend away for Mum and the family, “travelling”. We normally find a farmhouse or something of that ilk (and apologies to those curious members of the forum for whom the word ‘ilk’ apparently has evil connations, though I have no idea why it should) and spend three or four days there. Always nice to get away with the family.

Dasher & Fisher ‘Meadow’ Gin/H Upmann Magnum 46

This week’s fun topic – funerals.

Yes, it is all Bordeaux and skittles here at Kenfessions. I will say that I was very fortunate when it came to my father’s, many years ago. I honestly could not see how I could get through it, but it turned out to be almost inspiring and uplifting. Well, as much as possible in the circumstances. Had eulogies from two of his oldest and closest friends. One did the professional and family stuff. The other took the piss. Dad would have loved it. I still have mates who say it was the best funeral they have ever attended, if there can be such a thing.

A royal pairing/Montecristo No. 2 2006/2016 Four Pillars Christmas Gin

So, a B grade Hollywood actress, pretending to be a legal secretary in a dodgy drama, is to marry His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales, 5th in line to the British throne, assuming Europe doesn’t get that in the Brexit divorce. The greatest act of social climbing this century and perhaps second only to that short fat bloke nabbing Grace Kelly. Good on you, Harry, blokes everywhere salute you. You are definitely coming up in the world.

November 11th - A momentous day in history - Partagas D4 Vintage Collection - Tia Maria

November 11th. A momentous day in history.

In Australia, it has relevance for two reasons. More recently, in 1975, it was the day when the Gov-Gen, Sir John Kerr, sobered up long enough to sack the elected Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. I know people think we have divisive politics today (and I am not crossing the pond with this), but for those who do not remember (and I was only a kid back then, but it is eternally imprinted on my mind), today is kindergarten stuff compared to back then. Looking back, I deplore the manner of the dismissal, but like the vast majority of Australians, thought it was necessary for Gough to go before he damaged the country any further (not that I had a vote).