Cuba

[Don Piero]

Arrived yesterday. Had so-so weather. With me I brought back 50 custom rolled cigars by Reynaldo (Him and La China are likely the most famous rollers in Havana) including 35 Pyramids and 15 Robustos. Also brought back 5 boxes of 10 of Bolivar Gold Medals. Arriving this Saturday (via mules) are boxes of Montecristo Edmundos, Saint Luis Rey Regios and Hoyo de Monterey Du Depute from 03. Also 5 bottles of Rum HC 7 and HC Barrel Proof, Ron Mulata Anejo Reserva which I drank daily with my cigars prefering it over the HC 7. Also bought the 7yo Legendario Rum Liquor and a limited edition Ron Vigia Gran Anejo this is the Rum that Hemingway reportedly use to drink.

Visited the Partagas Factory and had a PSD No4 in the VIP room with an espresso. Met privately with Abel Espositio the manager who was able to secure my Gold Medals which is a very difficult cigar to find on the island; after several calls he promised delivery in 4 hours.

Most all cigars I had daily were with the Ron Mulata Anejo Reserva which was my favourite 7 yo.


Regrets: I was not able to take to the Cigar factory tour and was not able to take a Rum factory tour. The Rum factory is enroute to Havana (The Santa Cruz Distillery in Matanzas, where the Havana Club is made) and the cigar factory tour is in the Partagas factory in Havana - both missed due to time constraints - for somethings, its better to travel without family. There is always next time.

[KINGSTON]

Did you get to try the new Cuaba? That is one Cuban that I enjoy. I really look forward to trying the new size. Sounds like to had a great time.

[Don Piero]

Did you get to try the new Cuaba? That is one Cuban that I enjoy. I really look forward to trying the new size. Sounds like to had a great time.

Which Cuaba, as I almost bought a box of the Divinos.

[Rum Runner]

Had so-so weather. With me I brought back 50 custom rolled cigars by Reynaldo (Him and La China are likely the most famous rollers in Havana) including 35 Pyramids and 15 Robustos. Also brought back 5 boxes of 10 of Bolivar Gold Medals. Arriving this Saturday (via mules) are boxes of Montecristo Edmundos, Saint Luis Rey Regios and Hoyo de Monterey Du Depute from 03. Also 5 bottles of Rum HC 7 and HC Barrel Proof, Ron Mulata Anejo Reserva which I drank daily with my cigars prefering it over the HC 7. Also bought the 7yo Legendario Rum Liquor and a limited edition Ron Vigia Gran Anejo this is the Rum that Hemingway reportedly use to drink.

Batista must be burning in Hell saying, Jou see! I toll jou..EETs abut Da mownee!

Great snags Don.

[Don Piero]

Batista must be burning in Hell saying, Jou see! I toll jou..EETs abut Da mownee!

You're right. Several new resorts have been recently constructed in Varadero and new ones are being constructed. Its deja vu all over again:D.

[KINGSTON]

Cuaba Pyramid, released at the Habano Festival I saw a box on James Suckling Blog.

[Rum Runner]

I've seen some of the "All Inclusive" stuff going up in Varadero..Everthing Old is New again...But it is popular and a great destination.

I know that Puerto Rico is dreading the idea of the embargo being lifted..

I hear there is a dock being built on Key West for a Ferry...And it ain't going to Pensacola...

[mcmachete]

I hear apartheid is lovely this time of year...

[dan]

Varadero is nice if all you want to do is lay on the beach, go to resturants and meet lots of Canadians ;-)

[cigar-aficionado]

Varadero is certainly changing more nowadays with many new hotels going up and even a flight simulator machine in Josone Park:confused:
Good to hear someone else grabbed the Ron Vigia Gran Anejo, a really great rum that I always try to grab when I am in Cuba:D Sounds like you had a blast and really enjoyed yourself

[Hank Koestner]

Sounds like a great trip Don, and what a great bounty! I must say, I do feel a touch of envy. I only wish I could visit Cuba and return with a portion of your inventory!

[Don Piero]

The day I visited the La Casa Del Habana, I went upstairs where there is a rum store and a cafe/smoke room. I did not buy any rums there as I knew I would be buying next door at the Las Casa Del Ron which is a far superior store in size and selection.

I took a look at the rum selection, checked out the prices and was helped by a pretty middled aged blonde named Sylvia who was attending both the rum store and smoke room. Sylvia was alone upstairs enjoying a cigar (unbranded panetela) and had a permanent smile.

As I ventured into the smoke room followed by Sylvia, I proceeded to open all of the cigar boxes that I had just purchaed with Sylvia giving me a file to open the boxes. One of the boxes, the Saint Luis Rey Regios (from 06) had some plume on both rows of stix. Sylvia left the room and came back with a fine brush and proceeded to brush all the plume off of the cigars.

I lit one of the Regios which is a robusto and gave one to Sylvia who was incredibly thankful. We sat together talking about Cuba, cigars and rum. Shortly after Sylvia went behind the bar and opened a fridge and came out with a chilled Havana Club Anejo 3yo which I never thought to much of untill it was served. To my surprise, the chilled rum was simply grand - I guess the rough edges were rounded by the chilled serving temperature. Sylvia, kept smiling, smoking, talking and pouring.

That was a great afternoon with a great cigar, a fine rum served chilled and a lovely hostess.

[cigar-aficionado]

It doesn't get much better eh?:D

[Hank Koestner]

What a great story. I only hope that sometime soon i will be able to visit Cuba, and experience it for myself, and return with cigars and rum.

[Lew Barrett]

What a great story. I only hope that sometime soon i will be able to visit Cuba, and experience it for myself, and return with cigars and rum.

Amen, Brother Hank.

[Count Silvio]

Also 5 bottles of Rum HC 7 and HC Barrel Proof, Ron Mulata Anejo Reserva which I drank daily with my cigars prefering it over the HC 7. Also bought the 7yo Legendario Rum Liquor and a limited edition Ron Vigia Gran Anejo this is the Rum that Hemingway reportedly use to drink.

I've reviewed the HC Barrel Proof (http://www.refinedvices.com/content/view/71/1/) if you're interested. I would be interested hearing your opinions about it.

[SuperCorona]

Count, I think your review of the HC Barrel Proof is right on. A few drops of water does open it up.