Sam's graduation Cohiba

Cohiba Siglo II - a higher class of Yard-gar at Sam's old villa

Had a Cohiba Siglo II in warm humid conditions to warm up for Sam's latest graduation last year. The slightly austere cafe au lait and coffee grinds mix melds nicely with the cedar zing and barnyard hay to produce an ever reliable fix, which is just as grunty as it is velvety. 

Rainbow smokin Habano

And the result of all those labours...

Fidel demonstrates what a beard is for.

Handy place to store your Guantanamera cigar for an afternoon while you're waiting for the right moment to light up.

Spinning yarns about another Quai d'Orsay down in the deep South

This is Graham helping me with my trout spinning, a Quai d'Orsay, and a tiny sample bottle of Bowmore 15 y.o. sherry casked whisky on Lake Hawea... just last week after Matt's wedding. Back at work now. *sigh*

Jean-Michel et le Quai d'Orsay

My brother-in-law's thoughts on the Quai d'Orsay from a Gisborne beach.

How to empty your humidor

Play baseball with your son for about 40-50min every second evening and make the experience even richer by smoking delicious cigars. All out of cigars now. I even smoked the prop cigar that I had as Fidel for the Sevens. Truth be told, it was actually pretty decent.
PS: Moving out of the old Henderson villa in a week's time. She's seen so many great cigars. I'll miss the creaky old thing and her peaceful garden.

Rafa en el pueblo Monte Edenito

Sam in the Garden of Eden

Enjoyed a Rafael Gonzalez Perla with my bro at a Mt Eden village caf. Matches a long black with its own blend of coffee grinds, touch of leather and some vegetable notes (unlike the darker wrapper box we had of these which was slightly sweeter when young). Reliable and satisfying when offset with a sweet pastry for dessert.  

J.Lo

Zahn and I had a Juan Lopez each while waiting for Joel to finish in a poker tournament (Joel came third and won a healthy prize). These cigars have proved to be so reliable, straightforward but flavoursome, and relatively more manageable for one person than other big cigars. They're sort of the Merlot of cigars really, I think: quite smooth and you can consume the whole thing in one sitting. Given that we were at a bar, we were drinking beer, but it wasn't the worst match. The highlight of the evening was when a waitress came over to tell us to move out of the empty, secluded part of the courtyard we were in because it was a designated 'family' area through which children come through--never mind the fact it was 10.45 pm. OMG TYPICAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CIGAR SMOKERS. #SAFESPACESFORCIGARHERETICS

Bolivar by Halloweenight

On All Hallow's Eve, it was so warm and still that I decided to take a stroll with a Bolivar Petit Corona and a glass of whisky (Benriach 20y.o. from a sample bottle). Tis a while ago now, but I do remember enjoying the signature leather-and-orange peel blend of el Bolivar, which melded seamlessly with the venerable highland dram. Although the cigar was still hefty in body, time had enriched and mellowed it nicely (this was from a box about 3yo I think).

I shared my smoke with someone's dressed up letterbox

The sugary legs of a mature scotch and the wispy smoke of a well-aged Bolivar PC - a match made in heaven

The sun's blessing warmed my glass

I tried out an appropriately titled French detective novel whilst lying on the grass and staring out on the harbour

Classy cigar accessories

Courtesy of Geoff's emporium. A dollar well spent.

Bolivar

Couldn't resist a little art project before sending these on down to Wellington HQ. Simon Bolivar's campaign trail marked with Bolivars.

Romeo

A good drink match before a good test match. Smoking Romeoyjulieta and drinking Father with me father.

Update: We followed up with Quai d'Orsay & 10 y/o Taylor's Tawny last night. 

Youz fellas need to get smoking--I'm clogging up the bloody page with all me updates.

Spring

Backyard baseball and partagas

Humedor too humid these days. But after a couple of days in hot water cupboard this puppy came out perfect.

Punch Punch on a perfect winter golf day in Wainui

Punch punch ... such a lovely lighter body ... cloves and a touch of honey... a perfect match for the speyside in your hipflask