The Gurkha flavor train continues with this Ninja. Band doesn’t look like it’s a Gurkha but a few minutes in you can taste that it is. Actually when I first unwrapped it it smelled kind of chemically so that made me nervous. First few puffs were really spicy but now we’ve settled down into that Gurkha flavor we all (hopefully most) know and love.

I’m feeling this is more on the full bodied side. I don’t foresee myself seeking this one out unlike some of the others. Still enjoying though.

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Oh hell yeah that’s a thing of beauty! I recently bought a fiver of those, such a great cigar. The #9 gets more love but the T52 is my favorite.

Smoking one of my remaining plugged H. Upmanns...but this time I fixed it with the PerfecDraw my wife gave me for my birthday. She also gifted me subscriptions to Rare Cigar Club and Privada Cigar Club, can’t wait to see my gift boxes arrive.

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Time for the Beast....

Actually pretty mild and smooth considering the name. Easy going.

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Scored a pair of the Death Bucket 2 cigars Friday. It’s really delivering on the hype, wish I had more.

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Never heard of them before now. I'll have to look them up.

Look for an LCA in your area, only cigar shops that are LCA members sell them. It really is a good one, I picked up 3 more after smoking it. Once they are gone...

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Couple of new ones and some favorites

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Combo

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The Serie R is one of my favorite cigars. The Maduro is especially tasty.

Light to end the week

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The last of my footballs....

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Well I’m not in a good mood.

The kid who worked at my local cigar shop who knew everything about every cigar is gone. Mohammad the guy running the register who always made sure I got taken good care of is gone. Instead a crabby guy working the counter and a seemingly 17 year old girl who took 10 minutes to work the vacuum who started cleaning where I was shopping, is now working there.

I did my usual shopping, grab an empty box and float through their 3 large humies he finally scans all my smokes and gets to the last one that doesn’t have a sticker.

He asked me the price I said I didn’t know. He said if I wanted it I needed to go find the price. That never would have happened with the other two gents running the show.

So I walked out with a $200+ order sitting on the counter. Drove down to a more commercialized head shop that has more of a focus on what seems like 4:20 accessories. I knew they existed but never went in. They actually had a respectable humi which was very clean and organized. More surprisingly their prices were quite competitive. They have a “buy 4 get 1 free” going on too! So I went with 5 ~ $10 sticks and even shared my story with them and let them know they have a new customer.

I guess I’m mostly sad and disappointed my other guys are gone but what really stings was the negativity of the new guy. I think he was the owner too. It takes a lot to rub me the wrong way and rightfully so they lost a good customer. I asked said owner what happened to Mohammad and he said he went back to Egypt....ahhh ok. Last I heard he was sick with covid per the younger guy working there. When I asked about that younger guy he just smiled and nodded.....yeah we’re done.

Alright I feel better thanks everyone for reading. Going to head out to the garage for a smoke....

Ghost Angel. I like the band, it’s shiny.

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Let’s do it before dinner

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EJS

It's a little far from where your located, but if you're ever out in the western suburbs check out Tobacco Grove. I've been buying cigars from them for almost 20 years and have attended countless events with them (including the God of Fire charity dinner in Beverly Hills). Rick and Kole are two friends of mine who have been working there for as long as I can remember, and they know everything there is to know about cigars. Amazing cigar selection, great employees, a awesome lounge and ridiculous regulars hanging out there makes Tobacco Grove an awesome spot to light up a smoke!

https://www.tobaccogrove.com/

Maple grove isn’t too bad of a drive. Would definitely like to chat with them. If you want I’d definitely join you for a smoke once things open back up! Really appreciate the heads up on this place. I don’t mind driving an extra number of miles for the right place.

I’m really liking the chisel tip.

Good LFD flavor and enjoying this Chapter One!

Yes I’m out and about without my cutter again.

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Tonight we are smoking a Gurkha Assassin and a Williams pinball Xformer

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Head up there when you have time, you'll quickly find out that it's your new cigar home away from home! Unfortunately with the state shutdown, you can't hangout and smoke, but you can peruse the walk-in and pick up some fantastic sticks. Let's meet up there when they reopen the lounge!

Time I finished that sampler box of Gurkhas.

Sweet and salty Evil.

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Here’s what I’ve smoked lately, what a string of great cigars every one...Happy Holidays!!

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My buddy loves those brand of cigars, I have not tried but he bought me one so might have tonight.

Merry Xmas to all!

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Merry Christmas to you too!

No stogies for me tonight so I’m going to have to double up for tomorrow night. I think it will include a Java Latte.

Also need to think about a nice one for New Year’s Eve. I think I want to try an Ashton of a darker wrapper never had one before.

First up is a MF. I haven’t had the Connecticut edition before. Really good!

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Migrated to the garage for the smooth Java!

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Love the Latte and Maduro Java sticks. Red is just OK. Mint is like smoking a Kool - not good for me.

Yeah I tried the mint twice cause they came in a variety pack. No thanks.

I haven’t had the red. Have you ever seen the Wafe size in red? It’s like 2 or 3 of them stuck together would compose the size of a robusto. It’s like they got squished or something. I was about to buy one the other week but it was part of the order fiasco I had to walk out on. I can’t imagine how hot it would burn with a regular draw.

Honestly Late is the only way to go. I’m not much for flavored cigars and I’m not sure these count as such.

Haven’t had an HDM in a long time and wasn’t too crazy this go around. Was kind of bland medium bodied. I used to smoke their Sultans when I was in college and enjoyed them. Maybe I just need to try another style.

I finished the evening off with a CAO.

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Working my way through these

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I used to have about 2 dozen of these bottles, but this is my last one

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A few decent humidors, I sold most of my collection over the years, I need to find my old humidor pics

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Mercy!!

Inspirado tonight. I’m out of stock again might have to top off tomorrow.

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New Years pre smoke

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New Year's Eve and the end of 2020, so the occasion calls for something special! I've chosen an extremely rare Diamond Crown Maximus Stanford's 90th paired with a 215 year old Breard La Belle Meuniere cognac, it should be delicious!

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Happy new year’s!

Velvet Rat

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Celebrating new years eve with a cohiba esplendido and a monte Cristo no. 2! Happy new year!

To the new year

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This is my first VSG believe it or not. Very delicious. Not sure if I can go back to the other Ashtons I’ve had. Very delicious.

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Here’s tonight’s pairing. First cigar of 2021!

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My family on my mother’s side are Caldwell I wonder if I’m related to this guy?

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Been awhile since I’ve had a punch. Unmistakable flavor.

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Great cigars right there, I haven’t tried the OpusX 20 years yet but I have a couple in the humi.

3 games 3 cigars I guess