Luckily, Thats my local shop :) They're a bunch of great guys. Its rare that in a shop that just celebrated their 120th year (as marked by the WCD Cabaiguans and the La Aurora Drapers 120th (which was a 100 anos blend in a preferido shape) which is located smack downtown in DC, that you find a...

Having been on both ends, I know how you feel and I was in the same boat many years ago. I can still remember one of my first trades. It was some hemingways for monte 2's. I was new to the game and so I sent exactly what we agreed upon and I got back almost double. I felt like I didn't do my...

Looks like a personal preference thing. I love V cuts and always used to use the Boston tabletop back at Ries in when I was in Chitown. There are many cheaper V cutters out there and thats the main reason I think many people don't like the cut. Unless the cutter is really sharp and built...

It probably goes along with some of the other discussions on the lancero size. The number of people who actually even knew about the sampler coming out were only those of us on the various boards. I had a nice discussion with the owner of my shop and the sizes that sell are the thicker ring...

Couple of things to take into account. Where is/are your conferences and will you have a car. That will dictate how far you can stay from your conference location. Like sack says, if you're looking to save $$ don't stay downtown or near the loop. Remember that the public transportation in...

5 hours is a mid range drive as I used to commute 3-4 hours daily. Its about my trip to LI from DC. What I usually do is bring a traveldor with me with a variety of smokes and this way, I can have a long or short smoke depending on mood. I've smoked 2 and I've smoked 5 on that drive. For the...

They're not officially out yet. Pete was at my shop for a Cabaiguan/Tatuaje promotion so he had some with him. Looks like a skinny guapo. G1

MM is correct. The next smoke for the Guapo line will be the 46, a corona gorda. Perfect if you're not a fan of the thicker Guapo. G1

Just recieved a guapo 46 from my shop. Will let her rest for a couple then see. I was correct in that the Guapos are all rolled in Nicaragua as opposed to the regular Cabaiguan line which is rolled in Miami. G1

I enjoy the cabaiguan line. I regularly smoke the corona extras and the robusto extras. They're definately a nice diversion from the Tatuaje's. I personally don't like the red line and stick to the browns. I've always wondered about the guapos as from my understanding, they're rolled in Nic...

Hey A, which brewpub were you at? If you were at the original, Sams, the biggest liquor store in Chitown is just around the corner and if you were in Wrigleyville, there is Binny's about 3 (long) blocks south where Clark meets Broadway. Either way, both stores should have been open to at least...

Most of the old (I mean really old) shops don't pay much attention to their websites as they really rely on their walk in customers from my observation. That said, you'd be missing out on some great shops if you gauge them on their websites and vice versa. I've seen some really fancy websites...

Any more info on DLD? Went to the website and they don't even have the date (4/26) yet listed. Like Chitown mentioned, how early do you have to get there? Saw a couple of vids on this and looked like the overnight lines to get tickets for Zepplelin back in the day LOL. If you can smoke on...

Looking good Mark, great to see you stand your ground! Hey and finally got to see a little bit of the shop ;) G1

By time being able to park on the street at meters, I'm assuiming you mean the rush hour streets. Those end at 6:30. There are some that you can park anytime but you have to be careful and they're really cracking down on the 2 hour thing. Basically, you can only park at a given spot for 2...

The blacks are definately different than the other blends and they are definately either "like em or not" kind of smokes. To me, they are very reminiscent of ISOM's from back in the 80's. If you're a fan of the strong, "in your face" , super peppery Pepin sticks, you may think these taste flat...

So question, if its a Friday special, wouldn't you have to do the ordering on Friday? G1

oops you're right, my bad. G1

Love the reviews! Jeff was pretty much right on with the one I had today (a guajiro). I'd probably teeter it more on the fuller side but all in all, a very nice cigar. Like a VSG with Pepin putting his signature touches on it. G1

Hey Jim, just noticed that you're in Canada. Are Fuente's usually at MSRP? Wondering because last time I was up in Toronto, I thought the ISOM's were really high. That could possibly account for the slightly higher prices on the cigars. G1