This Week in Cigars: Vegas de Santiago, Partagas, Rocky Patel, Sir Stogies – Sunday June 13, 2010

Tuesday or Wednesday I decided to try a Partagas Petit Coronas Especial, a box of which recently arrived from overseas.  I will revisit these periodically, as this had only had about a week in the humidor after traveling.  It behaved like a well kept cigar, burn was straight, draw was good, flavor was nice, but had a harshness that should smooth out with age.  These have a June ’08 box date so they are only 2 years old.  Looking forward to seeing how they develop.  These are a tremendous bargain for the size and quality.

Later in the week I grabbed a Vegas de Santiago Chaman  Panetela Extra which was from a 5 pack that I received from the manufacturer after I signed up for their Yahoo Group.  Another smaller cigar that burned well, but it had a grassy taste that wasn’t really to my liking.  Not bad, mind you, but not what I look for flavor-wise.  I will be featuring several of the Vegas de Santiago offerings in the coming weeks along with a contest in which someone will win some of their cigars.

Saturday I took the scooter for a ride about 30 miles north to Sir Stogies in Gilbertsville, PA.  It was a fine ride, although it was hot and I hit every light.  I met up with Walt of Stogie Review who was there hanging out for the afternoon.  Also there was Dave Weber, the national sales manager for Oliva Cigars.  I had met Dave once before and was flattered that he remembered me.  Sir Stogies is a fine shop. I was greeted by Ken (I believe that was his name) who asked if I’d been there before and showed me to the walk in humidor.   The first thing I spied was a box of Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Maduro Lanceros which were on sale for $5.00 a stick.  I grabbed 2 of them and didn’t really look any further.  This turned out to have been a mistake since I was later to find out that they had  La Aurora 107s and I  probably would have picked one up.  It was a nice way to spend an afternoon.  The shop is spacious and comfortable.  Highly recommended if your in the area.

This evening I took a break from writing this and went to our local park to see my favorite local band, “Now and Then” play in the summer “Concerts in the Park” series.  I took a Montecristo No.2 which was awesome.  It was smooth and delicious, not the powerhouse that I remember from years past though.  This was in a gift bag that I received on the dinner cruise we attended last week.  My son had a Rocky Patel Decade Maduro torpedo which  he enjoyed.  I don’t think I saw anyone give us looks, but I wasn’t looking.  I saw some old friends there and it was a good time. Great band, great cigar, great friends.

In my last post I asked for comments on this picture.  There were a lot of great guesses, I especially liked the IPhone ap comment from Jeff.  What was I really doing? I was listening to the band of course!

Anyway, that’s all I have for now.  Until the next time,

CigarCraig