As I write this blog it’s just over two weeks till the next Vintage Cigar Auction at Boisdale Canary Wharf.  I love this time of year as we are so uber busy with the Christmas season as well as the auction events.  It’s just a nonstop buzz with a great atmosphere in our offices and shops.

I try and get round all of our offices and shops between now and Christmas to see all of the Team but as the Group expands this gets harder and harder… nice problem to have I hear you say 🙂 so last week I took a very squeezy Ryan Air flight over to visit our associates at the Decent Cigar Emporium.  

A few of our UK cigar smoking chums joined a few of our Irish cigar smoking chums and we ended up having a jolly large Dublin herf that went on till exceptionally late in the evening/early in the morning. Finishing with some excellent Macallan 18, dinner and a copious quantity of Havanas (Punch Serie D’Oro No. 1, Ramon Allones Belicosos and Punch Medalla De Oro – UK regionals to name a few) at the delightful private members club – The Residence. There were around 20 at the herf and it was a wonderful evening with the best of company that I look forward to repeating with the same crowd next time I visit.

The Decent Cigar Emporium, located on Grafton Street is the only specialist cigar shop in Ireland that I know of and you are assured a warm welcome by Guy, Paul, Ed and the Team.

Next week I think I will zoom up to Chester and then Liverpool to do some quality testing on the stocks there (Including the retro confectionery store we own in Liverpool!) our shops are compact up North but it is legal to sample cigars I am pleased to say.

We’re making good progress with our new Cambridge store and still well on target to open by the end of this month. That is if BT can manage to install the phone lines on time. Currently they reckon it takes 5 weeks to install new phone lines. Raspberry of the week award to BT then. And the second raspberry of the week award goes to the PPI company that keeps phoning me and got a short burst of tourette’s from me last week… Hopefully I won’t hear from them again. 

My auction partner Brian has now lotted up all of the auction cigars and we have clients viewing daily from Monday. If you would like to view the Auction Lots simply shoot us an email. We are open Monday to Friday for viewings as well as Sunday 25^th November from noon.

All details are on the dedicated website including how to get tickets for the pre-auction herf and the auction. You can see all the details on the FAQ’s as well as download a PDF Auction catalogue and of course bid online if you can’t attend.

I looked through the Lots in our London humidor yesterday and was very impressed with the broad range that is on offer in this sale, from splendid mature 1980’s Havanas such as the cabinet of 50 El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme (Lot 10) to some fabulous 1960’s sealed boxes such as Upmann Singulares and Super Coronas (Lots 19 and 20) great Limited Editions such as Cohiba Double Coronas and Sublimes (Lots 132/133/142)

Fabulous Regional Editions such as Ramon Allones Phoenicios ( Lot 176/177) Loads of Coleccion Habanos books (Lots 179 -190) Limited Edition humidors and a wonderful selection of Davidoff and Dunhill Havana cigars.

We are always happy to provide condition reports and prospective bidder’s need only email us the Lot number the report is required for.

We are so lucky to have such great cigar friendly venues such as Ten Manchester Street and Boisdale to assist us with our events – If you are attending, you will be treated to great drinks (Thank you Balvenie!) great smokes (Thank you Habanos S.A.!) and great canapés (Thank you chefs!) I think we are in for a great few days and evenings of herfing 🙂

Finally, if you want a change of pace – Try my Secret Blend cigars! Great value and very tasty smokes indeed. They were in fact our fastest seller of the week last week which was the second week running.

Have a smokey weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

This week’s blog comes to you from sunny New York City.

On arrival last week, my partner Ron at Robert Graham Ltd had left a delightful message on my answer phone – Whisky Magazine had just held the 2012 Independent Bottlers Challenge, our Company won a Bronze Award for Independent Bottler of the Year in the Islay category for our Dancing Stag 1990 Bowmore as well as a silver award for our Ailein Mor 10 year old in the Highland category.

We are terribly proud of our own range of single malts and we are currently bringing out limited edition new releases almost every month.

You do have to buy them fast though as there are only around 330 bottles released from some of our casks!

Cohiba Piramides Extra came in last week just before I headed to the US so I managed to test a couple of sticks and they didn’t disappoint, this large format cigar had a cool draw with delicious full, sweet and almost chocolatey flavours, a light to medium cigar in terms of strength all packed up in a vein free colorado – colorado maduro wrapper. Boxes of 10 and singles are available but stocks are very limited.

We always advise friends to buy first production batch codes where possible as that is the only certain way of testing and enjoying the cigars to the original intended blend. Certainly subsequent date codes may be as good but conversely the tobacco used may be from a different batch and the precise integrity of the blend may not be maintained although I dare say the general characteristic should in theory always be the same.

Sadly no Havanas for me over the last week in New York but plenty of ‘domestics’ as my American chums would say. Nice routine of going over to De La Concha in the mornings for an après breakfast smoke which has been a Regius Corona  and very nice it was too. I’m starting to become quite a fan of this NC and have now expanded the range which you can see here as well as reduced the prices to help introduce the range to more of our clients. If you like a fairly full strength and full flavoured Nicaraguan, you will love this brand.

I have quite a good routine in NYC as I know most of the places to herf at and lots of friends to herf with but Saturday nights is always Sinatra night at the Carnegie Club, situated at 156 West 56th Street. Not an impersonator but a tribute show by Steve Maglio and the Stan Rubin Orchestra. Carnegie Club is of course a cigar lounge so my pals and I enjoyed Sinatra music, scotch and some great cigars until… Well, early Sunday morning <hic!> Now I have finally decided not to drink any more… or any less 🙂

I went through too many Fuente cigars to recall! It was fabulous long evenings herf but this cigar was just outstanding I could probably enjoy this cigar as part of my daily rotation, great blend, wrapper and construction.

Popped in to say ‘hi’ to Michael Herklots at Nat Sherman which is always a great place to herf and bumped into Edward Sahakian from Davidoff of London! He’s in Town for the Cigar Aficionado bash at Grand Havana Room this evening. We all have a lot to thank that mag for, it really did start the boom off.

Herfed till late at Club Macanudo on Sunday and tried to learn what on earth is happening in an American football match, gave up in the end as they all seem to attack each other for no apparent reason (makes rugby look tame) but did enjoy the tennis (Serena) and enjoyed the Murray game even more on Monday! (Did he smile finally?)

I may have found one of the friendliest places in New York to smoke cigars: Cigar Inn has an eclectic crowd of cigars smokers and its very buzzy, plenty of seating, lockers and huge range of just about anything the cigar smoker could want. Add great service and it’s a highly recommended venue to herf.

Ok, so it’s just about time for me to check out of the hotel and meet friends for an afternoon herf before heading back to Blighty… And I better not miss that flight as its Karyn and my birthday on Friday and I still haven’t decided what celebratory smokes to have!

If you’re celebrating New Year this Sunday evening, let me wish you a Shana Tova

As they say in NYC (Over and over and over and over and over again) have a great day!

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

Can’t believe how fast the last month has flown by, although I think herfing with friends and clients in the sunshine of Los Angeles may have something to do with that. After all they do say ‘Time flies when you’re enjoying yourself.’

 Anyway I have been enjoying myself having met up with, chatted, herfed and hung out with 100’s of old and new friends whilst topping up my sun tan. I have been fortunate to stay in the same cigar friendly hotel in West Hollywood for the last 10 years and most days just hold court around the pool bar. Good thing I am heading back to London next week as I’m am just about out of Fuente Opus X  to gift out!

I went to San Diego for the first time last week to herf with a group of cigars chums (TY VC). Decided to take the 2 hour train ride as I heard the views over the water were nice (they are!) and left from the beautiful Union Station which has featured in many films. Smoking of course not allowed in or around the station though I did spot some youngish girls smoking marijuana on the bench outside the station! (There is some crazy law about medical marijuana in Los Angeles)

Enjoyed a delightful dinner with friends at one of our chums houses in Bel Air which has become a sort of annual tradition. Great smokes, outrageous single malt whisky, dinner and the best of company (TY LS) As we sat on the terrace I realised that’s what we miss most in the UK – The good weather and balmy evenings to be able to smoke outside. I think I want to be an American and move to LA!

Had a private tasting of the splendid DeLeon Tequila yesterday with a group of my regular cigar buddies, I am no tequila drinker, preferring Scotch of course but have to say this was very smooth and clean on the palette. DeLeon are soon introducing a $1000 bottle of tequila… Get it if you can!

Heading to Rodondo Beach on Sunday as our friend Larry is kindly throwing a herf at his home which I’m looking forward to. Actor Michael Nouri is expected to join us for smokes as well (see photo of Michael with Zino Davidoff in 1992!) Have I really been in the cigar bizz so long that I actually remember some of the crowd from the mid 1990’s?!

I thought August would be a quiet month and a good time to be on vacation but my clients worldwide seemed to think otherwise! Luckily by the wonders of modern technology it’s easy to keep in touch wherever I am in the world – G-d bless Blackberry! I have even managed to agree the acquisition of our 10th retail store which we are planning to open before Christmas.

This will possibly be the largest cigar store in the UK with an unparalleled range of Havana cigars together with an emporium style Robert Graham offering of the finest single malt, rum, cognac, gin and speciality coffees, teas and handmade chocolates. Together with a sampling lounge and client lockers… Yes, I am very excited as you can imagine.

Delighted to announce that our Mayfair store is now licence to sell liquor. We will be stocking a specialist range of Cuban rum, cigar cognac and of course finest Robert Graham single malt whisky that you can sample and purchase in store from next week or of course order online for click and collect service . You can find Alfie Turmeaus cigar shop on this link  in Shepherds Market Mayfair.

The Mayfair Hotel has opened a very nice cigar terrace just down the road to our Shepherd Market cigar shop and I’m looking forward to herfing there soon.

Cigar auction coming up on the 26th November, always a fun time for the cigar community with events at Ten Manchester street and Boisdale restaurants as well as an evening or two at the lovely Lanesborough cigar terrace. We are expecting a large crowd from overseas this year. Information will be updated on our dedicated auction website together with past results and FAQ’s but don’t hesitate to email if you need advising on bidding or selling.

So I’m packing up my lighters and cutters in the next few days and looking forward to heading back to the office, especially as I hear that a load of new releases are likely to be out in the next week or so including the long awaited Cohiba Piramides Extra, H Upmann Robusto limited edition 2012, H Upmann Half Coronas in tins of 5 and the latest UK regional edition 2012 Ramon Allones Petit Belicosos, so I am assured a busy homecoming!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Peaceful puffing,

Mitchell

Finally managed to clear up our Auction accounts work this week and just in time as sellers get paid on Monday 🙂 Next auction will be end of November and we will be announcing the date before the end of this month. Sellers should contact us for advice and valuation as we will start cataloguing from September onwards. If you can’t wait till the next Auction don’t forget we buy and sell vintage cigars every day of the year!. Shoot me an email [email protected] for advice. I’m always happy to help.

Liverpool Turmeaus is now licenced for sale of Alcohol, small and select range of splendid Robert Graham single Malt whisky … perfect with a good cigar of course !

Our new Ailen Mor Highland is on offer this week at a measly £27.95 ! I had a bit of a taste testing session with this single malt paired with Cohiba 1966 and it was a sublime match, too good for words.

Next week I’ll be herfing at Boisdale to celebrate a friend’s birthday and I have my fingers crossed that we may finally get some summer sunshine.

Long way off but just booked up my flights for the February Festival in Havana! Can’t wait 🙂 despite having been to Havana around 60 times since 1997, I still love the Festivals, sun, rum and smokes- perfect ! staying at the Nacional as usual (one of the finest herf spots on the planet)

Checkout our friend Nic Wings website Nic organizes a splendid Cigar Walk of London stopping by at all the interesting cigar placed/shops etc and has also recently launched a fabulous cigar app to help you find cigar stores and lounges in London. Well done Nic – great service to the cigar trade in London

The roller is back ! Just for a day this Monday we are happy to welcome back Dilia who will be at our London offices rolling a few more freshies. If you would like to pop in for a rolling demo – shoot me an email.

Just over two weeks till I head to Orlando for the IPCPR/RTDA trade show. Can’t wait to see what new cigar toys I can find/buy/import. Our range and sales are now so huge in accessories and humidors its incredible. Something for every cigar smoker and every budget. Loads of requests recently for smaller size Elie Bleu humidors  which we have now brought in (and won’t be undersold on) and we are the only cigar merchant that I know of in the Uk that imports the fabulous Daniel Marshall range of humidor. Tremendous value and superb quality

Finally well done to the chap in the Vauxhall who did the hit and run whilst my car was parked opposite my office. Despite him having enough space for a lorry or two, he still managed to whack the bumper. Bad luck for him we took his registration number and reported him to the police. Maybe he should have a cigar and slowwwww down a bit.

OK I’m off for a pre-weekend smoke and dram with my Father, I think it will have to be Punch Serie D’Oro whilst we still have a few available !

Have a smokey weekend

Peaceful puffing

Mitchell

Its Summer auction time and we enjoyed a fabulous pre auction herf at the cigar terrace at Ten Manchester Street enjoying some first class English Market Selection (EMS) Partagas Petit Coronas aged to perfection from 1998 as well as Juan Lopez Selection No. 2 which were surprisingly good and mature tasting cigars, for a September 2011 date code. Delicious canapés, champagne and excellent service from Ten Manchester Street (Thanks guys!) the only sad part was that Italy lost against Spain!

So my brief blog comes to you this evening from Boisdale in Canary Wharf where we are holding our Summer Auction Event.

Our thanks to Davidoff for providing wonderful cigars as well as a cigar roller for the evening and Remy Martin for providing splendid French Mojito cocktails and Remy XO.

We are as usual transmitting the selling prices live but they are subject to verification so you will have to be patient till we get back to the office tomorrow to carefully check we have not made any typo’s.

To avoid any confusion for our many commission (absentee) bidders, you may well see that your maximum bid has been achieved on a Lot and wonder why you are in fact not the winner. The answer I’m afraid is simple, if we received two identical bids, the first one that was entered will be the winning bid. This is similar to 2 bidders in the room both willing to bid up to the same amount – the first bidder to reach that bid amount wins the Lot.

So the very best of luck to all of the bidders and the sellers and the preliminary results are as follows: