I am still not certain about all the regional editions that Habanos S.A. come out with. There seem to be so many and whilst some are great, others are fairly average in overall smoking experience terms.
 
There seems to be little rhyme or reason as to who gets what and why. For example the Baltic’s got the El Rey Vikingos which was an incredible cigar and the production was quite limited whilst Spain got the exceptional Vegas Robaina Maestro with a fairly large production number. The recently released Ramon Allones Phonecios for Lebanon (Promo cigars) is honestly one of the best Havanas I have ever smoked and beautifully presented in a cabinet of 30 cigars.
 
I do however think the UK regionals are first rate smokes especially the Ramon Belicosos which in fact was the first of the regionals in 2005.
 
The UK’s Por Larranaga Magnificos was a ridiculously successful and popular cigar too. All sold out now but there will be a special limited edition humidor (100 numbered units only) available soon. Email me if you want to be put on the waiting list sales@cgarsltd.,co.uk
 
The UK exclusive (1200 odd boxes only) Punch Serie D’Oro no.1 which was released last Monday and was our best selling Havana of last week, looks like we will be sold out this week although we are hoping Hunters and Frankau will be releasing a further allocation fairly soon.
 
I’m not sure if I am proud of this or not but I actually puffed my way through 16 sticks of the new Punch last week. I was completely amazed at how good this cigar is. In fact apart from a Ramon Phoenicios kindly gifted to me by Simon Chase of H&F at a lunch (Hurlingham Club  http://www.hurlinghamclub.org.uk/View.aspx?node_id=1&portal_id=1&page_id=4 lovely!)  last week, I have smoked nothing but the UK Punch.
 
So the question is do you swap your Monte 2  or Partagas Serie P for a Punch Serie D’Oro no.1? Well at the very least I would say try them. Don’t be fooled, these cigars will not stay around for long. I have one client who would buy all 1200 boxes if he could… but he can’t as we won’t allow him. If you try one new cigar this year, try the Punch Serie D’ Oro no.1 It is just delicious http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/punch-serie-doro-p-6441.html for boxes and http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/punch-serie-doro-p-6443.html for singles
 
It’s an experience… it’s different… and it’s a damn good smoke. Well done Habanos/H&F… this cigar is a real winner.
 
The La Gloria is expected out in the UK next week (I know….. I know you have heard that before) as I reckon C.Gars Ltd and Hunters and Frankau must have run out of all excuses for not releasing this cigars by now!
 
There are 2009 regional editions for the UK I am told but I think I’ll get excited about them a little closer to the time.
 
Thanks for the massive response to my last blog mentioning the Orchant Seleccion Sancho Panza Gigantes. The first 20 boxes that I signed  sold out before we even had time to put them on the website! Yes I know, great value, vintage (1998) and good smokes as well… great combination. If you want to be put on the list for the next 20 boxes I make available drop me an email at [email protected]
 
So, January zoomed past and I can’t believe it’s almost time for my annual trip to the Festival del Habanos 2009 in Havana of course. I’ll be heading to Havana with my partner Christoph on the 25th and we will be holding a cigar tasting or two at some fine venues. This year we will be sampling Dunhill Estupendos, Don Candido and Don Alfredo which no doubt our guests will be looking forward to.
 
Valentines day is looming and if you need any advice or gift ideas, have a surf around the website or call one of my Girls ( Mishie, Laura, Marci, Eli, Mirka) who will be happy to help and advise 07000 088 088 ( 24/7 as well !)

Valentine Cigars

 
Have a lovely weekend and keep your humidors full as we are expecting a load of snow in London next week(-:
 
Peaceful puffing
 
 
 
Mitchell