Head83

Thanks to @cfc1016 my traveler feels so much more secure. It’s currently being used for my non-CC overflow. Really happy with how it turned out. I could easily add another row if I take out the Boveda tray on the top but no need right now.

Too much math lol! Thanks everyone for the in-depth conversion rates. Since my parents arent very knowledgable on cigars, I gave them a short list of places to go and ask for. They got to the island yesterday and spent the day riding around in a '53 Chevy. Their guide drove them to a bunch of state shops with the list and helped be the middle person. They said they had a really great time in their adventure and were even able to find a few things on the list. I told them not to spend anything over $400 in fear that they get taken advantage of. They still have a few more days there and are hoping to find some more. They wouldnt send me in pictures to keep it a surprise. Either way, they are having a blast meeting locals and going to places they might not have gone otherwise. At the end of the day, its the thought and effort that really counts!

I grew up in Louisiana and have had an intimate relationship for over 30 years to the city. I remember sneaking into my first strip bar there on a school trip lol. To be honest, not a huge difference I can tell pre and post Katrina. The city has its own life and one that is not matched anywhere else in the US. It’s where old money aristocrats meets urbanized poverty. Take it for what it is and enjoy yourself. Eat as much food as you can because that is what they do best down there. I know one person talked bad about Commanders Palace but I would recommend Brennan’s for brunch. It’s pricey yes but well worth it IMHO. Other places are Central Grocery for a Muffeletta, Mother’s for a Po’ Boy, make a lap around the Carousel Bar while enjoying a cocktail in the Hotel Monteleone, get a hurricane at Pat O’Brians, enjoy a shit show attempt of karaoke at the Cats Meow, go to Madame Laveau’s voodoo shop at the end of Bourbon street but go no farther...you’ll know why when you get there, then have a hand grenade from Tropical Isle to make sure all your memories are forgotten by morning. If you have time, go check out some of the cemeteries. Madame Levau is in Saint Louis Cemetary #2, it’s a pilgrimage spot for anyone looking for a little voodoo good fortunes. It’s in a seedy area but safe during the day. Also ride a trolley car down to through the garden district. Take you some drinks for the ride and just enjoy the sights and bead covered tree limbs from the weeks prior. If your going at the end of March, the city will be in recovery mode from Mardi Gras but that time of year is also March Madness and college spring breaks so be prepared for some craziness. The two things you go to NOLA for is the food and people watching, neither will disappoint.

They already got CAD to take down to convert. I read the thread and that is what my understanding of it was. However, when I was looking at the current price list of the YUL cigar blog, they state on the first page: "If you pay with a credit card, since the CUC is only used in Cuba and nowhere else in the world, you will be billed in USD and exchanging USD in Cuba comes with a small surcharge of 3%, not 6 not 10, 3% period." The way this reads, it almost sounds like its possible but they are talking about credit cards from every other country BUT the US. Figured I would ask the experts for clarification.

This is perfect! I showed them the Commodore on the map. I figured the hotel could point them to the shop in Melia Habana if they ask. I wrote up a list with Alex and Yolanda's name. I figured if they got there, they could just show the list to them and they could help them out.. They have no clue what they are doing but willing to give it a shot. I told them to go for customs and a few hard to finds if they should be there by chance. It will be very interesting to see what comes back lol. For anybody from the US, is it possible to use a US based credit card at these two shops?

So my parents are heading to the island in the next few weeks and wanted to try and stop into a place to get me a few boxes. They are staying at the Melia Habana hotel. They aren’t the most adventurous types but If something is nearby, they will go. Does anybody have any recommendations of shops and/or rollers nearby I could direct them to?

Gotcha, I didnt realize they made a 32% packet. That makes it much easier! I thought there might be some trick like the salt test where you stick it in the freezer or something lol

How do you do the 32% Test?

Just searched everywhere on their site, cant find them anywhere! Must have sold out

So we had a cigar bar at our wedding in Jamaica and it was a huge hit. However, I will give you my advice: 1. First off and most important!!! Tread lightly if it is an indoors wedding venue with no smoking. You will piss off your new wife right off the bat if guests, TO INCLUDE YOU, disappear for an hour to sit outside to smoke a cigar. 2. Don't drop a ton of money on cigars. Folks who have never smoked one will light it up to celebrate then snub them out after a few puffs. Buy some 'special' sticks for your groomsman as gifts and for your Pops if you want. 3. Get some super cheap plastic cutters because they will all vanish. 4. We bought a whole bunch of small matchbooks and put stickers on them with our names. Lots of folks kept them as little souvenirs. 5. We had a really cool custom plastic sign made from some group on Etsy that said "Cigar Bar, Burn One Down" It was fun because it was in Jamaica 'Mon!!! 6. I just want to foot stomp #1. Smoking a cigar is a big time investment. The night will fly past and be over before you know it. Take it all in with your guests because they all came to celebrate the night with you. You will regret it later if you are sitting outside and missing the party if you can't smoke it inside.

I might be interested in helping you out with the extra foam!!!

Awesome review!!! Looking forward to trying some of these out myself!!!

Damn, I would like to extend my sorrows to all my Aussie friends on this latest news. I get it that tobacco is bad for you. However, I also feel that there is a distinct difference between cigarettes, cigars, or even pipe tobacco and how its consumed and treated within their respective markets and should be treat as thus.

My in-laws are notoriously horrible gift givers and not just to me which is to be expected. Every year my wife and I call her brother as well to laugh at our terrible gifts. They do not seem to like throwing things away so they send us all their old crap to "pass it down." Last year I received a used olive fork because I enjoyed some stuffed olives at their house while visiting. My wife got some old candle sticks as well and both gifts found their way into the trash by night fall. It would be one thing if they were struggling financially but he is a retired two-star general and now executive for a leading insurance/banking company. Not saying gifts are all about the monetary value placed on them but C'Mon man! At least make it a new olive fork lol.

We should start a bourbon thread lol. I havent opened the Yippee yet. However, I have a bottle of the Midwinter Nights Dram from High West that I absolutely love. Its a rye as well and perfect for a cold winter night. I highly recommend that if you see it on the shelf. Its a little pricey ~$90 but extremely tasty.