Simon Bolivar's Hoil's to UK, Portugal & Spain

[Simon Bolivar]

Sat 9th May: Left home after getting home late yesterday from the Rig. luckily I had prepared my suitcase before I left for work so just had to pack a suitable selection of cigars for the trip, Pic's 1& 2. We get up before 06:00 to be on the road by 06:30 & try & get through the nightmare that is the Antwerp 'M25' & get to Calais in time for our sailing at 11:00. We usually go from Dunkirk, where we never have a problem but because I didn't book until I was actually off the rig, that route was too expensive. Big mistake because Calais was a nightmare. We were there more than 90mins before sailing & they never got us through in time to catch our sailing, they weren't even searching every car!

The only bonus of being delayed was that we got to watch the wedding on TV, albeit with French commentary so at least the wife was slightly happier.

In the UK we stopped at Fleet for a break & the wife went off charity shopping (a dozen charity shops in Fleet) & settled down at the Oatsheaf, to start my hols with one of Tippex's H.Upmann Monarch's from 2006. Kicking back on this lovely sunny afternoon in an English pub garden was sheer bliss & the cigar was impeccable too. Starting with the usual coffee, the early fav's were soft but built up by the time I started the beer; the last third was quite outstanding.

Later that evening after dinner in the garden at my sister's, I had another of Tippex's - RA Swiss ER2005, perfect after dinner cigar & not too long, finished just as the temp was dropping.

Next morning we caught the 05:30 train to Gatwick. CigarCollection.2018.05.18_184022.1.jpgCigarCollection.2018.05.18_184030.1.jpgH.Upmann.Mon.2018.05.19_153847.1.jpgH.Upmann.Mon.2018.05.19_154058.1.jpgH.Upmann.Mon.2018.05.19_165255.1.jpgRA.ER2005.2018.05.19.IMG_6603.1.jpgRA.ER2005.2018.05.19_202620.1.jpgRA.ER2005.2018.05.19_205224.1.jpgRA.ER2005.2018.05.19_205613.1.jpg

[K444HEP]

Love reading about your travels and cigar adventures [MENTION=941]Simon Bolivar[/MENTION], please keep them coming!

[handlebarpipe]

Your cigar adventures are always interesting to read. Thanks also for the photos.
Marc

[Simon Bolivar]

RA.ER2010.IMG_6640.b.1.jpgRA.ER2010.2018.05.21_204433.1.jpgMonte.Tubos.2018.05.23_141512.a.1.jpgPunch.PP.2018.05.23_182937.1.jpgPunch.PP.2018.05.23.IMG_6771.1.jpgTues 22nd May: We flew out yesterday, without problems for once! Had dinner in the main square by the river last night, bathed in lovely evening sunlight. 'Enjoy this' I said to my family 'this might be the best weather we see'. Today wasn't as warm but dry & we toured around Lisbon, including the Tile museum. Yes, really! Due to constant walking around didn't get time for a cigar so dragged the family our int he evening to a local caf?, to enjoy a smoke whilst we played cards.

I chose an appropriate RA Lusitainos ER Portugal 2010, from Tippex. I had chosen my cap as the last time I was in Lisbon was whilst visiting on HMS Illustrious in 1985. I have never had a bad RA ER & this was not going to be the exception, My only criticism would be that without the labels & the differences in vitola, would anyone be able to tell which ER it was on a blind tasting? I think not, luckily as long as you enjoy the RA profile, they are always a good bet for an after dinner smoke.

Wed 23rd May: We went to visit the Jer?nimos Monastery on the Targus River. We queued up for an hour in the sunshine, just as I was thinking I should have put some sun cream on, it started to shower. Luckily we managed to get inside before it really heaved down. Interesting walk around, saw yet more tiles (was becoming quite an authority by now) & then left for lunch at a nearby caf?. Afterwards the ladies went to view the archaeology museum (daughter has an archaeology degree) & I cried off, 'I'll save a little money if I sit here & have a smoke, whilst you two enjoy yourselves'. Such self-sacrifice always endears you to family.

This time chose one of Tippex's Monte Tubos 2005, I have been underestimating this vitola & have only been getting into them over the last year, after picking up some from members with 10yrs+ on them. For our newer members, tubes are really intended for long term aging, they really concentrate the flavours & should be stored with the caps on to keep that flav in. This was a particularly good example & the skies had now cleared up & the sun shown forth as I enjoyed a pleasant hour or so in a blue Havana haze. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jer%C3%Bnimos_Monastery

In the late afternoon & a few hours of being dragged around the shops back in the centre of Lisbon I persuaded the ladies to take cocktails out the front of a hotel & have a wee smoke before dinner, by pointing out it would be more pleasant & warmer than doing so after dinner. Which small cocktail size cigar? Another of Tippex's, a Punch Petit Punch 2008, sampled alongside my first Martini Expresso (after seeing James have one recently). Well it went rather well but @ E10 I don't expect I'll be having another one out very soon, especially as it's easy enough to make at home. I haven't had a Petit Punch since June 2008 at the Beaufort Pub, with Martyn (guess you were right Martyn, just checked this in my diary, couldn't remember the name of the pub at all but that's where you suggested the next herf, right?). A perfect match, still punchy enough to enjoy with the cocktail.

[Simon Bolivar]

25th May+ Simon Bolivar meets the General.

Fri
25th May: Daughter unwell today so let her lie in & we went for a walk to a
central park, looking towards the war memorial. The caf? there is best shown
from our first day's exploring when we were all together. Now back there this
time to enjoy a coffee & de Nata https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastel_de_nata &
a ERDM DT 2011. I noticed a swift alight on the pond & flap its way towards
the edge. Knowing Swifts & swallows don't land on water, I knew something
was wrong so went to rescue the wee thing. Managed to get it out & let it
dry its feathers as it laid on my hands. Kept it for nearly half an hour, when
it started to struggle & then I threw it up in the air & it flew to a
nearby awning. Couldn't see any injuries but didn't bode well.

Patricia met a local resident an unusual turtle, who didn't want rescuing, just
food, it found our biscuits acceptable, coz he wasn't getting my
Nata!

Later that evening we headed back to the main square for dinner &
afterwards the ladies went for a walk whilst I enjoyed a Party SdC No3 '98.
This was a superb example of just how good these can be, enough to bring a tear
to any C.A. when you realize they have joined the long list that Habanos
have deleted, including No1 & 2.

Sat: 25th May: Left Lisbon via a 3hr train ride to Porto. The train station at
Porto is worth a visit, as it's decorated in, you guessed it - tiles!
After dropping off our baggage at the hotel, we went for a walk
down the hill into town. Had a great afternoon exploring but I had the time on
my mind as I had arranged to meet up with a couple of cigar mad friends, whom I
first met in Antwerp, having corresponded with them over FB. With that marvelous
gift of hindsight, what we should have done was dress suitably & then
we wouldn't have had to go back to the hotel to change but at least I won the
argument that getting a taxi back to the hotel & then another to Porto Cruz
on the other side of the river was the only way to make it one time.

We met up with Stefan Hyem & Aura Martins (anyone else know
them?) at the Porto Cruz building, a former port warehouse, now
a refurbished as a port Museum & restaurant. Stefan & Aura
run a cigar club from there & after meeting on the roof terrace, which
was so packed conversation was difficult so they lead us down
a floor to the area they use for their club & went out onto the balcony for
a glass or two of Port wine (as distinct from port the fortified wine) & a
cigar. Stefan gave me a RASCC, which is fuller bodied than I'd usually have
before dinner but I managed it fine & we stayed to watch the sunset at
the mouth of the river.

Afterwards they took us to a local restaurant which was very busy, with
customers glued to the football, not wanting to leave their tables until the
match was over. Stated on very large portions of chicken & chips, they
took us back to their home, which they described as a 'loft.' It was originally
a large working garage in a residential street, at the back of the railway
station. They have kept the front as a garage for their four cars: an AC Cobra,
Hummer, Merc & their run around town a Golf. Next you come to the
kitchen & dining area, which leads to an open space, with the pool.
Their bedrooms & offices are beyond that in two levels. Quiet a conversion
& a fab party space when they bring club members back in the early hours to
carry on the party.

Stefan gave me a tour of his walk-in humi, which has some stunning &
collectable Havana?s, inc Cuban Davidoff's, complete boxes of limited editions
& jars, including original pre-rev jars. I knew he was a collector as
well as a prolific smoker so I wasn't surprised but worried whether my
offerings would be something at least they didn't have in stock, even if they
had tried them before. No need to worry, when as we sat by the pool with a glass
of 80yo port, that Stefan had obtained from a contact that had been stored in
the barrel, which he bought over 10yrs ago & we were honored that he chose
to share it with us. He keeps it in the Kitchen & fills the glasses
using a turkey baster! He's thinking of bottling the remainder to avoid the
dregs.

So, what could I bring to this party, worthy of such an occasion? I dipped into
my Xikar Humi & pulled out three Boli ER 2009 Especiales No2. I bought
my originals from Christoph in Hamburg in 2009, whilst the Curlew was in dry
dock. Having tried them I later bought a box, which I was crazy enough to share
with members. I then bought another 12 when the price was going up. These have,
as for once I predicted, aged magnificently & are the finest
examples of a slim ER vitola. Stefan being German (Aura is a Porto girl),
had obviously had them before but not for some time & didn't have any in
his collection - relief!

These cigars match the exquisite port superbly, the draw was perfect, the
flav's increasing as the cigar burned down. The conversation flowed &
even my wife & daughter seemed to be enjoying themselves, even though
my wife hates cigar smoke & it often gives her migraines. Luckily there was
just enough flow of air to take the smoke away, as we discussed what &
where we should go on Monday. Declaring that anything of interest is
closed on Monday in Porto, Stefan suggested we go for a day trip to Spain! I
thought that sounded a long drive heading East but going North, the
border is only an hour or so away on the toll motorway & the port of Vigo,
another half an hour. There he promised an Aladdin's cave of long forgotten
boxes of vintage Havana's that the Spanish didn't want (they prefer fresh
sticks) or couldn't afford to buy whole boxes of, due to their own tight
economic situation.

Arrangements agreed, we were chaffered back by their favorite taxi driver who
they got out of bed to take us home, lucky for him he lives practically next
door; whilst they went out on the town to mix with the in people of Porto.
Another night to remember amongst cigar minded people.

[WDave40]

As always sounds like a great trip with some amazing smokes!

[Simon Bolivar]

Cheers Dave, more to come tomorrow.

[Simon Bolivar]

Monte.Dumas.2018.05.28.IMG_6860.1.jpgRG.Pan.2018.05.28_111430.1.jpgRG.Pan.2018.05.28_111841.1.jpgCigarCollection.2018.05.29.IMG_6889.1.jpgCigarCollection.2018.05.29.IMG_6895.1.jpgMonte.Dumas.2018.05.28_143049.1.jpgMonte.Dumas.2018.05.28.IMG_6861.1.jpgMonte.Dumas.2018.05.28.IMG_6868.1.jpgTrini.Reyes.2018.05.28.IMG_6872.1.jpg
Mon 28^th May: Sunday we had spent on our own as our friends were out until dawn & we ticked off a few more sights to
see. Monday, as arranged we arrived by taxi at their place ready for a day trip to Spain, something we certainly hadn?t expected to do this holiday!>
We piled into the golf, a little tight with 3 of us in the back but Stefan believes they attract less attention form the occasion border
police stops, to carry out smuggling checks, which he has experienced in the Hummer & Merc. Stefan lit up straight away, his usual morning smoke, a
RASCC. We opened the windows & the sunroof & somehow my wife coped. Personally, I never smoke in a car, not even my old fishing car. Trying to drink (even
coffee), smoke & drive at the same time is beyond me & I can?t see the enjoyment. >
After an hour we were approaching the Spanish boarder & we stopped at their usual refueling station for a coffee & a smoke. I
can?t smoke much with just coffee & they serve a real small coffee in Portugal. Stefan had offered me a selection before we left & I chose a RG Panatela
?02. This is the completely hand rolled version of the slightly larger Panatela Extra, which many of us are familiar with. Turned out to be the perfect choice,
tasty & just the right length to last for the stop & then onwards to our promised destination.>

Travelling on the toll motorways we saw hardly any traffic & progress was swift. Once into Vigo, we went straight to a small, unimposing Tabaco, which would have been easy to pass. Many only sell
cigarettes but this has the real deal. The staff greeted Stefan & Aura as frequent visitors & they had an order to pick up. I went into the walk-in & was immediately drooling at the amazing vintage stock spread out before me. Before I got too carried away, Stefan pointed out some boxes had livestock inside. This immediately brought me down to earth & worried about buying anything. Of course, Spain has the perfect conditions for the tobacco weevil so it shouldn?t be a surprise. Stefan showed me how to open the boxes (sealed ones were opened discretely with a thumb nail) & checked for dust. That much I knew but he then flipped the box over so we could check the second layer for bug holes or settled dust. Some boxes passed some didn?t. Seemed surprising that they would keep these boxes on the shelves, when these little buggers were eating they prime stock!>
All I had expected to buy this holiday was a box of 10 regionals from Portugal. I ended up with boxes of Boli Inmensas ?01, Cohiba Exquisitos ?01, Cuaba Divinos ?03, JLP Petit Cazadore tin ?17, Sancho Panza
Coronas Gigantes ?01. Going around another road or too we came to a second shop, where the owner was wanting to go to lunch but Stefan had called ahead & he stayed open for us. This shop was totally different. All the shelves very carefully stacked, gaps between all the boxes & all modern sticks. I picked up 2 packs of 3 Cohiba tubos of Piramides Extra & Siglo VI. These weren?t ?cheap? but the best price I have found for a long time & something I wouldn?t have bought at home.>
Then we went to their fav local fish restaurant, it?s not something my family eat much of but we entered the spirit of things & I had the sea bass, my wife the sole. Two enormous fish, that I struggled to finish.
Afterwards, we were given a bottle of local herb liquor with our coffee & we smoked the new Monte Dumas. This was my first experience of this new line & for a very fresh cigar it certainly showed potential. The Open Line are a lighter version of Monte?s for the American/newbie, the Dumas is a richer version of the standard Monte line. I would certainly be interested in trying some in 3-5yrs.>
After lunch we retired to visit the beach & despite the very fresh Atlantic breeze, sat outside & smoked. I had a Trini Reyes ?07, that I had bought from home, which went fine with a coffee & a Super bock local beer. >

[K444HEP]

Looking forward to the next instalment!

[Simon Bolivar]

Punch.Nifa.2018.05.29_212036.1.jpgThanks K444HEP, here we go with the last episode...

Tues 29^th May: We went by train to Sitra, a nearby small port, with the magical multi-coloured Penna castle, in the mists of
the hilly forest; Disney could have got some inspiration from it. Unfortunately, it drizzled most of the day so was a bit of a damp squid. We did stumble about a ‘Gourmet restaurant’, I knew this because it had a self-proclaimed sign saying so on the door. They weren’t too keen to open, they obviously lunch late in Sitra, as when I tried the door at 13:00 it was still locked. It was duly opened & we were the first customers to take our seats. Strangely we were far from the first to get our food & by the time we had finished our two courses, at least three couples had been & gone. Still we really weren’t in a rush.
For once we all agreed to drink white wine & asked for a glass each. The waiter came to the table poured our drinks from an open bottle & then suggested we might as well keep it as it was cheaper to have a whole bottle than a pay for a second glass. But the bottle appeared to be less than half so had he already poured a glass for somebody else? As we had only ordered a glass, I never looked before he poured. Not wanting to make a fuss (which always annoys the ladies) I agreed & at least we were well fortified with a little glow for the damp tour during the afternoon. I had chosen to be adventurous & had the Nero Risotto. For those of you who have never seen or tried it, it is cooked in squid ink, which dies everything black. That is a bowl of black rice & fish. Well I have tried it once, ‘nough said. When we left, there was a break in the rain, long enough for us to explore a little & find the bus to take ups up to the castle.>
Views from the castle are normally ‘stunning’ as boldly stated in the brochure but a curtain of continually swirling mist & heavier cloud, prevented us seeing anything except the trees.
Back in Porto, we were in time to visit our friends for dinner. Aura had suggested she would cook & we enjoyed some fine cuisine, Portuguese wine & afterwards I was offered a Punch Nifa 2002, to go with my port. Another splendid evening’s conversation & a stellar Nifa, something that’s becoming increasingly HTF these days. >
Wed 30^th May: Today I had to get the ladies up & at our friends for 10:00 as Aura was due to go to her hairdresser & had mentioned how reasonable she was. My wife had come home on her last visit to a hairdresser in Antwerp, looking pale & shocked. I made the easy mistake of asking what was wrong, turned out she’d just been charged E170 for having a cut, two colors & blow dry. ‘It’s never been above E140 before.’ Now there were two of us in shock! In Porto Grace had a trim, Trish had the same as in Antwerp & the total bill was only E62; Trish went against form & left a very generous tip.>
What should Stefan & I do, whilst waiting a couple of hrs for our ladies? There was a caf? nearby & we had coffee & I smoked a Tippex JL Suprebra 2006, Stefan his usual morning smoke an RASCC. I had smoked my first of this vitola in Hamburg & for a small slim stick there were quite expensive at E6 (2009), I think this reflected the quality of the tobacco as it was a really fine & quite a powerful smoke. This example with a dozen yrs on it was far more mellow but a stellar tasty smoke to start the day with. By the time we were ready for our second cigar of the day, Aura was back & so I produced three 1970’s H.Upmann Epicures. As you can see the cello was my fav colour, ‘mellow yellow.’ I started with a coffee & then a Super Bock local beer. We all agreed this Machine made old fashioned Upmann had stood the test of time. I had offered these earlier in our trip when outside but Stefan though such vintage cigars would be better enjoyed inside but nearing the end of our visit, I urged him to try it now as I knew they were still strong enough to enjoy outside. Aura & Stefan both agreed these were fine examples of the vitola & machine mades were historically were thought of as outdoor cigars, as the wrapper is a little thicker & therefore the flavor a little stronger.>
Stefan then took us to a local cigar shop where he knew they had some boxes of LCG No2 fro the 1990's! Was I interested? Well, love to see them I replied. Of course when I saw them I couldn't resist, there were 2 & a half boxes, would love to have taken the second complete box as well but my Nearest & Dearest was very near & certainly feeling I was pushing her good will at this stage so one it was.
After lunch, our friends dropped us off at the Graham’s House of Port & went for tour & vintage port tasting. Although we had been the day before & booked the tasting, the staff on duty today couldn’t find any reference to our booking. Most annoying & we missed the beginning of the tour as they tried to resolve the problem. Once granted access we saw a video of the history of Grahams & they went around the cellars. Magnificent selection going back to the 1800’s of the family’s own selection, but plenty of 60 & 70’s port, which is still drinking superbly. After we had a tasting we had 6 different ports between us & shared as the guide explained each one as we went along. The 2016 was too green for me to appreciate or judge what it might be like, my choice was the 2000, which priced as horrifically as you might imagine, given the rave reviews at the time. In case you can’t read it on the photos the ladies had Grahams 6 grapes, 30 yo tawny & the 2000 vintage. I had the 1983, 2000 & 2003 Vintages. Afterwards we were given a free glass of the 2016.
It would have been nice to sit outside with a vintage Havana & a glass of Grahams but it was miserable out & little cover. After our friends collected us, we went to an Italian restaurant in Porto, for dinner & then most surprisingly to me, they took us to a smoking caf?. They had a couple of tables with ashtrays outside, that’s normal. Then we went inside & at the first table a chap sat reading the paper & smoking a robusto! We went deep inside & found a couple of tables free. By now I was smoked out & feeling the start of a cold coming on that my dearest daughter had managed to pass on but Stefan produced a Monte No3 ’98, how could I say no? So, my final cigar in Portugal was another grand example of vintage Havana, soft & smooth as velvet. >

Thurs 31^st May: We had the morning to have a last walk around & then Stefan & Aura insisted on dropping by for a last coffee before our transfer transport arrived to take us to the airport. Sat outside at a caf? just down from our hotel, we watched them lit up & smoke but I was happy to abstain this time; aye I am just a light weight! >
They say travel broadens the mind & I think it was good for my wife to see my friends & realize that I don’t have the biggest collection & I don’t smoke as often or as many as some others. Stefan smokes half a dozen a day – up to ten in Havana. I am happy with two or three times a week with one or two smokes & maybe half a dozen on an all-day herf. >
So, in less than an hour’s shopping in Vigo & Porto I found E1,200 worth of fine Havana’s. The wife was in shock but luckily kept it to herself until we were back at the hotel: on the plane, at home, on the rig ect, ect! I just smiled nicely as I had to leave them in the fridge & rely on her to transfer them to the freezer, back to the fridge & then into the coolador. Last night she confirmed this operation complete & just in the cost could have covered a trip to Cuba. Well almost & I still have enough for our next planned trip in Nov. Being a gentleman I didn’t mention if she worked full time, she’d have more spending money too!>

[K444HEP]

Sounds like you had a great time, a shame about the weather on your castle visit, but fantastic memories made nevertheless.

[TheMonk]

Looks like you had great fun, smoked some great cigars, and enjoyed Portugal all round!

[Simon Bolivar]

Looks like you had great fun, smoked some great cigars, and enjoyed Portugal all round!

Yes, we did have a good time but shame it wasn't this week, they have 26-28oC there now!

[TheMonk]

Yes, we did have a good time but shame it wasn't this week, they have 26-28oC there now!

We're actually having 30-32? C, at least these last few days... I don't think it's gonna last long, though!