Couple of fine smokes with Moondancer!

[Simon Bolivar]

So here's a few pics from the night I got off the rig. Jumped on a train for an 8hr round trip to see a fellow BOTL in Northumberland, Moondancer. I had a pair of superb Boli 109 5th Ave from Christoph in Hamburg & Brian threw in a pair of Cohiba 1966's. He had picked up a box of these Havana & had sent me one a couple of yrs ago. I still haven't smoked it yet so this was to be my first. I suggested smoking the Boli's first but Brian insisted on the '66's so naturally I went along with his suggestion. We were finishing off a decent bottle of claret which had accompanied a fine rare steak; that I mentioned that for me Cohibas go best with Whisky & he promptly produced some Glenmorangie & off we went. 2015-03-31 21.09.22.jpgThe '66 is a fine specimen of a cigar & certainly looked the part of highly sort after & much faked stick. It was firmly constructed but the draw was perfect, The initial flavs were rich & the smoke generous & thick, in fact if we are not getting into a too political field; I would say this was a cigar of two halves (don't mention 1966 & football, it only infuriates the Scots!) The first half was pretty much like a modern England game, they come out strong, showing2015-03-31 23.27.19.jpg potential & the occasional delight but by the second half they are flagging & holding on for a draw! 2015-03-31 23.26.56.jpgThe second half was fine but unamusing & still needing more age to hopefully improve it. And so after a short break I produce the full bored 109's.2015-03-31 21.09.36.jpg Now if you had a naval background, you could describe this vitola as distinctive as the Mk 8 4,5" gun on the front of most RN frigates in my day.2015-03-31 23.26.41.jpg I had picked some up when I was in Hamburg in 2009, when my ship was in in dry dock, the same dry dock where the Bismark was built & as a tanker, we barely filled 2/3 of the dock, that floating gun platform must have been huge! So given the interesting history of how Christoph managed to get this vitola for an German RE & my visit, these have always held a special place in my humi. I love the conical head, 2015-03-31 23.58.23.jpgwhich feels so good in the mouth, the 5yrs or so have mellowed these; maybe too much for some but to me they are just perfection, from the first puff to the last draw. Perfect construction & therefore perfect draw2015-03-31 21.27.39.jpg, the flav starts within a cuff of two & just gets better. 2015-03-31 21.31.33.jpgthere is not second or last third it went down to the band without harshness or a trace of bitterness. 2015-04-01 01.09.32.jpgI would recommend these heartily but they are pretty scarce now so if you haven't already stashed a few away, probably too late. They do come up in jars at auction but for silly money.2015-04-01 01.32.56.jpg A wonderful night with a close friend & back to Aberdeen the next day, after an expensive visit to Greys of Alnwick fishing tackle company. many thanks for your generous hospitality Brian, shame we live so far apart but we sure make up for it when we get together. ;o)

[oskihen]

A great read as always Simon and a trip certainly worth taking , nothing better than catching up with a good friend [emoji3]

[Wigan]

excellent stuff simon

[cj121]

A great little read there Simon. I could almost taste those 109s. Good company and a good cigar is hard to beat

[TheMonk]

Great read, seems like you gents had a wonderful time!

[wolfie]

v enjoyable read , sounds like a great night

i have both these cigars sat in the humi and look forward to enjoying them

[tippexx]

Good read Si ..... sounded like a fine little session.

[monkey66]

Great session, thanks for sharing.

[Johnny Thunder]

Excellent writing once again Simon. Thank you.

[Krist]

Great breakdown once again!