At what point down this slope do you begin to question your sanity? For me it happenned last night.
When I first heard of this "Monster Series" from Pete I thought, "Now there's one stick I don't have any interest in". Flash forward to me last night driving 50 miles and fighting through traffic on the 405 freeway (what a mistake) just to pick up my box. 1 hour and 45 minutes after leaving home I finally pull in to The Big Easy.
Sanity (at least some semblance of it) returned quickly as I grabbed the nearest source of fire and lit that big stick. Aaahhhhhhhh, what a tasty smoke. Rich, sweet, earthy tobacco with nice barnyard flavors complemented this full-flavored, meaty stick. A perfect draw and near perfect burn (no touch-ups needed) helped to calm my troubled soul. About two hours later I bid this new found friend adieu but this is one stick that "sticks" with you. I think I can still taste a little bit in the back of my throat today.
Eric has a very nice store in Studio City that has way too many excellent smokes than any one place should offer. Pretty much everything Pete makes (sorry no black), among others. I could spend a month here smoking a different cigar or three every day and not run out of new sticks to try.
Eric was very cordial and a wealth of knowledge. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to him. I'm sure I'll be back.
Reflecting on the 45 minute drive home, this doesn't seem so crazy after all.