This.
Went to the Last Tsar event at Maxamar/Smallbatch tonight. My first time there (it's an hour from home). Came away with this donkey-choking menagerie. To say that Andrew & Co. "took care of me" is the understatement of the year. My first time buying from them. Let's just say they have my business and leave it at that.
Everything up to the Norteño is new to me. The leftmost ones are Caldwell line extensions that just came out in TKID and Eastern and they look great. The smallest one is the Maxamar exclusive Marble House. Hints of good things coming in the future from these guys too...
The Tsar itself is excellent (smoked it there). Powerful from the get-go (espresso bean) and mellows and sweetens at the half-way mark (cream soda); take small puffs and eat something first. Easy to smoke, and combines my favorite aspects of construction: a firm pack and a smooth draw. Lasts longer than you'd expect, so even at $18 (!) it's not a dealbreaker. Try one.
The unbandeds are a Reina (thank you Andrew) and a Le Pigeon (thank you again).
The humidor at Maxamar is ridiculously extensive. All the great boutique stuff is right up front when you walk in. The staff is superb. Had another fun chat with Robert Caldwell and Jeremy McDonald and look forward to seeing them at IPCPR.
But the real pleasure of the evening was talking cigars and travel with Andrew for 2 hours. The greatest guy.
This was the best cigar event I've been to.
Went to the Last Tsar event at Maxamar/Smallbatch tonight. My first time there (it's an hour from home). Came away with this donkey-choking menagerie. To say that Andrew & Co. "took care of me" is the understatement of the year. My first time buying from them. Let's just say they have my business and leave it at that.
Everything up to the Norteño is new to me. The leftmost ones are Caldwell line extensions that just came out in TKID and Eastern and they look great. The smallest one is the Maxamar exclusive Marble House. Hints of good things coming in the future from these guys too...
The Tsar itself is excellent (smoked it there). Powerful from the get-go (espresso bean) and mellows and sweetens at the half-way mark (cream soda); take small puffs and eat something first. Easy to smoke, and combines my favorite aspects of construction: a firm pack and a smooth draw. Lasts longer than you'd expect, so even at $18 (!) it's not a dealbreaker. Try one.
The unbandeds are a Reina (thank you Andrew) and a Le Pigeon (thank you again).
The humidor at Maxamar is ridiculously extensive. All the great boutique stuff is right up front when you walk in. The staff is superb. Had another fun chat with Robert Caldwell and Jeremy McDonald and look forward to seeing them at IPCPR.
But the real pleasure of the evening was talking cigars and travel with Andrew for 2 hours. The greatest guy.
This was the best cigar event I've been to.
Oh well, I will still be stopping by there again next Tuesday evening while I'm in the neighborhood. Great selection of sticks that you picked up there.