Yesterday i swung by El Cubano Cigars @Choatecav 's recommendation on my way from Houston to Galveston.
I dug the place. Nice little lounge and humidor full of house blended and rolled products, which i love. Manny (the owner) wasn't around, but the gentleman behind the counter was great to chat up for a while and gave me an excellent deal on a box worth of select choices from their walk-in humidor. Interestingly enough, i have mentioned and showcased my love for Tampa's Ybor City house-rolled cigar scene and while here at El Cubano i inquired as to where they sourced their leaf. Lo and behold: the bales come from Tampa's suppliers. Small world. And interesting how even though the same farms from various countries supply all these small blending/rolling companies, they all come up with blends that are unique. I think of it like music. Only so many notes and chords, yet endless songs and dance.
On that note, i had to try one, so on my way to Galveston from here i fired up an El Cubano lancero. Obvious age on it right out of the humidor, due to the browning cello. Quite unique flavor profile to the Ybor City stuff. Part of this is due to blend, but no doubt, part due to its storage here in the Texas. Nice smoke. Glad i have a few more.
Walked Galveston beach with a Gran Habano Corojo No.5 Maduro Limitada.
And on the way back to Houston i found a little shop akin to Total Wine, but locally owned - which i prefer, called Spec's. Their advertisement read, "Wine, Spirits, Finer Foods, Cigars, Beer." What's not to love? Of course i had to go check it out. Large store, good inventory, some wine offerings that were new to me, so i grabbed an 8-5-8 sungrown for $8 and a bottle of Cremant de Bourgogne for the cajun seafood i was having later and out the door i went.
Fired up the 8-5-8 SG for Fuente Friday and was too tired to post by the time i got back last night.
I dug the place. Nice little lounge and humidor full of house blended and rolled products, which i love. Manny (the owner) wasn't around, but the gentleman behind the counter was great to chat up for a while and gave me an excellent deal on a box worth of select choices from their walk-in humidor. Interestingly enough, i have mentioned and showcased my love for Tampa's Ybor City house-rolled cigar scene and while here at El Cubano i inquired as to where they sourced their leaf. Lo and behold: the bales come from Tampa's suppliers. Small world. And interesting how even though the same farms from various countries supply all these small blending/rolling companies, they all come up with blends that are unique. I think of it like music. Only so many notes and chords, yet endless songs and dance.
On that note, i had to try one, so on my way to Galveston from here i fired up an El Cubano lancero. Obvious age on it right out of the humidor, due to the browning cello. Quite unique flavor profile to the Ybor City stuff. Part of this is due to blend, but no doubt, part due to its storage here in the Texas. Nice smoke. Glad i have a few more.
Walked Galveston beach with a Gran Habano Corojo No.5 Maduro Limitada.
And on the way back to Houston i found a little shop akin to Total Wine, but locally owned - which i prefer, called Spec's. Their advertisement read, "Wine, Spirits, Finer Foods, Cigars, Beer." What's not to love? Of course i had to go check it out. Large store, good inventory, some wine offerings that were new to me, so i grabbed an 8-5-8 sungrown for $8 and a bottle of Cremant de Bourgogne for the cajun seafood i was having later and out the door i went.
Fired up the 8-5-8 SG for Fuente Friday and was too tired to post by the time i got back last night.
