Ramon Allones Allones Extra Edicion Limitada 2011 Review

Those of you who have been following the blog today would have seen we were lucky enough to be at the cigar event at No.10 Manchester Street earlier on, where we got the chance to sample the Ramon Allones Allones Extra Edicion Limitada 2011. 

Bolivar Britanicas Hits UK Humidors

The long awaited Regional Bolivars for the UK has arrived at British cigar stockists.

The Bolivar Britanicas, a full-bodied cigar weighing in at a nice 5 3/8″ length and 48 ring gauge has hit the shores of old blights slightly later than expected and is sure to hang around only for a very short while with only 3000 boxes of 10 made, at the mouth watering price of £145 a box over at c.gars ltd who have this great pre order price before shipping commences on the 16th April the offer is hugely tempting!

We’ve also had news that the Casa Del Habanos in Teddington, the only CDH in the UK already have stock and are selling them as of today at £166 a box.

A slight difference from this particular vitola to previous Regional Editions is the regional band no longer states ‘Exclusivo Reino Unido’ (United Kingdom Exclusive) but now read ‘Exclusivo Gran Bretaña’ (Great Britain Exclusive). Ajay Patel, proprietor of the CDH in Teddington told Cigar Aficionado that we can expect all future RE’s to the UK to use the same band. Something about people not knowing Reino Unido unless they spoke ‘Cuban Spanish’. Something I find quite unlikely due to the fact that it is quite commonly used in Spain in official documents referring to the UK.

Stay tuned for one excited bloggers review as soon as my order is in!

May Fair Hotel Puts The Heat Back Into Cigar Smoking

I started this site over a year ago with the intention of removing the stereotypes associated with cigar smoking and that its not all about a stuffy room decorated with rich mahogany and filled with middle aged men like a secret society.

Today it seems The May Fair Hotel joins me in a quest to break those barriers and encourage people to start smoking cigars as a great sociable activity.
This spring the hotel opens the “The Cigar Room at The May Fair”.

Designed to be the best COSA (cosy, outdoor smoking area) in London, the newly created Cigar Experience will offer the finest Cuban cigars from Hunters & Frankau, plus exclusive products on the smoking menu unique to the May Fair.
What makes this smoking area different from the hundreds other in London you ask? Well let me tell you!

They are turning the concept of cigars on its head and burning the rule book to create a more feminine experience’ through the use of cutting edge and stimulating design.

Plans are in place for “hanging gardens” and striking chain mail clad walls. Live fireplaces will also add to the theatre of the space in colder months keeping you warm enough to enjoy a fine Cuban outside.

Individual humidors will be provided, so that smokers can leave their Cigars in perfect condition for future enjoyment. I’m sure there will be a cost associated with this, but if you like the ambience which I’m sure you will form what we are hearing, then why not.

To give the COSA an extra layer of perfection, the newly appointed Cigar Concierge will invite smokers to trial new brands and latest releases with experts who will talk through the specific qualities and tastes of each, making cigar smoking available for experts and beginners.

So you have the cigars, you have the location, now you need the drink pairing.

We are told The May Fair will have the finest Cognacs, Armagnacs and high end single malts joined by a Martini trolley and vintage champagnes from the hotel’s bar “150 at the May Fair”.

Just from looking at their menu I can see that a Red Rum cocktail would make a good choice for a cigar. Using Havana Club Anejo 7 year old rum, mixed with watermelon and honeydew melon I can imagine this being a good choice to pair up with a nice cigar.

The hotel will also offer a tasting package and expert advice from Masters of each spirit to add to the sipping pleasure of guests.
Anthony Lee, General Manager (and the guy you need to know) explained:

“Staying at the May Fair is all about a blend of experiences unique to our hotel,”
He also went on to say “With the Cigar Room we are creating somewhere our guests can feel relaxed and at ease while indulging in their passion for fine cigars.

“When we launched, the May Fair transformed and made five star luxury inclusive. Now we will do something similar for cigar smoking; banishing the gentleman’s club atmosphere and catering for women, the stylish and successful and, of course, the more traditional cigar connoisseur.”

Sounds like a man with a plan. With so many cigar bars offering the same atmosphere around Central London, it seems the May Fair could be the new spot to find me after work for a cocktail and a cigar.

What also makes the idea of the terrace even better is that they are targeting females more than males, which means you can take your partner for some cocktails while you puff away. (everyone’s a winner)

Cut the Cap will be planning a visit once the COSA opens in spring 2012, but in the meantime, keep clicking over to http://www.themayfairhotel.co.uk for more information.
Check them out on Twitter here @themayfairhotel

The hotel has had some great guest stay there in the past from 50 cent to Roger Sanchez to Paris Hilton. Check out their YouTube channel here. http://youtube.com/themayfairhotel

And remember to subscribe to Cut The Cap so you can be the first to know when we review the cigar room.

H. Upmann Half Corona Announced

Rejoice fellow Cigar lovers, as we have a new vitola in the family!

Announced by Habanos, the H. Upmann Half Corona is now available in cabinets of 25 with a 5 pack coming soon in an ALUMINIUM flask. How very exciting. There are no pictures of the aluminium flask but check out the gallery below for the Half Corona’s sexy press shots:

14th Habanos Festival

Trying to plan your next vacation? Well fellow cigar lovers, throw all other possibilities out the window because Habanos S.A. has announced the 14th Habanos Festival in Cuba next year to run from February 27th – March 2nd, 2012.

Punch Petit Coronation Review

I had the opportunity to try the Punch Petit Coronation today, having found some on sale at a Asda store (which i was quite surprised about, but turns out it’s quite common).

I got hold of 2, one for myself and one for blog-extroardinaire Eray Galip.

Cuba deals with the Cut in Spend

I just watched a great report on the BBC’s website on how Cuba have been hit with smoking laws and the economic crisis, and their solution – they are releasing smaller cigars which won’t take as long to smoke.
As the video shows the yearly Havana Cigar Festival (wish I was there) the reporter discusses the new Upman half corona that can be smoked in around 20 minutes. Great for us Brits who have to brave the cold for an hour of heaven.

Habanos describes as a novice friendly, accessible format deigned to “enjoy at any time.” It measures 3 1/2 by 44 and comes in five-count tins or boxes of 25.

Hopefully this means, smoking in winter will not be a problem and for newbie smokers, they can experience a cigar in 20 minutes.

Click here’s to see the video