• BOTL UPCOMING MAINTENANCE

    Hi Everyone, as mentioned in my introduction post, BOTL needs quite a bit of updating, patching and whatever else I might come across. Over the next few weekends BOTL may be unreachable on occasion as I do migrations or updates, etc. Just be patient - we'll be back! I'll generally try to keep these maintenances until later in the evenings.

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  1. Bruce T.

    Fake?

    Holy crap (pun intended) I never thought about my cigars being rolled by a person like this! Now I'm not sure I can stop thinking about this when I have my next cigar. Thanks a lot!
  2. Bruce T.

    FX Smith & Sons cigar making machine

    Here is a video of a cigar making machine in the U.S. Those who find manufacturing machines interesting will enjoy this. I have great admiration for the people who can figure out how to build these machines.
  3. Bruce T.

    Going to the Caribbean

    Don't forget that your spouse or your friends on the trip can bring back cigars for you and it won't affect their limit on booze or other items they have. The cigar limit is per person.
  4. Bruce T.

    Greetings...

    Welcome from Almonte, Canada
  5. Bruce T.

    Fakes made in Cuba

    All the ones I have had had bands. They are usually Cohiba Esplendidos, Cohiba Piramids or R&J #3 Tubos. They've all been pretty good. I've tried some sticks that were rolled by people in there homes trying to make a buck but they were short filler, poorly rolled and not very good.
  6. Bruce T.

    Fakes made in Cuba

    I know that purchasing fakes is bad for the industry and supporting the counterfitters is a bad idea, but we all seem to end up with someone giving us fakes thinking they are doing us a favor. I have had many fakes that were purchased in Cuba and therefore made in Cuba with Cuban tobacco...
  7. Bruce T.

    Let's see how you store your cigars.

    If they were bought in Cuba then smoke and enjoy. Every fake I've had from Cuba have been very good quality. If they were bought anywhere else.... beware.
  8. Bruce T.

    Tuppidor-Help

    If you do what has been suggested, air-tight Tupperware and a Boveda, you will be ahead of 90% of cigar smokers. The problems people have with wooden humidors is endless. Air-tight is the key.
  9. Bruce T.

    Hygrometer Probe...for Cigar Science

    The short answer is "it doesn't matter". The reading you are getting is just a number that "represents" the cigar moisture content. A bit of background.... different types of wood have different properties. Oak is different than pine, etc. Even different species within a group, such as Yellow...
  10. Bruce T.

    Hygrometer Probe...for Cigar Science

    This study will take some time but I'm interested in hearing about what you find. My guess would be that the weight and size won't have much affect on your results. You are measuring the % moisture content of the cigar so it should be irrespective of size and weight just like as if the cigars...
  11. Bruce T.

    Moldy HdM Epi#2's

    Not that I don't believe you.... but I looked it up. You're right! Alcohol does not kill mold. I guess I'll stop using it. Thank you my sciencey friend.
  12. Bruce T.

    Moldy HdM Epi#2's

    I understand that wiping with distilled water may help but it seems to me that while it would wipe off the visible mold there would still be mold spores present on the leaf and therefore the potential to grow back over time. I always wipe with alcohol. I have mentioned this before on this...
  13. Bruce T.

    First Wineador and asking for feedback and advice.

    ^^ I agree that the wood will soak up a lot of moisture. It may take 1-2 weeks to stabilize so patience is the key. You really can't think about how to fine tune the humidity until the wood has stabilized. The more wood there is the slower the environment will stabilize. But that is a good...
  14. Bruce T.

    Cuban quality

    I don't know if the import duties would be the same from Hong Kong as they are from the U.S. but from the U.S. I pay 10% duty, 45% excise tax (whatever that is) 13% sales tax and a $10 handling fee from Customs. You may recall that Canada and the U.S. have a free trade agreement. Unfortunately...
  15. Bruce T.

    Cuban quality

    I think this thread has run it's course. Thanks for watching.
  16. Bruce T.

    Cuban quality

    I've been to Cuba several times. I love the Cuban people. The people are not backwards or stuck in time.....they're POOR. That's why they use oxen. That's why they work in run down buildings. But being poor does not make them stupid. They are a highly educated people. They have an almost...
  17. Bruce T.

    Cuban quality

    Sorry about the last post. I hit the button too early. I agree the CA panders to it's advertisers. Most magazines do. But then again, Habanos S.A. doesn't advertise in CA.
  18. Bruce T.

    Cuban quality

  19. Bruce T.

    Cuban quality

    While I do love CC's I also love many NC's. I get my CC's when I'm in Cuba. I have considered ordering CC's from Europe or Hong Kong but I've never gotten around to it. I think they would be cheaper even with the taxes.
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