V-Day @ Birdwatch

"Birdwatch"

   This past Thursday as many of you may know, was Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day you're supposed to spend it with the one you love and that's exactly what I did. I spent some much needed quality time with my stogeys at Birdwatch. 

   

   Birdwatch is just the nickname we gave my apartment's terrace that overlooks the street. I just kicked back with stogey and drink in hand and watched the people and cars go by while the sky changed colors as the Sun went down.

Ave Maria - Reconquista

   With so many choices to choose from, I decided to go with an Ave Maria Reconquista since I hadn't smoked one since Christmas. The Reconquista is full flavored with a dark chocolate/espresso flavor with a very subtle hint of pepper. The draw was fantastic and went well with my limeade with touch a vodka mixed in. Just a nice relaxing Valentine's Day. - KJ Gurkha

2013 Endless Cigar Festival

no ticket, no entry

   The SIP (Stogeys In Paradise) crew decided to attend this event and perform recon on some premium smokes. Bedrock, JP, and I ventured down to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel where the event was held. Free food, drinks, and smokes. What more could you ask for?

nice view of Diamond Head Crater from the event grounds

 
   Unlike some of the other events I attended, this one had some major VIPs. Pepin, Jaime, Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars, Robert Levin of Ashton Cigar, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, and Rocky Patel of well, Rocky Patel Cigars were in attendance.

Rocky Patel & KJ Gurkha

   With over 300 people in attendance, it was pretty hard to get to meet all the VIPs. But I was fortunate enough to meet Rocky Patel. Rocky Patel makes a couple of my favorite cigars, the 2003 Vintage Cameroon and the Decade. Both are great smokes and are definite recommends. I was lucky enough to talk shop with Rocky for a bit and snipe a photo in the process.

   Although I did not get her name, this lovely lady from Kauai Cigar Company was there hand rolling cigars. It was cool to see a stogey made from scratch.
 
   The event lasted from 5pm to 9pm. The SIP crew decided to duck out a little early to get a head start on the crowd. Overall we enjoyed the evening. - KJ Gurkha

After meeting the man himself, how could I not finish off the night with a Decade.