Wow,
This was my first cigar club day/herf and man, what a fun time!
The day started out with lunch in NYC with tone-ny. After getting in touch with my Kosher side (delicious brisket), Anthony brought me on a whirlwind tour of some famous NYC cigar establishments. If you're ever in the City, I recommend visiting Nat Sherman's to get a feel for what true old-style American cigar opulence was and is like. We also stopped in at the big JR Cigars store. Adapted from a former bank building, you can actually choose cigars out of a genuine bank vault. A little sight seeing and some great conversation wrapped things up on a most delightful note.
Thanks, Anthony for being such a gracious and engaging host. Now that I've met you in person, I can say that the things Shiba says about you are completely untrue.
After a quick break, I hustled it down to Churchill's to meet up with some CP botls. Getting there (on I-495, the LIE) reminded me of why I hated being a commuter. But when I arrived at Churchill's I was greeted by our own rob300c, Shibumi, BkCloud114 and Hudsonvalley. After ordering myself a nice glass of port, we chatted up an array of topics and got to know each other a bit. Over the course of the afternoon, we were joined by slevy007 and Dion. Stories flew, cigars were shared and smoke filled our corner of the lounge. I left at 6:30 but if any other guys came later, sorry to have missed you.
I have to admit that smoking in a group was quite different than solo smoking. The focus is, of course, much more on the social. It's a totally different experience with some things gained and some things missed. It came up in my conversation with Hudson that solitary smoking allows the cigar to draw one in and focus. The world falls away.
Well, all in all it was a fantastic day and I hope only the first of many.
Wilkey
PS. Wombat, we'll meet next time. Get better soon.
:thumbs: 
