sandt38

Fuck yeah. We had a kick ass cider mill not 10 minutes from my place in the Southtowns of Buffalo

Up there at the finger lakes, eh? That sure is some beautiful country.

I have thought about trying to make my own whiskey... but I don't have the patience to sit around and wait for 8 or 9 years to try it.

I went to the liquor stores here, no dice on the Woodford Pinot finished If you didn't get them day one, you won't get one. I missed them, but a buddy did snag a bottle. I got to taste it, and it was fantastic. They only released 1400 bottles, unfortunately. They did have a masters collection Rye. 2 325ml with 2 different finishes. Holy fuck that is old! That was last year's release! The Pinot Noir was highly sought after. They did another wine barrel finish 7 years ago, and it was incredibly good from what I understood. Supposedly the Pinot Noir was a better bourbon. FWIW, it is a brilliant drink and well worth the $100 price tag. The Masters collection path has already been laid out through 2021, and there is no other wine finish planned in the collection to that point. Master Distiller, Chris Morris, is planning his retirement in 2023, so we have a very short window to get the ability to try another good wine finish from Woodford... and we have to wait quite a while for that window to be open.

I love busy... but I am, for the most part, commission... and my bonuses are effectively based on how busy we are. That is one thing I love about my job. I hate lazy workers. I have an amazing work ethic (not trying to pat myself on the back, I just bust ass and work hard all day long), and I abhor slackers. My career path is compensated by how much work you do, how hard you work. I don't have to work with lazy people, for the most part.

Seth- first off congrats on CTI!! That is a very big accomplishment, and I am certain you will be a huge success!!! As for your cigar question, many things effect the flavor and over all smoke. The ring guage of the stick, to how the tobacco was grown (and where), how it was cured, how accurately the blend recipe was followed, how tightly it was rolled, and lastly how long the cigar was stored and the humidity in the humidor. As a cigar ages some of the oils leak into the plastic wrap. Quite often this brings forth some more subtle flavors than you would notice if it is fresh. As for your Davidoff question, I am truly not a fan of their cigars as they have often fallen apart on me, had burn runs, and had extremly inconsistant flavor. I honestly put them in the swisher sweet, white owl, and dutch master group- suitable only for rolling other things. That being said, have you tried out the Liga Privada, Kentucky Fire Cured, or Natural lines from Drew Estate? I also am a fan of Gurkha, Don Peppin (especially My Father's Cigar), or Alec Bradley? All are some fine sticks, and come in easily under 30 a stick. One of the best things you can do to compair how a cigar's construction changes flavor is to try a few of the same blend in different styles. DE's Scid line makes a wafe (small box press) blonde (smaller guage stick) and 1300cc (tubo) that all share a similar blend but very different construction. Same with the Java line. They have a thick box press as well as a rolled (50 guage I believe) and are terrific. The thing to keep in mind is that simple things such as the meal before the cigar, beverage consumed with the cigar, and environment can change your enjoyment of the stick. J Gurkhas, huh? http://www.cigar.com/cigars/viewcigar.asp?prod=SP-CIGASST284 I saw this sampler and steered clear, due to the price. Is it worth it? Anything specific I should look for in the suggested cigar lines? I prefer a medium to mild smoke now. Also, knowing how much Bill Cosby loves cigars, and that he prefers Ashtons, I wanted to grab one for this weekend from my local cigar shop. I usually smoke with some bourbon... either on the rocks or in an old fashioned. The bourbon and stogie really compliment each other IMO. The Centurian and the Beast are the only cigars I would smoke from that sampler.http://www.cigarsinternational.com/specials/you-pick/gurkha-gorge-fest Much better deal from a much better company. The Make Me An Offer section is a great place to check out too. Some serious deals available, and you choose how much you want to lowball to start. J Those Gurkhas are huge, dude. 56-60 rings... don't you think that may be a bit big to suit my tastes? I am not questioning your suggestion, just wondering why you might suggest such big rings. Is the filler that much nicer than the Davidoff? For the second 5 I was leaning on the Elegance, the only listed in stock with a 50 ring. If you may suggest any other in stock sticks, I will give them a try. I am trying to learn about the hows and whys of the stogie... I may only smoke 1 a week, or 1 every other week, so I would like to know where to head as I don't want to tire of the hobby. I am more used to one a year or so, and really find myself enjoying what otherwise may be a very average cigar. And thanks for the link. I like the prices better, and will happily deal with whomever you may suggest. Longer smoke and more of an opportunity for the flavor profile to come to life. I thouroughly enjoy a larger ring. J I stopped at the stogie shop on the way home, and pounded the owner for information and suggestions. I did sit down with him and smoked a Centurian. It was decent, but a bit too strong for me. Keep in mind, I quit smoking cigs over a year ago, and just recently started back on the sticks. I usually smoke a stogie when I am on vacation, so I may have smoked one or two a year. I didn't really find it as complex as the Diademas. I also had to smoke it harder than I like. Phil said both were a result of the ring size. I am going to grab the sampler, just to see if I can get accustomed to the larger ring and the difference in smoking style, however. I do want to expand my understanding and enjoyment of the cigar. He did make a few suggestions I took him up on. I asked about Ashtons, and he had a funny look, like he didn't think it would be a good fit. He asked what Ashtons I had considered, and I told him the ESG. His look lightened quite a bit, and he said it is a beautiful smoke that he feels I will like, but it is fairly expensive. I didn't think $25 was bad, but I told him I didn't mind paying for a good smoke. He gave me $5 off. I grabbed up the 24 year Salute. Off that he suggested another, less expensive Ashton, Symmetry. I snagged the Prestige, almost a Churchill style cigar, for $16. Finally he asked if I would be willing to dabble with different profiles. I said sure, so he suggested a nice, reasonably priced Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva. He did warn me that the profile would be significantly different from what I have been smoking, but I think I need to step outside my comfort zone, and for $8.50 I was game.

Please bear in mind that the information I provided was second hand, but the source is fantastic. He has been in the appliance repair business for 30+ years. When I need appliance input, I call Doug.

Steer clear of LG and Kenmore. LG is nearly impossible to have serviced, and Kenmore changes just enough so you must buy Kenmore/Sears parts. Samsung is decent, their quslity is nice but repair centers are harder to find. I have a customer who owns an appliance repair shop (convenient appliance on Spring Garden street in Greensboro NC if you care to look/ask... his name is Doug), and he has stated this over and over again.

I had a nice Davidoff Diadema tonight, with an Old Fashioned (with double Oaked) and 2 4 oz Double Oaked Single Barrel on the rocks. What a beautiful combo. I look forward to trying some of the suggested stogies if you guys say the are better...

I could not find any Caine series by Oliva. Honestly, if you could recommend me a fine cigar from their lineup I would be stoked. These stack up at $14-18 less per stick than I have thus far been looking at/enjoyed. The Davidoff Nicaraguan Diadema is a $20 stick, and Ashton ESVs are $25 a stick. I would love to save that cash and stock up my Humidor. Oliva I think I am going to jump on the Gurkhan deal and the Ashton ESVs, and would love to round out my collection with a few other brands that prove to be solid... and inexpensive works awesome for me. It isn't easy for me to crack out a $20 stick every day or every other day, but I sure could accept tossing a $4-6 dollar stick out a few times a week with a nice $25 Ashton every other week or so.

Sorry, I must have missed your post. I am gonna look back for it.

1 – Montecristo Classic Robusto (5” x 52) 1 – Romeo y Julieta Vintage #7.5 (6.25” x 54) 1 – Cohiba Red Dot Robusto (5” x 49) 1 – Rocky Patel Connecticut Toro (6” x 52) 1 – Gurkha Beauty (6.5” x 56) 1 – Alec Bradley American Sun Grown Toro (6” x 50) 1 – Macanudo Café Hyde Park (5.5” x 49) 1 – Oliva Serie ‘O’ Robusto (5” x 50) 1 – Punch Pita (6.1” x 50) 1 – 5 Vegas Gold Torpedo (6” x 54) ? With a humidor for $40. That humidor would have a purpose, FWIW... a regift, so to speak. I am thinking of coupling that with the Gurkha gift set with the Elegance, and a box of 5 Ashton ESVs. For under $200 I can have a selection to try, and a decent humidor for a gift for a friend with little spare cash, and a penchant for cigars (thanks to me bringing him to the cigar shop the other day).

Seth- first off congrats on CTI!! That is a very big accomplishment, and I am certain you will be a huge success!!! As for your cigar question, many things effect the flavor and over all smoke. The ring guage of the stick, to how the tobacco was grown (and where), how it was cured, how accurately the blend recipe was followed, how tightly it was rolled, and lastly how long the cigar was stored and the humidity in the humidor. As a cigar ages some of the oils leak into the plastic wrap. Quite often this brings forth some more subtle flavors than you would notice if it is fresh. As for your Davidoff question, I am truly not a fan of their cigars as they have often fallen apart on me, had burn runs, and had extremly inconsistant flavor. I honestly put them in the swisher sweet, white owl, and dutch master group- suitable only for rolling other things. That being said, have you tried out the Liga Privada, Kentucky Fire Cured, or Natural lines from Drew Estate? I also am a fan of Gurkha, Don Peppin (especially My Father's Cigar), or Alec Bradley? All are some fine sticks, and come in easily under 30 a stick. One of the best things you can do to compair how a cigar's construction changes flavor is to try a few of the same blend in different styles. DE's Scid line makes a wafe (small box press) blonde (smaller guage stick) and 1300cc (tubo) that all share a similar blend but very different construction. Same with the Java line. They have a thick box press as well as a rolled (50 guage I believe) and are terrific. The thing to keep in mind is that simple things such as the meal before the cigar, beverage consumed with the cigar, and environment can change your enjoyment of the stick. J Gurkhas, huh? http://www.cigar.com/cigars/viewcigar.asp?prod=SP-CIGASST284 I saw this sampler and steered clear, due to the price. Is it worth it? Anything specific I should look for in the suggested cigar lines? I prefer a medium to mild smoke now. Also, knowing how much Bill Cosby loves cigars, and that he prefers Ashtons, I wanted to grab one for this weekend from my local cigar shop. I usually smoke with some bourbon... either on the rocks or in an old fashioned. The bourbon and stogie really compliment each other IMO. The Centurian and the Beast are the only cigars I would smoke from that sampler. http://www.cigarsinternational.com/specials/you-pick/gurkha-gorge-fest Much better deal from a much better company. The Make Me An Offer section is a great place to check out too. Some serious deals available, and you choose how much you want to lowball to start. J Those Gurkhas are huge, dude. 56-60 rings... don't you think that may be a bit big to suit my tastes? I am not questioning your suggestion, just wondering why you might suggest such big rings. Is the filler that much nicer than the Davidoff? For the second 5 I was leaning on the Elegance, the only listed in stock with a 50 ring. If you may suggest any other in stock sticks, I will give them a try. I am trying to learn about the hows and whys of the stogie... I may only smoke 1 a week, or 1 every other week, so I would like to know where to head as I don't want to tire of the hobby. I am more used to one a year or so, and really find myself enjoying what otherwise may be a very average cigar. And thanks for the link. I like the prices better, and will happily deal with whomever you may suggest.

Uhhh! dude, hope everyone is ok. sorry about the car, too.

Seth- first off congrats on CTI!! That is a very big accomplishment, and I am certain you will be a huge success!!! As for your cigar question, many things effect the flavor and over all smoke. The ring guage of the stick, to how the tobacco was grown (and where), how it was cured, how accurately the blend recipe was followed, how tightly it was rolled, and lastly how long the cigar was stored and the humidity in the humidor. As a cigar ages some of the oils leak into the plastic wrap. Quite often this brings forth some more subtle flavors than you would notice if it is fresh. As for your Davidoff question, I am truly not a fan of their cigars as they have often fallen apart on me, had burn runs, and had extremly inconsistant flavor. I honestly put them in the swisher sweet, white owl, and dutch master group- suitable only for rolling other things. That being said, have you tried out the Liga Privada, Kentucky Fire Cured, or Natural lines from Drew Estate? I also am a fan of Gurkha, Don Peppin (especially My Father's Cigar), or Alec Bradley? All are some fine sticks, and come in easily under 30 a stick. One of the best things you can do to compair how a cigar's construction changes flavor is to try a few of the same blend in different styles. DE's Scid line makes a wafe (small box press) blonde (smaller guage stick) and 1300cc (tubo) that all share a similar blend but very different construction. Same with the Java line. They have a thick box press as well as a rolled (50 guage I believe) and are terrific. The thing to keep in mind is that simple things such as the meal before the cigar, beverage consumed with the cigar, and environment can change your enjoyment of the stick. J Gurkhas, huh? http://www.cigar.com/cigars/viewcigar.asp?prod=SP-CIGASST284 I saw this sampler and steered clear, due to the price. Is it worth it? Anything specific I should look for in the suggested cigar lines? I prefer a medium to mild smoke now. Also, knowing how much Bill Cosby loves cigars, and that he prefers Ashtons, I wanted to grab one for this weekend from my local cigar shop. I usually smoke with some bourbon... either on the rocks or in an old fashioned. The bourbon and stogie really compliment each other IMO.

I went to the liquor stores here, no dice on the Woodford Pinot finished If you didn't get them day one, you won't get one. I missed them, but a buddy did snag a bottle. I got to taste it, and it was fantastic. They only released 1400 bottles, unfortunately.

J, and other cigar smokers... I snagged up a Davidoff Nicaragua Diadema (6.5X50, in what I guess is a presidente roll), and really enjoyed it. So I have tried a few other Davidoff Nicaraguas, the Toro (54X5.5) and Robusto (5X50) both in a parejo roll. I loved the Diadema, did not like the Toro, and felt the Robusto was OK, but there was something about it I did not like compared to the Diadema. I understand that ring size affects the overall complexity of the cigar, and it alters how it needs to be smoked. A smaller ring means that you are burning more of the wrapper, compared to the filler and the wrapper is typically more flavorful. Also, a smaller ring requires a slower smoke with smaller puffs or the cigar will overheat which sours the smoke. Does the way it is rolled really affect it or was it a psychological thing? The Diadema and Robust should have the same overall profile, based on the ring size, but it didn't seem as nice to me. Next, Ashtons... They may be next on my list. I just ordered a humidor and know about prepping it, so my cigar purchases will be ordered mid next week. I think I may want to try the Ashton ESG. It looks like the 22 year salute is a torpedo wrap, so would I be correct in assuming that the delivery should be the same as the Presidente wrap of the Davidoff Diadema? If you have tried both, how do they compare? Finally, what other cigars would you recommend based on my love of the Davidoff Diadema? I have had a real Cuban Montecristo a few years ago (actually bought a few) and really enjoyed it on the initial light up, but over time it started tasting like shit. Now I have found out that I was smoking it too fast, so perhaps I might really have enjoyed it more if I was smoking it correctly. I would like to keep the stogies around $30 or less apiece.

And to you as well, dude.

good ole DEXCool Dexcrap is horrible coolant, no doubt.

Oh yeah, bleeding the cooling system on these 3.1s is a fucking nightmare. 1. Opem the bleeder on the front pipe and fill until you have a steady stream. 2. Close it and open the bleeder on the thermostat housing. fill until steady then close. 3. Now run the car until it starts to overheat, replace rad cap and shut down car. 4. let sit for 30 minutes, open the rad cap and fill. continue with steps 3 and 4 until it no longer overheats...

Yep, low coolant. Intakes are prone to leak right at the ends. I hate to say, but it is not a quick job. I can do them in 2.5-3 hours, but I have done this job several hundred times, it is that common. Book is roughly 6 hours. If you do this you MUST keep your pushrods in order as they are different lengths. Sticking them in wrong will lead to bent pushrods or valves. Oh yeah, do your tstat at this time as well. It is gravy with the intake off, and a fucking nightmare with it on...

Disturbed... Lol No, really... Peng is all about Phil Collins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pkVLqSaahk

Genesis?

Stoked... celebrating with some Double Oaked Single Barrel... and 2 cubes. Sorry, no old fashioneds with this small batch seasonal beverage,

I officially got contacted by CTI tonight. Apparently Jim came through. I know several people involved with CTI trainers and classroom authors so I figured I would be OK. They were interested in me doing a thermography class, since I brought it to Jim's attention. They want a 4 hour class written (most are 8 hour classes, but in my discussions with the big guy I told him that thermography, in our industry, is really still in it's infancy and suggested a smaller class, which he took to readily) with 4-8 case studies included. I have been given until March 27th. During this time I also have to attend training for new teachers with CTI. I must also pass some CTI certifications and submit all necessary tax information. I'm honestly almost sick to my stomach. This is really something I have wanted for a long time. I have no desire to be a business owner within my industry, and to me the pinnacle is a professional working tech who is a trainer with a recommendation from one of the very best technicians in the world. I have just achieved that, with a bonus on the first count that I am a foreman at the shop I work at, additionally I have been asked to author a new class on a new technology within our industry! Jim is, honestly, a top .5%er. He is an absolutely brilliant tech, and the fact that he did this for me is a HUGE honor.