All in By Ken Gargett - 2018

Hoyo de Monterrey ‘Le Hoyo de San Juan’/Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon

Hoyo de Monterrey ‘Le Hoyo de San Juan’/Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

Do cigars induce weird dreams?

Not sure I have noticed this before but after a big cigar, I had a night full of them. I can’t remember any, except the tail-end of the last one – so often the way.

A group of us were in Havana, Cuba, but it was unlike I’ve ever seen Havana. More like, but different to, Mooloolaba. Anyway, three of us – someone I can’t recall, a mate we’ll call Merls (because that is what we call him – a friend of both Rob and mine, though I knew Merls, the coffee king of Australia, about 20 years before I even met Rob – his was the store where Rob set up his first humidor) and myself. Merls came with us on our 2nd trip, many years ago, but why we were there this time, no idea.

Cohiba Medio Siglo/Laphroaig “The 1815 Legacy Edition”

Cohiba Medio Siglo/Laphroaig “The 1815 Legacy Edition”

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

The Kenfessions idea largely evolved from wanting to take a serious look at the matching of cigars and various drinks (and as a place Rob could quarantine my occasion rants about the world). Now, that is fine, but it has limitations. Namely, like the vast majority of us, I have a limited variation of cigars on hand to do these matches (I do have enough variants of drinks in all manner and form, though). So, unless we want a situation of a series of different drinks with a Mag 50, for example, something needed to be done.

Montecristo No 2/Talisker Dark Storm/Hanssens Oudbeitje Lambic

Montecristo No 2/Talisker Dark Storm/Hanssens Oudbeitje Lambic

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

Now, I know I am an inch from being forever branded a pretentious tosspot for this, but I would like to go on record as saying that I truly do love Shakespeare. I think he is utterly brilliant. Yes, I know that any number of you are looking the other way and quietly whispering, ‘wanker’. And fair enough. But I really do think he is beyond extraordinary (I’d even go so far to say that he was the Springsteen of his day).

I’m sure I was like every schoolkid when first introduced – if memory serves, we did ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Julius Caesar’ – in equal parts, suitably bored and mortified we had this ancient rubbish fostered on us.

Hoyo de Monterrey ‘La Hoyo du Roi’/Ardbeg Islay Ten-Year-Old Malt/Domaine de L’Arlot Vosne-Romanee ‘Les Suchots’ 1999

Hoyo de Monterrey ‘La Hoyo du Roi’/Ardbeg Islay Ten-Year-Old Malt/Domaine de L’Arlot Vosne-Romanee ‘Les Suchots’ 1999

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

Cigars and movies. Not cigars in movies.

I know that quite a few of our members do not smoke indoors, for all manner of reasons which I would do best to avoid discussing, but others are not so limited. I have no such issues and probably enjoy a cigar in front of the telly more often than anywhere else.

Sporting events are a must, though I am wondering about the Superbowl (which is to be played tomorrow, time of writing). Sometimes yes; sometimes, a bit early. Currently undecided. But settling back for a rugby test (nice way to get something from the evening, given the way we play) or a good league game, with a top cigar, is always a fine evening.

Cohiba Piramide LE 2006/25-Year-Old Edmund Dantès Rum

Cohiba Piramide LE 2006/25-Year-Old Edmund Dantès Rum

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

It had been one of those days when there had been enough crap to justify a great cigar. Plus, I’d taped (do we still say that?) the wonderful movie, ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, and had been keen to watch it again as it had been a while. I’d promised myself a cracking cigar to do so. It had been a long while since I had seen it, but I was seriously stunned to learn the film came twenty years ago – 1998. Can’t help thinking of Basil Fawlty. “What was that? That was your life, mate! That was quick. Do I get another? Sorry mate. Back to the world of dreams”.

Upmann Magnum 50/Flor de Cana 18-Year-Old

Upmann Magnum 50/Flor de Cana 18-Year-Old

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

Why does everything have to be so difficult?

I’ll confess that I may not be the easiest person to deal with, and I am making a genuine effort to get in less disputes than usual, but at times, I just despair.

At the moment, I have three matters that are, shall we say, in debate. Naturally, none are my fault. And I assure you that three is far less than usual.

Por Larranaga Petit Corona/Ron Caney ‘Anejo Centuria’

Por Larranaga Petit Corona/Ron Caney ‘Anejo Centuria’

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2018

Ken Burns’ latest doco – ‘The Vietnam War’. What a brilliant effort.

I just love this guy’s docos. He just does them so well. When I looked him up, I realised there were quite a few he has made that have not found their way out here, or perhaps I missed them. Other faves I have seen include ‘The Civil War’, which was the first I came across; ‘Prohibition’, ‘National Parks’ and ‘Baseball’. I see he has one in production on Ernest Hemingway. Looking forward to that.