Wednesday 7 December 2011

The Hangover - Part Two


Saturday began early enough considering.

It was raining, cold and a bit miserable but we all braved Luxembourgs public transport system, which is excellent by the way, and made our way towards town.  Chip Lanigan didn't have a hat so he improvised by putting a plastic bag on his head.  He couldn't see where he was going so he fashioned out some eye holes with his teeth.  It turned out to be a wise move as the rain came down.

After a bite to eat, we hit the Christmas market to get some gluhwein into us and warm our bones. 

Gluhwein is basically German mulled wine and best drunk hot.  With our bones somewhat warmer, beer and cigars were next.

There are a few cigar shops in Luxembourg but this one is my favourite.  I must get the name and take a few photos next time we're over.

I had an interesting manly man chat about cigars with the man behind the counter who recommended the some of the following purchases...

A delicious box of 10 Ramon Allones Superiores
A delicious box of 9 Partagas Celebra + an extra box of 3 for the Amigos.
Two Ramon Allones Extra - Limited Edition 2011
Two Ramon Allones Gigantes
Two Bolivar Gold Medals

When we got to the pub, the girls and Chip Lanigan were already there so we got a few drinks in before getting the Culebras going while Chip took the bag off his head.

A Culebra in this bar is now a three Amigos tradition and a couple of hours I will look forward to every time.

It's a great little cigar.  It used to be €16 for a box of three, but is now on sale for €21.  It's still good value, but only just.  At €7 each, I'd have to say they're pushing it.  That said, the cigar does last much longer than you'd expect for it's size and never disappoints.  They did go out quite a few times but this was just a minor annoyance.

Barney and Rima soon arrived with Barney blazing a stogie of his own.  He also brought a lovely Partagas No.4 limited edition 2010 which he presented to me in thanks of the previous nights cigar.

The Three Amigos are now four.

It was a much appreciated gift from Barney who said it was his favourite, so I'm taking it to Ireland with me to enjoy on Christmas day.  Roll on the 25th.

Next up was dinner in a great Italian restaurant.  Everybody had a wonderful meal.  Everybody except me.  I managed to pick the only rubbish thing on the menu.  Thankfully though, the wife and Kaz felt sorry for me and donated much of their own steaks to bolster my petty portions.  Add bread and fries and I was sorted.  More wine was also had.

After dinner, we headed over to Decibel for more beers, before jumping on the bus that was taking us to see The Smashing Pumpkins.

The Pumpkins were smashing.  However, I did have to spend much of my time defending John from his stalker and my arch enemy.  A strange fellow called Shivo who seems to spend most of his time trying to touch John.  Well, who could blame him really.  But John is my best friend so he seriously needs to back off.


After the gig, the beer bus brought us back to Decibel where we enjoyed more madness until around 3am.   It's strange to be in a smoking pub but I made full use and got one of the RA Gigantes going.  Such a large cigar that the sheer size of it drew a few gasps from the locals, but they all looked on approvingly.

Sunday saw Kaz, Rolo and Chip head home.  How they managed to get up and go is beyond me.  The rest of us went back to bed to think about it.  A while later, Gill cooked up breakfast and we went to the shops before they dropped us off at the airport.

I was feeling incredibly rough by this stage.  Apart from the hangover, I was now suffering for a full blown head cold, so I was glad to get back home a few hours later.  On the way through the airport, we picked up 2 packs of 3 Partagas Serie P No.2s.

Not quite another airport drama but here's how it went down...

Assistant: Hello Sir, how may I help you.
Me: I'd like some cigars please
Assistant: Where are you flying to today?
Me: London
Assistant: Which one?
Me: The one in England
Assistant: No...which one, which cigars would you like?
Me: Oh right...


That's about it for John' Birthday bash so I'll leave you with some photos of the weekends madness.  These are the more acceptable photos.  Most are too disturbing for public consumption.

This blog update was brought to you courtesy of the French Movember on Rolo' face.  All donations are most welcome and I can be contacted for details.


**Since first publishing this blog post earlier this evening, I've since been informed that my favourite shop is La Casa Del Habano Luxembourg.   The link is to their facebook page.  Like it.  I forgot to mention that the nice man also sold me a 7 year old Cuban rum. 


Don't try this at home kids, this man is a trained professional


The Four Amigos

Apparently, he doesn't look a day over 40

Chip and I

Making some women happy

The strange fellow

My hair product












My Guitar Hero plays Stairway to Jevens (ba dum tish)

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