To everyone in the forum, I would initially like to say good evening. My family and I just arrived back from our Caribbean Vacation on late Friday so that I have not been able to respond to emails sent by some of you. Also, we had our 4th Annual Block Party to prepare for this Sunday…so I have been busy, and thus have not been able to visit this forum until now. I believe I mention I was going to be away for most of August to most of you guys, and even posted a Thread in the MSC section last month. OMG, I can’t believe this Thread is all about me. Never had a Thread about me like this before.
My apologies to everyone on the Forum and especially, to ikonoklast7. My purpose in sending you various brands and sizes of ISOM’s was to further your knowledge on them since I noted your interest in ISOM’s from previous posts. Therefore I randomly chose various ISOM’s from one of my humidors. I purchase most of my ISOM’s, but many are also gifted by many fellows BOTF. To say I have plenty of various ISOM’s would be a gross understatement. Unfortunately, the R& J Mille Fleurs was actually purchased by my neighbor who is fairly new to cigar smoking, while he was visiting Cancun. I remember him showing me the unopened box for verification and yes it looked legitimate: Habanos sticker, Heat and Ink Stamps, Cuban seal, etc. He later, to my surprise, gave me 12 of the cigars to show his appreciation which I deposited to one of my Cuban humidors. We did smoke several of them, and though I have smoked much better Cubans, I did not scrutinize the labels since they were gifted, and he’s a good friend. My point is that I DID NOT know nor had any intentions of sending you a “fake cigar”. I have never been accused of this in my over 2 decades of cigar smoking. I do wish you had sent me a private email to explain or correct this situation, and save me the humiliation in this open forum, and probably avoid the emotions of fellow BOTL. To hopefully rectify this situation with you, I have already sent 2 ISOM’s from my own personal humidor, which I have purchased and inspected to be absolutely genuine.
Docrks: Sorry you had to involve yourself in this, and thank you for the kind words. I have sent hundreds of cigars to Our Troops, and local Firefighters of this great nation. Though all were good smokes, none were ISOM’s. I would hate to be accused of sending a fake to our Warriors. Sorry I missed the Herf...it must have been great. Stay in touch my friend.
Slim: No I wasn’t trying to test one of the “new folk’s”. I never give cigars to deceive or test fellow brothers. It was an honest mistake on my part. One that will not happen again.
Ajeroth: Point well taken and hopefully noted by some of the new folks in this great Forum. I always go by taste. One man’s great cigar is another man’s “dog rocket”. Many ISOM’s are not great cigars, and one will never know unless one tries.
TinMan51: Very nice passage, and eloquently done. I only regret that I have never been able to trade with you, for you are also a true Brother of the Leaf. Stay well!
To other fellow Brothers, my sincerest apologies to getting all of you involved in this private matter. I know I had made countless amounts of trades with all of you, and many non trades (gifts). If anyone suspects a nongenuine article from me, please email me and I will quickly rectify it.
In Closing, though my mistake is an honest one, it is still a mistake. Maybe I should inspect and scrutinize my cigars more closely regardless of where I purchase them or who gave them...not only is that not my style, but also it would take forever. Besides I always consider anything (cigars) from anybody something given with good intentions. After responding to all previous posts that I’ve missed in my absence, I will leave this Forum. I’ve had great times and gained much insight from most of you, which has made my enjoyment of cigars much better….truly one of life’s great pleasures. In the words of a good friend and BOTL , “Smoke em if you got em, because they (almost) always make more”. Hope your doing well Billy….our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Stay well everyone, and it's been a great 2 1/2 year ride.
Ed
emgjet at optonline dot net