Unexpected hit at my 4th of July party!

[Nickerson]

My back yard combines with 5 other houses or so, and we have known them all for years and are good friends with them all. Usually on the 4th we each have our own parties and roam between yards and whatnot. Cook, eat, drink, play some wiffle, basketball or volley ball. Good times.

The town canceled the parade this year, but with some last minute donations they were able to put together a fireworks show. We had already bought our own fireworks to light off and have some fun with. Honestly, who doesn't love lighting crap on fire and watching it go boom with pretty colors? Awesome.

So my parents went up to New Hampshire for a motorcycle weekend (they both ride Harley), and they stopped into Phantom Fireworks with a list of stuff to get. Ended up spending $270.00 on $750.00 worth of fire works (crazy buy one get one free, and even some buy one get two free! plus if you spent over $250.00 they give you $120.00 worth of extras free).

I expected these to be the big hit of the day, they were great, but weren't the big hit. Surprisingly one of my neighbors who usually has his whole big family over didn't have a party this year because there was no parade. Usually they would have 30 to 40 adults and children. And the other neighbors directly in back of me went away for the 4th. So it was a rather relaxing day.

Before the town fireworks started we lit a few off with another neighbor who we are distantly related to and are very good friends with. We lit off a few things and was pretty cool, and then they left to walk down to the water front to see the fire work show (thousands of people packed into a street and hills near the bay, its like a zoo). Took them an hour to just get in and seated and even longer to get out, its a 10 minute walk normally.

My sister called the people across the street who we are also friends with and my parents said to invite them over. They have a young boy name Anthony who is 3 years old, I don't know what the word is, but hes the complete opposite of shy. So we are just out back drinking and smoking (yes smoking, will get to that soon!), and decided to light off some fireworks since the little guy didn't get to go down the water front to see the town show. Turns out he was terrified at first, why? Could it be because his father decides to have him watch Pearl Harbor with him they day before the fourth of July? He thought that bombs were dropping from planes and we were all going to die, poor guy. He just stood near the back door at first watching me do some little ground spinners that light up, spin, and change colors. He liked them so he came onto the deck and watched some more. Eventually he got enough courage to come by me on the basketball court while I lit a few off. Wasn't too crazy about the roman candle at first but by the end of the night he loved them!

Now I live about a mile from the water front, where people were gathering to see the fireworks, and they shoot them from barges about a half mile out or so into the harbor. We happen to live up some hills and had a good vantage point from a hill in our back yard near the neighbors. Could see over the houses and trees and got some pretty good looks at the big fireworks. Put the little guy up on my shoulders so he could see them. He was kinda scared at first but really enjoyed them in the end. We lit off some more stuff after and he was having a blast, was a good time.

So overall, wasn't what was planned, but was a good night. As for the cigars though. I told my father he could try one of the Taboo cigars I had just gotten some from Jon. The guy from across the street who brought the people who live next to them and one of their friends was up there when all this was going on as well. My neighbor is a smoker too and he said they looked real good so I let him try one (2 down already!) and the friend of his neighbor is big on cigars and he said they looked great, so I gave him one (3 down! sorry Jon! haha).

And that's it, that was the hit of the party. Taboo cigars! All three of them were head over heals. The guy from across the street who had it said its one of the closet tastes in strength to a Cuban, which he buys from the northern lands. He really loves Cuban cigars and he said this cigar totally shocked him and would like more, so he might be ordering a box. His neighbors friend who also had one said they were great. He really enjoyed the cigar, said they were perfect. We even got to talking and he got me some nice business connections, got to give him some business cards now! And my father was really impressed with them as well, he might be looking at buying a box just like the other 2 guys.

I didn't have one because I had some anxiety, and I don't want to poke it with a sharp stick making it worse, so I just talked about cigars and business and other things with them while the smoked. What a great aroma... His 3 year old son kept saying "Dad let me smell the cigar again". Was funny. Top quality construction on them though, they aren't over packed which gives it a tight draw. Nice and squishy when you squeeze on it so you know the wrapper and the tobacco is very fresh. And as I already said, all three were blown away with the taste.

My hats off to you Taboo.

[fuente~fuente]

Gonna have to give them a shot after all the good things I've heard.

[Nickerson]

Originally Posted by fuente~fuente

Gonna have to give them a shot after all the good things I've heard.

Same, I haven't had one yet, but I've held them and been in the presence of those smoking ones. Construction is great, pre-light aroma is fantastic, smells great when lit. Just gotta try one myself to see how they draw and taste. From what the others were saying, those should both be great as well!

[scottw]

Taboo is undoubtedly a great stick and Rob (owner) is 100% a class act. I hae smoked and enoyed his cigars and have enjoyed his posts as a stellar contributor to this forum. Great Job Rob!!!

[orca99usa]

I just had a taboo Dominican Maduro last night. They are a great company to do business with and they have some great products as well.

Honestly, who doesn't love lighting crap on fire and watching it go boom with pretty colors? Awesome.

I just wish that some people would put a reasonable time limit on them. I am up now because one of my neighbors apparently doesn't believe that 11:30 PM is too late to be setting things off in the street.

[havanajohn]

Getting ready to send my 4th order in... waiting for the Taboo Twist to come back in stock. My faves are the Exotic Maduro Toro, and the Twist. -John

[tmanqz]

Guess Im goanna have to get some of those, sounding very good.

[SMOKE20]

Taboos are great, special forces are my fav

[Tarks]

I have only had 1 and it was really good. They do seem to be a tad on the pricy side though so not sure if they are worth the money. I'm still on the fence on these.

[DBCcigar]

I have one in my humidor. I guess I need to set it on fire!

Sounds like ya'll had one heck of a party!

[joncaputo]

We are going to be giving away a bunch of Taboo cigars for -free- with our new ARMY contest. We will be resetting the game shortly and adding some contests around the Army game thanks to Nickerson!

[andrew s]

Sounds awesome Jon

After reading this post I smoked a Taboo LR Conneticut last night. It was a great smoke.

[Rubix^3]

Sounds like a great time. Sharing cigars is truly "love thy neighbor".

[AspiringGent]

Taboo stuff is great. I've made many orders and smoked many of their cigars. Rob is great, and their product and prices are superb.

[Nickerson]

Originally Posted by joncaputo

We are going to be giving away a bunch of Taboo cigars for -free- with our new ARMY contest. We will be resetting the game shortly and adding some contests around the Army game thanks to Nickerson!

Yup. Working on the new version of the game now. If anyone is good with math let me know, need some help understanding an Elo Rating System