I do not know his mind, for I do not know him. Thus I cannot know if his is a caprice based on historical reference, or merely a jovial twisted mind. I do know, I am inclined to be happy that the king is dead ever since I smoked his cigar.
There are six cigars (until now) that I buy with a certain confidence in the consistence with which they deliver, but I continue to look for new experiences. Partly because six are not enough, though mostly because the palate and mind demand it. So I walk into different humidors on a regular basis and immediately feel a strong urge to leave those six aside and try something new, or something not new that I wish to understand better. A tobacconist feels best in such situations. Knowledge is requested, and he is able at the same time to play with the possibility of proving or being reaffirmed - by himself or by the smoker - of his fine-tuning with the client's taste and expectations.
The fine-tuning on both sides never ceases, but since yesterday I am full of joy that the king is dead. However, I must wait until they get their next shipment to smoke enough rounds, before I know that is the seventh in the momentary elite cigar circle for my palate.
