cigar shop

It didn't take me long to feel like I was at home in La Casa del Habano. Every inveterate cigar smoker knows the importance of having a great cigar shop to call home, and one of the travails of traveling is that you leave yours behind, not knowing where (or with whom) you'll smoke on the road.

If St. Barths is in your future, there is no better place than La Casa del Habano. Look for the traditional wooden Indian out front; you should be able to see it as you're entering Village Creole in St. Jean, where the tobacconist is located.

Inside, put yourself in the expert hands of Sandrine, the store's owner and managing director. Many Americans are familiar with only the major Cuban cigar brands; it's tough for us to keep pace with the new products being released from the "island south of Miami." Sandrine will acquaint you with the old and new of what we aren't permitted to have here in the United States.

You probably won't find the "Dirty Rat" on the shelves of your local cigar shop. The rare corona-sized stick is too expensive to manufacture for mass distribution, so it's rolled in small quantities for the Drew Estate staff and is shared with friends and at cigar events. The unique cigar is worth a smoke if you can get your hands on it. It's smooth and flavorful with a solid construction and a great draw.

Cut and light a Dirty Rat, and you'll certainly be the envy of the cigar shop.



[Photos by Steve Zak]

Disclosure: I was invited to cover this event for Cigar Reader by De La Concha, and wasn't charged anything. It was free for all invited. Each guest received a Dirty Rat cigar, a few slices of pizza (or more, depending on hunger)and some cognac.

My visit to Pepin Garcia's My Father Cigars factory was an eye-opening experience. I'd had no idea just how much work goes into manufacturing a cigar. My trip wasn't thrust of a media relationship or any other connection: cigar companies want their customers to visit. And these days, it's easier than ever to do so. Cigar trips are becoming increasingly common. Rocky Patel and Camacho, among others, have been hosting groups for a while, and the trend is gaining momentum. I was able to see Pepin's team in action because of a trip arranged by De La Concha and Uptown Cigar. If you're looking to take advantage of a cigar trip, talk to the manager of your local shop.

Why would you want to visit a cigar factory? If you enjoy cigars, your mind is probably flooded with reasons – curiosity alone is sufficient motivation. You'll see the entire process, which is eye-opening, and you'll get a feel for how each step affects your smoking experience.

Here a five reasons to take a cigar tour:

Philanthropy and the brotherhood of the leaf have converged upon Upton Cigar, in Kingston, New York. Many cigar companies and shops have donated sticks to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. While Cigars for Soldiers has done a considerable amount of heavy lifting in this regard, there are lots of local efforts that are making a profound difference in the lives of people who have made the sacrifices associated with serving their country.

At Uptown Cigar, what started small has grown quickly. According to Israel Markevitz, the store's manager, word of mouth has been the major driver. The occasional customer would buy a box to ship overseas (the shop pays for that part). Before long, Markevitz was sending more than five boxes a week, ensuring that virtually every soldier who makes a request has it as quickly as possible.

Needless to say, the practice caught on. Now, Uptown Cigar ships five boxes a week or more to military personnel serving in combat, if only to thank them for their service and make their lives a little easier. Learn a bit more about this practice from the video below.

While many Detroit businesses are looking for the exits, La Casa del Habana decided it was time to enter the beleaguered city. The Michigan-based collection of tobacconists offers an upscale alternative to traditional lounge smoking with its private clubs. In Detroit, between the Opera House and Music Hall, you can enjoy a touch of luxury until 2 AM every day (except Sunday, when it closes at 9 PM) at a destination that features the city's largest walk-in humidor.

To access the second floor VIP lounge, the fee is $100 a month, and you are required to buy a box of cigars up front. But, you receive a private humidor that can accommodate up to 20 boxes of cigars, full use of the club facilities at any La Casa De La Habana location and two premium cigars every month. Members get the first shot at hard to find cigars when they become available and can enjoy special events not open to the public.

Detroit may need a bit of help, but it's great to know that it already has its own oasis.

[Photo via La Casa De La Habana]

Not far from Yale, you'll find a cigar oasis that is comparable to any major city lounge in the country. The Owl Shop offers a complete experience, with a full bar to complement the cigars housed in the large humidors that line the walls. So, plop into one of the large, soft leather chairs, sip a cabernet and light up the stick of your choice. This is the one place in New Haven where lovers of the leaf can pass a few hours blissfully unaware of what the outside world holds.

Owl is long and fairly narrow, though there is plenty of room to walk up and down the store; it isn't cramped. You can sit at the bar or in the lounge chairs set back near the wall, where the waitresses will take your cigar and drink orders. Large flat-screen televisions are usually tuned to the sporting event of the day, which can be a draw for many cigar smokers, though I'm generally not interested (just a quirk, I guess). At the back of the store, which widens, there is a large table where a crowd can gather, along with other seating. Back here, you can dodge the television gauntlet and converse or just relax.

Conquering the unknown is not easy. When it comes to spirits, restaurants, cities ... and cigars ... we all have our favorites, and trying something new is an unnecessary risk. I know what I like, after all, why would I stray from it?

Well, there are plenty of reasons to try something new, the best being that your next favorite may not be on your radar yet. I'm about as guilty as can be in the cigar shop. I have my favorites, and I tend to stick to them. But, on the rare occasions when I break out and try something new, I'm happy I did.

The hard part is deciding what to try. You may not realize it, but you're surrounded by a wealth of information at home and in the cigar shop. All you have to do is use it.

1. Talk to your tobacconist
This is the easiest and most effective way to get advice. Just ask the professional that you are bound to see when you go to buy a cigar. Most tobacconists – employees at larger, established specialty shops – know the product they carry well. Tell him what your tastes are, and you'll be surprised at the recommendations you receive.

Cigar Aficionado readers know that there are some great lounges in Manhattan, though I hope they didn't suffer through that absurd video shot to accompany the article. The article did hit the major attractions, but there are some other hidden gems that only the devout locals know about. If you're looking to sit down and enjoy a cigar in the city, you have plenty of choices – take advantage of them!

Even with the smoking ban, there are more cigar shops and lounges than even most New Yorkers realize. In addition to the major stores like De La Concha and Davidoff Madison Avenue, boutique hand-rollers dot the city, and they are worth a visit from time to time.

So, the next time you set out for the quintessential Manhattan smoke, mix it up. Hit the major shops, but also stop by the places that are off the beaten path. You'll enjoy the experience.

Cigar shops are a lot like any social environment. There are regulars and new guys, people new to the reason for gathering and seasoned veterans. In any situation like this, there are basic norms that should be respected in order to make the experience more enjoyable for you. I know I've covered this topic before, but the latest round of advice is new. Trust me, there's no shortage of breaches of etiquette in this world (just like the subway, the sidewalk and your local bar).

Some of these may seem obvious. They are. There's nothing in the list that should have to be said. Yet, life at the cigar shop has shown me that the simplest of courtesies tend to be overlooked.

Many thanks to the regulars at De La Concha in Manhattan for these tips. They've seen the worst of the worst and were only too happy to share their experiences. If you don't need these tips, forward them to someone who does: we all know somebody who could use a little bit of help.

If you are looking for value, it's hard to beat anything from Camacho. For an extremely reasonable price, you'll smoke a well-constructed cigar that has both plenty of flavor and a complexity that will hold your attention until the cigar is nothing but ash. The Camacho Select exemplifies the high quality-to-cost ratio of the Camacho brand.

There are certain basics you assume when you cut and light a Camacho. A rich, bold flavor is the norm, along with an easy, voluminous draw. In these regards, the Camacho Select does not disappoint. With every pull, you'll experience a mouthful of smoke with a texture found only among the top-shelf brands in any respectable cigar shop. The scrunched-up faces desperately pulling for even the slightest taste ... they do not have Camacho Select cigars in their mouths.

I'd heard about Corona Cigar Co. from several people before I took my trip down to Orlando, FL. A few weeks ago, a visitor to New York from Florida overheard me discussing my then upcoming trip and interjected with some great advice, "Check out Corona." There are three locations; I chose the spot in downtown Orlando (no, not the same thing as Downtown Disney).

The description I was given back home in New York was enough to get me interested, but it failed to capture the enormity of the experience. The South Orange Ave. location offers countless cigars from nearly every manufacturer you could imagine. I took advantage of the lower cigar tax relative to home to pick up an Avo Campanero at what felt like a discount and headed for the large in-store lounge. Sponsored by Diamond Crown, it seats more than 60 people without forcing them to bump elbows. There's also outside seating at both four-top tables and wooden rocking chairs.

Every table has a six-page cocktail menu, so there's a pretty good chance you'll find the right concoction to pair with your preferred cigar. Of course, the fact that the bartender is nothing short of stunning improves both the drink and the smoke.

A commenter on Hey, Bargain-Hunters: Cigar Prices already Hiked raised an interesting (and valid) question: why do cigar smokers care about a tax on cigars? After all, he continues, "Aren't cigar smokers supposed to be, you know, big swinging dicks? Tough uber-capitalists, showing off their success?" It's a reasonable question because few outside our community understand who we are and what we do.

Walk into any cigar shop in the country, and you'll probably be surprised by the population sitting around tables, leaning on counters or sitting in luxurious leather chairs – depending on the store, of course. Yes, a handful will sport smartly-cut suits, Windsor knots in their ties and auras of financial invincibility, even in today's harsh economic climate. The stereotype exists for a reason, in urban areas, especially. But, it's not representative of the majority.

When you turn your gaze from the newly-less-wealthy asset manager to the rest of the shop, you'll find a little bit of everyone. The regulars at my local shop include artists, construction workers, teachers, soldiers and accountants. A lowly blogger even shows up from time to time. We get a bit of everything. And, I saw the same trends in cigar shops in Boston, Washington, DC, Augusta, GA, Orlando and Seoul. There is no cigar smoker archetype.

I know the vast majority of you don't need this, and I'm sure a few will feel my pain. Others will come to the conclusion that I'm an impatient, insufferable prick. Both parties, fortunately, will be correct. But, it needs to be explained. If you happen to be traveling and walk into a cigar shop far from the one you call home, there are rules to follow. A lot of this is going to seem like common sense, but each is grounded in unfortunate reality. Remember, a good find for you may be daily life for the people already there.

The greatest transgression, at least among the regulars where I smoke, is to walk in off the street and open with some variation of, "This is great! It's like an oasis! It's nice to have a place where we can smoke ..." You may feel all these things, probably for good reason. The people to whom you are telling this are probably fully aware of what you've observed. They come to the shop regularly, sometimes every day. They know it's a great place to smoke and are happy to be there. And, they probably hear your speech from a different person nearly every day. It's not your fault, but it does get tiresome.

The Torano family has released a new line of cigars to celebrate the perseverance of the Cuban diaspora. Fifty years ago, the Castro brothers took power, prompting five decades of departure, sometimes under very difficult circumstances. The new "Exodus 50 Years" line of cigars is the contribution of expatriated Cuban Charlie Torano and his father, Carlos.

To introduce the new line of cigars, the Toranos have embarked on a 35-city tour, which started yesterday at Cigar Haven, in Fishers, IN. The father-and-son team will showcase the company's latest creations. Charlie Torano says, "We have created the new Exodus Seleccion Exclusiva, a beautifully presented box of five cigars, which includes two unique shapes each in our two top brands, Exodus 1959 (Gold) and Exodus Silver."

Tickets for Cigar Expo 2009 are now on sale. The event takes place on Saturday, June 27 – starting at 2 PM. If you pony up for a VIP ticket, you'll also get to attend a dinner with the cigar manufacturers the night before. So, if you're in Easton, PA and have $150 to burn ($225 for the VIP level), this is an event to check out.

Famous Smoke Shop, the operation behind the festivities, will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year – as guests are likely to notice. "We're going to give this year's attendees the royal treatment," said Famous Smoke Shop Retail Store manager, Tim Carr ... and he gives some pretty compelling examples. "Not only will every guest receive at least 50 cigars, but we'll have plenty of entertainment, waitress service, a cigar menu, fantastic food, and some amazing raffle prizes."

The list of vendors participating this year is long and distinguished, including Altadis, Avo, CAO, Camacho, Davidoff, Joya De Nicaragua, Rocky Patel and General Cigar – along with many others. There's a good chance you'll find something you'll like.