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Archive for the ‘Cigar Store Reviews’ Category

Cigar Store Review: Ropewalk Tavern & revisiting Baltimore’s Cross Street Tobacco

26 Oct

A year ago, I visited one of my first cigar stores ever: Baltimore’s Cross Street Tobacco. A very laid back place, it was quiet and friendly. This past week I ended up back in Baltimore and decided to visit it again. I went to Ropewalk Tavern, one of only two restaurants in Maryland where you can enjoy a cigar, on Sunday night. It turned out to be one of the not-so-great nights as the local team lost to the Minnesota Vikings’ in a nail-biter of a game. The food was what I call standard pub fare: fried chicken wings slathered in hot sauces of varying degrees, burgers, etc. The smoking section, the 3rd level in an area called the Smoke Easy Lounge, is filled with comfortable, worn sofas and large screen TVs. I enjoyed a soda while watching the Patriots pummel the Tennessee Titans (by the end of the first half, I was beginning to wonder if this was a basketball game or something based on the score). It was a friendly atmosphere and certainly worth going back, especially if there is a gaggle of people.

But oddly enough, I went back to Cross Street. Mostly I wanted to see if they had anything new and I did like the cheap store brand. I went on Tuesday night and the place was definitely hopping and busy. I was already smoking a cigar when I walked in so I settled down to finish it and quietly listened to the conversation going on. At one point, I was offered a sip of some nice 15 year old GlenLivet (it was someone’s birthday and they were sharing). I couldn’t resist and enjoyed a very small cup full (maybe 2-3 sips) as I didn’t want to intrude on the celebrations. It was incredibly smooth and flavourful. I knew what I’d like to get my uncle for the holidays to enjoy because of this. I had enjoyed the conversation and company so much I came back again. Because of work, it’d have to wait until Thursday. As it turned out, that was a good thing.

On the Thursday, the store had an Olivia event where you could win schwag (shirts and hats) and get some good deals. I ended up getting some Nubs, Olivias and Cain cigars (the humidor is now full beyond the brim!).  Depending on what you purchased would determine how many entries into the draw for schwag you’d get. I got 12. They also had some nice finger foods, beer and other goodies to enjoy throughout the night. I ended up, because of my purchase, with a Olivia t-Shirt and a Nub “Fidel” cap. I also won a Nub classic cap (think 1930s). I have to admit: I look damn good in it. I met the same crew as on the Tuesday night and they invited me to join them on Friday for their Bourbon night. As it turned out, I was able to attend. As a result I was able to sample some nice beer and a couple of bourbons. My girlfriend commented that it’s a good thing we don’t live in Baltimore as she’d never see me. And you know, she’s right. This is why the brick and mortar cigar stores should be supported and why they are needed. They are a community place for cigar aficionados to enjoy good conversation and bonding together, regardless of political affiliation, background, race, religion, etc.

If you are in the Baltimore area or will be visiting soon, definitely put Cross Street on your list of places to visit. Best days are Tues/Thurs and Fri. Bring a bit of your favourite to drink and share and tell ‘em the short Canadian guy says hi!

 
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Posted in Cigar Store Reviews, General Cigar Info

 

San Francisco: The city of hills..

05 Sep

As I mentioned, a couple of weeks ago I was in San Francisco. I was there to do a training course before my company’s big conference. Along with me were about 4 other colleagues. One in particular, D, is a cigar aficionado. He tends to travel internationally more than me (him being a bachelor and all) but when we do get together we do share a smoke or two. For this trip I checked into the Hilton San Francisco Financial District. It’s right beside Chinatown and the Financial District of San Fran. And it’s about a 10 min walk to the Pier. But what made this more important was that it still had smoking rooms! And nice rooms. If you have to stay in the City and can afford it (rates can start as low as $99 and go up from there — I think I got it at the $160 range), it may be worthwhile. The beds were incredibly soft and it is Hilton Hotel good quality. Being near Chinatown and the Pier means

Cigar Bar and Grill: 850 Montgomery Street

Cigar Bar and Grill: 850 Montgomery Street

lots of food options. And the infamous Alfred‘s Steakhouse is around the corner. (BTW, the salmon is a bit dry). There is also a tiny cigarette/cigar shop about a block away if you really need to find something but if you’re going to have a smoke you really should hit the Cigar Bar and Grill.

I would recommend getting there early, especially on a Friday night (cover of $7 applies after a certain hour and it’s PACKED!) But it is a great atmosphere. While there D and I got to talk with other people (we had just met them there) and compare discussions on life, cigars and other things. It was pretty sweet. Additionally, they usually will have a live band if you want to dance or to watch others dance. The atmosphere is jovial and the humidor, while a small one, has enough variety to meet any taste and budget. This isn’t a cheap place but neither is it overly expensive. Expect $25-50 per person (cigar and drink price) depending on drink and cigar.

 
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Cigar Store Reviews: Mickey’s Only Cigar Haunt

18 Apr

Sosa Family Cigar (taken from Downtown Disney Page)

This past week I had to head to Disney World in Orlando. Everything that I had to do for work was at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. The resort is designed so that you really never have to leave the park as it has everything that anyone would want.  Because I knew the part was pretty much non-smoking I decided to not bring any cigars down with me. What I did know, however, was that in the heart of Downtown Disney was Sosa Family Cigar Co. When my colleague and I entered the store we were greeted by, I assume, the owner. He was hugely friendly and offered suggestions for us. While their walk in humidor is smaller than I’ve seen in other stores, it was large enough and full of all sorts of goodies that I like: every Diamond Crown Maximus made,  Arturo Fuente Hemingway line (no WOAN/M but they did have Between the Lines), their own Sosa brand and others. I nearly drooled in the selection and picked a few of the Sosa along with a couple of DCMs (#1 and #5).

As we got to the cash register I forgot that Florida has a low tax on tobacco products. So my tally in my head ended up being a bit less (I expected the higher price per cigar because of it being Disney World). The owner said that if I wanted more Sosa cigars, he’d gladly ship them to me. A great offer and if I do like them (I haven’t tried them yet), I have their website so I can certainly call and order more. We left with our finds and headed over to Pleasure Island. We went to find Fuego by Sosa, their cigar bar. Right across from it was Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. We each ordered a sampler of beers. Basically, you get 4 beers in quarter pint sizes to try. I got the four provinces and definitely enjoyed them. I then had a portobello “burger” with a “bucket” of fries. As we sunk into the deep wing-backed chairs we could hear the tapping of the Irish dancer in the center of the bar. Both a family and adult bar, it does appeal to all ages. Once we had our fill we walked across the way to Fuego by Sosa. The walls were lined in this semi-upscale bar. I say semi since it really does have a relaxed atmosphere. There is a patio on the front and I suspect one in the back. We hunkered down in the bar area to enjoy the A/C as the humidity was a little strong on Monday, a reflection of pending storms to hit the area.

My colleague enjoyed a Padron 4000 while I had a DCM #5 and then a AF Between the Lines. We enjoyed  a couple of beers (me a couple of Landsharks and my colleague a couple of Yuenglings) but we could have easily had finer alcohol or even an espresso. I could see the Louis XIV cognac in the locked clear case on the bar, an indication of the upper scale alcohol one can have their. Although we were only there for a couple of nights, this topped off the night. After a long day of teaching and being on my feet (10 hours of teaching and pacing when I teach meant 3-4 miles walked in front of students), this helped relax the day and I got to come home with new finds.

Next cigar store review will likely be Ottawa’s Cigar Emporium as I head up north next week.

 
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La Rosa Cubana Cigars and the Cuban Poll

02 Apr

One of the things about getting older is that while you may feel a lot younger, your body has this awful tendency to not feel so much so. I spent the better part of yesterday visiting various doctors’ offices, getting poked, prodded and queried. Once they were done with me, they sent me on my merry way into the gloomy grey of misty Big Apple. It wasn’t too cold but it wasn’t warm. It was rather damp and miserable to put it honestly. I had originally thought I’d be able to head home first before going into the city for evening plans but the doctors had kept me so long that it wasn’t really a viable option. So I decided to search for a cigar bar or something to find something to amuse me (since I hadn’t brought any with me). I opened up my Blackberry and fired up Google Maps. A quick search and I found La Rosa Cubana Handmade Cigars.

After making a few too many wrong turns, I finally ended up at the corner of 30th and 6th (Avenue of the Americas). Dodging other pedestrians, flying yellow cabs and construction I trudged, with my sweat shirt hood pulled up over my ears. I checked the numbers and then saw the handmade sign that pointed to the 2nd level of the building where La Rosa Cubana is located. I walked up a single flight of dingy narrow stairs to the glass door at the top. Walking in I listened to the spanish discussion going on in the back, none of which I understand (being French Canadian, I haven’t spent a lot of time yet learning spanish). I could see the two men in the back making the cigars as they smoked their own in the small cramped former office space. The place was sparse for decorations and contained a single showcase of cigars already made.

A faint sweet smell of cigar mixed with sweat and laughter filled the place. I eyed the glass display and the various sizes. I decided to get a fiver of Robustos ($14USD, all taxes included and just made!) as those would be just big enough to smoke while I walked to my evening dinner plans (which was still two hours later). The filler is Dominican with a Connecticut wrapper. I tucked the cigars into my backpack, taking one out. When I got outside, I found a small alcolve to cut and light it. It cut easily. I examined the cigar before fighting the rain and wind to toast the foot. I could see the shaping from the traditional Cuban rolling method they use to make the cigar and one vein throughout. Otherwise, it was well made. I eventually won out against the elements and got to enjoy a wonderful 90 min sensation of mocha, almonds and “buttery” tastes (I kept craving buttered toast today as I smoked another one without the elements challenging me). By the end of the cigar, a nice creamy leather taste emerged.

The cigar occasionally tugboated its burn but that was more of a weather thing than the cigar. The aroma from the cigar was a pleasant sweet spicy tingle of the nose. The flavour remained consistent and complex enough to make me ponder flavours but not too complex as to take away the enjoyment of this mild-medium cigar. But I have to admit that this is the kind of store I’ve been looking for where they make the cigars themselves and are unique in who they are. The cigar gets a 8.5/10 from me and the shop, while not fancy by any stretch of the imagination, should be a must visit for anyone going to Manhattan. I’ll definitely be adding them to my regular visits.

As I enjoyed a 2nd one today with the warmth of the sun beating down on the balcony, I could hear Buena Vista Social Club floating over the air. It made me smile to think that summer is just around the corner. It turned a long day into a wonderful day, weather be damned. And since I’m talking about that fleeting feeling of Cuba and the cigars that might come from there, March’s poll just closed. And it seems overwhelming that the Embargo should be lifted. 87% of you said, toss it! Perhaps they should consider that as part of an overall economic recovery package.

For April, now that the weather is getting better many of us will be able to enjoy more cigars with friends and families and such. So the question is, besides the people in life, what do you enjoy your cigar the most with?

 
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Posted in Cigar Poll, Cigar Rating: 8-8.9/10, Cigar Reviews, Cigar Store Reviews

 

A Sunday in NYC’s Little Chinatown/Little Italy

16 Mar

So this weekend I’m on my own as my girlfriend is out of town. I started last night by enjoying a sweet Ashton Aged Maduro #10. I got to enjoy a Forty Creek Barrel Select over the rocks with a splash of cranberry and watched some pretty cheesy ’80s action movies, including the RoboCop trilogy. Apparently, they are doing a remark to be released in 2010. It was a definitely an enjoyable, relaxing evening. As I flipped through the movies, I decided that today I would venture out to downtown Manhattan’s Canal area (Chinatown/Little Italy) to find two cigar shops: Three Little Indians and Mulberry Street Cigars. Turned out that Mulberry was closed today, a bit disappointing and discouraging. As I peered into the dark windows I could see a variety of cigar history filling the windows and displays.

Sigh.

Three Little Indians and Florio's

Three Little Indians and Florio's

A visit for another day but definitely one that should be visited. Instead, I ventured a little further towards Three Little Indians. As I walked down Grand Street, I could the various discussions, some in Italian and some in the flavour of New Yorker English. With the milder weather, the street was a mosaic of people perusing various restaurants and their fare. As I walked into the shop/restaurant, I got a sense and flavour of old New York. The long wooden bar showed it ages but has obviously been well looked after. I could hear faint discussions as I walked around, looking around at the various cigars in the displays. I ended up getting a couple of LX2s and a couple of Short Stories. When I went to pay, I noticed a display beside the cash register of cigars that had no bands. They were various barbershop Toro type (6 x 56) and no two were alike. The owner, Larry, informed me that they are made by a gentleman in Florida. I added that to my purchase and went off to find the subway station to take the J train home.

Once I got home, I put the brand-name cigars into my humidor for later enjoyment and smelled this new find. A sweet, earthy scent came off the cigar as I held it. It was heavenly. It took a little bit to get the foot toasted but once I got it going, it was hard to put it down. Although I realized I forgot to ask what tobaccos made up the cigar, it didn’t really matter. The taste was a wonderful blend of sweet, earth and mild creamy leather with an occasional twinge of pepper to spice things up. The ash burned a solid white, speckled with lines of grey and black. If I had to guess, the wrappers were likely a mix of natural (sun-grown?) and maduro (Connecticut broadleaf?) around, what I suspect, is rich Dominican long fillers. When I go back — and I will — I’ll have to ask Larry about more of the history of these cigars and the man who creates them for him; I’ll also have to ask him to pass on my kudos and thanks for making a good cigar. It’s not cheap at nearly $13 per cigar but well worth it. This cigar will easily last 60-90 minutes, depending how deep of conversation your in with friends and family.

Three Little Indians Barberpole Toro

Three Little Indians Barberpole Toro

I sat back this evening watching my four favourite Sunday evening shows — The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy and American Dad — and quietly enjoyed my smoke while the fat tailless cat, Bobcat, sat beside me. She regarded my cigar for a minute, realized that it wasn’t food and went back to her Olympic training, marathon cat sleeping (she’s up to 20 hours these days). I laughed to the various silly antics and was mesmerized momentarily by the twin white/blue smoke coming from the end of the cigar. I’d give it a quick rating of about a 9.1 out of 10. Definitely worth a go if you do visit.

Anyways, the day ended on a wonderful note and I’m set for this week to start. It’s interesting that this week I go back to Edison, NJ to teach. A year ago, I went there to teach and it was there that I walked into Smoker’s Haven to buy my first cigars, Davidoff’s Winston Churchill. Since this week will have St. Patty’s day, they will be having an event to celebrate. And I’ll get to enjoy it since I won’t have anything specific to do on Friday. I have to say that I do enjoy smaller towns sometimes, especially when they have local cigar shops. There’s a more personal flavour to it. As much as there is great variety of things and places to do in NYC itself, sometimes smaller can be better.

 
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Posted in Cigar Rating: 9+, Cigar Store Reviews, General Cigar Info

 

Cigar Store Review: OK Cigars (Soho, Manhattan, NY)

17 Jan
okcigars

OK Cigars Neon Sign

Today, I sit in my home office, enjoying a AVO Domaine #20 I picked up yesterday. The temperature in NYC had dipped well below the freezing mark (F) into negative numbers, making it hard to enjoy the sun and sometimes harder to enjoy a cigar on the breeze. But it does make it good weather to go and explore a good cigar store. I usually, when in Manhattan and teaching, go to the Barclay-Rex on Wall Street. But I won’t be there until next week and I had a cigar bomb to do (if you’ve never experienced a cigar bomb, it’s when a B/SotL sends you an amazing but unexpected selection of cigars — generally creates a mess in your humidor because it may cause it to overflow, hence the name).

Anyways, since I was in the West 4th subway station area, I decided to walk down to Soho. I knew there was a nice little cigar store there called OK Cigars. I had been there before and one of the things that attracted me to it was the tobacciana. It is filled with posters, old lighters, old pipes and other great historical stuff. I love perusing these items as they show the history of cigar and pipe smoking, and history in general. And it’s the lighters in particular that interest me. I even saw a leg lighter that reminded me of the leg lamp from the movie “A Christmas Story”.

Although it has a small and tightly packed walk-in humidor, it does have some really interesting finds (and my poor victim will get to enjoy some of those) as well as some of my regular favourites: AF Short Story, AVO Domaine #20, Camacho, etc.). The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, willing to suggest new cigars to both the newbie and aficionado alike. It does stand out in comparison to the very upscale expensive clothing, jewelry and shoe stores of the area. But the prices aren’t reflective of the area beyond being pretty standard for most Manhattan cigar places ( since rent is higher the prices tend to be higher). I don’t mind this as I do like supporting the B&M type places as much as my favourite online places.

It’s unfortunate that it doesn’t have a smoking area (at least not that I could see) but it does have a warm and friendly atmosphere. While I was there, I talked with another customer about the AVO Domaine and others I had choosen (I got about a dozen cigars). He was mildly impressed at my stash but I reminded him it’s more about enjoying and sharing with friends than it is about the cigars. So if you are in the NYC/Manhattan area, whether a regular or visiting, check them out and enjoy the trip into a bit of history.

 
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Charleston, SC — Tinderbox and the Enchantment of the City

27 Oct

I had arrived in Charleston, sans luggage. This about freaked me out since I had about 10 nice cigars in there that I wanted to review — never mind that I had clothes for the week (I’m here until Saturday morning). I checked into my hotel and got a shuttle into the city core. One of the things that’s evident about the city is that people are proud of it and it’s heritage. As I walked through the old parts of the downtown, I realized I wanted a chance to relax. I stopped first for a plate of pasta and then walked door to the Tinderbox.

And it was like I walked back in time. It was almost as if I could hear my grandfather, talking about all the things he had opinions on (he was an American who lived in Canada for most of his life). It was the smell of pipe that brought back a flood of great memories. I looked through the variety of cigars that were available and perused the selection. I decided on a Don Tomas Cameroon Collection Rothschild. The draw was great and it burned consistently. So much so that if I wanted, the whole cigar would have been a single, solid block of ash. As I sat in the back, relaxing with the cigar I looked around at the various tobacciana that graced the store.

Tins of pipe tobacco. Old cigar signs. Antique ashtrays. It was a feeling of tradition, of family. Not surprising since this place has been around since 1928. In fact, above the Tinderbox is Club Havana, the last bar you can smoke cigars at in the city. It was grandfathered and protected to have that ability. This Friday they are having a Hallowe’en celebration. While I won’t have a costume, I’ll likely go so I can have a good memory to go home with about the city. Before leaving, I purchase about a dozen cigars since the tobacco tax is considerably lower here compared to NY. Once at the hotel, I discovered my luggage had been found. To celebrate I had two cigars. The first was an Ashton Benchmade (I had purchased this when I was in Baltimore). Very reminiscent of other good Ashton cigars. It was a smooth cigar with what seemed to be the best of the bits from other Ashtons.

As I write this I’m enjoying a nice Asthon VSG Enchanment, which seems to signify what the city is about: the enchanment of the South, traditions and a life enjoyed. This was one of the cigars I brought with me (the intent was to free up my humidors a bit more so I could get more single cigars and do more reviews). The Enchantment is almost large a larger version of the Mystique but has more flavour to enjoy. The interesting shape ensures a nice slow enjoyment of the evening and forces one to relax. It was something I needed after the stress of dealing with airports, lost luggage and airlines.

By the way, the Quality Suites hotel near the airport seems the last hotel that has smoking rooms (they also have balconies and a happy hour from 5:30-7:30 where guests of the hotel get free wine and beer). Not a bad deal. :)

 
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Posted in Cigar Reviews, Cigar Store Reviews, General Cigar Info

 

Cigar Store Review: Baltimore’s Cross Street Tobacco

07 Oct

In addition to a review of their cigars, I figured I’d do a review of the store. One day, when I retire, I’d like to run a store like Cross Street Tobacco. It’s a place where you can easily go in, pick out a nice cigar and sit and enjoy. It’s very down home and friendly atmosphere, even for someone from out of town on their first visit to Baltimore. I was made to feel welcomed and they have an excellent selection of cigars. The chairs are the kind that you never want to get out of and you have an ok selection of things to drink with your cigar (water, pop, coffee and beer were all available at a low cost).

One of the things I liked about Cross Street is the fact that they discuss not only whatever topics are hot in the world today but also the finer points of tobacco and what makes a good cigar. If the topic doesn’t interest you, certainly you can watch whatever is up on the big screen. They have their own brand label, which at first I thought was something they rolled on their own (at $4 per stick) but found out it was made for them by Olivia. It was still a nice cigar at the price and I very much enjoyed the Robusto Cameroon I had this evening.

The selection of cigars is quite nice and varied. They even have a nice selection of pipes and pipe accessories. The walls are decorated with some older cigar artwork and the walk-in humidor is easily laid out such that you can find your favourites or even a few you’ve never tried. Probably my only complaint was the fact that it closes at 8pm. This, however, may be a reflection of the recent law in Baltimore banning smoking pretty much everywhere and the recent financial crisis. This is the kind of store that needs to be supported regularly.

So, if you’re ever in Baltimore, drop by and have a smoke.

 
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