The Traveling Cigar: Cigar and Cigar Store Reviews

2014-04-08T03:35:00.002-04:00

Back at it....

Well with the new job I am once again traveling for work and finding the best and worst cigar shops in the country - for you - so you dont have to do it yourself....

Seattle - arrived late Sunday afternoon. Went to JJ's - open till 7p. Nope closed..... The blinds were drawn on the windows and I could have sworn they were inside... staring at the cigar addict glaring throught the space between the blinds... Bastards!!!

Olympia, Wa -
What a place.... found Cigar Daddies Cigar Daddies with an awesome lounge in the Store - that you could not smoke in thanks to the good citizens of Washington. So because of that the owner gutted an old 4 ambulance wide garage out back into this leather coach, three widescreen tvs, sat there for 3 hours.. It was awesome a great oasis in a sea of the smoke haters of Washington.... Yeah thats right you can smoke narcotics in Washington but not cigars in public... What hypocrisy!!

Good Selection - a little expensive but what else would I say when where I call home has no cigar tax!!!! Go Ben Franklin...

SUPER CIGAR PRICES RIGHT OUTSIDE PHILLY!

2013-10-23T17:15:00.002-04:00

Found this place about 25 miles west of philly. Scary low prices - cheapest around philly including holts. JM Cigars, Exton, Pa. Great lounge no fee... open till 8p Mon - thur- Friday open late Sat-sun usually 5-6p... wirtu the trip outside philly.

Update - they have no wireless !!!

Cigar Lounge Update for North Jersey - Hoboken Cigars

2013-10-23T17:15:00.001-04:00

Hoboken Cigar

Found is not the right word because they have been around for years but Hoboken Cigar is a real fiind. Literally 100 ft feet from the Hoboken Train Terminal this place a decent selection of smoke - both house rolled and know brands. Prices were a bit high but what do you expect when your 1 mile from the anti-smoke state of New York City...

They comfortability factor:

They had three big screen flat screen, 5 big leather couches and 4 leather chairs. Lots of accessories to sell as well. No soda just water and you can buy a beer if you want.. No worries there is a dunkin donuts around the corner. There were five guys having smokes and the ceiling smoke filter just wasn't doing the job.

What kind of sticks do they offer?

A decent selection with a host of brand names and ones they roll in house. I bought one of the house made and it was excellent - green label - maduro torpedo - 6X54-56

G & G Cigar Store - West Chester, PA

2013-09-16T19:09:00.002-04:00

Found a new Cigar Store today in West Chester, PA G & G Cigar. Hours are until 7p Mon through Thur. Very good selection of cigars and prices were good. The lounge is members only but its a cheap membership - $ 50 bucks a year and you get a 5% discount 100 bucks gets you 10 % discount etc... That's a pretty good deal considering most members only price it so it becomes exclusive - like 500 a year etc...

Camacho Maduro Corojo Diadema

2013-08-03T12:40:00.001-04:00

Camacho Maduro Corojo Diadema - Buy one get one at Cigar International down town. Man was it a fantastic smoke! Im sure they dont make it anymore and the box was several years old.... and now the new owners of Camacho are rebranding so they have asked that all shops dump there current stock to make way for the new. Stores are giving great deals on them so get yours.

http://travelingcigar.weebly.com/

2013-07-04T08:31:00.001-04:00

http://travelingcigar.weebly.com/

The Lost art of the Cigar Lounge...

2012-07-22T13:48:00.002-04:00

Today I'm blogging about how there is such a lack of cigar lounges in the state of New Jersey. To be specific Southern New Jersey!! Here are the cigar lounges that I have found in my travels throughout New Jersey:

JR Cigar - Route 10 Whippany, NJ
The lounge is ok - there are 4 - 5 tables and some nice leather type chairs around them as well as some standard chairs you'd find ait a poker table... The only real issue is that the temperature is a little hot for me. The best cigar lounge experience for me is where its nice and cool!!. Oh yeah - alot of people rave about JR cigar stores. They have a few great brands added as of late - Pepin (the best), Camacho, Fuente, La Gloria but they shove those JR cigars down your throat and alot of "crap" Altadis" and General Cigar brands... Mayorga? Ramon Allones - what the F..... those suck and really are only smoke by people who are casual smokers who dont know shi$%^t about what a good cigar is.....

Cigar Stop
1607 Broad St
Shrewsbury, NJ

Very nice little lounge in the back of the Store, decent guys at the shop, very accomadating staff.. The cigar selection is weak but none the less they do what seems to be a good business.

Rubens Smoke Stack
Hackensack, NJ

I found this place when I desperate for a place to work and smoke early one evening after work. Wild selection of sticks, from Tatuaje's to Crappy Romeos.

La Palina... EL DIARIO

2012-07-13T18:51:00.003-04:00

I took another plunge today and dropped some bucks ($13)on the La Palina -

I bought and then smoke the stick at Ruben's Smoke Stack in Hackensack, NJ.

(I found this place a few weeks ago on one of my cigar store hunts I frequently do when in a town I've not been in for a while... Really a great selection of smokes - Alot of boutique stuff along with the regulars - General Cigars - Altadis etc... Prices are reasonable for the area and a good group of guys there...)

I've heard so much acclaim for this stick I had to try it!!

This cigar tasted sweet before the light. Once lit I can say that I have never smoked a more effortless draw. The cigar is medium to say the least. The wrapper, binder and filler are 12+ years old and are incredibly smooth but I have to say that there is not quite enough bite for me.. Again tastes very good but not real kick!!

Cigar King - Skokie, IL - my opinion

2012-06-29T18:37:00.000-04:00

Note: This is only my personal opinion!

I had a recent business trip to the Chicago area and on the way to the hotel near O'hare I stopped by a cigar store that someone suggested I visit. That Store was "Cigar King" in Skokie, IL.
Well let me say that the place was packed. When I walked into the place it kind of reminded me of being more at a bar then a cigar store/lounge. Now there's nothing wrong with that especially because its generally accepted that if a retail establishment of any kind is busy - it must be good.

I couldn't be more wrong. As I navigated through the "crowd" of people surrounding the pool table to the humidor in the back of the Store I began to see what appeared to be a large selection of cigars. However when I actually walked into the humidor and looked a little closer to the cigars you start to see that most of them were covered in dust (at least I think it was dust). Don't get me wrong not all the cigars were covered in dust but a good majority of them were. The humidification system they were using sat on a top shelf along the back wall of the humidor. It was sitting in a plastic container of some sort. The inner lining of the plastic box was covered in some kind of dirty "gook." Looked like it was used to catch some kind of run off water or something and had never been cleaned.
They had the usual Rocky Patels, Illusione, and Altadis brands. The Altadis brands twere in decent shape but you could also see alot of what appeared to be really old cigars covered in dust to the point where I couln't immediately tell what brand they were especially on the lower shelfs and in the corners of the humidor. I also noticed that they were selling some cigars that were very old. For example the Camacho section had several boxes of cigars out that had been sold in years. Now that would be fine if they were being aged properly but these were just neglected sticks. I noticed on the top shelf above the Camacho cigars and open box of cigars hanging off the side so I pulled it down to see what treasures were inside. The sticks were flat out disgusting as they were covered in dust and dirt.
Being the cigar addict that I am I did buy three cigars that did not appear to have any issues and were reasonably priced but I felt like I was taking my life into my own hands!!
They also had cigars in glass cases outside the humidor next to the lounge area. These looked okay but for the most part they too were just no being taken care of. It was a shame. I mean for me Cigars are a passion. Taking care of them and nurturing them along is part of the fun and excitement of smoking them. I just don't understand how someone could ignore them like that.
What was interesting to me was that when the one person who asked me if I needed help was leaning against the counter outside the humidor near the register

Swag Ego!!

2012-04-15T09:57:00.002-04:00

Just had the Swag - Ego -

Golden Brown wrapper

great draw - construction

great taste - puro's do rock - just ask the cuban's

unreal cheap price - dont be fooled - no $12+ stick.. has anything on this cigar..

J Grotto Cigars - unexpected...

2012-03-23T18:25:00.004-04:00

It was recommended that I smoke a J Grotto Series Cigar today at my local smoke shop.. - Smokers Delight - Union, NJ

http://www.oceanstatecigars.com/index.php/cigars

Here's the basics
-Wrapper: Honduras Habano Viso
Binder: Honduras Habano Seco
Filler: Honduras Habano Ligero and Viso and Nicaragua Viso

Bottom Line:
Really well made
Smooth oily wrapper
Med Brown Color
Super Draw -
No pungent smell with the prelight or first draw
No harshness in this smoke
Just a great tasting smoke - very smokable for even the average smoker

Hi - Im here to kick your ass

2012-03-19T18:21:00.004-04:00

That title describes my encounter with a Liga Privada Corona Doble..... It was truly an amazing smoke. Midway through it though the sweats come, the sick feeling in my gut, the spinning in my head and I wonder what the hell is happening to me. You see this is a weird experience because I am a "smokers smoker." I mean I can smoke 10 really strong cigars in a single day and only stop smoking becuase its time to go to sleep or Im out of money..... But this cigar kicked my ass - in plain english or for that matter in any dam language. I would say that this cigar - for its flavor, feel, draw etc.. could be the best cigar in the world. The only thing that A Cohiba Behike has over this cigar is the price.... I would say that this cigar is a bucket list cigar... In other words before you die - you must smoke one of these.....

Bolivar Gigante!!

2012-03-12T20:33:00.004-04:00

Just had the Bolivar Gigante... 8.50 - Smokers Delight - Union, NJ
- What a good cigar... Im one of those cigar smokers who cannot smoke basically any General / Altadis cigars. Dont get me wrong there are great cigars that each make but they usually passed off at a premium price - Saint Luis Rey - Series G as an example...

This wrapper was a dark golden brown - oily, smooth.... Honduran Ligero wrapper - wow!! Has some real power but the kind of power that real cigar smokers love - a great draw

From http://www.texcigars.com/Bolivar-Gigante
Re-blended in 2005, Bolivar somehow improved what was already a powerhouse of a full-bodied cigar. This cigar starts out medium bodied and progressively becomes stronger. Satisfying and savory, flavors of earth and wood mix with notes of pepper and chocolate creating a palette of flavors that packs a punch. This is an excellent cigar for those that want strength without compromising on flavor.

House of Cigar Columbus OH

2011-10-28T22:34:00.002-04:00

So here I am in the midwest Mecca of Cigar Stores. Its truly a paradise but the question comes to mind - what is it about cigars that is such a draw for me and for millions around the world. Could it just be the claming effect that nicotine has on people that they dont even realize? Can't be that simple - can it?

Cigar International Lounge

2010-10-01T13:22:00.002-04:00

Stopped by the new Cigar International Lounge on route 22. Its an awesome building. You get the usual discounted stick there but the lounge is great. There is a side room lounge area and then a main lounge towards the back of the Store..Smoke are organized by maker... They have a wide variety of 5 Vegas and Drew Estate stuff and a bunch of new Deisels... Don't get me wrong they have great deals - check out the 5+ packs in the racks as you enter the Store!! I recently got a 5 pack of Alec Bradley Prensado Robustos for $12. Check it out...

2010-02-28T19:09:00.001-05:00

Quick tasting notes on the road- smoked an Alec Bradley "Trilogy" Native Cameroon-smooth-sweet-full bodied that won't knock you out, a great draw, and a GREAT PRICE-$5.35

Barristers Cigars, Union, NJ

2010-01-30T12:05:00.004-05:00

Traveled to Central New Jersey this past week. I found Barristers Cigars in Union, NJ. It is located right off Rt 22 West about two blocks past the Famous Union Diner. The Store is in a small strip mall on the right side. The Store is a little hidden in that it doesn't face 22 so you will have to make right into strip and go a few store front down.

I actually emailed the owner listed on the website David Mallow (david@barristercigars.net) and asked about the hours because they are not listed on the website. He quickly responded back that the hours were amazingly 11a- 11p. For the traveling cigar this was perfect!! Find a cigar store to smoke in has become tough and then to find one that's open so late was a blessing..

The layout of the place was pretty interesting in that he has an area set up in the front of the store with a type of cigar display. It had alot of actual cigars laid out with various details about them. The cigars were obviously dried out and a little battered but still worth checking out. Check out the website to see what it looks - http://www.barristercigars.net/

There was a wireless internet and two long tables that you could sit at along with coach area. There is a big TV with good sound as well. Towards the back of the store along the wall they had some lockers with two additional leather type chairs. There was a small kitchen in the back and a small fridge. I asked if I could buy a soda and they don't offer drinks but there was a gas station right next store so I bought a few Arizona teas and they allowed me to keep them in the fridge.

There were a few guys in the store doing work and just watching some TV. They didn't know me as I had never been in the Store but were friendly and as they each left that night made sure to say to me "have a good night." This may seem like no big deal but part of the smoking experience is the camaraderie you get or don't get the detracts from or enhances the experience.

The humidor was in the back of the store and was a decent size. There wasn't what you call a very large assortment of cigars but they had enough to suite me just fine. Alot of "Rocky Patel's for sure. They also did have a good selection of Tatuaje cigars including new Black and Red Tubes!! at approx $14/ea.

It was a very good place to do some work and smoke some really good cigars. I stayed there until about 10:50p. Thanks again Mr Mallow!!

Trinidad Robusto T

2010-01-19T17:51:00.006-05:00

In Toronto today and decided to pick up the Cuban - Trinidad Robusto T

Where:
Celebrity - House of Cigars
Oakville, Ontario
$28 CAN (68% Canadian Tax!!)

Prelight Smell:
A mild "barnyard" smell that was not pungent
Strong hints of mint and ligher notes of citrus

Construction:
Golden brown wrapper
The foot had a crack in the wrapper so I asked and got a discount but it did not impact the smoke
A few bumps on the side and a few veins but overall it is really well made

Overall Comments
Leaves a nice taste in your mouth as you smoke it
The mint and citrus that I smelled before I lit seems to mixing together with each draw to make a very flavorful smoke

This cigar was almost to sweet to smoke. Maybe it was the amount of nicotine but I just about got sick with this one. Can't be the nic I smoke full bodies like they are going out of style!!!

The Perfect Morning Cigar

2010-01-18T10:28:00.003-05:00

Lately I have really been enjoying the Camacho 10th Anniversary Corojo. Super smooth, flavorful - not "papery" draw is excellent and is constructed perfectly..