Cigars anyone?

[Jimbo]

Hello; what a great site! So much to learn from experienced vacationers. I'm a transplanted Jamaican, having lived my whole life in Toronto, and am planning to return asap to visit my brother who lives in Kingston. My question is; does anyone know where I should be heading in the big K to score some premium cigars? I've looked online for some information, but would appreciate any good shops or insight on where to get the real deal (no fakes please; it's just a waste of time). Any other 'puffers' out there that can hook me up?

Jimbo

[Mr Edwards]

Jimbo you can get them practically anywhere, but as you say you've got to watch for fakes, unless buying them somewhere reputable. The airports aren't a bad place to start, the duty free shops are good for alcohol and tobacco products, including premium cigars, both local and imported including Cubans.

In Kingston, I recommend:

Falcon Marketing & Consulting Services Limited 14 Trafalgar Road, Kingston, Jamaica - (876) 927-6267

The Rum, roast and Royals shop in the Devon House courtyard, Trafalgar Road and Hope Road, features a large and excellent selection local and Cuban cigars, well maintained in their humidor.

Hope that helps.

[Lucky Lulu]

I'm sure Jimbo found that information useful Mr Edwards but I've got to say that I've made a note of those addresses to give to my husband. He likes a good cigar on special occassions so I'm sure he'll appreciate knowing where to buy some Cubans.

It's amazing the things you can learn on forums like this, isn't it?

~Lucy~

[Jimbo]

Amen to that Lucy; and a big 'Ya know?' to Mr E as well, as I'm going to put his recommendations to good use once I set foot in Kingston. Although I have a brother who lives there, he isn't an afficionado, so he couldn't point me in the right direction. Funny thing is, the rest of my family here in Toronto have become fans of quality smokes, ever since I began introducing them at our 'fetes' (a Guyanese term, hope I'm excused) about ten years ago. Now virtually every male member on my father's side of the family has a humidor, stocked with the booty they get on Carribbean holidays. It's become quite a little point of pride to show off the latest haul on arriving home. I can't wait to check out these suggestions Mr. E, and will let you know how well I fare in February or so, which is when we're planning to go. The only one so far who isn't on board, is my girlfriend, who hasn't found a single reason to support my habit. Good thing I only torture her with it once a week or so. :cool:

Gracias amigo.

[Jimbo]

Oops; sorry LULU; Lord knows where I got Lucy from. Maybe I should pick up some specs when I'm down there as well.

Scuse senoritta.

Must be the dreams of my holiday getting in my eyes.

:rolleyes:

[Jimbo]

Yikes, just realized you're Lucy and Lulu;

Maybe I'll just go to bed now.

Aye Carrumba!

:eek:

[Lucky Lulu]

My husband has been puffing on cigars ever since returning from Jamaica last week! He was thrilled with his "find" and has bought a stash to keep him going for a while.

I'm hoping he'll get sick of them soon as I don't much like the smell in the house except at Thanksgiving and Christmas, because cigars are sort of part of the celebrations. Well, they are for me at least because my own father always smoked a cigar or two at those times. And on family birthdays.

Anyway, he asked me to pass along his thanks to Mr. Edwards for the information.

~Lucy~

[iew142]

At least on the Norwegian ships, there is a cigar lounge and emporium onboard. Since I explore Everything on a cruise ship, I visited this lounge area during the day.

Quite an elegantly appointed and traditional setting with leather chairs and books and of course a dark wood bar.

I was fascinated by the humidors with glass doors and temperature and humidity controls. At the entrance there were nicely done posters that explained the finer points of the taste buds and how to combine the right cigar with the right wine or liquor to please the taste buds. I had no idea...

It might not be as adventuresome to buy cigars on the ship but the cruise lines do have knowledgeable staff to wait on you and ultra knowledgeable staff who select the items to be served on the ship in the first place.

iew142

[MadMary]

Being as I'm a 19 year old girl I don't suppose anybody would expect me to find that last post interesting but I did!

My grandad smokes cigars and would be interested in knowing about that sort of stuff I'm sure. I don't suppose you know whether theres a website anywhere that tells us about the drinks matching the cigars and everything? I'd love to learn about it and suprise him with my knowledge ;)

Mary

PS: The lounge sounds just the sort of place he'd love aswell. His study is all dark wood and dark green leather. I think it's a bit creepy but he sits in there with his dog for hours.

[Jimbo]

Lucky Lulu,
Oh my dear no; you're husband is hooked. Once taken hold, the cigar allure is fatal. Maybe some of those smoke eater devices from Wal-Mart, or outside smoking only. Good luck.
I'm kidding of course. You'll have to come to some sort of agreement on it. Cigars are a tough pleasure to give up ;)

[Jimbo]

My God man, what an excellent find for you on THAT voyage! You've opened the door to a world of knowledge about craftsmanship and experience and history to be found in half an hours' pastime. May I suggest you start with "Shanken's Cigar handbook: A Coinnoisseur's Guide to Smoking pleasure?" It's an excellent introduction to the cigar universe.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0762400595/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-6043686-8592822#reader-link

Knowledge old bean, knowledge is what navigates the cigar world. That smoking cabin on board sounds like a freaking dream come true.

Get into it baby; cigars have soul.

[Jimbo]

iew142; what an incredible find for you on that fateful voyage my friend. That smoking den sounds freaking perfect. You have opened a door into an expansive universe. Get out there and start learning about the history, experience and luck which goes into the production of a half hours' idle pleasure. Don't stay a novice for long; there is much to discover!

Check out my links in some other replies, and see what it is that makes these damn things so memorable.

'I'd rather smoke one cigar than hear two sermons.'


Robert Ingersoll (1833 - 1899), Letters of Robert Ingersoll (letter to his
brother)

'I smoke in moderation, only one cigar at a time.'

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

[Jimbo]

MadMary, it sounds like your grandfather has found a sanctuary for himself and his dog, and you should get in there one day and blow his mind with your newfound cigar knowledge.

Start with Shanken's Cigar Handbook;

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0762400595/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-6043686-8592822#reader-link

He's also the editor of Cigar Afficionado magazine;

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Home/1,2323,,00.html

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Drinks/Drinks_Main_Page/0,2731,Spirits,00.html

And try these;

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/cig101_8pca.asp?sid=236832160&globalT=3&cookies=disabled

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/cig101_main.asp?sid=236832226&globalT=3&cookies=disabled

That should get you in the right direction; I suggest you sit down in his creepy den with him, have a cigar and a brandy, and chat with him. I can't imagine how impressed he'll be at your cigar wisdom.

Lemme know how that chat turns out :D

[Mr Edwards]

I have to concur with Jimbo; Shanken is an excellent place to start if you're looking into the cigar world for the first time, as is his magazine 'Cigar Afficionado.' The great thing about cigars, like other luxurious habits, is that the more you know, the more you want to know about them. The only cigars worth smoking are those which are considered 'Premium,' which doesn't refer to the pricetag, but the care and quality which goes into its manufacture. A cheap cigar, mass produced with little concern for either, is exactly that; cheap. It's a pale substitute for the real thing, which is a joy to smoke. You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy a quality cigar, but you do have to be able to recognize one when you see it, and recognize a cheapie when you see that too. Like anything else in life, the more you put in, the more you'll get out; so a little bit of knowledge about this delightfully sinful habit will take you a long way.

Thanks for the links Jimbo; couldn't have done better myself. To those who had thanked me; a sincere 'you're welcome!'

[Green Diva]

I'm a female who thinks there's nothing better than a good cigar! Although, since I've had a couple of kids I don't smoke them anymore. There's just something about a good cigar, eh?

[southboca]

Enjoy your cigars in Jamaica, but you might want to think twice about bringing a stash home. If U.S. customs finds cigars in your suitcase, they will confiscate them from you and... sob... destroy them. If they ask you point-blank if you have Cuban cigars and you lie, they can fine you as well.

[igauresh]

Duty Free shops do have a great array of cigars and alcoholic drinks. Why not start your search there? I am not a fan of cigars nor am I a fan of alcohol but I do know Duty Free shops usually have good cigars and alcohol.