Novis - Albuferia in a few weeks

[griffiths]

Hi there, Im a new member and am new to cigar smoking after a holiday to Cuba in May, where I bought a box of Cohiba Robustos as my first investment. I am now a converted cigar smoker. I am heading over to Albufeira for a stag in a couple of weeks and thought that I would use the opportunity to get some cheaper cigars while there. I was wondering if anyone had been to that part of Portugal, if there were any bargains to be had and if so, where should I go pick them up (airport?)?

I am thinking that this hobby will have to rely on trips abroad to restock when required as the price of cigars in the UK is actually ridiculous in comparison.

Any info would be gratefully received.

Rob

[Johnny Thunder]

Welcome to the forum.

You can only buy singles in Portugal if they are in Tubo form. Other than that, you are looking at box purchases.
Price wise, they are a bit cheaper than here. Hopefully [MENTION=13434145]TheMonk[/MENTION] can help you more.

[griffiths]

Thanks Johnny. Is tubo form bad? What is the difference between a tubo and a cigar not in a tube? I was hoping to get a box that could see me through the summer and maybe a couple of nicer cigars for weddings.

[Johnny Thunder]

A Tubo is a cigar that comes in a Nice tube. ie: https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/bolivar-r...le-p-7673.html

This might actually suit you for your couple for weddings.

[smokey joe]

'Novis' lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SHAMZ84]

Welcome griffiths.

Can't help you with Portugal...but as a recent newbie... before i got my humidor, to keep my cigars fresh i bought an 20/25 count old cigar box and kept my cigars in there with a boveda pack.

To ensure humidity wasn't leaking i put two nails on the lid to shut is closed and then put the box in the zip lock bag.
so if your gonna buy a box all you would need is a boveda pack and a large enough zip bag.. Not sure if this the best way, but it worked well for me.

[griffiths]

Welcome griffiths.

Can't help you with Portugal...but as a recent newbie... before i got my humidor, to keep my cigars fresh i bought an 20/25 count old cigar box and kept my cigars in there with a boveda pack.

To ensure humidity wasn't leaking i put two nails on the lid to shut is closed and then put the box in the zip lock bag.
so if your gonna buy a box all you would need is a boveda pack and a large enough zip bag.. Not sure if this the best way, but it worked well for me.

Thanks Shamz, I have a humidor already as when I brought my remaining Cohiba back from Havana they dried out a bit so tried to restore them in there and still have a few left in it. If I can get a box of something decent to top it up for about ?80 then id be chuffed.

[Streetfighter]

Welcome Griffiths,
Tubes offer protection for cigars and are mostly cedar lined, no real difference to un-tubed cigars, make them easier to carry about, I think it's more about the cigar in the tube...

[Niela]

Welcome griffiths.

Can't help you with Portugal...but as a recent newbie... before i got my humidor, to keep my cigars fresh i bought an 20/25 count old cigar box and kept my cigars in there with a boveda pack.

To ensure humidity wasn't leaking i put two nails on the lid to shut is closed and then put the box in the zip lock bag.
so if your gonna buy a box all you would need is a boveda pack and a large enough zip bag.. Not sure if this the best way, but it worked well for me.

As the wood breathes, there is no need to nail the box shut at all. Boveda packs and a thick zip lock box do the trick, either with, or without box.

[SHAMZ84]

o ok...thats good to know..I was just trying to create a humidor environment using the old box... Cheers i know not to do that for next time.

[Niela]

If you can't find someone on the forum to recommend you a cigar store in Portugal, just google some stores wherever you are going. If that doesn't help, ask some locals where to get cigars. Sometimes small shady shops have some real special cigars. Just make sure they are stored well and are not fakes obviously. But I am sure you'd find a Casa del Habanos in the bigger cities in Portugal at least.

[Niela]

o ok...thats good to know..I was just trying to create a humidor environment using the old box... Cheers i know not to do that for next time.

As far as I understand the storage of cigars, the wood is only used to sort of 'buffer' changes in humidity. Drastic changes... the wood takes up some and slowly releases it again. I guess that is helpful when working with beads and sponges or if the humidor stands somewhere in the carribean with 100% humidity.

Some boxes, like those that have a paper layer in it, shouldn't be used at all for long term aging as the paper can transfer flavours as well. Also when you have a humidor with cedar wood, the cigars can actually take on some of those cedar flavors. (at least so I've been told. Haven't made a trial yet with cigars stored in different boxes to check if the flavours are different)