Tallinn

[ha_banos]

Fecking cold! Right, now that's out of the way...

Airport had no cigars at all from looking around duty free and asking a couple of the sales staff. Very surprising. There's a smoking room sign posted too.

There's Cigar House right on the old town hall square, also home to the rather nice Christmas market. Now these guys seemed a bit flustered and busy during the day. Not surprised I guess. Went back in the evening when things were a bit quieter. They have a lounge at the back and a good sized walk in humidor in the front.

Helpfully welcomed into the humidor. Plenty of cigars. Mostly new world. Probably less than a quarter of the space was CC's. NCs seemed well stocked. Precious few boxes of Cubans. Plenty of open boxes selling singles. Prices are good. 40% or so of what we see here. Except for Cohiba. They had a couple of boxes of Siglo IV at around 680€. Left them.

Picked up a box of Cuaba and PL Montecarlo. They suggested we open up and check the cigars. All good. Newbie I am, not used to all this Brexit, didn't realise I should have asked for tax forms at the shop...

The oak Lounge is about a five minute walk away. Again plenty of NC stock. Less than 10% Cuban by volume in their humidor. Again helpful, again suggested we open up the box of RASS I picked out. Also not many CC boxes, mostly open for singles. They have a separate cabinet for aged Cubans. A few cabs of 50 JL2! I should, but didn't.

Came back the next day to sit in the lounge here. Almost no CC in the lounge humidor. Much smaller, a step in. But again well stocked with NC. Picked a Siglo II and a beer. Wife had a coffee. Nice, if dark, lounge.

Finally there's a weird Casdagli lounge at D'boiss just behind the main square. It has a gentleman's barbers and shoe maker inside too! Walked in, went upstairs walked around. No one there. Found the barbers and shoe shop, but no cigar lounge to be seen! "Hello! Hello!" No one. Must have seen me coming and hid! Would have grabbed some cigars. Ah well.

So there's a few options in Tallinn. Service was pretty good. Prices good. But too cold to smoke outside anywhere! Snowed plenty too! Lovely old city and nice food.

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[PeeJay]

Just curious, why should you have picked up tax forms?

[ha_banos]

Just curious, why should you have picked up tax forms?

Claim the vat back. No?

[mcdee]

Looks like a great trip Banos.

[Hookmaker]

No RA King of North???😳


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[ha_banos]

No RA King of North???😳


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None! Asked in both stores. Might have some next year the Cigar Maja said. 😭

[Midas]

Looks like a nice place to visit, some great pic ups as well, especially if the prices are 1/3 of the UK! Loving the wrappers on those RASS.

Are you back in the UK now? Did you have to take a pre departure test before coming back?

It’s a bit concerning going away knowing if you test positive you’re stuck where you are until you test negative and can get a flight within 48 hours


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[ha_banos]

Looks like a nice place to visit, some great pic ups as well, especially if the prices are 1/3 of the UK! Loving the wrappers on those RASS.

Are you back in the UK now? Did you have to take a pre departure test before coming back?

It’s a bit concerning going away knowing if you test positive you’re stuck where you are until you test negative and can get a flight within 48 hours


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Before tax prices (if id got the tax forms, so I paid +20% local tax in these) so before tax ~40% prices over here, will amend the post.
RASS €227
Cuaba Tradicionales €225
PL Montecarlo €163

We got back just before the pre-flight PCR requirement. So we're isolating at home and waiting PCR results having done the 2 day test thing.

[Midas]

Still a great saving over the UK and a bonus holiday! Glad you avoided the chaos coming back.


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[potpest]

Claim the vat back. No?

Do you not just need a receipt? You can then claim the tax back at the airport with customs.

[ha_banos]

Do you not just need a receipt? You can then claim the tax back at the airport with customs.

Nope. The airport ask for the tax form. Where do I get that? The store! Ah...

https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-shopping/taxfree-shopping

"
How to get a VAT refund

Get a VAT 407(NI) form from the retailer. They will ask for proof that you’re eligible, for example your passport and travel documents.

Complete the VAT 407(NI) form. Only include the goods you’re taking out of the country. Do not include any goods you’re leaving behind, any goods you’ve used or or any goods you’ve returned.

Show the goods, the completed form and your receipts to customs at the point when you leave Northern Ireland or the EU.

Customs will approve your form if everything is in order.

To get paid, either take your approved form to the VAT refund desk at the airport, or send it to the retailer or refund provider with evidence of where you’re travelling to."

[potpest]

Nope. The airport ask for the tax form. Where do I get that? The store! Ah...

https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-shopping/taxfree-shopping

"
How to get a VAT refund

Get a VAT 407(NI) form from the retailer. They will ask for proof that you’re eligible, for example your passport and travel documents.

Complete the VAT 407(NI) form. Only include the goods you’re taking out of the country. Do not include any goods you’re leaving behind, any goods you’ve used or or any goods you’ve returned.

Show the goods, the completed form and your receipts to customs at the point when you leave Northern Ireland or the EU.

Customs will approve your form if everything is in order.

To get paid, either take your approved form to the VAT refund desk at the airport, or send it to the retailer or refund provider with evidence of where you’re travelling to."

Good to know, I didn't bother last time I was in Switzerland as tax was only 7% and we nearly missed the flight as it was. Definitely worth it if you can get 10-20% back though.

[Hookmaker]

Good to know, I didn't bother last time I was in Switzerland as tax was only 7% and we nearly missed the flight as it was. Definitely worth it if you can get 10-20% back though.

If you didn’t bother getting 7% then you’re surely used to pay a ton for cigars in the UK😎


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[ha_banos]

Apparently lots of people do!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXYsg4tDhwT/?utm_medium=share_sheet

[puff o'wind]

I remember many trips to Tallin...youre right...very cold!!

Always loved landing on a snowy runway and seeing the lights. Lovely. Sadly, those days went when my employer Thomas Cook was sunk...sic transit and all that.