Tweet
Earlier this month I went off on my annual summer holiday to Long Island, New York to visit the family.
During that time I arranged to meet up with the legendary G Man in New York City to further diplomatic cigar relations between our two countries.
Eventually after waiting around at the wrong end of 34st street and soliciting old ladies off the bus he decided to show up, then we were off.
First stop a short walk up 5th Avenue to Midtown Cigars.
A big shop spread over 2 floors which is one big humi. No photos inside says the picture on the door. This is surprising as it seems to be aimed at tourists. There were some nice things in there but dont expect to be picking up the Padron 1926's there
I picked up a couple of nice tubes there and it seemed you could light one up in there. Although I was informed that 10:15am was a bit early for us!
Rocky Patel Decade Tubos
H Upmann Sublimes
Cohiba Red Dot
R&J LE's
R&J Habano Reserve Rotheschild
Next stop. Davidoff on Madison Avenue, this was a great shop. Their selection of smoking paraphernalia was oustanding. High quality humis, pipes the lot, you could smell the money in there.
There walk in humi was extremley well stocked with everything you'd need. At first I thought the salesman that followed us in seemed a bit snobby and cocky like he had a couple tourists walking round his shop just for a look.
I think when he realised that we knew a bit about it and started asking questions he warmed up and turned out to be a really nice guy.
Not sure I believe his story about his girlfriend being from my hometown, although I was tempted to say, "Oh yes, I remember her. I gave her a 6.5"
Anyway he was nice enough to take this picture of us which I think is a great souviner of the day.
(L-R) My bro Steve, Mike, Me
This picture doesnt really do the humi justice as that was only one small corner of it.
I could have spent quite a bit there but held myself back and only picked up some Zino Chubbys for Lee and a few Rockys for me.
The only thing it missed was a smoking room. Apparently they had to close it due to complaints about the fumes leaking through to the upstairs residents and something about the rent agreement on the building
Then onto Barclay Rex on Lexington Avenue. Again this was a great shop filled with everything you need.
Unfortunatley again, no cameras allowed again and bags have to be left outside the humi.
We were hastily following in by a young man in his early 20's and despite his age had a great knowledge on his product.
We noticed on the way in they had a little seated smoking area around the other side of the shop, so that was place for us and was a great little gem in a city with very few smoking places now.
I wanted something new and different and the sales guy asked me a number of questions on what I normally went for and he chose a "La Aroma De Cuba Edition Especial"
Mike went for the "La Flor Dominican Air Bender" (I think) and my brother steve who joined me and is also a BOTL went for an Ashton VSG something or other.
My choice couldnt have been any better, it was great although I think the company made it taste better. Needless to say I bought some home with me.
We emerged a few hours later in search of food. After a great but heavy lunch we wandered off in the direction of Times Square, a brief look around and before you know it was time to leave
A great was had by all and was probably one of the highlights of this years holiday that I will remember for many years to come.
As I generally go over every year I can honesty see this turning into a annual event.
During that time I arranged to meet up with the legendary G Man in New York City to further diplomatic cigar relations between our two countries.
Eventually after waiting around at the wrong end of 34st street and soliciting old ladies off the bus he decided to show up, then we were off.
First stop a short walk up 5th Avenue to Midtown Cigars.
A big shop spread over 2 floors which is one big humi. No photos inside says the picture on the door. This is surprising as it seems to be aimed at tourists. There were some nice things in there but dont expect to be picking up the Padron 1926's there
I picked up a couple of nice tubes there and it seemed you could light one up in there. Although I was informed that 10:15am was a bit early for us!
Rocky Patel Decade Tubos
H Upmann Sublimes
Cohiba Red Dot
R&J LE's
R&J Habano Reserve Rotheschild
Next stop. Davidoff on Madison Avenue, this was a great shop. Their selection of smoking paraphernalia was oustanding. High quality humis, pipes the lot, you could smell the money in there.
There walk in humi was extremley well stocked with everything you'd need. At first I thought the salesman that followed us in seemed a bit snobby and cocky like he had a couple tourists walking round his shop just for a look.
I think when he realised that we knew a bit about it and started asking questions he warmed up and turned out to be a really nice guy.
Not sure I believe his story about his girlfriend being from my hometown, although I was tempted to say, "Oh yes, I remember her. I gave her a 6.5"
Anyway he was nice enough to take this picture of us which I think is a great souviner of the day.
(L-R) My bro Steve, Mike, Me
This picture doesnt really do the humi justice as that was only one small corner of it.
I could have spent quite a bit there but held myself back and only picked up some Zino Chubbys for Lee and a few Rockys for me.
The only thing it missed was a smoking room. Apparently they had to close it due to complaints about the fumes leaking through to the upstairs residents and something about the rent agreement on the building
Then onto Barclay Rex on Lexington Avenue. Again this was a great shop filled with everything you need.
Unfortunatley again, no cameras allowed again and bags have to be left outside the humi.
We were hastily following in by a young man in his early 20's and despite his age had a great knowledge on his product.
We noticed on the way in they had a little seated smoking area around the other side of the shop, so that was place for us and was a great little gem in a city with very few smoking places now.
I wanted something new and different and the sales guy asked me a number of questions on what I normally went for and he chose a "La Aroma De Cuba Edition Especial"
Mike went for the "La Flor Dominican Air Bender" (I think) and my brother steve who joined me and is also a BOTL went for an Ashton VSG something or other.
My choice couldnt have been any better, it was great although I think the company made it taste better. Needless to say I bought some home with me.
We emerged a few hours later in search of food. After a great but heavy lunch we wandered off in the direction of Times Square, a brief look around and before you know it was time to leave
A great was had by all and was probably one of the highlights of this years holiday that I will remember for many years to come.
As I generally go over every year I can honesty see this turning into a annual event.
Damn! Wish I had known. I was in DC on 
business last month - Mexican/Americano relationship matters- which is only a few hours from NY. I often go to DC on business and always make a stop at one the great Americano smoking parlors - Shelly's Back Room!
TJ
don TJ and the 
Coros
Then to haul a bottle of some fine Booze and a England shirt around NYC for hours> I guess all great things have a price. Mark and Steve I had a blast and next year will be even better with more shops in route .
Comment