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07-31-2010, 09:04 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-31-2010, 09:06 PM by CKlineline.)
I really like to go into the big cigar humidors and just take in all the different top of the line smokes that are available. I can't afford many of them on a regular basis but I still love to shop. I have started nosing out some of the smaller walk-in's strewn around lately and have found that these retailers buy their stock online from some of the same places I do such as Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop and Jr Cigars. These retailers usually aren't predominately in the tobacco business. They just have small humi's as a convenience to the clientele of whatever their main business is such as liquor or cigarettes and smokeless tobacco or restaurant. The fantastic thing about these small cigar merchants is that I can try some of the off-the-wall stuff offered by the online guys without having to invest in a whole bundle. So keep your eyes out for those unadvertised cigar retailers. You probably won't find a wealth of stogie information like you get from the big retailers but you might find a source to try some of the cheapies you've been thinking of ordering. I have even been able to get one of the guys to order a couple of bundles of some sticks I had been looking at because I recognized his stock as all coming from CI.
Cole
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We have one such place here, they have a small walk-in and cigar counter as a sideline to their men's stuff - clothing, shaving accessories, knives, L.L. Bean-type camping stuff. The problem with them is twofold: they are absurdly expensive compared to online retailers (and likely large B&Ms as well) being a hoity-toity place that deals in small volume, and their selection isn't that great.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing."
- Robert E. Howard
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The place I frequent most is a small walk-in in a liquor store. He keeps a pretty decent selection but the reason I go there isn't for the Top Shelf gars but to see which of the bargain basement smokes he has got in the latest shipment. It's nice to try them before you commit to a full bundle. He also keeps the RP Vintage 2nds in corona and torpedo for $4 apiece which is what I paid ordering from CI with expedited shipping. The other two similar humidors I frequent are closer to 50% higher than I can order them, i.e. the JR Alt's from the smokeshop cost me $3 rather than $1.70 to $2.
I think I enjoy shopping for them as much as smoking them anyway. I told my wife I finally understand why women like to shop for shoes.
Cole