The CCBR Miami Cigar Tour!

The CCBR Miami Cigar Tour – Trial Run

On Friday, July 5^th a good buddy and I decided to give our tour a trial run.  Our goal was to stake out some of the best shops and cigar factories in Miami, and see how feasible a tour from Palm Beach would be.

The start and end points were very easy for me to decide…it would be The Smoke Inn in Boynton Beach.  Owner Abe is the hardest working man in the cigar biz, and just does every event right.  I knew that if The Smoke Inn was involved, this would have to be a high quality tour, with lots to see and do.

Our first stop on the tour was the Nick Perdomo cigar factory.  It was fitting that as we drove up there were two giant 18 wheeler trucks in front, and one was still unloading!  Imagine not one, but two giant trucks bringing a payload of fresh cigars ready to be shipped all over the world.

We were greeted by Daisy at the front desk, and even though she’s at the front desk, you can tell she runs the whole thing!  We knew we had to stay on Daisy’s good side in order to get the private tour we were hoping for.  Daisy did not disappoint, and neither did our tour.  From the giant humidor, to Nick’ office, where he has a pair of Shaq’s size Gigantic sneakers, to the warehouse in the back were thousands of cigar boxes were getting ready to go out.  This one stays on the list a must stop on our tour.

Second stop was a shop that epitomizes the Miami cigar culture, Cuban Crafters in Hialeah.  It’s just that this place has a little bit of everything.  We started with the newly redesigned lounge and restaurant, and although different proprietors own it, you get the vibe it’s all one big place.  This is a sure bet to be our midday stop so we can eat here as well.  Then you walk into the store, and it’s just one overwhelming scene after another.  From the 10 cigar rolling stations, to the humidors, rocking chairs, domino tables, giant humidor, thousands of cigars and of course, a barber shop, just in case you need a ‘little off the side’ while enjoying your cigar.  This is an absolute stop on our tour.

From here things opened up a bit, and we both agreed, it would be a perfect way to continue the tour.  We headed down to SW 8^th street, more famously known as ‘Calle Ocho’ in ‘Little Havana’.  This is a little slice of earth that remains deeply grounded in the Cuban culture.  From the shops to the art to the dominos and people playing, to of course, the cigars, this is as close to Cuba as you can get.

We hit three different shops within walking distance of each other, La Tradicion Cubana, Cuba Tobacco and The Little Havana Cigar Factory.  Each had it’s own distinct flavor and history and each had amazing cigars for sale.  We particularly enjoyed the Little Havana Cigar Factory, which for all intensive purposes is one big giant humidor.  From the minute you walk in, and everywhere you go in the store, you enjoy the perfect temperature and humidity for all those yummy cigars on display.  Not to mention, one of the biggest selection of Padron Cigars we’ve ever seen.

We’re thinking we may need to come up with 2 or 3 different tours to get everything we think you’ll enjoy.  Other tours we’re considering would include stores like ‘Sabor Havana’, ‘Nepturn Cigars Superstore’, ‘Havana Humidor Cigars’ and ‘Absolute Cigar Shop’.  We’d also like to include other lounges like ‘Deco Drive Cigars’, ‘Havana Group Cigar Club’, ‘El Clique Cigar Lounge’ and ‘Aromas of Havana’.  And of course, no tour is complete without a few more cigar factories like ‘Wynwood Cigar Factory’, ‘Padron Cigars’, ‘My Father Cigars’, ‘El Titan De Bronze’, ‘G.R. Tabacaleras, and….I guess we’re gonna need more than 3 tours!

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The Smoke Inn 'Continuing the Cigar Journey Like No Other!

I moved to Boynton Beach from New York 8 years ago.  When I moved I realized there were some compromises I was going to have to make when I left the Big City behind.  One that I was sure of was not being able to visit all of the great cigar bars and cigar shops the tri-state area had to offer - but boy was I wrong!

Let me introduce you to Abe 'Ming' Dababneh owner of The Smoke Inn, and a sneak peek into his newest store (number 11 so far) and his new headquarters in Boynton Beach, Florida - just a few blocks from where I live!!!!

Abe is a stickler for details, and it has never been more obvious than with the grand opening of his new flagship store.  Starting in 1996 Abe likes to say that he is 'continuing the cigar journey like no other', and one step into this magnificent shop and you'll have to agree.

It was with great anticipation that I awaited this grand opening, especially being just a few blocks away from where I call home.  I would drive by everyday and peek in on the progress, but I never expected what I saw when they opened the doors for the first time.

Having worked with Abe a bit, I know how engrossed he is with every detail of the operation.  It's easy to see why he has been so successful and keeps growing his brand.  From The Great Smoke - a yearly event that draws upwards of 1,500 cigar lovers (easily the best cigar event in Florida) and now, his own line of cigars in 'Big Delicious' (soon to launch)- which I have yet to try, everything Abe does is first class.

As you walk in the shop your senses are completely overwhelmed, and I'm sure the wow factor is the same for everyone who experiences this place for the first time.  Even before you walk in, the grounds out front have beautiful benches and tables with umbrellas, as well as two large sectional outdoor couches to relax on.

The first thing you see when you walk in is a gorgeous square glass check-out counter stocked with all the cigar accessories one can imagine.  I was greeted by Lindsay and Adam, who are expert cigar aficionados, able to point you in the right direction.

To the right was a cozy-ish area with plush leather seats and the first of many flat screen TV's.  Just to the right of that were a few round counter tops with stools for those who are maybe in larger groups.  Keep walking around the counter and you find 'le piece de resistance'...the walk in humidor.  Not only is it gigantic, but it's impeccably clean and well-organized.  If you can't find your favorite stick here, you're probably not alive.

On the left of the counter, more plush seating, counter tops, TV's and then....the bar.  I hate to even call it a 'bar' it just doesn't do it justice.  Marble, and leather and hand scrapped hard wood floors, stocked with all top shelf liquor and the most beautiful bar tenders in the county.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this new Smoke Inn location has it all, and then some.  I feel like an undeserving Herfer who doesn't know what to do with my new found fortune!  Abe "Ming" has absolutely done it again.  Thank you sir for your commitment to cigar excellence, and may you and your staff continue to prosper!

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A Local Legend!

There are so many rich traditions in the cigar industry it's easy to see why it keeps thriving.  A trade that dates back to 1492, when you know who landed in Cuba and found Cuban natives smoking a type of cigar, much less reformed than the product we enjoy today.

None the less, many Cuban families began to cultivate their fields and make their mark in this trade as far back as the mid 18th century.

These are the stories that draw me in, much like a good cigar draws you in.  One such story is that of the Salazar family.  Since 1810 when the Salazar family settled in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, they have been growing some of the worlds best tobacco and handcrafting fine Cuban cigars.

At 12 noon every day, the 4 Salazar brothers would meet in the porch of elder brother Mario's house.  Mario would open his burlap bag which contained the finest tobacco leaves of the farm's harvest. The cured leaves were perfect in appearance and taste.  They were envied by all the farmers in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba's prime tobacco growing region.

I had the privilege recently to take part in this tradition when I lit up a J.L. Salazar Hermanos Reserva Especial Maduro Torpedo I purchased at The Cuban Crafters store.  It was so obvious to me as I walked around the humidor that this was going to be an incredible cigar, and I was not disappointed.

You know you're in for a treat when the look and feel of a cigar is enough to tell you about the quality of it's craftsmanship.  The cigar had a nice spice when I first put it in my mouth, and just lit up like a Christmas tree, ready to shine and sparkle for all to see.

The cigar is no longer made in Cuba of course, but the filler is sun-grown Cuban Seed Habano from Tabacalera Esteli, cigar factory in Nicaragua, and the brain trust of another industry legend Henry Kiki Berger, or 'Don Kiki' as everyone calls him.

The binder is a Cuban Seed Habano leaf and the wrapper is a smooth, silky, oily Maduro Cuban-seed leaf.  This triple threat Cuban delivers on every level, and has made me a true fan for life!  Their website says the leaves are aged for over 4 years through 4 hanging fermentations.  They claim it's the same curing process that the Salazar brothers brought over from Cuba and what makes the cigar so special.

No argument here, as I and everyone else lucky enough to get their hands on these will be quick to attest. This is the type of premium cigar that could easily retail for top dollar, but in fact, the cigar is moderately priced and just makes it the icing on the cake.

If you're a fan of maduro cigars, medium to full-bodied, earthy and peppery tones - grab this one up quick.  They are made in limited quantities and you don't want to be left out.  Thank you Salazar brothers for continuing such an awesome tradition and giving the cigar industry another top quality smoke.

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Let me Introduce you to PDR!

Ok, so you may already be well acquainted with this maganificent smoke (and I know many people are based on the 'Likes' on our FB page), but I don’t believe it gets the respect and attention that it deserves.

I came across this PDR (Pinar Del Rio – just so happens to be where my Dad was born in Cuba) 1878 Capa Oscura as I was skipping along in the giant humidor of Cuban Crafters in Miami.  I practically came to a dead stop as if the cigar was staring at me and saying, go ahead, I dare you.

I’m not sure if I’m at the point where I can actually hear cigars speak, but I promise you that this one was talking to me!  I answered, ‘Oh, you think you're big time…you’re gonna get smoked, BIG TIME!’.  And with that I grabbed a couple of these beauties and headed for the register.  We had several more words on the ride home, but that same evening I couldn’t take it any longer.  I gave it my favorite V-cut, and took a torch to it, then POOF, it came to life!

This is an all Dominican cigar, made by Abe Flores of Pinar Del Rio.  The oily 5x52 was looking for trouble and boy did it find it.  It was a smoky and flavorful journey that excited my pallet, but never overwhelmed me.  Despite it’s darker (Oscura) color, it remained mild to medium and just kept delivering solid flavor all the way down to the nub.

The draw was even, the smoke continued to billow out of the cigar after every puff, and ultimately was an extremely enjoyable smoke.  I need to dig around a little more and see what else Abe Flores has to offer, and if it’s anything like this, I guess many more are gonna get ‘smoked!’.

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As close to Cuba as you can get; A trip to Cuban Crafters in Hialeah, FL.

I’m all over the Cuban Crafters cigar company right now having made the pilgrimage to their headquarters in the Hialeah area of Miami this week.  Walking into this store is like taking a trip back in time to when good friends got together over a cigar and just shared a real good time together, for no particular reason except the comradery.

The building is huge, the cigars are everywhere, the walk-in humidor is bigger than most other entire smoke shops.  When you first walk in there is a giant counter/cashier area where a few of the lovely ladies that work there are happily attending customers.

To the left is a large area where master cigar rollers are throwing down!  Leaf after leaf, these craftsmen delicately turn, mold, cut and press this precious cargo into some of the best local smokes in town.  Across from the center counter is the largest walk in humidor I’ve ever been in, with just rows and rows of cigars from floor to ceiling.

To the right of the humidor is, get this, a barber shop!  Where else can you enjoy a premium cigar and get your haircut at the same time?  Just to the right of that is a Cuban coffee counter, where all the espresso coffee you want is FREE!  In front of that is a collection of humidors like you’ve never seen before, every size, color and shape you can imagine.

Walk into the next room and you’ll find a dozen or so rocking chairs, just waiting to gently rock your worries away as you puff on a juicy maduro!  In the same room there are racks of Cuban Guavera shirts, in all colors and sizes, more humidors as well as beautiful artwork depicting scenes from Cuba.

But wait, there’s more! 

The next room is decorated to look like your walking down a street in Old Havana.  Complete with the ‘Bodega Del Medio’ sign from a famous store in Cuba, this section has four domino tables, and at 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon, you had to wait to get a seat to play!

This is some hard-core old school, double nine Cuban domino so you better bring your A game.  In this room there are also beautiful laminate domino tables for sale with authentic artwork mostly based on Cuban landmarks and culture.

The cigar I tried was a J.L. Salazar “Hermanos” maduro.  Man oh man, just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, this cigar seriously blew me away.  From start to finish, it was smooth, strong enough for my tastes and delicious down to the nub!  A must definite buy by the bundle!

To say I felt like a kid in a candy store would be an understatement.  Top it all off with some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and it’s not an exaggeration when I say I wanted to move in.  Thanks to Don Kiki for making me feel right at home, this place really embellishes all that is good about the cigar industry and I can only hope that it remains that way for generations to come!

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Puff, Puff, Keep!

This past Sunday, February the 24th, the temperature in West Palm Beach, Florida reached 85 degrees.  Not hot, but in the middle of 'winter', this is about as good as it gets.

I couldn't resist the call of the soft breeze, and warm afternoon sun any longer, so I headed to the pool (I know you probably hate me by now, but it gets worse!).  Along for the ride was a couple of  Magic Hat #9 cold-ass beers, and a beautiful Alec Bradley 'Connecticut'.

This cigar is dressed in a seamless Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper and chock full of Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers.  Typically a light Connecticut share wrapper is not my tendency.  In fact, I can't recall the last time I bought a natural cigar, favoring heavily the maduro wrappers.  This guy got in my bag of goodies at the latest Great Smoke event sponsored by The Smoke Inn...my favorite day of the whole year!

Well, well, well seems like I've been missing out on a little piece of heaven.  This cigar almost melts in your mouth with a wonderful pallet of flavors, easy draw and long finish.  Nothing overpowering or hot, just a ture pool side companion to soak in the rays.

While I usually do smoke it down to the nub, I was truly looking around for a clip or stick or someway of smoking this puppy down to my fingers!  Not very classy I know, but there was hardly anyone else there! LOL!

Now I love Alec Bradley's amazing and ornate bands, many of which I would like to turn into a custom cigar band ring, but I equally love their smokes.  This is a natural cigar that I will absolutely keep in stock (which to me means it will last in my humidor at least one week).

Enjoy!

John Garcia
Custom Cigar Band Rings

Custom Cigar Band Rings

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The Great Smoke 2013

The Great Smoke 2013

I don't get to as many cigar events as I would like to, but one that I never miss is The Smoke Inn's annual Great Smoke in West Palm Beach, FL.

Of course living near by helps, but as a huge cigar fan, that attended many Big Smoke's in New York City, this event can measure up with the best of them.

Many of the attendees are familiar with the owner Abe.  In an economy that has struggled for years, Abe has continued to open new stores and is seems that everything he touches turns to gold.

I did notice a slight increase in the price of this, the 6th anniversary of the event. Regardless, for 40 smokes the $160 basic ticket price is still well worth the price of admission.  Not to mention, all of the top shelf liquor, great food, and music wrapped in a crowd of amazing people, the experience is priceless.

I have tried to tell everybody I know about it.  I have even gone the route of buying a companion ticket for only $30 more, but have also gone alone.  No matter who I go with, or how I get there, I've had a great time and better each year.  From meeting Rocky Patel, to every one of the cigar manufacturers that attend, the atmosphere is electric and the camaraderie cannot be matched.

I just received the email a few days ago announcing The Great Smoke 2013, which lands appropriately enough right around Valentines Day for all of us Cigar Lovers!  Hope to see you all there.

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John Garcia
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