From the Isle Seat

by John on Feb.16, 2010, under Uncategorized

And now, some random thoughts on the cigar business and the cigar life from an old shipmate, the Southernmost Smoker, so called because he’s firmly ensconced in retirement in Key West, writing from his isle seat:

For various reasons, this smoker has reduced down his cigar consumption to one or two stogies per week. With the country’s economy up in smoke and tourism off in the Florida Keys, close to half of the island chain’s cigar stores have closed. More than a few of those that survive have downsized and stopped carrying a wide selection of premium sticks. The number of local Cuban refugee rollers has also sadly dwindled.

Consequently, we see little to nothing in the way of new off island product. When we do, the supply is limited. You may miss out if you do not maintain a close relationship with the tobacconists. With the tourist trade off, many of our best retail experts have been forced to leave our coral isle making these connections problematic.

The nearest shop with a consistently excellent selection is a little over eighty miles away in the upper Keys. Given the US 1’s low speed limits, that clocks in as a two-hour drive.

Cigars in the Keys at Mile Marker 82 along US 1

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It was opened last year by a mid-50’s boomer couple that owns and operates a chain of premium cigar stores in the Cleveland Ohio area. Their Islamorada shop’s amenities are nice, selection depth and breadth above average, product quality high, and prices excellent.

Not surprising given the bursting of the mainland’s real estate bubble, many Miami area cigar stores have downsized or closed. Whenever we go to the mainland, I visit Miami’s famous Cuban-American neighborhood called Little Havana. Along Calle Ocho, there are several stores in which you may still watch Cuban immigrants roll fine sticks. The place I always visit is La Gloria Cubana shop along that boulevard.

La Gloria Cubana store on Miami’s Calle Ocho

The salesmen are friendly, the sticks superb and prices just right. Oftentimes I go into the space next door to the showroom and chat with the rollers.