You Better Shop Around
Between such legendary chichi department stores as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue and flagships of major brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Tiffany, New York has a reputation as a shopper’s mecca. It’s a place you go to find the goods you might never see anywhere else in the country. That extends to the city’s cigar stores, which maintain expertly curated selections that outstrip many of the shops you’re likely to find in smaller towns.
While antismoking legislation and the rise of vape shops and cannabis dispensaries have taken a toll on emporiums dedicated to fine tobacco, at its core the Big Apple maintains its cache. This is where you’re likely to locate the utmost cigars in a brand’s line as well as the special releases not available everywhere.
One reason is that its reputation and constant foot traffic are draws for cigarmakers who want to show off their wares. Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana says, “New York City is visited by millions of people from around the world every year. As far as exposure to our brand, it is the most valuable city in the country. Fuck that. In the world.”
Lissette Perez-Carrillo of Casa Carrillo concurs: “There’s something unique about New York City cigar shops. It’s the blend of tradition and diversity—you see people from every walk of life, but there’s a respect for the craft and for the camaraderie that brings everyone together. The city has its own rhythm, and you feel it the moment you walk in.”
Expect also to find knowledgeable retailers, the salespeople who will elicit a sense of your preferences and point you in the right direction. And each of the stores reviewed below provide comfortable smoking lounges where you can try out your latest purchase right away.
Furthermore, New York shops tend to be stocked with the most elegant cigar accessories. The cutters and lighters they offer aren’t the plastic jobs that tend to wear out, the ones that you won’t mind losing when you leave them on the golf course or at a bar. Humidors here lean towards the outrageous, e.g. the Davidoff Year of the Snake Box that goes for $56,000 (fun to visit, even if you can’t take one home).
New York’s best retailers also exist in proximity to the best shopping and dining. Say you start to flag while following your significant other in search of the perfect little black dress. You can cut away and look for the perfect smoke. Then meet up for a gourmet dinner and a Broadway show. And did we mention that in The City That Never Sleeps, cigar stores don’t keep bankers’ hours? One of our selections is open until midnight.
Barclay Rex
Located downtown in New York’s Financial District, Barclay Rex Pipe Shop is the oldest extant tobacconist in Manhattan. It was founded by Vincent Nastri in 1910 and named after its original location on Barclay Street as well as Nastri’s Great Dane, Rex. Unable to afford newspaper advertising, Nastri draped Rex in a blanket embroidered with the shop’s name and walked him around the neighborhood.
As the name suggests, in addition to cigars the store sells pipes and house-blended pipe tobacco, which line the walls in glass cases and jars. Upon entering, the scents of both cigar and pipe tobacco combine pleasantly. It’s a warm, inviting space with a pair of cigar-store Indians in one corner—once a staple at tobacconists, but not as common today. The sizable walk-in humidor boasts a variety of cigar brands that range from big names such as Padrón and Ashton to boutique options such as Viaje and Warped. Given its proximity to Wall Street, the shop also has its own finance-themed house cigars, Bull Market and Bear Market, rolled by Martínez Cigars (see page 55). Barclay Rex also carries “pipe cigars” containing pipe tobacco as the filler.
On the top floor is the private lounge, a large, comfortable space that features chandeliers, recessed lighting and a monolithic black marble fireplace. Throughout are green leather booths and single armchairs, along with three TVs for entertainment. A life-size statue of Rex guards the humidified lockers that are provided for members.
Nonmember seating includes a patio in nice weather, chairs on the sales floor and a lounge in the basement—the latter complete with two televisions to catch the game. Both lounges have bring-your-own alcoholic beverage policies. (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Casa De Montecristo
Years ago, there was a stately shop on Second Avenue known as Cigar Inn. When it opened in 2008 it was owned by the Fakih brothers (creators of Artesano del Tobacco’s Viva La Vida and El Pulpo brands) and had the notable distinction of being the first Cigar Aficionado-branded lounge. The Fakihs also had a second location. Both shops were later acquired by Tabacalera USA and renamed Casa de Montecristo. One has since been closed, but the Casa on Second Avenue remains. Change of ownership has not diminished the ambience.
Located on the east side of Manhattan near 54th Street, Casa de Montecristo offers a comfortable atmosphere with its use of dark wood, warm lighting and assortment of leather seating. A hand-painted mural encircles the space, depicting the likeness of the lounge’s locker members, along with such cigar-smoking notables as Winston Churchill and Che Guevara. (See if you can spot several past and present Cigar Aficionado editors among the crowd.)
With its long hours and spacious seating, Casa de Montecristo might seem more like a cigar bar than a cigar store, except, of course, for the absence of spirits. (The shop offers espresso, water and soda and you can bring your own alcoholic beverages provided you spend at least $30.) Most of the floorplan is dedicated to lounge space, which is ideal for groups who can drop in among the regulars without feeling like they are fighting for seats. The walk-in humidor may feel somewhat confining when more than six people enter it, but the floor-to-ceiling selection is plentiful. Predictably, the Tabacalera portfolio is well-represented. Brands such as Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo and Aging Room are displayed alongside third-party mainstays from Arturo Fuente, Padrón and Oliva. You’ll also find smaller names like Southern Draw, Foundation and Black Label Trading Co.
“Shopping for premium cigars in New York City isn’t just about the product—it’s about the experience,” says Rafael Nodal, vice president, product capability for Tabacalera USA, which owns the lounge. “The city’s cigar scene reflects the sophistication and diversity of its clientele.” (Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
Davidoff of Geneva
Switzerland’s Davidoff of Geneva has two retail shops in New York, one on the east side and one on the west, both complete with smoking lounges and each one convenient to other luxury shopping. Its Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) location is near 57th Street, just south of Central Park. Just as this issue went to press in August, the company’s flagship store on Madison Avenue reopened after an extensive renovation. (A downtown location recently closed.)
While many cigar shops look backward for esthetic inspiration, the Davidoff stores and lounges take a modern, minimalist approach that feels more consistent with its Swiss roots. Lighter wood furnishings, clean lines and bright lighting create a streamlined effect. Here, gallery-lit glass cabinets display an assortment of high-quality accessories and humidors from brands such as Elie Bleu, Dunhill and S.T. Dupont. In the past, Davidoff charged a $100 day pass for nonmembers to use the lounge, but that has changed. Instead, nonmembers wishing to use the lounge are required to spend a minimum of $250.
The Sixth Avenue location has a small but comfortable lounge, nicely lit by a trio of giant suspended Edison bulbs. A large window allows patrons to people-watch from cuboid armchairs. During the day, espresso and water (still or sparkling) is offered. After 5 p.m., members can bring alcohol. Small bites are allowed inside the lounge. If your pre- or post-smoking ritual requires a juicy steak, Quality Meats is only a five-minute walk away.
As one would expect, the humidor focuses on Davidoff, however there are plenty of brands from other manufacturers. (Sixth Avenue: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Madison Avenue: Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.)
Despite Manhattan’s tough stance on tobacco and more laissez-faire attitude towards other sorts of smoking, the cigar lovers of New York are not beaten yet. Enjoying a handmade cigar is a long and proud tradition that’s part of this city’s history.
Barclay Rex 126 Pearl St. • (212) 962-3355
Casa de Montecristo 1016 Second Ave. • (212) 750-0809
Davidoff of Geneva 515 Madison Ave. • (212) 751-9060 and 1390 Sixth Ave. • (212) 757-3167
