Jeff reciently acquired a second Tinderbox location in Mesa, AZ, doubling his presence in the east valley and giving him the reins to a already successful store.  The “Mesa” Tinderbox location that Jeff purchased was open for over 13 years and was a landmark in the Phoenix area.  With the former owners uninterested in extending the lease on the property Jeff saw opportunity and picked up the shop…

So, after some deep cleaning and a facelift the Tinderbox Mesa location is open again with the same doors open, the same humidor full of cigars, same great selection of pipes and pipe tobacco but, with a Jeff Cayton twist. The shop features a members only Diamond Crown Lounge that was also resurrected. The paying members of either one of Jeff’s private clubs have the added benefit of taking advantage of both the Mesa Diamond Crown Lounge and the Camacho Club, the members only lounge at Jeff’s Awatukee location.  Two clubs for the price of one, a luxury that few others can offer.

With the new store and new ownership comes new people.  Jeff’s long time employee and friend Tom Lacaria is the General Manager of the new Mesa store.  Tom along with Drew Goding, a young knowledgeable aficionado bring a great vibe to the Mesa location.  It’s a definite must see for those of you that haven’t been in before and it is definitely worth a “revisit” for those of you that have.

GO CHECK IT OUT!!

Mesa – Map

Phone – (480) 644.9300

Be sure and stop by and take advantage of the great deals and fun festivities for the Grand Re-Opening Event!! Details Below!

GRAND RE-OPENING EVENTS

Wednesday October 27th -  3pm – 7pm Altadis with Bob Bennett to offer discounts on purchases and some free sticks to go along with them…

Thursday October 28th – Dean Laffey from Trendsetters Marketing will be at the shop from 3PM to 7PM with smokes from Casa Magna and Fonseca, offering great discounts and of course, some free sticks with purchases…

Friday October 29th – Wyatt from Hoffman Sales with be at the store from 3PM to 7 PM with premium cigars from Drew Estate, Liga Privada and Joya de Nicaragua.  Discounts and freebees of course…

Saturday October 30th – Dean Laffey will be back in the shop from 1PM to 5PM offerings great deals on Perdomo Cigars.  Come stock up for Halloween.

Congratulations from PUFFING CIGARS!! We look forward to smoking with you!!

So what’s behind the name of this particular cigar lounge? Let’s get that explanation directly from the website: “You are probably wondering what 21 Degrees stands for. The optimum temperature for cigars is 21 degrees Celsius, which is 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the optimum humidity is 70 percent. We strive to have the best environment for our premium cigars in our spacious cedar walk in humidor so what better than 21 Degrees.”

Walking through the front door and with a quick glance you can take in the entire public section of the shop. The cash register is to the left, some accessories are located to the right and just passed that is the everyman lounge. This everyman’s lounge is done quite well with fully reclining leather seats that are perfectly situated in front of a nice T.V. However it’s important to note that the “everyman” lounge is only capable of accommodating about 4 people.

The well-stocked humidor is located at the end of the lounge next to the “everyman” section. Selection is great and you are able to find anything from the popular boutique to the … general General cigar. Prices are on par with out lounges in the area but they usually have a deals section that offers cigars at a great discount. This humidor also contains a number of lockers that are situated high above the cigars making it seem somewhat tedious to access.

Rocky Patel, love or hate his cigars, always operates in style and the cigar lounge bearing his name is no different. Walk through the vault door labeled “Members Only” and enter a world of great luxury. The RP lounge has a beautiful pool table, a great number of dark leather lounge chairs, group seating, a card table in the back, and a bar in the very back. Members get to share an area that appears to be about the same size, if not bigger, than the entire public section. 21 Degrees was built for its members and this can clearly be felt and experienced, which is not necessarily a good thing for the “everyman”.

I would like to take the time to acknowledge the great staff at 21 Degrees Cigar & Accessories. Everyone was courteous, personable and extremely knowledgeable. There was not a single tobacco fact or cigar (industry) question that we couldn’t get answered by the people who were assisting us.

21 Degrees Cigar & Accessories with the Rocky Patel Lounge is one great experience that everyone will enjoy. This is a great shop to become a member of if you’re longing to belong somewhere or just simply need a smoking haven. However the “everyman” might feel a little uncomfortable if he’s not one of the early travels to the lounge.

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21 Degrees Cigar & Accessories
(480) 551-2121
14144 N. 100th Street Suite B105
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Visit the 21 Degrees Cigar & Accessories website.

Upon entering Tobacco Road you are greeted with a very clean and elegant smoking environment. This spacious area provides you with smoking couches, comfortable chairs and quite honestly – the best smoking lounge in El Paso. An ash tray is always near and the tranquil environment allows one to enjoy a good book or to get lost in deep thought.

Unlike most cigar shops in El Paso, Texas Tobacco Road is a very large carrier of boutique cigars. You will find a great selection of Tatuaje, Illusione, Gran Habano, Pepin and any other smoke your palate may be craving. The prices are absolutely phenomenal to not only the local area but, with a tobacco tax so low, perhaps some of the best I’ve seen in the entire country. The staff was warm and quick to assist in choosing my smokes but allowed plenty of space to browse at my convenience.

The accessories are contained at the front counter displayed in a perfectly functional manner. You can pick up the latest release from Xikar or a moderately priced generic piece. Everything is carried from cases, punches and cutters and new smoker can leave fully equipped.

Perhaps the best quality of the cigar lounge is the owner. During our long conversation he was able to point me to smoke friendly bars and restaurants to enjoy our stay in the area. He exclaimed his support of local cigar connoisseurs and puts on many cigar dinners throughout the year. If you’re interested in experiencing one of the few cigar paradises in El Paso then you must stop in to Tobacco Road. Make sure to speak to the owner and get set up for one of the great dinners.

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Tobacco Road
(915) 921-8226
1441 North Zaragoza Road
El Paso, TX 79936

When walking into the Old Town cigar establishment you will realize that size is not the immediate factor of a great lounge. The inside is limited in space just having enough area to house private lockers, small countertops, accessories, and a great selection of cigars that runs along both sides of the walls. At the end you will find a wine section to please any palate, beers, and wine bottles for purchase.

While the humidified areas are limited it appears the owners have done a great job of not only fitting cigars in but also took the time to offer some of the best cigars on the market. From the Zino Platinum Crown Series, Illusione, Davidoff, GAR, Savinelli, the complete Tatuaje lines on down to the budget Oliva cigars this humidor will please every smoker that walks in. Their website claims “Our store may be small, but our selection of premium cigars compares to no other store” and we have to fully agree. We also found that their prices were the best in the entire San Diego area.

The knowledgeable staff was quick to warmly greet you and offer assistance but was also generous enough to let you browse their large inventory at your own pace without interruption. Every patron of the shop was just as quick to introduce themselves and make you feel right at home. We were quickly brought into all the conversations and even offered samples of the wine bottles they had just purchased. It is one of the few times you will see the big shot investor playing a game of chess and laughing with the airport luggage man. Everyone was equal in enjoying the cigars, wine, and great company.

Perhaps the best quality of Churchill Cigar Lounge is that they can accommodate your guest whom might not enjoy smoking cigars. For instance, we were able to bring our significant others to a wine bar – which just so happened to allow smoking cigars on the patio. After multiple glasses of wine and great conversation your other half will actually make the suggestion to go to the “wine bar” as an evening out on the town.

If you would like to visit a peaceful and warming cigar lounge that allows you to enjoy the great San Diego weather and have a fine glass of wine – then visit Churchill Cigar Lounge. Or if you are with your significant other and would like to visit a great “wine bar” that has an enormous selection of cigars that you can enjoy in the great San Diego weather – then visit Churchill Cigar Lounge.

Churchill Cigar Lounge
(619) 546-7758
2415 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110
Visit the Churchill Cigar Lounge Website

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Bob and Dean describe their goal of creating a “nice little neighborhood tobacco shop” – and that’s the exact feel you get as you walk in Blew Smoke Premium Cigars.  Enter Blew Smoke and your eyes immediately fixate on the over 70 various pipe tobaccos neatly organized in the center of the store. Placed on all walls of the cozy Blew Smoke building you will find a large assortment of humidors, cutters, lighters, and every other toy a cigar smoker would need. To the immediate right side is a functional seating area that has been host to many poker games and fierce checkers matches. Just beyond the game table is a leather seating corner directly in front of a big screen LCD TV.

The most impressive thing about Blew Smoke Premium Cigars is the humidor, sitting at approximately 370 feet (out half the size of the shop). Bob and Dean both have a  pet peeve of entering a cigar shop to only find the exact same product as the lounge down the street. That being said, it was their intent to bring in cigars that are unique and and truly very boutique. The collection includes stogies that will please any palate and even include many hard to find cigars, or companies mainly found on the internet, such as Taboo Cigars. In all there are approximately 720 open boxes of cigars at Blew Smoke Premium Cigars. Much like the pricing at Big Sticks, the cigars tend to carry a price point that is even cheaper than the large online retailers.

Bob and Dean have created a relaxed tobacco and cigar shop that one can pop in and out of at anytime and choose from a wide variety of cigars, tobacco and accessories. Blew Smoke is a great place to listen to live music at on Fridays or sit in cozy, clean and quiet environment and read a book during the week. So stop by Blew Smoke Premium Cigars and support the little neighborhood tobacco shop.

Blew Smoke Premium Cigars
(480) 507-8800
785 W. Warner Road, Suite A-106
Gilbert, AZ 85233
Visit the Blew Smoke Website

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A quick glance around the shop and you pick up on the leather seating area that’s situated in such a way that everyone can engage in conversation. Or in this shop you’ll get an ear full of jokes and genuine conversation you usually share with friends. In the middle of the seats you can find jars of jelly beans, Cheeto Puffs, and pretzels that make you feel right at home. You’ll waste no time kicking your shoes off and hanging out with your new found friends at Oggie’s. Let’s not forget about the big screen TV  filling the room with the latest sports, news, and movies ( he even has his own movies to pop in). Side Tip: Take note of  the sports memorabilia on the wall and bite your tongue as you watch TV because saying the wrong thing will cause an uproar in the shop that will see no end.

Office space is also provided by Oggie’s in the corner of the lounge. Open up your laptop and enjoy the free wireless internet, there is a fax machine, and printer to use at your disposal.  What amazes me the most is the new computer at the desk you can also jump on for that must check email/twitter/work updates. As they like to boast “Make our store your office.”

Don’t forget to pull away and find the humidor because Oggie’s carries a nice selection of cigars that is sure to please any pallet. You will find everything from General cigars down to the unique boutiques like Illusione, Oliva, and the entire series of Padron. Oggie’s caters to every budget so don’t be afraid to walk in with just a few dollars in your wallet. Sign up for his email list to receive some amazing deals that no one, anywhere, can compete with.

Don’t let the Scottsdale city or zip code scare you. Stop into Oggie’s Fine Cigars to get a piece of that quaint atmosphere you won’t find in any other cigar lounge. First time visitors will feel at home and… well… most of the others have made it their home. Thank you Michael and everyone at Oggie’s for making sure all the cigar lovers are taken care of regardless of their bank account size.

Oggie’s Fine Cigars
(480) 948-9950
13610 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Visit Oggie’s Fine Cigars website

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A Gentleman’s Store for the Masses

Cigar smoking has always been presented as a gentleman’s game.  It comes as no surprise that cigar lounges and stores try to capitalize on this image, and indeed Ambassadors’ does so well.  On their website they talk about how they are an everyman store, and they are that, as well as a gentleman’s playground.  Every customer has a place in their store, but the mentality of Ambassadors from its decor, to its proprietor is refinement and class.

The proprietor is Vartan Seferian, and he is the affable host of Ambassador Fine Cigar.  On the many occasions that I have frequented the store he has always been a welcoming and helpful host.   He will often ask a few questions along the line of “what body strength are you looking for,” and  ”what range in price are you looking to spend?”   This is usually followed by a delightful stroll through the humidor, in which he enumerates the many cigars that would fit the guests parameters, until you ultimately decide upon one.  There are other workers in the store as well that are knowledgeable, but Vartan really is encyclopedic in his knowledge of cigars, and is first rate in his ability to make the consumer feel like they belong.

The atmosphere of the store from the construction of the humidor down to the attire of the staff is suffused with class and dignity.  The rich dark wood cabinetry and shelving looks like it belongs in a captain of industry’s office or lounge, the ensconced lighting also has the subtle textures of old world meets new.  The Humidor is simple and elegant using large panes of glass to allow natural lighting in to highlight the selections, as if God himself approved and was personally highlighting his favorites.  The sitting area in the front is simple and plush, with a small area for customers to come in and sit a spell.  All of the staff wears fine suits, which indicates also to the customer, that while this may be an everyman’s store, it is a gentleman’s store first!  This to me is the unique factor about Ambassador Fine Cigar it; every inch of the store plays on a customer’s psychology.   Fast food restaurants use bright colors, like red, to be a tacit visual message to the consumer that this place of business is meant to be quick, i.e. get in, get your food, eat quickly, and leave.  Like the use of color psychology, Vartan employs the subtlety of opulence to create a higher price point in the consumer.

Vartan’s prices are set reasonably, if not lower than most, but very few individuals I have spoken to have ever walked out of there without dropping more than they expected.  It wasn’t because of the price, as much as it was about feeling the need to buy more expensive due to the environment that they were in.  Simply put, an opulent plush setting and well manicured staff equals a setting where the consumer feels compelled to reflect his environment and buy lavishly themself.

The negative aspect to the store is perhaps its club which is truly a “members only” affair.  Given once again that this store caters to a wealthy area it seems fitting that there would be a club for those of the plutocracy, and indeed there is.  When one of my friends inquired about this room and what it took to become a part, the worker said that it required you to spend quite a bit of money.  My friend then inquired how much, and the worker said that its not worth asking, because it was also “invite only” and left it at that.  So the moral of the story is that if you want to browse the main part and the sitting area up front you are more than welcome too, but unless you are part of the wealthy upper echelon you should probably not hold your breathe on passing the velvet rope.

Ambassador Fine Cigar is truly an experience.  From one of the largest, most well stocked humidors in the valley, to all of the gentlemanly overtones the store is a great location to come and buy a stick from.  The environment invites the casual consumer to step outside their buying shell, while it offers the wealthy customer a place to come and discuss the daily grind after a long day at work (just don’t expect these classes to meet in the exclusive “members club“).  So if you are in the Paradise Valley part of Arizona, and you are in the mood for a great selection of sticks at a fair to great price, then Ambassador Fine Cigars does it with flair and style!

Ambassador Fine Cigars
(480) 905-1000
4912 E Shea Blvd # 108
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Visit the Ambassador Fine Cigars website

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Somewhere between a portrait of American life by Norman Rockwell and an episode of Cheers lies the nature and grandeur that is Casa Fuma Fine Cigars. When sitting down with friends, many a conversation has been had on what our ideal cigar store would look like, and I am glad to say that Casa Fuma not only accomplishes that, but exceeds expectations! From the first time you walk in, its like an man’s version of Disneyland, there is just something magical about it. It could be the inviting seating area, or perhaps the affable staff, or well stocked humidor, but whatever it is, it works!

Enter in past the permanent fixture named Walt, the grumpiest-kind old man, you will notice that the store is simple and elegant; it strikes a fine balance between refined and functional arenas. All of the furniture is either constructed of sturdy rich wood, or supple leather that allows one to sink into a chair or couch for a sinfully luxurious cigar smoking experience. If your pace is more of a sports bar appeal, then that can be accommodated too at the bar where many an individual come to blow of some steam via a nice cigar and a flat panel TV (6 TV’S), that has all of the latest in movies and sport packages. Of course some prefer to be close to Mother Nature and that can be delivered too via the outdoor patio. A very large outdoor seating area which features comfortable seating and canopy’s to create an enjoyable outdoor smoking experience.

The seating, both indoors and out, is set in such a way that it will accommodate any type of visit. A business man can use areas as his office. The small group can sit and converse in private and the largest of groups can mingle and socialize with ease. It’s also arranged so the business man can join the group or the group can turn into the larger party, assisted by the Cheer’s like atmosphere the patrons create.

“Get out of that seat, that’s Coach’s chair!” A group will yell as Coach, one of hundreds (or so it feels) of regulars, walks into the lounge. Everyone visiting is warmly greeted and invited in all conversation going through the Gilbert cigar lounge. The people, from your regulars to first time visitors, are instantly friends and treated as such. You will truly feel like this is not a cigar lounge but another extension of your daily routine – for many their second home.

The Humidor layout is also very nice, and comes replete with a veritable cornucopia of cigar choices for anyone to enjoy; from the novice to the cigar aficionado you can find a stick that is sure to be a pleasurable smoke. And if you aren’t quite in the mood to smoke it that second, why not buy a storage locker? Casa Fuma has their beautiful individually made storage lockers in various sizes to insure that each one of your sticks is in pristine form for the moment you want to pull it out and smoke it. Of course another important factor of the store is its price points, and I am thrilled as a frequent customer to report that the points are fair for the market, if not below the market on some very great sticks. Another incentive to buy is that you can become a Casa Fuma rewards card member and earn 1 point for every dollar spent on cigars, and cigar products. After a hundred dollars in purchases, you can get ten dollars back in store credit to use.

So if you are looking for a place that allows you to come and sit for a moment, or just come and pick a stick from a great selection, then Casa Fuma Fine Cigars in Gilbert, Arizona is the place to be. Not only do they have the best cigar store hours in Arizona (open to ten on weekdays, twelve on weekends, earlier and later for special events/sports), but they have a great selection of sticks at a great price. But perhaps the single most important trait to me, is that as an individual I can come and sit a spell, take a load off my feet, interact with some great individuals from all different walks of life, and smoke a cigar in an inviting environment; where as the old Cheers song goes, “everybody knows your name.”

Casa Fuma Fine Cigars
(480) 794-1581
1464 E. Williams Field Rd. Suite 105
Gilbert, AZ 85296
Visit the Casa Fuma Website

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Remove the “Cabaret” notion from your mind for a moment and allow me to describe the location as “Rick’s“: Rick’s may just provide one of the most unique, no expensive private memberships, type of smoking environments in the Big Apple. You can find your way to the rooftop of the location which happens to be perfectly nestled  between the large skyscrapers. This is Rick’s cigar patio.

The patio is ready for any season with protection from the rain, heaters for the winter, and most importantly a great seating selection that lets you relax as you smoke. Designed with a modern garden theme you can sip on one of the fine drinks from the bar and also admire the beautiful women. More importantly – You can smoke a great cigar.

Did you bring a cigar? No need to worry as Rick’s sells Davidoff Cigars. If that doesn’t fit your pallet you may bring a cigar in from your own collection as there is no clipping fee.

Of course there is the Cabaret attached to this ultimate cigar smoking environment. To get a true first hand account of the establishment as a whole I would read what Barry (A Cigar Smoker) had to say. If you don’t feel like reading anymore I would suggest heading to his site anyways – he took some great pictures.

Take the time to visit the site, stop in to the location, and take in everything they have to offer. I only wrote about the cigar patio – wait till you see/hear about the beautiful women, great indoor setting, restaurant, bar, parties…

Rick’s Cabaret
(212) 372-0850
50 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10001
Visit the Rick’s Cabaret Website

Timothy Torres is a Cuban born, fifth-generation, cigar blender and roller who operates a business in this Mesa district called Habanos Torres.

Humble Beginnings
With little money and a heart full of passion, Mr.Torres followed his childhood dream of making cigars  for the “true fine cigar smoker“. His location was opened off a busy street in Mesa with just enough space to hold a humidifying cabinet, a humble rolling/aging room, and a small cash register. Patrons would have no trouble walking across the entire store in just two strides.

Overcoming size has never been an issue for the 5 foot, plus a little, Tim Torres and his shop. Customers enjoyed the hand rolled cigars immensely; most would bring their own lawn chairs to set up a makeshift lounge in front of the establishment. Habanos Torres would stay open past normal business hours to accommodate the “HERF” that was never planned but always seemed to happen. With a faithful customer base and sales increasing, it was time to expand his cigar rolling into the type of cigar lounge Mr.Torres had always dreamed of.

Dreams Become Reality
“Welcome, welcome – come in, come in – privilege to show you around.”

Tim boasts out with the largest smile on his face as we enter his brand new, just completed, cigar lounge.

The main seating area is located in the middle of the shop. Four dark comfortable couches surround a coffee table with Stinky ashtrays. Just passed the couches are  two tabletops that would allow for more intimate conversation. Against the only window is a game table with a beautiful chess set almost too intimating to touch. Everything creates a cozy atmosphere that makes it easy to relax for hours.

A wall lined with the Torres hand-rolled cigars leads the way to a well-lit cedar room. The rolling table is perfectly set so you can see the man in action from any angle.

“You want me to roll, you want something special made?”

Another smile appears on his face hoping he can make you something special, something you can enjoy.

“Look at this.”

Tim continues the rolling room tour by showing off one of his molds that has been in his family since the 1840′s.

After answering a bombardment of questions regarding my pallet and favorite smoking characteristics, I get the promise of a cigar that will make me happy. A brief moment later Tim hands over a dark Robusto using his 30-year tobacco leaf. Cigars from Habanos Torres start at about $8 and settle around $40 but have the ability to go up depending on any special requests.

“There are princes, dignitaries, presidents who don’t have the honor of one person rolling a single cigar with a special blend just for them. Their cigars may come in a golden box and cost a lot of money, but they weren’t made just for them, based on their preferences. To see that kind of satisfaction on someone’s face, to know they appreciate something I have made for them — that’s what I love,”

Habanos Torres is a great little cigar lounge, ran by one of the most friendly people you will ever encounter, set in an area that makes you feel like you entered a time machine. Make the trip to Habanos Torres and experience the great atmosphere.

Habanos Torres Cigar Factory
(480) 833-0087
48 S. Robson Rd. Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85210
Visit Habanos Torres Cigar Factory Website