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I popped in the other week to say hi and congrat him on his new position. He was just done with 'training' from Nic lol. He still didnt know where the lighter fluid was kept when a punter came in and asked. Tsk tsk.

One of my favourite cigars. Love the size. Are you stopping Perth Ken ?

Yep 1 or 2 real cubes. I still dont get the stone thing. To big to intrusive.

Sir Winston's now open in Lakeport Julie Hirshan Hart - Nov 14, 2025 Prominent developer and real estate mogul Scott Everett's new private cigar lounge, Sir Winston's, is open for members on Union Avenue. It will ultimately have about 100 members who can come to Lakeport to enjoy a smoke and a drink with friends. The cigar lounge is located next to the Lakeport Opera House — another building Everett restored — in the building formerly home to the Chaos & Kindness store. Sir Winston's features a bar, tabletop shuffleboard, chairs and tables for relaxation, and a reading nook inside. Everett said the goal was to have a “Cheers-type atmosphere” for members to enjoy. It's part of a revitalization effort for the neighborhood, led by Everett and Paugus Properties owner Mike Lokken, who said there are other plans in the works, including continuing the WOW Trail and creating a common area with a gazebo near its current end point. There are about 75 members already enrolled, and anyone interested in becoming a member can make a request at sirwinstonscigarlounge.com. Source: https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news/local/sir-winstons-now-open-in-lakeport/collection_ee2be1fc-af5e-4cc2-9c79-6313cb4f6783.html

The following article, written for the on-line news site The Record, is a personal account of the simple joy of spending time at a Cigar Shop in Saratoga, New York from cigar enthusiast, Don Rittner. The joy of hanging out in a cigar shop By Don Rittner - PUBLISHED: November 15, 2025 Back in the ’60s and ’70s, I always had my go-to places. There was The Boat (the Mayflower Restaurant in Troy), Cathy’s Waffle Shop, and the 8th Step Coffee House in Albany. Nowadays, I find my refuge at James & Son’s Tobaccanists in Saratoga. In today’s fast-paced world, it feels like there are few spots left where you can actually take your time. With all the buzzing smartphones, flashing screens, and looming deadlines, life can feel overwhelming. But once you step into a cigar shop, all that noise just fades away. The air is filled with the rich scent of aged tobacco, and instead of stress, you find a relaxed buzz of conversation. It’s not merely a place to smoke; it’s a sanctuary for camaraderie, ritual, and some quiet reflection. James & Sons is located in a former bank. I’m not really a smoker — I gave up cigarettes 30 years ago — but there’s just something special about enjoying a cigar. As soon as you push open that heavy wooden door, the outside world starts to let go. Inside, shelves stacked with cigar boxes line the walls of the humidor, showcasing cigars like fine art, wrapped in beautiful shades of gold, chestnut, and deep mahogany. You can hear the faint hiss of a butane torch, the snip of a cutter, and feel the first curl of blue-gray smoke fill the air, setting the mood in the smoking room. Unlike most modern hangouts, a cigar shop has its own laid-back rhythm. No one feels the need to hurry off. Conversations drift from politics to baseball, football, and family stories without any sense of urgency. Time seems to slow down, matching the leisurely burn of the cigar you hold. There’s an unspoken agreement among regulars that when you’re in this space, time doesn’t matter. Smoking isn’t about finishing but truly experiencing it. Cigars come with their own rituals. Picking one out is like an art form — checking out the wrapper, feeling its firmness, and inhaling the subtle scent of aged leaves. You might chat with the staff about your preferences, whether you like it mild or full-bodied (I prefer mild), Connecticut or Maduro, with hints of Nicaraguan spice or Dominican smoothness. Then, the ritual continues with cutting, lighting, and that first draw. Each step is intentional and almost meditative. Honestly, I don’t know much about cigars, but I appreciate the process. This whole ritual appeals to something deep within us, that human instinct to slow down and focus. In a world where everything is throwaway and instantaneous, a cigar teaches you patience. It offers a rewarding complexity of flavors that develop as you smoke: hints of cedar, coffee, cocoa, earthiness, or pepper. Each puff feels like a small achievement, and even if two cigars look similar, each has its own distinct character. But maybe the best part of the cigar shop isn’t just the cigars themselves; it’s the amazing company you find there. A cigar lounge brings together folks from all walks of life. Doctors, construction workers, teachers, lawyers, veterans, artists, and retirees share the same space, passing around cutters and lighters just as easily as they do stories. Whatever status people have outside melts away in the haze of smoke. What truly matters here is respect — for one another, the craft, and for those shared moments. Inside a cigar shop, you actually engage in conversation — not the quick back-and-forth of social media, but real, thoughtful exchanges that meander through topics like a winding river. Someone might reminisce about a trip to Italy, while another offers advice about humidors or a new blend that just arrived. Debates can get heated, but they rarely turn hostile. There’s just something about savoring a cigar that makes it hard to be angry. When you’re enjoying a Baccarat, it seems like you can’t shout; the smoke itself encourages civility. Many cigar shops have an old-world vibe about them. You’ll find leather chairs that creak softly, a TV playing sports in the background, and décor that hints at mid-century America. Even the terms we use — like “torpedo,” “Churchill,” and “robusto” — carry a sense of tradition. Every puff is steeped in history. Cigars have been companions to writers, revolutionaries, and even presidents. They’ve been part of treaties, weddings, and victories. Sitting in a cigar shop, you feel a connection to that legacy, that thread reaching back to the tobacco fields of Cuba and the Dominican Republic, to the skillful artisans who craft them as if they’re poetry in leaf form. The regulars at a good shop get this. They might not openly discuss history, but they respect it in how they light up, the manners they show to newcomers, and the quiet pride they take when someone else appreciates the craft too. Over time, a sense of belonging develops, a fraternal bond without any formalities, tied together by smoke and mutual respect. But not every visit has to be a social affair. Sometimes, it’s a perfect escape to sit quietly with your thoughts or even get some work done. I’m actually working on another Pine Bush book. The steady burn of a cigar provides a nice backdrop for reflection. You can ponder your day, your plans, your past, all without distractions. A cigar gives you all the time you need; it’s there for as long as you want it. Many folks find that the act of smoking turns into a kind of meditation, a pause for the soul. For me, it’s also a moment to bond with my two sons. Writers, thinkers, and dreamers have long sought out spaces like this. The cigar shop, with its low hum of conversation, offers that perfect mix of solitude and community. You can feel alone but not lonely, surrounded by people who, in their own way, are searching for the same peace. Despite its vintage charm, the cigar shop thrives today because it meets a modern need for genuine human connection in an increasingly disconnected world. Regulars greet each other by name, swap cigar recommendations, and celebrate milestones together. Birthdays, retirements, even small work wins get toasted—not with champagne, but with a chosen cigar. There’s laughter, there’s storytelling, and sometimes even a comfortable silence that can only happen among friends. Food often makes an appearance, too. And, trust me, there are some interesting characters. I’ve met people from all over the world during track season and have stayed in touch with a few. I’m starting a history magazine with one of them and doing some archaeology work with another. Regulars are chemists, a lawyer who helps veterans, restaurant owners, and business owners, to name a few. It’s a wonderfully diverse and fascinating crowd. The staff is friendly, remembers your name, and knows their cigars well. They prioritize service. In a time when everything seems to be digital, the cigar shop stands as a proudly analog refuge. It’s a place where all your senses — sight, smell, touch, and taste — come alive. Here, conversations flow freely without interruption from notifications. Friendships are built the old-fashioned way: through time spent together and shared experiences. Hanging out in a cigar shop reminds us of something that modern life often overlooks: the pure joy of slowing down. It’s a space where smoke becomes a language of its own, where conversation lazily meanders like an ancient river, and where people from all walks of life share common ground in simple pleasures. The cigar itself is just the excuse; the real joy lies in everything that unfolds around it. For an hour or two, the outside world can wait. Inside, time passes at the steady pace of a well-lit cigar — rich, serene, and unhurried. Source: https://www.troyrecord.com/2025/11/15/rittner-the-joy-of-hanging-out-in-a-cigar-shop/

Larry Holmes Jr.’s new ‘Legends Cigar Bar’ brings smokin’ addition to Easton’s business scene Ryan Kneller - Nov 13, 2025 Legends Cigar Bar is located at 154 Northampton St. in downtown Easton. EASTON, Pa. – A new refined and welcoming venue for enjoying cigars, cocktails and conversation is offering a knockout experience in Northampton County. Legends Cigar Bar, a cigar bar and lounge offering premium seating, cigars, spirits and live entertainment, has been holding soft opening events since Nov. 1 at 154 Northampton St. in downtown Easton. A grand opening event, kicking off regular hours, will take place in early or mid-December, owner-operator Larry Holmes Jr. told 69 News. Holmes, son of legendary Easton boxer Larry Holmes, saw an opportunity to fill a void in downtown Easton with an “elevated, one-of-a-kind cigar bar.” The chic venue features a mix of classic and modern décor, including new wood and tile flooring, illuminated shelving and elegant chandeliers featuring glass globes. A new ventilation system, with top-of-the-line smoke eaters, also was installed. “We’re excited, for sure,” Holmes Jr. said. “There aren’t any other cigar lounges in downtown Easton, and we’ve already gotten a lot of positive feedback. People are really liking the cool vibes and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great space to not only enjoy a cigar and drink, but also to kick back and catch up with friends, family and coworkers.” Holmes Jr. has been a regular cigar smoker for around 20 years, and before moving back to the Lehigh Valley in 2019, he lived in Connecticut where he was a member of Stamford Cigar Lounge for several years. Ryan Kneller Stamford Cigar Lounge is co-owned by John Starks, a former NBA All-Star who played with the New York Knicks, and the Easton lounge’s name is a nod to sports legends like Starks and Holmes as well as the “the many other legends in our everyday lives,” Holmes Jr. said. “John has a cigar brand called Legend Cigars,” Holmes Jr. said. “So, when we were in the planning stages, I asked him if it would be OK if we used that name for our lounge. But someone doesn’t have to be a basketball star or heavyweight champion of the world to be a legend. There are legends in everyday life, and we’re trying to tell everyone’s stories here. That’s why you’ll see a lot of items displayed throughout the lounge from not just my own family, but also my partner Joey’s family and members’ families. We want everyone to feel at home here, and we encourage members to bring in their own family heirlooms.” At Legends, Holmes Jr. is partnering with his brother-in-law, Joey Koebele, to bring the unique Easton venue to life. Legends Cigar Bar is located at 154 Northampton St. in downtown Easton. Ryan Kneller Family mementos, including books, photos, vinyl records and decorative pieces, are displayed throughout the space. Guests will spot a framed photo of Koebele’s father in his pilot uniform, Holmes’ boxing trunks and championship belts and even mounted caribou antlers courtesy of Koebele’s father-in-law. “Everything that’s displayed here is authentic and real to us, and it all has a lot of meaning behind it,” Holmes Jr. said. Legends occupies a renovated space that previously housed other commercial tenants, including Virella’s Sweets & Treats, Greek Meat Guy and culinary business incubator Common Space. The venue features a new bar and electric fireplace, along with wall-mounted TVs and jungle accents such as faux greenery, leopard print rugs and jungle wallpaper in the bathroom. Illuminated arches behind the bar are a nod to the building’s original structural arches in the basement, where the Legends team hopes to one day expand operations. Ryan Kneller Other aesthetic highlights include framed photos of Holmes Jr.’s father, including iconic images of his boxing days and snapshots with prominent figures such as Don King, Isaac Hayes and Reggie Jackson, as well as poster-size images of Jack Johnson, the first Black world heavyweight boxing champion, and iconic actor and comedian George Burns smoking cigars. Easton-based Five Rivers Development handled the fit-out, and the overall design was a collaborative effort, led by Amy Bloom from Spundesign, Holmes Jr.’s wife, Jonelle Holmes, and Christopher Werley. The Legends team also tapped Francesco Dall'Antonia from Dall’Antonia Custom Design for certain design elements. "We are so fortunate to have assembled a group of extremely creative and talented individuals for this project, and I'm so thankful for everyone's time and energy," Holmes Jr. said. Legends Cigar Bar is located at 154 Northampton St. in downtown Easton. Ryan Kneller Seating for around 75 guests is available throughout the space, which is divided by floor-to-ceiling curtains. The front section, featuring bar and high-top table seating, is open to the general public, while the back section, featuring premium Italian leather lounge chairs and sofas, is reserved for members and individuals purchasing day passes. Membership pricing varies based on different tiers, including founder’s and corporate, and the Legends team requests that individuals seeking to become a member fill out an online form or visit the lounge in-person to inquire about details. “By visiting the lounge and exploring the space, you’ll get an up-close look at what we offer and learn all of the perks that come with a membership," Holmes Jr. explained. "For example, members get discounts on cigars. They get their own personal locker. They get invites to special events. Still, if you just want to access the lounge for the day, we also offer day passes.” Temperature- and humidity-controlled lockers are available to members wishing to store their personal cigar collections on-site, and Legends also offers dozens of premium cigars for purchase, including selections from popular brands such as Arturo Fuente, Monte Cristo, Davidoff and Ashton. “It’s a curated selection of cigars,” Holmes Jr. said. “We have a lot of really great cigars at different price points – something for everyone. They’re all individually priced, and the cigar menus detail their tasting notes. We also have a host who can help you with your selection if you’re looking for guidance.” Ryan Kneller Legends is partnering with a regional distillery, Pops McCann, to offer Pops McCann Whiskey along with Pennsylvania-made beer and wine at a full bar. Down the line, the Legends team also plans to introduce freshly prepared small plates. “We’ll be a great spot for before or after dinner,” Holmes Jr. said. “We’re not going to have whole meals as there are already so many great restaurants in downtown Easton, but we’ll have some elevated small plates, for sure. We’re still finalizing the food menu, but people can expect some really great small bites.” Legends will continue to host pop-up events in advance of its grand opening next month, and individuals can follow the business’ Instagram page for the latest updates. Info: legendcigarbar.com. Source: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/northampton-county/easton-area/larry-holmes-jr-s-new-legends-cigar-bar-brings-smokin-addition-to-easton-s-business/article_2d608a80-2340-40c0-80ee-2152a86d4298.html

Poor guy. Broke his boner.

Siglo 6 is given smoking time 50 mins over here. Talisman 60. It doesn't scare away the young new richsters. Quick 15 min puff after dindins won't look so crappy.

Worried now that I might receive a set for Xmas. I think I've stopped the whisky/rum gifts. This is a natural derivative...

I use a stainless steel sphere when I drink rum and coke, but only because I don't want it getting watered down and I enjoying taking my time with it. Will agree they are mostly a gimmick though. Like others, I like my Whisky neat and at room temperature. Oh, and adding water to a perfectly good scotch? What the hell is wrong with you people? 😂

I've said it before, but you have to simply marvel at how hard Habanos S.A. has worked at trying to match their Trinidad product with their Cohiba ones over the last twenty years or so. But we know that they're not the same (type of luxury product), don't we?

I've had a set for a few years and never used them until a few months ago. Poured myself a Negroni before realising I was out of ice cubes so I used those but it was an underwhelming experience as one would expect. I drink my scotch at room temperature, adding water when needed 👍

QD50 tonight, I had planned to smoke this in the AM but lost track of time. I’ve decided to let this box rest for at minimum another year but possibly two, it’s just not giving me a great flavor profile and I’m always having some kind of issue when I pull one from this box. I dry boxed it for two days hoping that would help with any burning issues I’ve had, I believe it helped a tiny bit but not enough. Sadly disappointed because I was actually very excited when I purchased this box.

Same here. I have enough other Romeo y Julieta options to keep me satisfied.

Aha! Got it!! <adds new item to Amazon cart>

Ah that's fantastic! Yeah I had to start booking the last couple of years. Love a trip to the Hunter though I always spend well over what I budgeted.

I had several sets lying around. Also, all gifts. I've got one mate who loves and swears by them and I've given the bulk to him and kept a set here for when he comes over. Otherwise I had as much use for them as sand in the Sahara.

Not a big fan, it's not that I totally dislike them, but I'd take a PLMC or a Super Partagas over one of these any time, plus they're even cheaper.

Dammit! <deletes whisky stones from Amazon cart>

Also many of the most highly sought after Regionals are under 46rg.

What follows is real and not a satirical article. It correctly summarizes concerns about Lane’s health, with one notable exception… https://www.inkl.com/news/eagles-star-lane-johnson-s-lisfranc-injury-prompts-questions-about-long-term-sexual-health-risks

Miss those days…

Well done for Jimmy and the Foxes, but this means there is a free spot at HnF? 🙂

Let's hope they will try to price it correctly. It's a great vitola at 47 x 170.