Barcelona

[SigmundChurchill]

I'll be going to Barcelona July 1st.  It will be my first time there.  I see there are no LCDH's pretty much anywhere in Spain except Madrid and Andorra.

So, any recommendations for a good cigar shop in Barcelona?

I will also be spending time on Ibiza and Mallorca, so recommendations on those two islands would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

[ChangBang]

I'm of no help but I am going to Ibiza in a few weeks so if someone chimes in, I can let you know how the shops are!

[Akela3rd]

Gimeno Tabac (as was, now Domingo apparently) on La Rambla was great a few years ago. I picked up two boxes of Hoyo du Prince two years after they were discontinued. Say you want to buy a box, rather than singles, and you're escorted down to the cellar...

Sent by spooky action at a distance

[madandana]

1 hour ago, Akela3rd said:

Gimeno Tabac (as was, now Domingo apparently) on La Rambla was great a few years ago. I picked up two boxes of Hoyo du Prince two years after they were discontinued. Say you want to buy a box, rather than singles, and you're escorted down to the cellar...

Sent by spooky action at a distance
 

X2

[SigmundChurchill]

15 hours ago, ChangBang said:

I'm of no help but I am going to Ibiza in a few weeks so if someone chimes in, I can let you know how the shops are!

Great!  And let me know what you think of the island, and any tips you have after going there.  Thanks!

5 hours ago, Akela3rd said:

Gimeno Tabac (as was, now Domingo apparently) on La Rambla was great a few years ago. I picked up two boxes of Hoyo du Prince two years after they were discontinued. Say you want to buy a box, rather than singles, and you're escorted down to the cellar...

Sent by spooky action at a distance
 

 

3 hours ago, madandana said:

X2

Thanks guys!  I'll check it out.

[HerrHonaker]

Gimeno for sure--and see if they still have these vintage posters for sale. I have this one in the man cave.

[SigmundChurchill]

1 hour ago, HerrHonaker said:

Gimeno for sure--and see if they still have these vintage posters for sale. I have this one in the man cave.

I guess this is the place to go.  

And we are staying at the Mandarin Oriental, which, looking at google maps, is right around the corner.

Nice poster!

[HerrHonaker]

1 hour ago, SigmundChurchill said:

I guess this is the place to go.  

And we are staying at the Mandarin Oriental, which, looking at google maps, is right around the corner.

Nice poster!

Thanks!

One more piece of advice: watch your wallet in La Rambla, and I’m not just talking about spending too much at the Habanos store. 😂

[SigmundChurchill]

36 minutes ago, HerrHonaker said:

Thanks!

One more piece of advice: watch your wallet in La Rambla, and I’m not just talking about spending too much at the Habanos store. 😂

Yes.  I watched a YouTube video.  It said the mimes are all thieves too.

[bates40]

Agree with previous posts. In addition peek in and out of the small (mostly cigarette) stores around the Cathedral or whenever walking in the city in general. I found a lot of RE Espana boxes all for about the same price (maybe Spain has standardized pricing)?.

I will send you a PM with another find. 

[Ryan]

Tabacs Catedral had the best selection in Barcelona when I was there last October.

A google of this brings it up.

Tabacs Catedral, Av. de la Catedral, 1, BAJO, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

5 minute walk off La Rambla.

Gimeno (now Domingo) had very little, some boxes of Culebras. Duaso and Fuster the same. The airport, nothing at all.

Having said that, the new Spanish RE is just out at €150 per box. Also, the new Tauromaquia with Manolete (it's a very nice image on that box), 10 Hoyo de San Juan for €250.

Spanish prices are government controlled. I'm hearing the new price increases are to take place July 1st, the Cohiba robusto due to go from €27 to about €65. Good luck finding any Trinidad or Cohiba (other than shorts) before that. But you never know.

 

[khrist_]

Just got back from Barcelona and the pickings were slim, albeit the prices are good. I did have luck at the Tabacs Catedral, picked up the following there: 6 Quai D’Orsay Coronas Claro (€10.90 each), 5 Partagas Serie E No. 2 (€17.40 each), 4 Trinidad Reyes (€8.30 each), 1 Cohiba Robusto (€27.30). Valencia was a similar story but was able to snag a box of the new Dipolomaticos Regional.

[nav4040]

On 5/25/2022 at 10:51 PM, Akela3rd said:

Gimeno Tabac (as was, now Domingo apparently) on La Rambla was great a few years ago. I picked up two boxes of Hoyo du Prince two years after they were discontinued. Say you want to buy a box, rather than singles, and you're escorted down to the cellar...

I’ve seen recent posts that they have very limited selection now. The humidor has been pillaged already and next to nothing left.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SigmundChurchill]

13 minutes ago, nav4040 said:

I’ve seen recent posts that they have very limited selection now. The humidor has been pillaged already and next to nothing left.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats what it seems people here are saying.  Maybe Tabacs Catedral is a better bet, but since they are both so close to my hotel, I will be checking out both places.  It cant hurt to weigh all my options.

Im wondering if maybe the islands are going to have more of a selection.  I mean, Ibiza is smaller, and more of a party island, but maybe Mallorca might have some good stuff there.  It is a. large island, more family oriented with a lot of locals.  Maybe there are some cigar shops there that dont get too much traffic?

[dangolf18]

Slim pickings across Europe in general. I found 90% of stock in most stores to be NCs. Might be able to find a shop or two that has a regional in stock.

[Ryan]

This little place had full boxes of H Upmann Mag 54 in October. Very near your hotel.
https://goo.gl/maps/bjWSUvuw4HJHx46z6

Cava Fuster, well known Barcelona shop also near your hotel, had some full boxes of Lusitanias. The owner, Carlos Fuster, is not often there.

https://g.page/estancfuster?share

Estanc Duaso, a 15 min walk from your hotel. Another well known shop, the owner Jordi Duaso is normally there, he travels to Cuba a lot, fluent English. Not many full boxes in October but a good selection of singles.

https://g.page/estancduaso?share

Definitely book a visit to the Sagrada Familia. Well worth a look. There's a very nice little park opposite with a bar for a beer and a cigar afterwards.

Also, Plaza Real, just off La Rambla, one of the nicest squares in the world. Not world-class food but a very decent dinner and people watching there. Weeknights are better, gets a bit messy with tourists on weekends.

https://goo.gl/maps/o5bMBhjZ7WLFUrJs6

If you're going to the beach in Barcelona, this place was great for a beachside lunch. Some of the best beach food I've ever had and reasonably priced.

https://g.page/shokobarcelona?share

 

[SigmundChurchill]

6 hours ago, Ryan said:

This little place had full boxes of H Upmann Mag 54 in October. Very near your hotel.
https://goo.gl/maps/bjWSUvuw4HJHx46z6

Cava Fuster, well known Barcelona shop also near your hotel, had some full boxes of Lusitanias. The owner, Carlos Fuster, is not often there.

https://g.page/estancfuster?share

Estanc Duaso, a 15 min walk from your hotel. Another well known shop, the owner Jordi Duaso is normally there, he travels to Cuba a lot, fluent English. Not many full boxes in October but a good selection of singles.

https://g.page/estancduaso?share

Definitely book a visit to the Sagrada Familia. Well worth a look. There's a very nice little park opposite with a bar for a beer and a cigar afterwards.

Also, Plaza Real, just off La Rambla, one of the nicest squares in the world. Not world-class food but a very decent dinner and people watching there. Weeknights are better, gets a bit messy with tourists on weekends.

https://goo.gl/maps/o5bMBhjZ7WLFUrJs6

If you're going to the beach in Barcelona, this place was great for a beachside lunch. Some of the best beach food I've ever had and reasonably priced.

https://g.page/shokobarcelona?share

 

Wow, great stuff!  Much appreciated.  Thanks Andy!

[Rhinoww]

Bookmarking for sure. Heading for a nephews wedding next June. 

[Hoepssa]

Tabacs Catedral the place for some full box items, before pandemic era they have some vintage to grab.

 

[SokaKiel]

Give me a shout when you get to Barcelona, I live only 30mins. away in the valleys behind Barcelona! Would love to catch up for a smoke one day!

I can confirm the above info, been to Fuster recently and got a box of the new Diplomaticos. Also got one at Duaso. But so far I like the previous RE from Flor de Cano better, haven’t seen them around for a while though. In the basement of the El Corte Ingles department store at Placa Catalunya is a cigar store too, I’ve been lucky buying singles there a few times late last year, seems to get missed by most tourists!

On Mallorca I like Estanco de Born directly on the main drag Passeig de Born in Palma. Tiny shop but usually a good selection. Same goes for Estanco Palma 4 - Cava Avenidas on Av. de Gabriel Alomar, been lucky there a few times last year.

On Ibiza I only know one good place but haven’t been for two years: Cava de Puros Tur. It’s directly at the port.

Fingers crossed we can catch up for a smoke!

Cheers, Leif

[ChangBang]

38 minutes ago, SokaKiel said:

Give me a shout when you get to Barcelona, I live only 30mins. away in the valleys behind Barcelona! Would love to catch up for a smoke one day!

I can confirm the above info, been to Fuster recently and got a box of the new Diplomaticos. Also got one at Duaso. But so far I like the previous RE from Flor de Cano better, haven’t seen them around for a while though. In the basement of the El Corte Ingles department store at Placa Catalunya is a cigar store too, I’ve been lucky buying singles there a few times late last year, seems to get missed by most tourists!

On Mallorca I like Estanco de Born directly on the main drag Passeig de Born in Palma. Tiny shop but usually a good selection. Same goes for Estanco Palma 4 - Cava Avenidas on Av. de Gabriel Alomar, been lucky there a few times last year.

On Ibiza I only know one good place but haven’t been for two years: Cava de Puros Tur. It’s directly at the port.

Fingers crossed we can catch up for a smoke!

Cheers, Leif

Do you recall seeing any fakes in any of the Ibiza shops?  Besides the glass top boxes, I don't know bands well enough the spot them.  As is, I would probably only buy non-cohiba regionals or cheap smokes that no one would fake.

[PuroDiario]

Club Pasión Habanos has a site in Barcelona. Never been. Madrid is a nice one. So assume similar. Good selection. Is a members club, so reach out first over email. Pretty sure is easy and cheap to come in and it’s just about registering freely in the data base. It’s approved by Habanos SA (c/ Espinoi 8-10, Local 1, Barcelona)

A bit of a drive, there is a Estanco in VIC (30mins+ drive) out of Barcelona with usually a well curated selection. Been a long time. Call first and ask what’s the stock looking like. Estanc Crivillés
+34 938 86 03 08
https://goo.gl/maps/7HSy8gbfP3LvFoXn7
 

I remember Estanc Duaso and Estanc Bigai being good and well curated. It’s been years so I don’t know any more. Google and contact ahead. 
 

In Spain if you buy in a Estanco (which is a government regulated Tabacalera controlled and officially licensed retailer of tobacco products) you won’t have in 90%+ of cases any issues with quality, up keeping, authenticity or prices. Selection is pretty slim now, we have been raiding shelves since the news of changes started to come up and Spain has been receiving less of the Cohiba-Trini and other top vitolas as they favor other higher margin markets. 
 

la casa del habano to some point made above, does exist broadly in Spain under a different format (other than Club Pasión Habanos which is somewhat like that but without the retailing other than for on-site consumption) due to regulation. Estancos that are equipped with certain levels and standards, curate a broad / large enough selection and volume are certified as la casa del habano (so they get all the special releases, hard to find, etc) simply are still named estancos and you will find a sticker at the door pretty much. If you filter in Habanos SA site for the La Casa del Habano sites in Barcelona, Mallorca or Ibiza you will find the estancos and addresses. 
 

enjoy!

[Ryan]

13 hours ago, SokaKiel said:

..In the basement of the El Corte Ingles department store at Placa Catalunya is a cigar store too, I’ve been lucky buying singles there a few times late last year, seems to get missed by most tourists!..

..On Ibiza I only know one good place but haven’t been for two years: Cava de Puros Tur. It’s directly at the port..

 

Good info.

In October at the Cortes Ingles at Placa Catalunya, the humidor in the basement was entirely empty apart from some Davidoffs.

If you live in the area, there are two decent little shops in Roses. I found some good stock there in October.

Tabacs Mendez   

https://g.page/tabacsroses?share

Tabacs Expendedura No. 2

https://goo.gl/maps/jxndptNL3F9jVW8a6

 

Check out the Wine Palace up the street from this one. One of the best wine shops I've ever been in, anywhere.

I'm hearing rumours of a LCDH coming to Ibiza soon. I was looking at getting the ferry from Denia to Ibiza later this month but can't do it on this trip.

 

 

 

[SigmundChurchill]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:12 AM, SokaKiel said:

Give me a shout when you get to Barcelona, I live only 30mins. away in the valleys behind Barcelona! Would love to catch up for a smoke one day!

I can confirm the above info, been to Fuster recently and got a box of the new Diplomaticos. Also got one at Duaso. But so far I like the previous RE from Flor de Cano better, haven’t seen them around for a while though. In the basement of the El Corte Ingles department store at Placa Catalunya is a cigar store too, I’ve been lucky buying singles there a few times late last year, seems to get missed by most tourists!

On Mallorca I like Estanco de Born directly on the main drag Passeig de Born in Palma. Tiny shop but usually a good selection. Same goes for Estanco Palma 4 - Cava Avenidas on Av. de Gabriel Alomar, been lucky there a few times last year.

On Ibiza I only know one good place but haven’t been for two years: Cava de Puros Tur. It’s directly at the port.

Fingers crossed we can catch up for a smoke!

Cheers, Leif

OK, I will take you up on that.  Hopefully we can find a time that works for both of us.  Thanks Leif!

Cheers, Elliot

 

On 6/3/2022 at 3:58 PM, PuroDiario said:

Club Pasión Habanos has a site in Barcelona. Never been. Madrid is a nice one. So assume similar. Good selection. Is a members club, so reach out first over email. Pretty sure is easy and cheap to come in and it’s just about registering freely in the data base. It’s approved by Habanos SA (c/ Espinoi 8-10, Local 1, Barcelona)

A bit of a drive, there is a Estanco in VIC (30mins+ drive) out of Barcelona with usually a well curated selection. Been a long time. Call first and ask what’s the stock looking like. Estanc Crivillés
+34 938 86 03 08
https://goo.gl/maps/7HSy8gbfP3LvFoXn7
 

I remember Estanc Duaso and Estanc Bigai being good and well curated. It’s been years so I don’t know any more. Google and contact ahead. 
 

In Spain if you buy in a Estanco (which is a government regulated Tabacalera controlled and officially licensed retailer of tobacco products) you won’t have in 90%+ of cases any issues with quality, up keeping, authenticity or prices. Selection is pretty slim now, we have been raiding shelves since the news of changes started to come up and Spain has been receiving less of the Cohiba-Trini and other top vitolas as they favor other higher margin markets. 
 

la casa del habano to some point made above, does exist broadly in Spain under a different format (other than Club Pasión Habanos which is somewhat like that but without the retailing other than for on-site consumption) due to regulation. Estancos that are equipped with certain levels and standards, curate a broad / large enough selection and volume are certified as la casa del habano (so they get all the special releases, hard to find, etc) simply are still named estancos and you will find a sticker at the door pretty much. If you filter in Habanos SA site for the La Casa del Habano sites in Barcelona, Mallorca or Ibiza you will find the estancos and addresses. 
 

enjoy!

Thank you for the info.  Very helpful.  I will be with my wife, so I'm not sure I will be driving anywhere too far off the beaten path.  I will have to check out the LCDH site again for the estancos.  Thanks again!

[Frinkiac7]

Shame to hear Gimeno has gone to seed.