I am a picky b*****d when it comes to certain things and cigars are one of them. If I'm gonna be chompin' on a stick for an hour, it better be damn good and Tobacco Shack has a huge variety of high quality cigars. It also has a lot more going for it than a casual drive-by will reveal so I'm going to list the reasons I love this place:
1. Friendly people - the owners, Gary and Donna, are almost always there and are fun to hang out with. Rich, who works weekends, is the real deal cigar aficionado, a true collector and full of knowledge. And you can almost find some friendly cigar loving locals down there who seem to know something about everything. ;)
2. Great setting - If you feel like chatting, you can watch some tv and chat it up with some of the regulars at the cigar bar, or you can go off and watch one of the other tvs at your own table, even bring a laptop and work, facebook or whatever with the free wifi.
3. Awesome selection - "The Shack" added a new humidor, expanding it's already sizeable selection. If there's a problem to be had, it's not in finding a great cigar, it's in choosing between all the great cigars. I don't want to start listing them because I couldn't do it justice but no one will ever be disappointed here, you have my word (ok, ok.. Padron, Rocky Patel, Tatuaje, Kristoff, San Lotano, J Grotto, Origen, Ashton, etc, etc..).
Add to that, they're open to suggestions which is why they added in Esteban Carrera, FOGO, S.W.A.G., and whatever else "we" tell 'em to! ;)
4. Events - Whether it's a "tasting party" with a cigar rep, an anniversary or a night of entertainment (with Max on guitar), the Shack has a variety of events and deals to introduce you to new product experience and new people. You can also find people smoking a stogie and watching football on weekends.
5. Location - it's a classy little place, away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and has none of the riff you might find in some of the more urban settings. I would travel a half hour without thinking twice about it because once you settle in here with a nice cigar, cable tv or conversation, it's all worth it... like a mini vacation. There's even the famed Agawam Diner next door and restaurants up and down the strip of highway if lunch or dinner is on your radar.
6. Drinks - The owners always have water or soda on hand and never charge for it. Heck, they even get it and pour it in a cup for you... how's that for service? Or you're welcome to bring your own and put it in the fridge. ;)
I could go on, but you getting the picture? I didn't even metion the HOOKAH but only because it's not my thing but I see quite a few people in there smoking up a fine variety of hookah and having a great time. There's also Mon-Tue discounts and late hours during the second half of the week.
You can't go wrong at this place. Glad I finally went in after driving by it 20 times. ;) read more
