prime1010
Monday, January 24, 2005 4:35:00 AM
I’ve been living in San Juan for a little over a year. I’m interested in sampling as many Puerto Rican cigars as I can find. Is there anyone here who lives in Puerto Rico and can help me with my shopping list?
Slimboli
Monday, January 24, 2005 4:48:00 AM
Not really a whole lot of Puerto Rican cigars to choose from ...

... when I was there, I had one that had the 'barber-pole' warpper, but can't remember the name ... DP maybe?

I wasn't impressed ...

teedubbya
Monday, January 24, 2005 6:13:00 AM
My wife is from Bayomon, we don't get there as often as I'd like, but often enough I guess.

Don Collins in old san juan... he's a character. I have a couple more brands at home (I'm at work now) I'll dig up and post. I have his website somewhere if you want to e me teedub AT myway dot com

That collins guy is a puerto rican who grew up in NY and left his job as a comodity broker (or something like that). If you go in his shop he'll light one up with you and talk your ear off.

My favorite discussion with him was (i think this is on his website too) he recommends keeping the cigars in the fridge and that using a humidor and "aging" cigars is nonsense.

Cracked me up, but his cigars were not bad....they had been rolled that morning. I have no idea how they age...I had no desire to buy enough for that...although they are my wifes favorite cigars, especially with medalla. Mr. Collins has a grand scheme to take ofer the PR tobacco business.

I didn't realize PR had such a tobacco history. There are quire a few odd brands here and there. And even though not legal, it is not hard to find ISOMs there due to proximity. You have to be careful though.

prime1010
Monday, January 24, 2005 10:56:00 AM
Thanks for the info. I’ve heard of the Collin’s shop; I’ll have to check it out. There are a few places where you can get a hand-rolled cigar made right in front of you. The El San Juan Hotel, a place in Santurce called the Plazita, and a roller in Old San Juan. I think I’ve seen the candy-cane cigars you mentioned. Anybody else have any info or am I the only cbidder who’s shipments have to be sent to PR?
Charlie
Monday, January 24, 2005 11:37:00 AM
I know that one of the nicest cigar shops I have ever been to was on the square in Old San Juan...do not know the name! I do not believe there are any cigars made in Puerto Rico other than the ones you have covered in this post so far....that is more than I knew about to begin with! Do a google search....

Charlie

Slimboli
Monday, January 24, 2005 1:58:00 PM
... the Doll House.
teedubbya
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 4:08:00 AM
slim - I thought that was in Ft. Lauderdale 🙂
Slimboli
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 4:28:00 AM
LOL ... I'm speaking of The Cigar House ... At The Doll House in Old San Juan.

I'll top a photo I took of their walk-in while I was there in 2002 ...

prime1010
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 4:51:00 AM
Yeah the Cigar House usually has a roller outside making the Cigar House brand.