Big Smoke Travels

Category: On Location

  • The Dismal River Club – World Class Golf & Cigars

    The Dismal River Club – World Class Golf & Cigars

    The Dismal River Club is one of the best golf resort experiences in the U.S. It rivals Scottland – it is links style golf which is more than geographically interesting in the Sand Hills of Nebraska. And, the Club is cigar friendly! The two golf courses, one by Doak, the other by Nicklaus, wind through the land with minimal dirt being moved, they ebb and flow in harmony with the hills. The lodging, food and activities like the full shooting and hunting range add to the premium experience. The only time cigar smoking is prohibited on the course is when the conditions are extremely dry and there is a fire danger alert.

    The Nicklaus course plays really big at the Dismal River Club.

    There are two outlets for cigars on property, the pro shop and the Buffalo Bill Pub. The pro shop sells cigars in the humi-smart tubes, which simply means they will take jostling in the golf bag or luggage if you don’t smoke them immediately. Top brands, individually sealed. The Pub has a traditional humidor if you run out while enjoying the evening on the patio after golf.

    One of the cigar collections at the Dismal River Club.

    Maybe the best area to for a cigar and a post-golf beverage is the large patio with an amazing fire pit. Just a few paces off the pub and main dining room, this is THE gathering place for stories, friendly banter and just relaxing in the cool Nebraska evenings. And, when they get the fireworks going, it is even more magical as the show happens right over number 18 on the Doak course down valley.

    A good cigar, your golf friends and a Nebraska night lit by fireworks!
  • Cigaragua Amsterdam

    Cigaragua Amsterdam

    The most unique smoking experience in the Netherlands in Amsterdam is Cigaragua. Located conveniently adjacent to the Museum District, an ideal spot to stock up and smoke at the same time while the others in your party contemplate Van Gogh.

    Cigaragua is strictly Nicaraguan cigars, and for good reason. According to Onno, shop manager the process in Nicaragua is controlled from start to finish, producing consistently good cigars. When they compared production and quality, Cigaragua opted for cigars only produced in Nicaragua. Another reason for this was they felt the rollers were paid by good cigars, not just production.

    Onno was able to take his passion for cigars into work. Cigars were his hobby as he worked in the electronic instrument business. After meeting the owner, Sasha, he came on board to work in the Museum District shop. Chances are you are not going to hit all 19 museums in the area, so why not have a stick and need new friends while the rest of the crew takes in history?

    Shop owner Onno, pictured with a few of his favorite cigars

    Cigaragua consists of a large selection of accessories on the first level, with a relatively large humidor on the half level up. A diverse collection of cigars, and many Nicaraguan brands you have never heard of as they aren’t the big boys of distribution, yet excellent quality. Many European shops just don’t have a large selection, yet Cigaragua is entirely the opposite.

    Talk with Onno for more than a minute, and you are immediately in the heart of cigars as a lifestyle while in Amsterdam. Their smoking lounge, complete with an assortment of beverages is the ideal location to meet fellow enthusiasts and discuss the world and cigars in an unhurried environment.

    You can visit Cigaragua’s website here

  • The B Ocean Mermaid Show in Ft. Lauderdale

    The B Ocean Mermaid Show in Ft. Lauderdale

    OK, you are going on a cruise, and in Ft. Lauderdale the day before you sale. For a real treat in every respect, head to the Wreck Bar at the B Ocean Resort. First consideraton is the B Ocean is more friendly to cigar smokers than just about any other place you can visit or stay.

    During the 50’s the Wreck was a hangout for legends like Monroe and DiMagio. Keeping that same nautical feel, they added a pool for mermaid and mermen shows which run the fin from family friendly to starting a family.

    In short, there is no bad seat in the house, and the food and drinks are as good as the shows. While your new aqua friends swim, dart and amaze, then nothing like the Seafood Tower and a Mai Tai.

    If day time food is your direction, then Mermaids and Mimosas on the weekend give you a very different entertainment/food/beverage trifecta!

    Note: Crusing is gaining steam and you will need a place to stay and something to do before your trip!

  • NCL Encore Cigar Lounge

    NCL Encore Cigar Lounge

    In general, cruise ships are not friendly to cigar smokers. If they allow it, sometimes the aft area of the vessel will force the smoke to drift away. An inside area? Not very common!

    However, some cruise ships have put in cigar lounges. Aboard the NCL Encore, there is a cigar lounge. The lounge is next to two bars, one inside and one outside. The chairs are comfortable, and there is a big screen at one end of the room. Observation: 12 people max, more like eight would be the comfortable maximum.

    The steward/waiter assigned to this area comes around every so often for drinks, and they are your contact for the on-board humidor. It is small yet has enough options so you can find something you like including Cohiba and Macanudo. Another high point is the cigar smokers on board have been looking for this, so they generally enter the lounge friendly and ready to meet others with the same passion. 

    Every place or venue has some low points. Here they could have put in fewer chairs. An interesting facet is the ventilation system is supposed to be automatic. And it did not turn on most of the time, so the guests simply opened the door.

    Rating: B-. Could be bigger and fix those chairs and walkways, a little too much like a furniture storage room. And fix that ventilation system, so it actually works as intended. Compared to the other cruise ships that don’t have a lounge, it is nice to have one!

     

  • Small luxury cruising with Atlas Ocean Voyages

    Small luxury cruising with Atlas Ocean Voyages

    Story & Photos, Neil Wolkodoff

    Before Covid, cruising was undergoing a re-set with new ship and activity options. That hit the accelerator to cater to the changing market preferences. With their Next Gen ships, Atlas Ocean Voyages is touting a safer, seamless, and more convenient experience with a Lux-adventure theme.

    The Atlas Ocean World Navigator is a pinnacle-appointed, intimate ship in the world of floating hotels. Continue Reading

  • Cigars & Rum on Nevis: Caribbean Connection

    Cigars & Rum on Nevis: Caribbean Connection

    In the world of cigars, pairing the right cigar with the right beverage is a step up from just a good stick. In the Caribbean, there might be one cigar shop on each island.

    An easy to find sign directs you to L & L in Nevis

    On Nevis, Mark Theron has established a well-curated cigar shop and pioneered a unique spiced rum. If you can stop at L & L Rum Shop, you get a pairing you will simply find nowhere else, period.

    Mark Theron and Geraldine Davis, store manager enjoy one of their sticks                                                                                                                                                      .

    The rum side operation has the most extensive selection in the Caribbean. The star of the beverage show is their own Clifton Estate Rum

    The largest selection of Rums in the Caribbean

    Often, spiced rums just have too much spice and a tang that you are not accustomed to, so the palate gives a big NAY. Their spiced rum has an incredible balance and even appeals to those generally not fans of spiced rum. This has a bit of orange rather than vanilla, a welcomed change from the standard spice addition. You can purchase there duty-free, and shipments have started in select areas to the United States.

    Award-winning Clifton Estate Rum might be the best thing you can pack in your suitcase

    On the cigar side, the shop has an outstanding selection of cigars from many countries. When traveling, difficult to bring enough, and this is an excellent establishment to stock up during your trip. And since Mark makes the award-winning rum, he has stocked his humidor with smokes that go well with the drink. Medium to just above medium body seems to be the best for pairing with the rum. This would include the Rocky Patel Vintage 1990, and The Edge, also by RP. If a Cuban cigar is of interest, the Hoyo de Monterrey Robusto Petit Coronas are a good match.

  • Daniel Marshall, All Things Cigar!

    Daniel Marshall, All Things Cigar!

    Daniel Marshall is a man who might only sit still when smoking a cigar, and even then his mind is churning how to make the cigar experience better, more luxurious and more of an ah-ha moment.

    Daniel and Carlos Fuente Introduced the Daniel Marshall XXXVIII Anniversary Cigar at the big Campfire event in Austria at the end of last winter, and it is still going strong and garnering praise. It might be the ultimate smoke of 2020. This is a memorable, exclusive cigar.

    The “Daniel Marshall by Carlos Fuente XXXVIII Anniversary Cigar, Limited Edition 2020” has been made available to collectors at select world-wide Daniel Marshall Campfire events, and allocated to 38 of the world’s top tobacconists and elite hotels. The 38 locations represent one location for every year Marshall has been a part of the cigar world. The rare and elite DM-Fuente Cigar can be collected from Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, London, France, Belgium, Germany, Dubai, Qatar and for a limited time in the United States. Marshall will be hosting his signature “Modern Day Campfire” events at each of the 38 international destinations.

    Marshall and Fuente’s friendship has flourished since their meeting in 1982. They both toured the United States with Marvin Shanken’s Cigar Aficionado Magazine. Both men have contributed to the “Big Smoke Events” that led to worldwide cigar education, thereby fueling the cigar boom. Both Fuente and Marshall have received Lifetime Achievement Awards. So, when they make something together, it is going to be top-shelf.

    You can order the cigars directly and their special humidor at www.danielmarshall.com

  • Luxury In Paradise

    Luxury In Paradise

    The Best Luxury Hotel on Oahu

    When you think of Hawaii, you think of beaches, surf and Luaus. Well, you have to stay somewhere, and why not a luxury hotel that serves as the perfect springboard for all you activities.

    The Trump Hotel Waikiki is definitely the best luxury hotel on the island, as evidenced by five years running winning the Forbe’s travel award. No easy feat when you have to measure up in just about every area to immense scrutiny and tests.

    The hotel is on one end of the Waikiki strip, and adjacent to the Ft. Henry Museum, park and of course Waikiki beach. While smoking is frowned upon in Hawaii, there are numerous places close to the hotel where you can puff away.

    The magic of the hotel is first the location, and a close second is the amazing rooms. Each room either features a kitchenette or full kitchen, and more than ample seating areas. The bathrooms are 6-star with a huge vanity area and a walk in shower that could probably be a car wash.

    The amenities include a first rate fitness center and spa, both small but mighty in finish and offerings. The featured restaurant is Wai’olu Ocean Cuisine, a clever combination of craft cocktail bar, sushi house and Asian fusion restaurant. It is the home of the Worlds’ Best Mai Tai, so a great place to hang out before or after dinner.

    If you care to light up that stick while golfing, the Trump Resort has amazing connects to almost all the courses on the island. No, you can’t puff away in the hotel, but the concierge is adept at passing on those secret locations.

  • Cigar Pairing Dinner at Shotgun Willies

    Cigar Pairing Dinner at Shotgun Willies

    Shotgun Willies in Denver at first glance doesn’t seem like the ideal location for a cigar pairing dinner. But after you arrive, you see a private humidor and liquor storage area for members, and you know you are in the right place.

    The Cigar Pairing Dinner is the invention of Padre Ruiz, who is also the Cigar & Bar Manager. Being at Shotgun’s for 13 years, and seeing the increasing interest in cigars and pairings, both personally and professionally, Padre put the plan into action.

    The cigar pairing dinners occur every two months, and combines food, cigars and beverages. You don’t have to be a SW locker/humidor member to attend. Each dinner features a premium cigar manufacturer with their latest cigars and on-the-spot specials. Food is carefully crafted by Dirt $quad Kitchen with four to five courses, depending upon the evening. The food theme matches the beverage theme.

    For this event, the French courses were paired with Hennessy Cognac, progressing from Hennessy Black to XO and finishing with Paradis Imperial.  The empanada with orange-cranberry relish was carefully matched with Hennessy VSOP, while the steak au poivre was accented by Hennessy XO.  All events combine food selections and the best beverage companions for the ultimate experience.

    Cigars were in prominent focus with the attendance of Hamlet Parades, master craftsman and roller for Rocky Patel. Hamlet cigars were featured as the latest creation from Hamlet himself. His expertise was started by being born and raised in Havana, and spending 23 years in cigars before joining Rocky Patel four years ago. The Hamlet 25th Year, crafted in Nicaragua, is medium-bodied cigar combining a Ecuadoran Habano wrapper with a cedary note, a Pennsylvania Broadleaf binder, and Nicaraguan & Honduran fillers.Quite a testament to the expertise of Hamlet and his passion for cigar perfection. For additional questions and insight into specific cigars, local rep Crystal LaTour also aided in spreading the word on new Rocky Patel products.

    This is a limited seated event, right inside the show club. Tickets are $150 per person for the event, and with only 30 seats, tend to fill quickly upon announcement of the line up. Email for more information and your ticket to this special event if you are in the Denver area.

  • Big Smoke Travels to the Kitzbuhel Campfire

    Big Smoke Travels to the Kitzbuhel Campfire

    It is not often you can smoke a cigar with legends. Like all extraordinary events, the annual “Kitzbuhel Campfire” has become more like a raging bonfire with world-class cigars, spirits, and celebrities in a one of a kind location.

    This event, in its’ 5th year, coordinates with the Hahnenkamm Downhill, and lights it up from 4:00-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019. The ski race is the main event, yet here you can get up close and personal with legends with a bit of cigar comradery.

    The event has grown in a few short years to expand with luxury cigars, spirits and personalities all cemented by the appreciation of cigars, personal excellence, and comradery. The idea originated from collaboration between  private club visionary, Richard Hauser and Daniel Marshall, the leader in old-world humidor craftsmanship and unique cigars. Marshalls’ humidors are consistently rated number one by Cigar Aficionado while all of his cigars have earned an outstanding, or 92 rating.

    The event occurs at the Daniel Marshall Cigar Lounge at the Kitzbuhel Country Club in Austria. A testament to the reputation and vision of Marshall to have a cigar lounge named after his vision, accomplishments, and character. Limited Tickets are still available, make your request via email.

    Cigar Lounge Opening,
    Kitzbuhel Country Club.

    You puff away with the likes of former Governor Schwarzenegger, ski icon Marc Giradelli, Hauser himself and other cigar and sports notables. And yes, that smoking élan comes from the limited DM Red Label Cigar by Marshall combined with spirits from Padre Azul Tequilla.