Have had a number of cuban cigars, some that were easily verified as authentic and some that were dubious at best. Can't say I see what all the fuss is about them, mediocre smokes at best in my book. I guess that is a good explanation for why there are so many different kinds of cigars though; everybody has a different palate.
Just moved apartments, and found I'm right near a nice little cigar shop. Perhaps a bit elitist, I walked in past a 87 Ferrari, a McLaren, and a brand new Challenger, and was immediately greeted to a loud discussion of politics.
However, they were very pleasant in dealing with me, and even took the time to chat with me a bit about favorite cigars, and such.
And the best part is my A Fuentes were only $6 a piece. Picked up an Asylum 13 on recommendation, but was not terribly pleased.
Sounds like you found a good one. Finding a cigar shop you like can be rough sometimes, some cigar shops are friendly and don't care what vehicle you pull up in or how you dress or how much you know about the hobby (cigar smoking is a hobby), others are the opposite.
The worst experience I can recall went like this: pull up to a cigar shop on my way home from work, still wearing my newly stained work shirt and pants. The place is fairly new (had only opened up about 4 months earlier) and I wanted to buy $60 to $100 worth of cigars for a party that Friday. I was the only customer in the place, made eye contact and said hello to the worker behind the counter who was wearing a bleached and pressed, button down with a tie. no response, no nod, nothing. Look around in the humidor for about 15 minutes, worker never came in to make a suggestion or to ask if I would like some help finding something. Finish up selecting the cigars (9 sticks total), walk up to the register. After loudly exhaling through his nose and reluctantly getting up off the stool he was perched on, the worker rings up my total. I hand him the credit card, he informs me "I'm sorry sir, but we don't take credit cards for purchases of less than 10 cigars. Store policy" Somewhat stunned, I look around for a sign posting the policy; none in sight. Hmmm, "OK, I'll pay with cash" Finish up the transaction and I unwrap a cigar and go to sit on the couch in the designated public lounge area to have a smoke while rush hour traffic dies down. The worker pipes up "sir, the public lounge area is currently closed." I look around at the TV's that are on, the ash trays with ash still in them, and the lack of a sign showing the public lounge as closed. "Ok, so I can use the members lounge instead right?" "No sir, that lounge if for members only." "alright guy, I'll take the hint." (every time the guy called me "sir" it was with that tone and inflection of voice that really means "I'm calling you sir because I have to")
Checked the online reviews for the place once I got home and it was one bad review after another, seems that if you didn't have the banker/investor/CEO look then this store wasn't interested in your repeat patronage. Satisfyingly enough, the place shuttered about a year later and was replaced by a spay tan shop.
