As promised, finally, here is my account of my recent visit to Casa Del Habano in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The storefront was completely unobtrusive, with no gaudy signs denoting the store’s existence. I initially passed the store while observing an interesting federal building across the street. It was necessary to ring a bell to enter the shop. I must have passed muster because I was subsequently admitted. I was greeted by Natalia, the Habanos expert on duty, and shown the humidor. The humidor, as expected, contained a grand selection of Cuban puros. Natalia patiently allowed me to peruse the selection and intelligently queried me about my preferences and offered astute suggestions. I chose a R&J Petit Churchill, a Cohiba Siglo I, and a 5 pack of Jose L. Piedra Cetros. I had no intent to make large box purchases because I am fairly well stocked on my favorite Cubans. I was mainly seeking the experience. Natalia was puzzled by my 5-pack selection and shockingly asked, “you do realize that those are chopped tobacco?”. I laughingly explained to her that I needed some ‘lawn mowing cigar’s. Natalia was not confident in her English but, I assured her it was far better than my practically nonexistent Russian. She said that she had been taking lessons but, that they were terribly expensive.
I found about a dozen tins of tobacco at the counter (which, actually, made them one of the best stocked selections I encountered in Russia). There were SG, GH and Stanwell tins available. I already had plenty of the SG and GH that they offered and I could readily obtain the Stanwells Stateside if interested. Natalia confessed that she knew nothing about pipe tobacco. She asked me numerous questions about the tobaccos that they offered. I hope my answers will assist her if she has some future pipe tobacco customers.
I knew that they, like many Casa del
Habano, had a lounge. I asked about a place to smoke and have a latte. She explained that the lounge was now a separate entity adjacent to the Casa Del Habano because Cubatobaco no longer allowed non-Cuban cigars to be sold in Casa Del Habano and they offered a full humidor of other countries’ brands in a humidor in the lounge. She grabbed her keys and escorted me next door to the lounge. She unlocked the door to a wonderfully appointed lounge and I briefly looked over the humidor which, contained most of the brands that one would find at a quality US B/M. I took a table in the lounge, requested a latte, and lit the Churchill The table consisted of easy chairs, crystal ashtrays, complimentary long matches, torch lighter, and an atmosphere just this side of heaven. Natalia served my latte and allowed me to just relax and enjoy. I was the only patron (having arrived about 11am and staying well past the lunch hour) which added to the special ambience.
The prices were reasonable for a typical CDH. The selection was outstanding, I was treated like a millionaire. For those that are curious, there was a regional offering of a Ramon Allones. I passed on those because I have gravitated (that day’s smoke to the contrary) to smaller ring gauges (mostly coronas, petit coronas, and panatelas) and Ramone Allones are a bit milder than my preferred H Upmanns or Cohibas.
I recommend that others do not pass up the opportunity to enjoy a visit if they encounter a CDH in their travels. This one, in particular, is one that I will fondly remember
The storefront was completely unobtrusive, with no gaudy signs denoting the store’s existence. I initially passed the store while observing an interesting federal building across the street. It was necessary to ring a bell to enter the shop. I must have passed muster because I was subsequently admitted. I was greeted by Natalia, the Habanos expert on duty, and shown the humidor. The humidor, as expected, contained a grand selection of Cuban puros. Natalia patiently allowed me to peruse the selection and intelligently queried me about my preferences and offered astute suggestions. I chose a R&J Petit Churchill, a Cohiba Siglo I, and a 5 pack of Jose L. Piedra Cetros. I had no intent to make large box purchases because I am fairly well stocked on my favorite Cubans. I was mainly seeking the experience. Natalia was puzzled by my 5-pack selection and shockingly asked, “you do realize that those are chopped tobacco?”. I laughingly explained to her that I needed some ‘lawn mowing cigar’s. Natalia was not confident in her English but, I assured her it was far better than my practically nonexistent Russian. She said that she had been taking lessons but, that they were terribly expensive.
I found about a dozen tins of tobacco at the counter (which, actually, made them one of the best stocked selections I encountered in Russia). There were SG, GH and Stanwell tins available. I already had plenty of the SG and GH that they offered and I could readily obtain the Stanwells Stateside if interested. Natalia confessed that she knew nothing about pipe tobacco. She asked me numerous questions about the tobaccos that they offered. I hope my answers will assist her if she has some future pipe tobacco customers.
I knew that they, like many Casa del
Habano, had a lounge. I asked about a place to smoke and have a latte. She explained that the lounge was now a separate entity adjacent to the Casa Del Habano because Cubatobaco no longer allowed non-Cuban cigars to be sold in Casa Del Habano and they offered a full humidor of other countries’ brands in a humidor in the lounge. She grabbed her keys and escorted me next door to the lounge. She unlocked the door to a wonderfully appointed lounge and I briefly looked over the humidor which, contained most of the brands that one would find at a quality US B/M. I took a table in the lounge, requested a latte, and lit the Churchill The table consisted of easy chairs, crystal ashtrays, complimentary long matches, torch lighter, and an atmosphere just this side of heaven. Natalia served my latte and allowed me to just relax and enjoy. I was the only patron (having arrived about 11am and staying well past the lunch hour) which added to the special ambience.The prices were reasonable for a typical CDH. The selection was outstanding, I was treated like a millionaire. For those that are curious, there was a regional offering of a Ramon Allones. I passed on those because I have gravitated (that day’s smoke to the contrary) to smaller ring gauges (mostly coronas, petit coronas, and panatelas) and Ramone Allones are a bit milder than my preferred H Upmanns or Cohibas.
I recommend that others do not pass up the opportunity to enjoy a visit if they encounter a CDH in their travels. This one, in particular, is one that I will fondly remember
