The Only Walk-In Humidor in Ireland?

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dermotfahy

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 14, 2013
166
0
I was at the Peterson website, (http://www.peterson.ie/) and I see that they lay claim to having the only walk in humidor in the whole of Ireland! It seems to be a rather small one as well. Can anyone confirm this? Does Ireland really only have one?

 

rebornbriar

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 21, 2013
250
1
United Kingdom
I live in Ireland..... what is a walk in humidor? LOL
There is only one specialist tobacco shop north of the border in Belfast. The whole shop isn't even big enough to be a walk in humidor! So I imagine the Peterson one is the single representative.

 

dermotfahy

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 14, 2013
166
0
That seems almost uncivilized... Although I suppose that Irish whiskey makes up for it somewhat. (And of course, Peterson of Dublin.)

 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,699
16,207
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
I've not traveled the entire island but it is the only one I've seen. Not a one in Galway or any of the larger town I've been in.
Smoking is no longer allowed in the pubs. Most pubs and hotels now have covered smoking areas outside and a few have heat, very few. The smoking exclusion has given rise to "smirting" which means "smoking and flirting." Lads and lassies take their pints outside to smoke and chat each other up. It's really quit civilized when the weather is not too cold.
Still, I miss the smokey smell and thick air. On the positive side women are not relegated to the snugs any longer. The music and conversation is still Ireland, only the smoke is missing. Tthere are many fewer pubs these days as more people drink at home due to the smoking ban and increased enforcement of the drunk driving laws. A lot of publicans have closed their doors.
It's best to go out to the west of Ireland if you want to find some remnants of the 50's. Progress is such a pain sometimes! I like to hang out in Roundstone, Co. Galway or somewhere in Co. Mayo. I find Dublin is now just a large European City and very tourist oriented.
Didn't mean to turn this into a travel log.

 

fnord

Lifer
Dec 28, 2011
2,746
8
Topeka, KS
Warren:
No worries about the travel log, pal. You're in the General Discussion area and the gloves are off.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, loves a smoke filled saloon more than me but I also love the English language.
You wrote:
"On the positive side women are not relegated to the snugs any longer."
Brother, what are "snugs"?
Thanks,
Fnord

 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,699
16,207
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Snugs usually are a pair facing benches with a table between them. Sometimes segregated into a separate room or at least partially obscured by some sort of screening. I've been in a couple of really old pubs in which the snugs were almost tiny rooms. Women and children were only welcomed into the pubs during the day years ago (in some areas not that many years ago) and neither were expected to appear in the main pub area except to get drinks and food. No wait staff in a pub. One orders at the bar and waits, in the case of a pint of Guinness until it is "ready," while the order is filled.
Many pubs still have the snugs and they are still usually, somewhat segregated from the main bar area. Now days they are occupied by couples interested in a bit of privacy for conversation. IfyouknowwhatImean. Public displays of affection are still frowned upon.
I should also take a minute and clarify my Dublin observation. If you have Irish blood or an interest in Irish history a two or three day visit to the city in mandatory. Museums, the General Post Office and other sites of "The Rising" should be visited. Of course Peterson's is a stop I always make, Dublin is easily accessible by train from most every large town. I take day trips and avoid expensive hotels. It is a city of wonderful parks, historic architecture, wide boulevards and very narrow streets, picturesque bridges, street performers, etc.
Dubs tend to look down their noses at the country Irish (anyone not living in Dublin). The Irish living in the country and other towns and villages live with the knowledge that Dubs are Irish in name only with their Euro culture and lifestyle. It is similar to America where everyone in New York City is sure that the rest of the countrymen are rubes and hill folk. I suspect that its pretty much the same the world over.

 

flakyjakey

Lifer
Aug 21, 2013
1,117
7
@dermotfahy, I've seen a couple. I even walked into one, once, in my cigar-smoking days! It was in Barcelona, Spain, and stocked only Havana cigars, at good prices - you'll always get a better price on Cubans in Spanish territory. The others have been in major airports, again for expensive cigars.
So, why does the Dublin Peterson's shop boast one? For pipes? I like to smoke a dry pipe! lol For pipe tobacco? As far as I'm aware all Peterson's pipe tobaccos come in sealed tins! Surely no need to humidify them? LOL
I'm hoping against hope that the Peterson's shop you refer to is not selling cigars! Shocking!!
In any case the climate in Dublin is so moist that there seems no need for further humidification! LOL

 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,699
16,207
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
The lower level is well stocked with cigars. There is a jpg of it on their web site. That is where the humidor is located. Peterson also has another shop located a few blocks from the main store. If I remember correctly it is north on Grafton and take a left. I forget the name but have been referred there by Peterson staff when they don't have the model I'm looking for.
As an aside, the last time (March of this year) I was in the store the manager told me that they were in the process of rebuilding their web page with the goal of providing better sales on-line. Haven't, as yet, seen any indication of that. Further, he told me to call him anytime and he would personally select the style and inspect it prior to shipping. I'm going to do just that very soon as I need one more, maybe two, silver caps. They're the perfect pipe outside in the wind and cold of an Alaskan winter.

 

flakyjakey

Lifer
Aug 21, 2013
1,117
7
@warren, I have enjoyed your well-written posts on this topic, but a word of warning on new, high price Peterson's, especially perhaps those with significant silverware. Most of my posts are 'jokey' but this one isn't:
1. Inspect the pipe very carefully YOURSELF before accepting it, and particularly before you smoke it.

2. Make sure a silver ferrule fits perfectly with the stem and mouthpiece and that it is 'flush' with both. I bought a "Hansom" recently where this was not the case.

3. If the pipe has a silver cap, make sure it is fitted exactly square and not slightly squint, and that it is pinned properly. Again I have a silver capped Peterson's where this was not done perfectly.

4. Make sure the briar has a 'natural' finish and does not have a 'varnished' appearance to it.
I now have two expensive Peterson's where 2-4 apply. They smoke well, but they are not what I paid for! I should have scrutinised them before smoking, but I liked the look of them so much I didn't hold back.
BTW, these pipes have been examined by rebornbriar, who has restored more Peterson's than I've had hot dinners, and he agrees with me on all these build/cosmetic points. Furthermore, one of the pipe cogniscenti on this forum ( 'foggymountain' ) has put out repeated warnings about the quality of some new Peterson's.
Having said that, my other 10 Peterson's are perfect and all are great smokers. IMO you just need to be more careful than I was! LOL (not really)

 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,699
16,207
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Thanks for the admonition.
This Silver Cap, or maybe these, will be the first pipes I have not personally fondled and eye balled prior to purchase. As I have, I wish I could find his card, a handshake guarantee I'm not particularly worried regarding the fittings and finish. I will, of course closely scrutinize the pipe prior to filling and smoking.
I actually purchased a pipe while I was at the store last. While inspecting it I found a dent on the bottom of the bowl. The pipe had been dropped, obviously, probably on the thin napped carpet of the store. That's the kind of value I look for. 20% percent off and a free lighter! Smokes fine and I'm too damned old and flawed myself to worry too much about about a superficial ding. If I spot any serious flaws the pipe will find itself quickly returning the island for replacement or refund if a suitable reduction in price cannot be agreed to.
I might just personally return it on the next trip. I really love that little island!

 
Aug 14, 2012
2,872
123
How common are they outside of Ireland? I have only been in two, one in the cote d'azur in France, the other in NYC, at the old Peterson's Pipe Shop, where I worked as a a teen (now Barclay Rex).

 

flakyjakey

Lifer
Aug 21, 2013
1,117
7
@warren, not an admonition, just an admission from a careless customer! LOL I hail from the Emerald Isle, and it is indeed beautiful, if damp! LOL There is no friendlier people than the Irish!!!

 

dermotfahy

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 14, 2013
166
0
How common are they outside of Ireland?
If you mean walk in humidors, three of the four B&M shops where I live have one, the fourth might have one for all I know, I haven't been in it.

 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,699
16,207
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Both tobacconists in Anchorage have walk-in humidors. The stores are predominately "head shops" as that is where the market is. But, cigar smoking is still a large part of the tobacco market here. The rooms are well built and glassed in so that the customer can see the inventory prior to entering. Neither of the stores really cater to the pipe smoker with regard to tobacco and pipe selection. "Drug store" tobacco makes up the inventory and pipes are not name items, nor are they in quantity. Glass and stone pipes make up the bulk of the selection. There are a few pouches, tools and one or two ash trays with the corks. I've been forced to become a mail order customer in the years since the real store closed.
If walk-in humidors are becoming rare I suspect it's because the owners do not want to dedicate expensive square footage to cigars. What with the need to install humidification and sealing the room it all adds up to unnecessary costs if cigars are not "paying their way."
We, the smokers, are a loathsome bunch these days. Terribly politically incorrect! I do rather like the notoriety though, and revel in the smug, glowering looks I receive walking down the street wreathed in a cloud of smoke. I've been known, sometimes I hate myself, to take a heavy drag on a cigar or cigarette prior to entering a no-smoking area so I can exhale in the store. So . . I well deserve the sneers and tut tuts. It's my little, not so subtle act of rebellion.
Although I sometimes receive a smile and a comment along the lines of, "That smell reminds me of my father (grandfather). Smells nice!" A compliment destroys the entire effect I was striving for and makes me feel grand.

 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
11,699
16,207
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Dear Mr. Jakey, or may I call you flakey?
Maternal grandparents, Irish. Paternal grandparents Scots-Irish, Talk about conflicted youth. I never know if I should carry the beads or wear the Orange. Just kidding. I fly the tri-color at home on certain days, never the cross. I keep my political opinions to myself when in the north and the south also, unless I am with friends. Republic and loyalist hates are always just below the surface. So I usually6 address the weather, economy, and of course, where the best pint can be found.
It took me a while to learn not to ask directions from a working man. He'll usually drop every thing and lead you, driving his rather large tractor on a tiny, one lane road, to where you want to be. Wonderful people, genuine salt of the earth!
If I let a Garda know that I'm a retired copper, I quickly learn all of the places to see, drink or eat at, and the places to avoid in the local area. Of course I can accomplish the same simply by buying a local a pint while in a pub.
Every year or two I have to return to Ireland just to restore my faith in man-kind.

 

rebornbriar

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 21, 2013
250
1
United Kingdom
Great to read such wonderful comments about our people, despite our petty internal wranglings :)
One of the oldest pubs in Belfast still has the original snugs. The Crown Liquor Saloon in the City Centre:
Here are pictures of the closed off snugs running along one side of the bar:
crown-liquor-saloon.jpg


Satellite

If you want to see some more pictures of this beautiful pub, look up the Google images here:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=crown+bar+belfast&newwindow=1&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5hRHUojSDurw4gTOyoGgCw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=880&dpr=1#imgdii=_
As a bit of history, the inside of this pub was recreated in minute detail in a film studio for a film starring James Mason, the title eludes me now.
It is now a national treasure and owned by the National Trust. It is right opposite the Europa Hotel which has the infamy of being the most bombed hotel in Europe. Every time a bomb went off outside the Europa, the windows of the Crown were blown in. These had to be re-built each time from the original shards of glass recovered from the wreckage to maintain its originality. It is still lit by gas mantle lanterns. A must visit if you are ever in Belfast.
Warren, your comment about asking for directions reminded me of a great video done by a fellow BOB from Dublin, now living in Amsterdam. He made this during one of his visits home for a bit of craic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrtSCfULoyw

 

flakyjakey

Lifer
Aug 21, 2013
1,117
7
@warren, you can call me WTF you like and I will never be offended. My late dad was from N Ireland and we are descended from the Huguenot's. Despite being from the 'orange' side, neither my dad nor any of his descendants were/are in the remotest bigoted. My paternal grandmother was from Campbeltown in Scotland, just a stone's throw from N Ireland. So, like you, I am awash in Irish/Scottish blood, and I am proud of both.
I have spent most of my life in Scotland, but in the 80's played for 'London Irish' RUFC and was amazed (especially in those days) that no one knew, or wanted to know, which 'foot you kicked with' (ie a 'Proddy Dog', or a 'Mick'). In rugby, as in all sports, the Irish are the best losers, and the best winners in the world! (as winners, they never, ever rub it in).
I love being half Irish, quarter Scottish and quarter English. And there is no better place to be, for the crac, than with a bunch of 'paddies' after an International, win or lose!! LOL

'

 

tdone

Lurker
Jul 17, 2013
3
0
welll,
depends on where you are at these days. The Decent Cigar Emporium does the best it can given the stringent limitiatations on tobacco product display regualations. Toward the end of Grafton Street. PersonallyI wouldn;t rank Petersons/Foxes outside of fine young lads keeping a job.
Toward Waterford you can look to World of Wines on Dunmore Road. Again you have to ask but they get em from Decent Cigar so your paying carrying charges
If its a pub that still, still does not allow tourists nor women-Thomas Mahers is your man in Waterford.
Then again, it took a long time for Irish lads to cop on to the fact that Subaru have geared their US profits to marketing to the "alternative lifestyle" shall we say.

 
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