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JR Cigar in DC and John Crouch in Old Town Alexandria plus a review of three cigars
I just returned from my week in DC. While there I made it a point to visit
a couple of B&M stores to see what life is like for cigar smokers on the
east coast.
My first visit was to the JR Cigar store in DC. It was everything a good
store should be except that it didn't have a set smoking area. One had to
stand and wander rather than sit and contemplate. Of course, it had a huge
selection and the three men on duty were more than helpful. I bought 1 full
box and a single while there, a box of Partagas Black Classicos 54x5.25
@$65.99 for 20 (free hat included) and a single JR Ultimate Cabinet #40
54x5 @$79.95 for 25.
The JR Ultimate lit well and had an excellent burn and draw. It began spicy
with some earthy background tastes and smoothed out a bit as I got to the
middle. This was an excellent cigar, almost bargain priced. It had lots of
smoke, tons of flavor and it was multi-dimensional with all kinds of subtle
flavors going on. Unfortunately, I had to board the metro and only got half
through it so no report on the end.
The Partagas Blacks are my favorite cigar. Rich, creamy and loaded with
flavor. Every pull gives you a hearty smooth flavor with definite earthy
aromas and lots of cedar in the background. The burn is smooth, the wrapper
black and oily, I love this cigar. I usually buy the Tubos but with smoking
time getting more and more limited, I wanted a less time-consuming smoke.
This was a good compromise between the Tubos (a 60 min smoke) and the
shorter Robustos that end just as you get started.
All-in-all, I'd rate the JR store in DC a solid "A" for service, selection,
price and atmosphere. I just wish it had a lounge area but with DC property
costs as high as they are, I guess I should count my blessings that the
store exists at all.
My second visit was to a bar and eating establishment that offered eating,
smoking and libation called Shelly's Backroom Lounge on F and 14NW. I was
not impressed. It was crowded, loud, cramped and filled with cigarette
smokers. The food prices were a tad high, the food was just bar food, mostly
fried with very little special character. Seating was impossible and the
cigarette smoke made eating rather tough. Outside of the fact that they
allow smoking indoors, I'd pass on this one guys.
Dinner number three was down the street at a little Italian place called
Finomundo. The food was much better but alas, there was no smoking allowed.
Dinner for two including two glasses of house wine and an antipasto
appetizer was $100. Very pricy. Service was slow at best and we were served
bottled water @ $4.00 a bottle without being asked. I won't be returning
anytime soon.
Lunch at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse was better. Excellent service, super food
and of course, a super price. Lunch/Dinner for two with one beer and an ice
tea was right at $115 including the 20% tip. Non-smoking of course but the
rib-eye was perfect and the service was spot-on.
On Thursday I was in Old Town Alexandria and boy oh boy, did I strike it
rich there. First, I had lunch at the Fish Market restaurant on King street.
The fresh baked bread was perfect. The clam chowder was almost like ambrosia
and the crabcake sandwich was perfect. The bun was baked in house and
resembled an oyster cracker in shape. Lunch for two with drinks and tip came
to a tab over $38 and was well worth it. The day was cold and rainy so that
chowder just hit the spot. Service was quick, accurate and managed that rare
balance between being unobtrusive and yet fully responsive. I will go back
to be sure. Once again though, no smoking allowed.
From there I progressed up King street to a B&M called John Crouch
Tobacconist. This is a quaint shot that clearly caters to the Scottish
crowd. If you are looking for a neck-tie or a pin for your kilt all of which
carry your clan's crest or colors, this is the place to go. They have a
huge selection of pipe tobaccos and pipes. I've purchased their blends
before and if you are a fan of the English blends with lots of latakia, this
is your Mecca. I saw maybe 8 or 9 different latakia blends and of course,
they had all of the Virginia and Burley blends as well. The humidor is large
and well-stocked. The prices were equal to those at JR but the variety was
not nearly so expansive. (The shop is only a quarter the size so one would
expect this) I purchased a Punch Champion Natural 60X4.5) @ $4.90 ea. I
honestly didn't like it. The shape was interesting, a sharp taper from maybe
30 ring size out to 60 ring size and a reverse taper back to 50 ring size in
the last half inch of the cigar. It lit well and the draw was perfect.
However, I found the taste one dimensional and slightly bitter. As the smoke
progressed it became harsh and even more bitter. I suspect that pulling all
of that smoke down to such a small end concentrated too much tar at the
taste buds. To be fair though, I am not a big fan of Punch cigars and this
one tasted much as all Punch cigars do to me. Take that for what it's worth.
I like the shop though. The two guys working it were friendly and attentive.
They answered a number of questions a companion of mine had about a clan tie
and worked pretty hard to get him one with the correct tartan print and
weave. I'd have to say that if you were in OT Alexandria and didn't visit
this shop, you would be missing out, it's a keeper.
So that was my week. I hope some of you find this useful info.
--
R J Talley
Teacher/James Madison Fellow
"What? Me Worry? Alfred E Newman
a couple of B&M stores to see what life is like for cigar smokers on the
east coast.
My first visit was to the JR Cigar store in DC. It was everything a good
store should be except that it didn't have a set smoking area. One had to
stand and wander rather than sit and contemplate. Of course, it had a huge
selection and the three men on duty were more than helpful. I bought 1 full
box and a single while there, a box of Partagas Black Classicos 54x5.25
@$65.99 for 20 (free hat included) and a single JR Ultimate Cabinet #40
54x5 @$79.95 for 25.
The JR Ultimate lit well and had an excellent burn and draw. It began spicy
with some earthy background tastes and smoothed out a bit as I got to the
middle. This was an excellent cigar, almost bargain priced. It had lots of
smoke, tons of flavor and it was multi-dimensional with all kinds of subtle
flavors going on. Unfortunately, I had to board the metro and only got half
through it so no report on the end.
The Partagas Blacks are my favorite cigar. Rich, creamy and loaded with
flavor. Every pull gives you a hearty smooth flavor with definite earthy
aromas and lots of cedar in the background. The burn is smooth, the wrapper
black and oily, I love this cigar. I usually buy the Tubos but with smoking
time getting more and more limited, I wanted a less time-consuming smoke.
This was a good compromise between the Tubos (a 60 min smoke) and the
shorter Robustos that end just as you get started.
All-in-all, I'd rate the JR store in DC a solid "A" for service, selection,
price and atmosphere. I just wish it had a lounge area but with DC property
costs as high as they are, I guess I should count my blessings that the
store exists at all.
My second visit was to a bar and eating establishment that offered eating,
smoking and libation called Shelly's Backroom Lounge on F and 14NW. I was
not impressed. It was crowded, loud, cramped and filled with cigarette
smokers. The food prices were a tad high, the food was just bar food, mostly
fried with very little special character. Seating was impossible and the
cigarette smoke made eating rather tough. Outside of the fact that they
allow smoking indoors, I'd pass on this one guys.
Dinner number three was down the street at a little Italian place called
Finomundo. The food was much better but alas, there was no smoking allowed.
Dinner for two including two glasses of house wine and an antipasto
appetizer was $100. Very pricy. Service was slow at best and we were served
bottled water @ $4.00 a bottle without being asked. I won't be returning
anytime soon.
Lunch at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse was better. Excellent service, super food
and of course, a super price. Lunch/Dinner for two with one beer and an ice
tea was right at $115 including the 20% tip. Non-smoking of course but the
rib-eye was perfect and the service was spot-on.
On Thursday I was in Old Town Alexandria and boy oh boy, did I strike it
rich there. First, I had lunch at the Fish Market restaurant on King street.
The fresh baked bread was perfect. The clam chowder was almost like ambrosia
and the crabcake sandwich was perfect. The bun was baked in house and
resembled an oyster cracker in shape. Lunch for two with drinks and tip came
to a tab over $38 and was well worth it. The day was cold and rainy so that
chowder just hit the spot. Service was quick, accurate and managed that rare
balance between being unobtrusive and yet fully responsive. I will go back
to be sure. Once again though, no smoking allowed.
From there I progressed up King street to a B&M called John Crouch
Tobacconist. This is a quaint shot that clearly caters to the Scottish
crowd. If you are looking for a neck-tie or a pin for your kilt all of which
carry your clan's crest or colors, this is the place to go. They have a
huge selection of pipe tobaccos and pipes. I've purchased their blends
before and if you are a fan of the English blends with lots of latakia, this
is your Mecca. I saw maybe 8 or 9 different latakia blends and of course,
they had all of the Virginia and Burley blends as well. The humidor is large
and well-stocked. The prices were equal to those at JR but the variety was
not nearly so expansive. (The shop is only a quarter the size so one would
expect this) I purchased a Punch Champion Natural 60X4.5) @ $4.90 ea. I
honestly didn't like it. The shape was interesting, a sharp taper from maybe
30 ring size out to 60 ring size and a reverse taper back to 50 ring size in
the last half inch of the cigar. It lit well and the draw was perfect.
However, I found the taste one dimensional and slightly bitter. As the smoke
progressed it became harsh and even more bitter. I suspect that pulling all
of that smoke down to such a small end concentrated too much tar at the
taste buds. To be fair though, I am not a big fan of Punch cigars and this
one tasted much as all Punch cigars do to me. Take that for what it's worth.
I like the shop though. The two guys working it were friendly and attentive.
They answered a number of questions a companion of mine had about a clan tie
and worked pretty hard to get him one with the correct tartan print and
weave. I'd have to say that if you were in OT Alexandria and didn't visit
this shop, you would be missing out, it's a keeper.
So that was my week. I hope some of you find this useful info.
--
R J Talley
Teacher/James Madison Fellow
"What? Me Worry? Alfred E Newman
"R J Talley" <omgb@ca.rr.com> wrote:
>I just returned from my week in DC. While there I made it a point to visit
>a couple of B&M stores to see what life is like for cigar smokers on the
>east coast.
>
>So that was my week. I hope some of you find this useful info.
Thanks for multiple reviews! ;-)
>I just returned from my week in DC. While there I made it a point to visit
>a couple of B&M stores to see what life is like for cigar smokers on the
>east coast.
>
>So that was my week. I hope some of you find this useful info.
Thanks for multiple reviews! ;-)
On Sun, 6 Apr 2008 10:23:41 -0700, "R J Talley" <omgb@ca.rr.com>
wrote:
>I just returned from my week in DC. While there I made it a point to visit
>a couple of B&M stores to see what life is like for cigar smokers on the
>east coast.
>
Excellent read, thanks.
CigarBaron
wrote:
>I just returned from my week in DC. While there I made it a point to visit
>a couple of B&M stores to see what life is like for cigar smokers on the
>east coast.
>
Excellent read, thanks.
CigarBaron
