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Travel Bob

Roken is dodelijk!

While we were traveling in Europe, Lara and I took advantage of the opportunity to smoke a variety of Cuban cigars in some incredible settings. In Amsterdam, we stopped by P.G.C. Hajenius, which has been in business since 1826 and features a wonderful art deco interior. We ordered a couple of Montecristos, a few double […]

While we were traveling in Europe, Lara and I took advantage of the opportunity to smoke a variety of Cuban cigars in some incredible settings.

In Amsterdam, we stopped by P.G.C. Hajenius, which has been in business since 1826 and features a wonderful art deco interior. We ordered a couple of Montecristos, a few double espressos and sat back to enjoy the place. They have a tobacco museum there that is interesting to wander through, and there’s also a display of all the different cigars and gauges they offer. A neat touch: A board room where you can hold meetings while puffing on your favorite cigar.

One thing was driving us crazy in Amsterdam: Every cigar store or tobacco stand we saw had the phrase “Roken is dodelijk!” on it. We finally broke down and asked someone what the hell it means. Smoking is dangerous. In Dutch.

On to Tallinn, Estonia, where we found a fantastic place to smoke a few Cubans. This time we tried the Cohibas in La Casa del Habano cigar shop, which is right in Tallinn’s Old Town. They had a full bar and an espresso machine that we kept busy while we were there. The most impressive part of this cigar store is the cavernlike walk-in humidor.

And then there was Paris, where we listened to jazz and smoked Qual D’Orsays at the Hotel Lutetia’s piano bar.

Overall, the Cubans aren’t cheap in Europe (about $20 each, on average) but they’re plentiful and they’re consistent. Some of the Cuban’s I’ve smoked in Jamaica weren’t too good and I strongly suspect they were counterfeits. I didn’t have that suspicion with any of the cigars we smoked in Europe. Just remember: Roken is dodelijk!

Now Playing: Nilentika – Tazana Kely (Trad. Madagascar, Arr. M. Moore) from the album “Happy Camp” by Available Jelly