After fighting
traffic for the last two hours I finally turned down New Jersey's Route
10 East in search of what I heard was a cigar smoker's Mecca. There it
was! It had the appearance of a newly built office building rather than
Lew's hangout. As I stepped out of my car I couldn't help but notice that
there are cigar butts all over the parking lot - yep! I am in the right
place.
I walked in with really no preconceived expectations, but whatever
they were or weren't, it was not what I accepted - Perfume?? Yes - at JR
Cigar the first thing I was met with was a large store/section of fine
perfume. After taking a quick sniff under my arm, I determine that I was
okay and kept looking. Yes! There it is - "The Worlds Largest Cigar
Store" reads the sign hanging over the finely crafted double doors
to the humidor.
No amount of preparation could have prepared me for what lay before
my eyes. Picture a warehouse that's kind of homey. Directly in front of
me was an oval shaped cigar counter of singles that stretched the length
of the building which appeared to be 100 yards long. To my left are tables
with stacks of boxed cigars, lining the walls are shelves of more boxed
cigars. The back left corner of the humiror is a lounge like area that
would be just perfect after a busy day to kick back read your favorite
cigar magazine (supplied) and put flame to leaf. Lining the right wall
is a liquor store/section with every conceivable spirits that one could
want, they even had my choice for Bourbon - Blantons, a fine single barrel
bourbon that is worth the price.
Now the most difficult decision of the day - what do I smoke? You truly
can be paralyzed when given an over abundance of choices. Turning to the
helpful attendant, I was lead to my favorite choice, Montesino Caesar No.1,
then after being given a short "interview", I selected a JR Special
Jamaican Noble with a twisted end.
I decided to skip the lounge area in the back of the humidor and head
to El Ray Del Mundo, "The Bar for Smokers" as it is billed, which
is also attached to the humidor. Here I was presented with my seconded
paralyzing decision as I was given the menu of wines, ports, sherries,
brandy, cognacs, and beers. After enjoying a good beer and the good company,
I exited through the humidor and purchased a bundle of the Special Jamaican's
for my week long business trip.
JR Cigar, where you can get a fine bottle of perfume for the spouse,
a Macanudo golf shirt for the next trip to the links, a box of fine cigars,
a bottle of single barrel bourbon, and smoke a cigar over a good drink.
Now that's one stop shopping for the finer things in life! I left completely
satisfied and very glad that I took the two and one-half hour detour to
experience Lew's place. It's worth the trip!
