The Florida Marlins are a major supporter of Tobacco Free Florida so it was a real surprise, and pleasure for me to bump into “Billy” the team mascot. He was eager to share a few relaxing moments, in his otherwise hectic day, to smoke a cigar with me.

I don’t know how many of you have smoked the Nestor Miranda Special Selection, collaboration between Nestor Miranda and Pepin Garcia. Well, aside from the fact that the only size I can smoke is the Lancero – superb – as the others are these huge 56, 60 ring gauges.

Tremendously successful since their introduction, they have out done themselves with the Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20th Anniversary – commemorating the 20th anniversary of Miami Cigar & Company.

One size 7 x 56; two (2) wrappers: Habano Rosado or Habano Oscuro. Only 1,000 boxes of each were made; and placed with 100 select tobacconists.

I think they’re just fantastic, in spite of my disinclination to smoke ring gauges of that size. See what you think.

Here are a few real ‘golden oldies’ to visit when you’re traveling and need an oasis in which to enjoy a fine cigar.

Now, when I say, “oldies,” I mean the three (3) oldest tobacconists in America!

Iwan Ries Co., Chicago, IL (19. South Wabash Avenue, 2/F, Chicago, IL 60603 – 800.621.1457 – www.iwanries.com) not quite the grand daddy of them all, founded in 1857 and in the hands of the same family ever since.

This extraordinary emporium replete with the patina of age caters to discriminating cigar smokers; discerning pipe aficionados in a manner which is not very common in today’s America – if it ever was. With more than one hundred (100) different brands of cigars, and a pipe inventory, usually, in excess of 12,000 pipes, it is hard to walk out empty handed and say, “I couldn’t find what I wanted.” If Iwan Reis doesn’t stock it, chances are it isn’t made!

On Wabash Avenue, under the ‘El’ – elevated rail line for those of you not familiar with the accoutrements of major cities like Chicago. It has been there since I was a kid and, to the best of my knowledge, it has always been there. The neighbourhood grew up around the shop.

The lounge area, a fairly recent addition, is of all lounges at tobacconists, the one that most resembles a gentleman’s club. Whenever I am there, I think of Chicago’s Standard Club or Union League Club as regards the decorum and ambiance, and the familiar faces that gather most every day.

If you are a Chicagoan you probably know the place; if you don’t, you should. If you’re passing through; stop by, they’ll treat you like an old friend.