Palma de Mallorca

[Nino]

We just returned from a vacation in Mallorca and while there I re-visited the best little Estanco in town -

Here's the story :

During our vacation in Mallorca we took a day off to drive down from Alcudia and visit the capital Palma and stroll its streets - which were full of like-minded other tourists.

I had made an appointment with Miguel, son of Toni Roig, the late owner of Palma's best Estanco located on Paseo Borne 20, right in the centre of the bustling city and next to some iconic locations.

We had been in contact since his father passed away much too soon shortly before his planned retirement, a loss that was felt throughout the cigar aficionado world where he enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for the best selection and service in the island.

See : http://www.flyingcigar.de/travel_cigars/2006_05_mallorca.php

and

http://www.flyingcigar.de/friends/2009_03_news_from_palma_de_mallorca.php

I was more than grateful for Miguel to take the time to see me as he does not run the Estanco, the meeting being a private one to chat about memories and to introduce me to the manager running the store.

While Inge did some shopping I spent an hour with Miguel and the energetic manager and very friendly gentleman Liberto who follows right in the footsteps of his mentor and who enjoys Miguel's confidence in running the cigar Cava and has implemented renovations and modernization of the small hole-in-the-wall store.

I found the RG Perlas, newly released into the Spanish market at 2,30 € a stick, a welcome vitola for a quick smoke, a good but a bit harsh and dry smoke. As there is no TC stamp on the bottom but just Totalmente a Mano you'd guess they are long-fillers. After smoking away almost a box of them and dissecting one stick I'm convinced they are.

Another cigar that is still widely available and that I saw at several stores is the VR Maestros ER España at 99 €, it even comes with a promotional cover praising "3 years of aging in the box" - guess stocks are full and the boxes are not exactly flying off the shelves, so I took advantage to add some to my stock.

Once again, I found that HSA will go out of its way for Spain and present nice gimmicks, like a MC Nr 4 travel humidor with 2 zippers that had space for accessories on top and 25 MC Nr 4 sticks at the bottom half - for the price of a regular box. Nice.

Also, all Spanish ER's were available - some of which came home to the village as well ...

As usual I noticed some important purchases by foreigners during my visit, some serious buyers, and it was good to see that, despite of the current local economic crisis, the Estanco maintains a solid and loyal base of customers visiting or residing in the island.

Despite the sadness of not having Toni around I was very happy to be back and see the Estanco run as perfect as it has always been.

This is a great tribute to the man.

Muchas gracias Miguel y Liberto !

Nino

Estanco Borne

Paseo Borne 20

Palma de Mallorca

For more pictures : http://www.flyingcigar.de/friends/2012_05_palma_estanco_borne.php

[cottierm]

Nice account as usual, Nino. A new address to add to my list!

Best,

Michel

[ChanceSchmerr]

Nino,

I recognize that Estanco! While my ship was in Palma before heading towards Libya, I believe that's the Estanco that I visited and bought a few boxes from - Trinidad Coloniales, RASSC's and ERDM Petit Coronas. They did not have any of the Sancho Panza RE's when I was in, otherwise I'd have gotten those too.

Very cool to see that place again, I will visit for sure! I never got to go into the humidor in the back - probably because my Spanish is not so good haha!

Thanks for the stroll down Memory lane!

-Chris

[mazolaman]

I'd recommend a trip up to the tramantana mountains, around Deja, a beautiful place.

I wish I had known about this place when i was in Palma....

[maverickdrinker]

thanks for sharing Nino. Glad to see you are enjoying life and posting again.

[MrDowse]

Anybody know what the duty free is like at Palma airport? I'm passing through there in a couple of days. Thanks.

[Ryan]

Great write up again Nino.

Any sign of the new Por Larranaga Legendarios yet?

I've heard rumours on a Spanish forum that they've been released.

[SokaKiel]

Thanks for your post Nino!

I've been to the Estanco in March when I worked in Palma and picked up a few Boxes, RA Grandes, VR Maestro and a small selection of all the other Spanish Re's.

With a bit of spanish and the intention to buy some caja's/Boxes I've been asked straight away into the Walk in! Very helpful guys down there.

The PL Legendarios are available as it seems, some guy posted pics of his souvenirs from Barcelona just the other day on a German page!

Fingers crossed my boat is going over there in the next weeks so I can pick up a box!

Just stocked up on french RE's in the last days...

[Nino]

Great write up again Nino.

Any sign of the new Por Larranaga Legendarios yet?

I've heard rumours on a Spanish forum that they've been released.

Thanks for your post Nino!

I've been to the Estanco in March when I worked in Palma and picked up a few Boxes, RA Grandes, VR Maestro and a small selection of all the other Spanish Re's.

With a bit of spanish and the intention to buy some caja's/Boxes I've been asked straight away into the Walk in! Very helpful guys down there.

The PL Legendarios are available as it seems, some guy posted pics of his souvenirs from Barcelona just the other day on a German page!

Fingers crossed my boat is going over there in the next weeks so I can pick up a box!

Just stocked up on french RE's in the last days...

Hi Andy,

yes, the PL Legendarios have been released - as SokaKiel correctly states - to the Spanish market and I received a picture and info from one of my "Estanqueros" there a few days back.

I'll send you a mail tonight with more details.

Here's the picture I received :

[Ryan]

Great to hear Nino thanks.

I'm headed towards Seville/Jerez/Cadiz for 2 weeks on June 30th, hoping to pick up a couple of these..