Bilbao, Spain

[Blackham]

Will be stopping there for 2 days, hoping to grab some RE or aged stuff if possible

Would be wonderful if I can find something near the port.

Also can you smoke indoors in Spain? Any cigar lounges?

Would appreciate any tips

[cigcars]

I don't know anything about Bilbao but Spain is the prime place outside of Cuba to get the best of the best of its prime crop! Because Spain financially supports Cuba's cigar growing needs with farm equipment, fertilizer, etc., they get dibs on the best selections of cigars. Enjoy! Think of us who can only daydream about your cigar paradise experience!

[canadianbeaver]

As a lover of RE's, particularly as momentous of my travels, Spanish Editions top my list for flavour and smoke love.

And best price point in Europe too.

Bon voyage!

[Nino]

I don't know anything about Bilbao but Spain is the prime place outside of Cuba to get the best of the best of its prime crop! Because Spain financially supports Cuba's cigar growing needs with farm equipment, fertilizer, etc., they get dibs on the best selections of cigars. Enjoy! Think of us who can only daydream about your cigar paradise experience!

Allow me to respectfully disagree with your very broad statement and enthusiasm.

Being Spanish I often travel there and have rarely found a place where cigars are worse kept and selection is more dismal.

Having said that, there are a few cherished places where care is taken and cava owners have an idea of cigars.

Overall I'd much rather buy my cigars in Switzerland, the UK or Germany : better quality, storage and selection.

[Nino]

As for Bilbao cigar stores or cava de puros, try this one :

Estanco Alis

Gran Via López De Haro 24

Bilbao

Tel: 944 245 339

This store is from the 1930's, very traditional and well kept - I believe you'll find what you look for there.

----

Another store in Bilbao :

URQUIJO 21 CAVA DE PUROS

Alameda Urquijo, 21

48008 Bilbao

----------

As you mention that you're looking for a store "near the port", I guess you will be at the harbour proper which is Santurce, about 20 minutes by rail from Bilbao, located at the Nervion river mouth.

I grew up there and the food is very tasty - try the Calle Capitan Mendizabal street for great Basque food and Tapas ( or Pintxos as they are called there ).

Also try the local white wine, Txakoli with the food.

In Bilbao proper, try the old quarter, the "Siete Calles" area for excellent Tapas !

Have a good trip.

Nino

[cigcars]

Allow me to respectfully disagree with your very broad statement and enthusiasm.

Being Spanish I often travel there and have rarely found a place where cigars are worse kept and selection is more dismal.

Having said that, there are a few cherished places where care is taken and cava owners have an idea of cigars.

Overall I'd much rather buy my cigars in Switzerland, the UK or Germany : better quality, storage and selection.

Stood corrected! This was from some years back reading in my cigar books about Spain and its financial stake in the Cuban cigar industry.

[Nino]

Stood corrected! This was from some years back reading in my cigar books about Spain and its financial stake in the Cuban cigar industry.

No problem -

As for the fertilizer mention : I remember being in the Vuelta Abajo a few years back and the crop was severely damaged by the Cuban ministry using bad and cheap Venezuelan fertilizer that scre*w*d up the crop ...

The financial stake was indeed by Tabacalera SA but is no longer.

[Blackham]

Just back from the trip

first of all thank you Nino for the pointers. You are correct, the selection and the storage conditions in Bilbao cigar stores are pretty below par. To be honest I've spent all my cigar funds on the wonderful pintxos instead.

Visit to Estancos Alis was short yet pleasant, the lady tried her best to help me pick the cigars I want despite my broken Spanish. I spotted 1/3 box of a Monte 2 GR, a PSP quality box of Party Shorts, and some nicely aged Lusis. At the end I walked out with a fiver of 2000 Partagas de Partagas No. 1

Wonderful city to visit, cleanest street and subway I've seen out of the whole trip. I'd definitely revisit again for the pintxos and txakoli wine.

[arcticwingz]

just a general question, are there any good stores with good selection in northern spain? will be in Santander in December. thanks

[Haaltert]

just a general question, are there any good stores with good selection in northern spain? will be in Santander in December. thanks

I picked up a few nice boxes in the center of SAN Sebastián a few months ago. Saw at least 15 boxes of talisman at about 460€


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[Derboesekoenig]

1 hour ago, Haaltert said:

 

I picked up a few nice boxes in the center of SAN Sebastián a few months ago. Saw at least 15 boxes of talisman at about 460€


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That's a solid price if they still have them. Going rate has been $500-$550USD for them. But they should be drying up quick--I would say between now and November-ish they should be all gone.

[Haaltert]

That's a solid price if they still have them. Going rate has been $500-$550USD for them. But they should be drying up quick--I would say between now and November-ish they should be all gone.

I fully agree with you. But for some reason, I think this store still has plenty and this for a while. I was stupid enough only to bring 1


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[arcticwingz]

Great input, apart form talisman, i you happen to see any aged boxes of any kind of Trinidad?

[kuma]

Love Spain.  Can't wait to go back.  Stay at the Camper Hotel in Barcelona.  3 or 4 blocks from the Rambla.

Many places to buy quality cigars.  Price point for cigars are cheap compared with other countries.

Maybe the only two places that are better is FOH and Cuba.  Anyway love me some Spain.

 

[Haaltert]

I saw Reyes, Coloniales and Vigia, and half a box of fundies. Fundies had age but did not look too good. Other vitolas were max 2y old



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[99call]

On 9/27/2012 at 9:53 PM, nino said:

Being Spanish I often travel there and have rarely found a place where cigars are worse kept and selection is more dismal.

Haha, Yep,  was in Valencia last week, and although had a fabulous time, the selection/condition was slightly sad. That said I did score a nice greasy rosado box of Petit Royales and a nice condition box of 09 Mag 50. I think a saving grace for the Mag 50 was the box was so tightly sealed, that effectively they were protected from the what was going on outside!! ha

It was funny to see that all the merchants (when I entered the shops) had all very bad opinions of each other.

[Nino]

Funny,

this thread is over 6 years old .... ?

In the meantime I visited Bilbao ( 2 years ago ) and have a very good friend there who owns a cigar store with high quality Cuban cigars.

Here is my Bilbao trip report :

http://flyingcigar.de/startseite/spain-trip-2016-part-two-a-weekend-in-bilbao-with-inigo-and-alin/

[javonazul]

On 10/25/2018 at 1:54 AM, arcticwingz said:

just a general question, are there any good stores with good selection in northern spain? will be in Santander in December. thanks

There are more than decent stores in the North of Spain, most notable are San Sebastián and Logroño. In the latest, where I reside, there is one shop called Estanco de Julio de Miguel, which have a very nice little cava with excellent preservation equipment, and you will find some nicely aged cigars there. The owner, Julio de Miguel, is a person with 40+ years of experience in the cigar business, 1000 battles fought and imho one of the most knowledgeable guys about cigars in Spain. Him himself would be a reason to come to Logroño, buy some boxes there, enjoy some pinchos and Rioja wine. 

Hope you enjoy your visit to Spain anyway!

 

best,

Javier

[Nino]

19 minutes ago, javonazul said:

Him himself would be a reason to come to Logroño, buy some boxes there, enjoy some pinchos and Rioja wine. 

Hope you enjoy your visit to Spain anyway!

best,

Javier

@javonazul  Hope to visit you - and Julio de Miguel - soon in Logroño Javier !

The pinchos sound lovely and I've never been to that area.
Let's talk about this over a cigar or three  in Havana next month.

Un fuerte abrazo !

[javonazul]

2 hours ago, nino said:

@javonazul  Hope to visit you - and Julio de Miguel - soon in Logroño Javier !

The pinchos sound lovely and I've never been to that area.
Let's talk about this over a cigar or three  in Havana next month.

Un fuerte abrazo !

You bet you will come next year! As soon as the temp goes above 20

[arcticwingz]

Thanks Javier, truly appreciate the information, when i am there if you are free maybe we can meet for a smoke

 

[javonazul]

1 minute ago, arcticwingz said:

Thanks Javier, truly appreciate the information, when i am there if you are free maybe we can meet for a smoke

 

By all means! Please, let me know when you will come and I will happily meet you, introduce you to Julio and share a smoke together. 

Best,

JP

[arcticwingz]

20 hours ago, kuma said:

Love Spain.  Can't wait to go back.  Stay at the Camper Hotel in Barcelona.  3 or 4 blocks from the Rambla.

Many places to buy quality cigars.  Price point for cigars are cheap compared with other countries.

Maybe the only two places that are better is FOH and Cuba.  Anyway love me some Spain.

 

huge fan of spain, not just cigars, but food and history as well. i have been to barcelona many times, but in last 12 months noticed stocks of aged cigars is almost non existant, due to its volume in tourism, the stores are getting cleaned out. Cuba always great! ust got back from a 1 weeks trip in havana, good stock, saw talisman, la trove..

[kuma]

arcticwingz - thanks for the update.  well yes many tourists from all over the world.  Huge oceanliners dock there every day.

stands to reason no aged in the popular cigar stores.  Been up the coast to Costa Brava, Cadaques which is a town in the Alt Emporda comarca

in the province of Girona, Catalonia.  It is two and a quarter drive from Barcelona.  Salvador Dali kept a home in Port Lligat a small village on the bay

next to town and can be visited, wonderful place Cadaques.  In town they had a small cigar store that had aged D4's, Siglo II's and some Monty's.

Mind you this was 3 or 4 years ago.  Will get there again, soon. Thanks arcticwingz.

 

[NicLDN]

@Nino I'm soon travelling to Bilbao, does you friend have a store there - if so please provide details!  

Many thanks.  

Nic