Stogiedog
27-07-2009, 03:32 PM
The Monday morning visit to the Dickens House Wine Eporium, Rochester Kent would suggest that Robusto and myself have been out reviewing wine for an event we might have planned. However not the case, we had information given to us by Misterbulgarin (I believe) that the Dickens House Wine Emporium had a selection of Cuban Cigars on offer.
Robusto and myself meet at a Tesco car park just outside Dover and proceded to drive to Rochester about 1 hour away. Parking was easy to find and as luck would have it we parked within 200m approx of the venue thankfully, as it was raining cats and dogs when we arrived.
The shop was on the hight street and easy to find, once inside we were immediately made welcome by two gentlemen, both introduced them selves, however being old and brittle I only managed to remember Mr Tony Howards name apologies. Robusto explained that we where only there to look at and potentially purchase Cigars. We all chatted for quite some considerable time about Cigars which was great. Thanks guys.
Both gentlemen had a very good knowldge of Cigars. Price lists were well laid out between aged and non-aged cigars. It became apparent that we had not long missed a Cigar event at the Dickens House which had included a cigar roller brought in for the event by Hunter & Frankau, the event which had started at the front of the shop during the day allowing passers by to watch the Cigar roller at work, then retiring to the rear of the Dickens House courtyard in the evening, which is well laid out with outdoor furniture, BBQ etc. Tony showed us some photos from the event, which looked great,what a shame to haved miss that event. I invited them to come and have a look at the UKCF site and maybe put a few lines up about there buisness they seemed quite open to the idea, so if your reading this Tony, welcome. (I told them Deano was the main man)
The shop has two well stocked humidor cabinets (not massive but bear in mind wine is there main sale item) with Cuban Cigars they also carry a smaller line in NC's. Robusto purchased a Montecristo Petit Edmundo and I choose a NC which I have yet to try. We were also given a small booklet which outlined all the known Comfortable Outdoor Smoking Areas in the UK, which was nice of them.
Overall a worth while visit to Rochester and the Dickens House Wine Emporium. If you are ever in Rochester give them a visit and pick yourself a Cuban up. There are not many places in the UK that you could say that about, and for me that is the essecnce of The Dickens House, not a massive establishment in terms of cigars, but good friendly advice and conversation where you can pick up a quality Cigar. I wish I could do the same in my home town. I believe that where possible we should support all small outlets as Cigar retailers are becoming a rare breed in the provincial areas, London members being well blessed.
Robusto and myself then went down the road to a little cafe / deli sat in the courtyard and demolished a couple of cigars with coffees, and of course when the cigars were lit the sun came out, it enhanced what for me had been a more than worth while morning trip to Rochester. As always Robusto's company was great thanks mate.
It is worth bearing in mind that the Dickens House might well serve as a good venue for a HERF, the only down side was that there was no covered area should it be a UK summer, perhaps we could arrange something with them? food for thought, certainly plenty of wine at hand.
Please see some photos taken on the day, none inside, a derelict of duty on my part I'm afraid. Below is there website link:
http://www.dickenshousewine.co.uk/
Robusto and myself meet at a Tesco car park just outside Dover and proceded to drive to Rochester about 1 hour away. Parking was easy to find and as luck would have it we parked within 200m approx of the venue thankfully, as it was raining cats and dogs when we arrived.
The shop was on the hight street and easy to find, once inside we were immediately made welcome by two gentlemen, both introduced them selves, however being old and brittle I only managed to remember Mr Tony Howards name apologies. Robusto explained that we where only there to look at and potentially purchase Cigars. We all chatted for quite some considerable time about Cigars which was great. Thanks guys.
Both gentlemen had a very good knowldge of Cigars. Price lists were well laid out between aged and non-aged cigars. It became apparent that we had not long missed a Cigar event at the Dickens House which had included a cigar roller brought in for the event by Hunter & Frankau, the event which had started at the front of the shop during the day allowing passers by to watch the Cigar roller at work, then retiring to the rear of the Dickens House courtyard in the evening, which is well laid out with outdoor furniture, BBQ etc. Tony showed us some photos from the event, which looked great,what a shame to haved miss that event. I invited them to come and have a look at the UKCF site and maybe put a few lines up about there buisness they seemed quite open to the idea, so if your reading this Tony, welcome. (I told them Deano was the main man)
The shop has two well stocked humidor cabinets (not massive but bear in mind wine is there main sale item) with Cuban Cigars they also carry a smaller line in NC's. Robusto purchased a Montecristo Petit Edmundo and I choose a NC which I have yet to try. We were also given a small booklet which outlined all the known Comfortable Outdoor Smoking Areas in the UK, which was nice of them.
Overall a worth while visit to Rochester and the Dickens House Wine Emporium. If you are ever in Rochester give them a visit and pick yourself a Cuban up. There are not many places in the UK that you could say that about, and for me that is the essecnce of The Dickens House, not a massive establishment in terms of cigars, but good friendly advice and conversation where you can pick up a quality Cigar. I wish I could do the same in my home town. I believe that where possible we should support all small outlets as Cigar retailers are becoming a rare breed in the provincial areas, London members being well blessed.
Robusto and myself then went down the road to a little cafe / deli sat in the courtyard and demolished a couple of cigars with coffees, and of course when the cigars were lit the sun came out, it enhanced what for me had been a more than worth while morning trip to Rochester. As always Robusto's company was great thanks mate.
It is worth bearing in mind that the Dickens House might well serve as a good venue for a HERF, the only down side was that there was no covered area should it be a UK summer, perhaps we could arrange something with them? food for thought, certainly plenty of wine at hand.
Please see some photos taken on the day, none inside, a derelict of duty on my part I'm afraid. Below is there website link:
http://www.dickenshousewine.co.uk/