Jungle Jim’s – A True International Emporium

Whenever and wherever I travel in the world I usually make it my business to search out cigar shops in the area I will be visiting. This past month after a traveling around the world I had to take a trip to the Cincinnati, OH area. I was so busy living out of a suitcase that I failed in my mission to search out a shop but I did bring my personal stash with me.

The first day I got in town in the late afternoon and went right to the hotel to check in. As I was walking up to the hotel entrance I notice a gentleman siting outside on the hotels front patio smoking a cigar. Being the social butterfly that I am I said “hello” and complimented him on the cigar and asked if he will be outside for a while to which he replied “yes”. I said “excellent, I will be down in a bit, if you don’t mind some cigar smoking company”. I checked in and but my belongings in the room, grabbed my travel humidor and headed back down to the patio to introduce myself. After some typical cigar chat and small talk I learned he visits the area quite often for business and he turned me onto a place known as Jungle Jim’s, which is but a stone’s throw from the hotel. I had heard of Jungle Jim’s but never actually been there so I made my business to check it out the next evening.

Jungle Jim’s

Now to start with, Jungle Jim’s is not a cigar shop per-se but the most amazing international super store emporium. Think Walmart meets Disney Epcot Center. Jungle Jim’s is a place that sells everything from groceries from around the world to sports equipment to beer wine and yes cigars. The list goes on and on, as does the maze of aisles and sites to see. As you walk in from the parking lot you quickly get the impression that this will be a journey and what a journey it was. I could have spent hours just walking around. They even have a bar that serves wine and beer for your shopping enjoyment.

I could go on and on about this experience but I was on a mission, to find the humidor. After a number of twists and turns and navigating the maze of walls and aisles I finally found my oasis. There it was, a huge walk in humidor waiting to be entered. I opened the door and the sweet aroma of Spanish cedar and tobacco filled my nostrils. I just paused to smell that wonderful intoxicating scent.

As I scanned the rows and shelves it was like a journey back through the last year of Stogie Press reviews. There was just an amazing collection of cigars. I learned later that there is over 2000 facings in this humidor. I could have spent another hour walking around it shopping for sticks. I decided to pick up some of my favorites like the Leaf by Oscar, a Padron 1926, and a Caldwell Long Live the King. Although I could have spent more time and money I decided it was time to pay for this new stash and head back to my hotel to enjoy. I made sure to pick up a few extra Leaf by Oscar cigars so I could share them my new-found Brother of the Leaf who never heard of them till now.

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After checking out, I spoke briefly to the cashier, a young man who definitely knew his cigars and complimented him on such a well-stocked humidor. He mentioned that if was in the area on the they have terrific smoking events outside (no smoking inside, sorry) on Thursdays and also Wine Tasting and Beer tasting events on the weekends along with Cooking Classes. Yea, I need a Jungle Jim’s here in Florida!