Durango Smoke Shop

Durango Smoke Shop has been part of the fabric of Durango, Colorado since 1976, and nearly fifty years in, it remains one of the best-regarded smoke shops anywhere around here. Sitting on North Main, it's the kind of place where the owner, Courtney, will spend real time with you figuring out exactly what you're after, whether that's a cigar for a special occasion or help picking the right pipe tobacco. Ask anyone who shops here and they'll point you to Courtney and Jim, who go out of their way to look after their clientele. The cigar selection is what people talk about most.

They stock plenty of rare and hard-to-find smokes, and they've got their own house line too, labeled Leyland, available in Connecticut, Cameroon, and Maduro wrappers in both toro and robusto. We've heard folks run through all three and come away impressed, describing a mild to moderate flavor with a hint of spice, an easy draw, and a consistent burn. One regular tucked a Narrow Gauge cigar in his humidor for five years, lit it recently, and swears it was still a great smoke. Beyond cigars, they carry pipe tobacco, cigarettes, rolling papers, hookah and shisha, and a nice range of accessories and smoking necessities.

If you're not sure what you want, just ask the staff what you're looking for. One of the best touches here is the lounge up front and the seating area out back on the porch, where you can actually settle in and enjoy what you bought. Courtney and Jim have been known to set folks up with glasses and ice for BYOB, which tells you how much they care about the experience. The shop stays clean and welcoming, there are dogs around to say hello to, and the service is genuinely knowledgeable.

If you're in Durango and after a cigar, this is a must-visit.