JO Cigars

At JO Cigars in Cape Coral, the cigars are hand rolled right in front of you, and that alone makes the place worth the trip. Walk in and there's a decent chance the rollers are at work, turning out sticks on the spot. One visitor described watching them roll three cigars before he even left. If you've never seen that up close, it's a real experience, and locals will tell you it's part of what makes JO's different from the average cigar shop. The shop is run by Jo and Ovel, third and fourth generation tobacco farmers, and the house blends are the heart of it all.

We hear there are well over two dozen specialized blends, with tobacco sourced from some of the best growing regions in the world. Regulars keep coming back for the J.O. White Label robusto and the darker maduros, and folks who know their smokes have put those house sticks right up alongside names like Oliva. Ask about the "fat and sweet" 60 gauge if you want a local favorite. J.O.

Cigars and Don Pablo both show up here, and the humidor is worth a slow look. The word around Cape Coral is that the value is hard to match. People talk about picking up sticks for a couple dollars that smoke smoother than the pricier boxes at other shops, with clean construction and an easy draw. That kind of quality for the money is why this spot has earned such a strong reputation, and why people from all over the area seek it out. The team is generally warm and knowledgeable, happy to talk through the house blends and point you toward something that fits your taste.

We've heard the odd note that a roller or two can be quiet, but the owners tend to step in and get you into the humidor. This is their second location, with the original over in Fort Myers. For hand crafted cigars in Cape Coral, JO Cigars is one you'll want on your list.