Caribbean Cigars

If you talk to cigar people around Miami, Caribbean Cigars comes up fast, and usually with the same verdict: best cigar shop in the 305. That is a big claim in a city that takes its cigars seriously, but the folks who shop here stand behind it. The selection is what pulls people in. This is a spot known for boutique sticks, the hard-to-find stuff you won't see everywhere, alongside the names any serious smoker expects.

Walk in and you'll find far more than the usual suspects, and the shelves seem to have something new every week. The lineup on hand runs deep. You'll find Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, Drew Estate, AJ Fernandez, Crowned Heads, Aganorsa, Aladino, Atabey, Curivari, Black Label Trading Company, Crux, C.L.E., Cavalier, 1502 and Caribbean Cigars' own label, plus plenty more boutique names for the aficionado who likes to explore. As one regular put it, you can come by every week and always find something fresh to try.

The owner, Alan, is the heart of the place. People talk about him by name, and the word around Miami is that he's kind, genuinely knowledgeable, and happy to steer a new smoker or trade notes with a seasoned one. We've heard he'll toss in a bonus stick with certain purchases, and there's a friendly dog who's become part of the experience. When an issue came up with an order, one shopper said Alan sorted it out and packaged everything with real care.

It's the kind of shop where you meet interesting characters and end up staying longer than you planned. Now and then someone walks away unhappy, but that runs against the grain of how most locals feel about this place. The shop stays open late, which regulars appreciate for an evening stop. If you're after boutique cigars in Miami and want a real brick-and-mortar with someone behind the counter who knows his stuff, Caribbean Cigars earns its reputation.