Gulf Wind Cigars

Gulf Wind Cigars is exactly the kind of spot Santa Rosa Beach had been waiting for, and locals will tell you it filled a real gap in the area. Step inside and you find a genuine cigar lounge: high ceilings, leather sofas and chairs, comfortable seating spread across a spacious room, and a well-ventilated space that keeps the air easy even on a busy afternoon. There is outdoor seating too, so you can settle in with your favorite stick either way.

The humidor is a big one, and word around town is it keeps filling out. Regulars come for premium cigars including names like Padron, Fuente and Pepin, and the talk among locals is that Lars Tetens may be joining the lineup soon. Prices are reasonable across a good selection, and if you are not sure what to reach for, the owner is happy to walk you through the choices.

Ask anyone who has spent an afternoon here and they will point you straight to him: friendly, knowledgeable, and the kind of host who makes newcomers feel like regulars. Beyond cigars, there is beer and wine on hand and more TVs than most folks can count, usually tuned to sports. It has become a real gathering spot, whether you are catching a game with friends or unwinding after work with colleagues.

One regular summed it up well, calling it a welcome addition for cigar aficionados in the area. With smoking accessories rounding out the shop, Gulf Wind Cigars has quickly become one of the best-regarded cigar spots around Santa Rosa Beach. People who shop here keep coming back, and if you are in town, it is an easy place to lose an hour or two.