The Cigar Shop Aberdeen

The thing folks mention first about The Cigar Shop Aberdeen is that the whole store is the humidor. Walk through the door and you're already inside it, surrounded by the selection rather than staring at it through glass. It's one of the highest-rated cigar shops in the area, and once you've spent ten minutes here you understand why. The cigar wall runs deep. We're talking Arturo Fuente and Fuente OpusX, Padron, Davidoff, My Father, Oliva, Rocky Patel, Drew Estate, Ashton, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Plasencia, Tatuaje and plenty more, from everyday sticks to the special-occasion names like Prometheus God of Fire and El Septimo.

Pipe smokers are just as well looked after. Ask anyone who's recently picked up a pipe here and they'll point you to the tobacco, both bulk and tins, with blends from G.L. Pease, Cornell & Diehl, Sutliff and Kohlhase & Kopp, plus pipes from Savinelli, Peterson, Nording, Missouri Meerschaum and Brigham. There's a regular who's been buying Proprietors Blend for years and swears it's always fresh. You'll also find rolling papers and the accessories to round it out, including Xikar and Firebird lighters, Palio and Vertigo cutters.

The staff are the real draw. One fellow who was completely new to pipe tobacco came in and left set up with a rig and a blend close to the cigars he already liked, all thanks to a patient hand at the counter. That's the pattern here. Whether you're experienced or just starting, the crew knows their stuff and takes the time. Emmett has passed and Uta has retired, but the newer team has kept the tradition going without missing a beat.

Out back there's a comfortable lounge where you can settle in with your smoke and catch the game. Prices are fair, and the shop shares a rewards account with its sister stores in North Myrtle Beach and Indian Trail. Golfers heading out around Pinehurst and Southern Pines know to stop here first rather than settle for whatever's at the pro shop. Good spot, and Aberdeen is lucky to have it.