Casta Cigars Co.

Casta Cigars Co. is the kind of place cigar people talk about with real excitement once they find it, and in York, Pennsylvania that word travels fast. Locals will tell you this is a small company doing something rare: hand rolled cigars made in small batches right here, with no additives. Ask anyone who has spent an afternoon here and they will describe it less like a shop and more like a boutique built around the craft, a high end house tucked into a central PA town. The cigars themselves are what keep people coming back.

Regulars point to the Brazilian as something special, and folks have walked out with Toros from the Dominican in mild to medium body that burn clean and even. People who have tried plenty of name brand smokes call this a lesser-known option, and more than one has said there is none of the aftertaste they were used to elsewhere. Travelers passing through on business have made a point of returning the next day, travel case in hand. A big part of the draw is the owner, Jon, who has a reputation for hospitality and genuine passion.

We hear he takes his time walking newcomers through the options, helping them find the right cigar for their palate, and folks leave having learned something just from the conversation. Wayne knows the history of Casta inside and out, and the whole team, seasoned hands with real years in the industry, guides first timers and longtime smokers alike without any pretense. The atmosphere seals it. There is an outdoor lounge and patio that people rave about, a relaxed spot with music when the weather turns nice, perfect on a hot day.

One visitor summed up what a lot of people feel: absolutely blown away, a smoke on the same level as the best high end houses. Between the exclusivity, the fair pricing, and the welcome you get at the door, Casta Cigars Co. has earned its place as one of the most well regarded cigar shops around York.