As Resident Tobacconist for Red Clay Soul, I decided it was time for the second installment of Choice
Places to Smoke a Cigar. As stated in Part I, I enjoy tobacco; be it a cigar, my pipe, or an occasional chew of Red Man. I sympathize with Washington’s appeal to the Continental Congress when he famously wrote, “If you can’t send money, send tobacco.” There’s something terribly good about tobacco. Is it the silence and solitude it provides, or that the hands of time are malleable under its spell or the joy that comes from exhaling billowing clouds of smoke? I opine that tobacco still provides value – especially in today’s world.
But, as with everything in this God-forsaken 21 st century, the whiners have had their way with my way of life. Gone are the days of smoking in golf clubs (sans Seminole and a few other holdouts). It wasn’t that long ago when you could enjoy a cigar in every men’s locker room. What’s better than a round of golf, a long shower, and a relaxing cigar – indoors? God help us if the health police ban cigars from the golf course! Don’t laugh…I’m sure there are nuts working on it right now. Before we know it the trees will be dying of secondhand smoke.
The world is heading in the wrong damn direction when a man can’t enjoy tobacco without being made
to feel like an agent of death to every snowflake and woke college freshman.
But, it ain’t over. That fat lady hasn’t sung. There are still a few places where a man can light a cigar in peace. Matter of fact, some of these places were built for smoking. Over the years I’ve noticed quite a few strangers nodding their heads in approval when they see me smoking; as if to say, “Brother, we’ve lost some battles, but we haven’t lost the war.” It’s an act of old-school solidarity in that a man should be able to smoke a damn cigar.
If you’re over 40, my guess is you grew up with a grandfather who smoked a pipe; the contents of which, when burning beneath a flame, produced aromatics that are lodged in your memory bank. Every time I catch a drift it brings me back to riding in Grandpa’s 1980 F-100 while he puffed away listening to AM radio. Funny story – the first time I smelled scotch I was with Dad and I said, “It smells like Grandpa’s cologne.” His reply with a shrug of his eyebrows, “Exactly.” A generation who smoked and drank with impunity. Lucky SOB’s.
So here goes – another list of Choice Places to Smoke a Cigar (while you still can). The Masters, Augusta, Georgia. That’s right…you can enjoy a stick at the most exclusive golf tournament in the world. You can’t bring a phone or camera, but you can bring cigars. I’ve been to several and as anyone who’s been can attest to, plenty of patrons smoke. I prefer puffing away beneath the trees on the 13 th fairway. There’s always a moment when I shake my head in amazement, “Am I really at Amen Corner smoking a Davidoff?” Add in a green cup or two and it’s heaven.
Ocean Cliff Hotel, Newport, Rhode Island. I’ve been loafing around Newport since my first trip to Brown for grad school – it was love at first sight. Sailboats effortlessly come and go, architecture is plentiful and engaging, and the manicured grass courts at the Tennis Hall of Fame make for a WASPy Shangri-La. If you’re a golf history nut, Newport Country Club (host of the first U.S. Amateur and the first U.S. Open in 1895) is worth quietly checking out. Most of these historic clubs are like the Playboy Mansion in that you know you’re not getting in, but you’ll sure as hell take a peek if given the opportunity. Suffice it to say it’s impressive. Down the street is the Ocean Cliff Hotel. Built in 1894 for a steel industrialist, it was once one of Newport’s great summer cottages. And if you’ve been to Newport, you’re aware that “cottage” is used quite erroneously; this place is a castle and befitting of a robber baron. I was instantly taken by its magnificent views of Narragansett Bay. I fired up a cigar on the lawn and have been coming back ever since. If you’re looking for the quintessential New England getaway, this is it.
San Antonio River Walk, Texas. I cannot recall the last time a city surprised me as much as San Antonio did – positively, of course. After visiting the Alamo, which is certifiably boring, I ventured down to the River Walk and was BLOWN AWAY! There’s nothing else like it in America and it’s cigar friendly. I took a stroll along its waterfront sidewalks with a cigar in hand to no self-appointed health department official being offended. In addition to being a beautiful city, it’s just flat-out fun. Live music is always playing, water taxis are everywhere, and the culture is rich. And the margaritas…my God the margaritas!
18th Hole, Pebble Beach Golf Links, California. If you haven’t driven the Pacific Coast Highway you ought to. It’s a uniquely American experience that’ll leave you speechless. In three hours from San Francisco, you’ll see a lifetime’s worth of natural beauty. Eventually, you’ll make your way through 17-Mile Drive before arriving at Pebble Beach. The Lodge, Pebble’s four-star hotel, is like any hotel in that you’re welcome to come in, shop, and get a bite to eat. The difference is you can walk up to the most famous 18th hole in golf. It’s a bit shocking how accessible it is. Folks are dining outside, kids are rolling around in the grass, and when someone sticks it they receive a gentle round of applause; congeniality at its finest. I prefer smoking a cigar behind the 18th green where waves crash and golf balls fall from the sky.
Sea Island Golf Club, Men’s Locker Room, Georgia. Thank God for men like Bill Jones III. Name another
man who dreamt up and built not one, but two locker rooms listed on Golf Digest’s Top 50 Best Locker
Rooms. You can’t because Mr. Jones is the only one. Sea Island is 26th and Ocean Forest Golf Club is 44th. I’ve been in both and they’re not only spectacular, but they’re also cigar friendly. Sea Island’s intimate cigar lounge comes with broken-in leather chairs, wood-paneled walls, and plantation shutters that allow the perfect amount of sunlight in. Furthermore, the Atlantic Ocean and an 18-hole putting course are a few feet away. I just assume to lay out a cot and call it home if they’d let me. I love smoking here.
So there you have it – a few more places to enjoy a cigar. Please feel free to leave a comment with
suggestions.
Contributor Bradley A. Evans is a good buddy, a UGA grad, and an idea guy. He is the former President of the Rushmore Academy Bombardment Society. We’re lucky to have his thoughts here at RCS…more to come.
@senator_bradley_evans
Good read. As someone that was raised in Texas, I am forever surprised about how little pub it gets outside of Texas. It’s all about Austin (which to me has lost a decent amount of charm anyways), and Dallas or Houston. San Antonio is a sweet place, and the river walk is great. It may be a little tourist trappy, but it’s a great time nonetheless.
Awesome city. I’d pick it any day over Dallas and Houston.
My favorite cigar-smoking memory was when I was studying in Hong Kong and met my father in India for a month. We stayed at an amazing Raj-era inn on top of Observatory Hill in Darjeeling. One night while having drinks overlooking lightning playing through the Himalayas, I broke out the Cuban cigars I had purchased in Hong Kong. We smoked them in contended silence and savored the moment, the company and the view.
Looking forward to part 3 of the series (hopefully).
Sounds awesome
Good read! While I appreciate and enjoyed the guest post, I have always respected Jay and Red Clay Soul for staying grounded in political opinions and content. I am disappointed to see “woke” and “snowflake” make its way to the blog. Not sure a true gentleman uses this language, which is what the RCS brand perceives to personify.
Author
To the ‘anonymous’ poster – I would encourage you to study the context of the comment. There is no political POV unless you consider College Freshmen a voting block.
you’ve got to be kidding me!! sheesh
When do we get the pipe article–pipes and tobacco recommendations?
It’s coming
Bravo, this is the type of content that keeps me coming back to RCS.
Any time and any place where I can smoke a stogie with my old man is my current favorite spot.
Enjoying a cigar on the back porch at Pinehurst in a rocking chair after a fall round is pretty damn nice.
Thank you
Author
Many thanks. That means a lot.
Coming soon, my guest column: Choice Places to Smoke Parliament Lights
Love it
I once met a guy who was the right hand man to,Sidney Frank (the billionaire behind Grey Goose and Jagermesister.). They traveled frequently and met an jnsane cast of characters. He recounted being invited into Castro’s private humidor room and being offered his pick of cigars then smoking one in conversation with El Jefe. (Evidentiy Fidel himself had given up cigars by then.)
That sounds like one hell of a story!
Good stuff. I would add the lawn next to the Ryder Cup Bar at Kiawah’s Ocean Course. Great spot to sit in an Adirondack chair, watch folks putt out on 18, and listen to the Atlantic.
Plan on playing there 23’ — will definitely fire one up. Thanks for sharing.
This is excellent. I smoke a cigar maybe once a month and my pipe a few times throughout the month as well. My favorite place to smoke is anytime I’m on vacation. I get a cigar for each night and after we get the kids down we sit outside while I enjoy a smoke, whether it’s over the ocean, overlooking the mountains or anywhere else.
I can sympathize with how overly sensitive people can be with cigars. I think they just like to have something to gripe about. Case in point: last year my wife and I went an adults only all-inclusive resort in the DR. Smoking is permitted everywhere, except in the restaurants and bars, so I brought my cigar that night to the after dinner show. It’s a completely open air amphitheater with ample, spaced out seating, even more so this trip because they were still under full Covid precautions. Anyway, out of respect for whoever we grabbed seats in the back corner with the wind blowing the smoke out of the amphitheater. Out of the entire barely full venue a woman and her husband sit right next to us and she immediately starts loudly complaining about my cigar. I just looked at her and said “ma’am, there’s plenty of seats elsewhere and I was here first so you’re welcome to go find another seat. But I’m going to sit here and enjoy this for the next hour.:” Not liking this answer she rolled her eyes then left. But as for me, my Cuban Cohiba never tasted better than that night.
I’m 100% on your side partner
Anywhere after a UGA win, I might add. Excellent piece, I am still in shock that you can smoke at ANGC.
I agree as a fellow Dawg! And Augusta is definitely tobacco friendly.