Name of Shop: Smoke Signals
Date Visited: 09/19/2009
Street Address: 308 Main Street
City: Port Jefferson
State: NY
Zip: 11777
Phone Number: (631) 928-3060
Hours of Operation: M-T 12:00pm-8:00pm, F-S 12:00pm-11:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-6:00pm (I believe as we get into winter they are closed Mondays)
Website: http://www.smokesignals.biz

Location: Exceptional
The shop is located right on the main drag in Port Jefferson, which is really a great town. I don’t want to call Port Jeff a summer town, but it kind of is. It’s right on the water with ferry service to Connecticut. Although busiest in the Summer, the great restaurants, bars, and shops are open all year round. Which means you can drop the lady off to go shopping and stop in at Smoke Signals for a smoke.

Staff: Exceptional
Great, friendly guys. Scott and Joe are always willing to help out, offer suggestions, and give guidance when needed.

Stock: Above Average
In my opinion, this is a boutique shop and they pretty much carry all boutique cigars. The walk-in is well stocked with sticks from Tatuaje, Illusione, CAO, Drew Estate, and La Flor Dominicana to name a few. I don’t think you’ll find much from General or Altadis (at least I don’t, but I’m never looking for anything from them). It’s important to note that they carry a cigar called the Phoenix which is made specifically for Smoke Signals by Rocky Patel. This is definitely a stick worth trying out if you ever make it into this shop. If I’m not mistaken, they distribute it to a number of other shops on Long Island as well.

Lounge: Above Average
In the lounge, there are a number of leather couches and arm chairs situated around a large screen TV and there’s a coffee bar in the rear. There is also a wall of humidified lockers personalized for the member it belongs to. Technically, the lounge is members only, but I have been invited to enjoy my smoke there by the staff and I’m not a member. They do have specific events that are members only however.

Overall Opinion: Exceptional
I love this shop. When I first got into smoking cigars last year, this was the first shop I went into to make a purchase. I was quite nervous knowing that this can be a pretentious hobby to get into. But the owner took his time explaining the different aspects of many of the cigars until I picked out a selection that would be right for me to get started. I was real appreciative of that. Plus, being the Tatuaje whore I am, I was able to meet Pete Johnson there last October for the first time.