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Street Art
All we have on the streets of downtown Memphis is litter, pigeon crap and the odd, discarded sneaker, but English artist Julian Beever could change that. He's known for his street art and this stuff is amazing. Take a look at more pix over at Rachel and the City.
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:28 AM | Comments (0)
1937, a very fine year
I don't usually ask readers of this blog to buy me gifts, but this is a special situation. On April 4,2006, one of the four remaining bottles of the world's oldest whisky - Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1937 - will go to auction in New York.
"A single cask yielded only 61 unique bottles of this exquisite Scotch whisky.
U.S. Import laws required a special 750 mL bottle to be made; the item for auction is therefore the only 750 mL bottle of the Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1937 ever produced. The spirit came into being in 1937 when oak cask 843, hand-made by distillery coopers, was filled with liquid from stills at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, and laid down in a dunnage warehouse to mature. The spirit was slowly aged in cask for 64 years and bottled in 2001, resulting in a liquid of deep, robust character. With a rich walnut color, nose of toffee, cinnamon and cloves and sweet, cedar-y palette, this extraordinary Scotch whisky brims with complex yet subtle notes." Read more here.
I'm not one to beg, but if you'd like to do something nice for your tobacconist, then this is what I suggest. And the auction is for charity, so you'd be doing something good for someone else, too. I'll pour a glass for you. Hell, I'll even throw in a cigar.
Posted by Richard Alley at 02:52 AM | Comments (0)
Tastes Good Like a Cigarette Should
Barney Rubble urges his friend, Fred, to smoke a Winston in a classic cartoon commercial. Really, would there be anything better after a hard day of maneuvering a dinosaur crane around the quarry and then driving home on your bare feet? Here's the link.
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
Elite Eight - Elite One
There is very little for Memphians to agree on as we are divided along economic, racial and educational lines. I’ve often wondered, in the wake of national tragedies, how we will handle ourselves when our inevitable earthquake hits – will we come together as New York did after 9/11 or will we 
embarrass ourselves the way many in New Orleans did? We’ve been tested in smaller ways in the past, such as the days following Dr. King’s assassination, every local Election Day, and every day that we have a two government system here. But then there are days and weeks such as we’ve had recently. The University of Memphis basketball team has done what no politician, no pastor and no well-meaning parent has been able to do, it has pulled this city, and the region, together for one common cause. I’ve seen it every day in the tobacco shop as conversations inevitably fall to the Tigers and their last win or their next opponent or to our collective lack of respect – not just as a basketball team, but as a city on the national scene – in the national media. Instead of people bidding each other to “Have a nice day” we are leaving friends and strangers alike with a hearty “Go Tigers!” And it may be the first time in a long time that we’re all Memphians. I’ve heard residents of places as far away as Bartlett, Cordova and even Germantown talking with pride about this city. Even people in other counties are wearing blue. As The Commercial Appeal works to section off the community into pockets more easily distinguishable by income and advertising possibilities, and even as these communities’ leaders scare their residents with wicked tales of city schools and services, the U of M Tigers are pulling us together as brothers, as a team, if you will. So tonight, when our Tigers take on UCLA in the Elite Eight and in their continued run to the national championship, remember that we are all behind them, as Memphians, as one. Go Tigers!
Posted by Richard Alley at 01:19 PM | Comments (0)
Travelin'
I was bouncing around the internet last night and found 
this from Yahoo! Travel U.K. It's a nice little description of my humble smoke shop. This is from quite a while back when there was a news stand and no coffee bar, there are even trees in the background of the photo so we know the trolley wasn't even in yet. Now there's a trolley, coffee bar and bookstore.
Thanks, U.K.!
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)
The Edge Missile
As a LOT of you know, I got The Edge cigars in last week. I have never seen a new arrival sell the way that these have. I sold almost the entire tray of 100 cigars in a week. Everyone seems to like a rich, full-bodied cigar and, apparently, aren't too interested in having a band on the cigar.
Because of the enthusiasm for The Edge (52x6), I've added The Edge Missile (50x5, torpedo). Other than the size and shape, the other difference is the packaging. They come, not in 100 count trays, but in unique 25-count boxes. The boxes are pyramid shaped, but before you conjure up images of the ridiculous Camacho Corojo boxes of past, you should understand that these are on end, with a lid that comes completely off to reveal the pointy ends of the cigars - like a pencil holder. Offered in a corojo wrap and maduro.
The Edge Missile
$5/stick
$112.50/box
Posted by Richard Alley at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)
Bookstore Update
A lot of people have been asking about the bookstore 
here at the Tobacco Bowl and the future opening of Downtown Books here in our basement. Well, all I can say is it's coming. But Hugh Hollowell can say more than that and he does on his very own blog. You can read all about the opening of Downtown Books right HERE. Go to it, bookmark it and check it from time to time. In fact, E-mail Hugh and tell him how excited you are about Downtown's very own bookstore.
Posted by Richard Alley at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)
Smokeshop Sighting
We're not sure, but Tracy and I are pretty
sure this guy has been shopping here. Someone has been coming in lately who bears a remarkable resemblance to him, anyway. His name is Lee Tergesen. He's been in Wayne's World, Monster, Law & Order (who hasn't been?), Oz, and many, many others. He's here filming the pilot for a new TV series called Southern Comfort , which is supposed to be a Southern-style Sopranos.
Also just had Andy Rovins in. He's a sound guy working on the show. You wouldn't recognize his face, but you may know his sound in Doc Hollywood, Inspector Gadget, Jarhead, among many others.
Posted by Richard Alley at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
California...land of the free?
"Calabasas, an upscale suburb perched on the western edge of the San Fernando Valley, was generating international attention for what appears to be the nation's first ban on smoking in all outdoor public spaces. Violators can be fined up to $500."
Posted by Richard Alley at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
Overheard
Overheard in the smokeshop:
"I gave up tobacco years ago, but I started sucking my fingers so I guess that's not any better, is it?"
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"I want to the closest thing to a Cuban for $3.00."
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Posted by Richard Alley at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
Opus X
Opus is on the shelves again.
Posted by Richard Alley at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)
Go Tigers!
Catch your Memphis Tigers vs. Oral Roberts, Friday, March 17, 2 p.m. at the Tobacco Bowl. Three TVs, sound up.
Go Tigers!!
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:07 PM | Comments (0)
Remington Humidor
Just in: the Remington Humidor by Craftsman's Bench. This handsome piece has a dark wood exterior with glass top and ornate, antique-looking handles. The interior is Spanish cedar with a lift-out tray and large humidifier. The key and lock will keep your favorite cigars secure from your nosey guests - they can look, but not touch! Holds approximately 75 cigars. $114.95 -- mention you saw it here and receive 20% off!!
Posted by Richard Alley at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
The Edge
Just in from down South Florida way is The Edge by Rocky Patel. You may know the Indian Tabac line of
cigars and you may know the Rocky Patel Vintage cigars and you will want to know this cigar. "The Edge is for professional smokers only. This unrivaled experience fills the acclimatized palate with spicy constituents accenting it's full flavor. It will leave the seasoned smoker weak in the knees without a harsh finish."
The Toro Corojo (52x6) is available now. The Edge comes boxed in trays of 100. $6/stick.
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)