Nat Sherman International
Category: Tobacco Shops [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East12 E 42nd St
(between 5th Ave & Madison Ave)
New York, NY 10017 (212) 764-5000
- Nearest Transit:
42nd St-5th Ave-6th Ave (7, B, D, F, V)
Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S)
Times Square-42nd St (1, 2, 3, S, 7, N, Q, R, W, A, C, E)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
15 Reviews for Nat Sherman International
LOVE the cigars and LOVE the store. I was heartbroken when I found out that they had closed their previous location a few blocks away as it was perfect, but the new location is wonderful too. As soon as you walk in you feel like you're in an old school boys club, but dont worry, girls are welcome too. The staff is great, knowledgable and very friendly. If you enjoy cigars, you must visit Nat Sherman.
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*Disclaimer*
I've never been to this store.
I have, however smoked probably half the many different varieties of Nat Sherman cigarettes currently out there. My current guarantee of an early death is Nat Sherman Classic Mint. Menthols have not been a favorite...well, not since high school. I didn't smoke menthols for the 17 odd years that have elapsed since graduating.
If I would have discovered these little devils back in the early nineties I would not have touched anything else, menthol or otherwise. Not Marlboros, or Camels, or any of the other crap smokes available today.
Nat Sherman Classic Mint cigarettes, I'm gonna miss you.
This time it's for real.
March 30th, 2008, we're done.
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(for CZERNIAK, ERIN, dischordianist)
So, whenever I'm asked- and it comes up occasionally- "Where were you on 9/11?" I typically say "Screaming in existential horror in lower Manhatthan."
That's funny. But not entirely.
It was a day of many lessons- and somedays I agree with Martin Amis- that it was a serious blow to Irony- capital I- which is not only the lowest form of humor, but also one of my favorite constant companions. (Irony, not Martin Amis.)
It was also the day- and our lives are collections of these days- that I was taught how to determine who's important.
So, I was working at a bookstore- fresh off the boat- $10 an hour to sweat and lug copies of "White Teeth" up and down stairs. I was out, I was meeting people- there was the half-Spanish chick who took me to her studio up in Queens and showed me "The 400 blows"- there was the hot AC at the takeout joint who flat out said "I don't have a boyfriend, and I'd say yes"- and there was EC.
EC worked here- at Nat Sherman. (A fine smoke by the way- robust, richly textured- very satiating) Tall, trying to get a modelling career off the ground. Drop dead, and deadly good at Trivial Pursuit. To this day- probably the smartest person of either gender that I've ever met. So yes, she was that chick- a cigar hanging out of her mouth- a crowd of admirers present. But I was the one she played Trivial Pursuit with on her break time.
So, planes, death, destruction- terrified crowds covered in ash- and the question comes up- where do you run? Who do you check on first?
I didn't call my folks, I didn't make my way to the sushi takeout place- I ran, I fought my way through crowds- I had to see if EC was okay. Keep in mind that at this point- nobody much knew whiskey tango foxtrot was happening. A dirty bomb seemed plausible.
We found each other- we all but leapt tearfully into each others arms.
"I feel like I'm in a made-for-TV-movie," I said.
"One starring Eric Stoltz," she said.
The one you love is the one you run to when the world is ending.
We made our way to safety.
---
Interesting aside- Man, did a wave of lust hit that town shortly thereafter. It was noted in the papers, even. People were living dangerously, for a few months. It soon faded- by early 2002- passionate kisses in public had dropped back to baseline.
In the end, of course, EC and I didn't work out. We tried the living together thing- much too soon- but c'mon Autumn of Terror and Death, people- cut us both some slack.
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I was wondering around Bryant Park and the Library, and I saw the Nat Sherman store. Then I realized I was late for where I had to be, and mentally mapped the location.
When I next had free time, I couldn't remember where this place was...I walked in circles for a good half hour. Finally I found it, and opened the doors to a wonderland.
It's like some old-fashioned apothecary, with all the little drawers full of mystery boxes. I can't comment on the cigars, but the cigarettes are some of the smoothest I've had, no additives (except for the nicotine part, mmm). The cloves are pretty yummy too.
Staff are super friendly, and gentlemanly. I felt like I should be wearing a beady-eyed fox stole, seamed silk stockings, and dangling a cigarette holder from my hand. I was the only woman in the place, with a sprinkling of men, and they treated me with a sense of class I don't get from other cigar/cigarette places. None of that weird "guys only" vibe I sometimes pick up.
If I had time, I would buy my smokes only from here. Only .50 cents more than a regular pack, and service how it SHOULD be. Plus any place where the salesman puts down his cigar to show me their selection of goods is my kind of store.
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I'm about 30 years, a penis, and a verifiable smoking-habit short of really belonging in here, but I keep coming back hoping to meet Oscar Wilde and friends in the foyer.
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This place is great; A New York Institution that has tons and tons of character.
I always try to come here when I visit NYC, grab a cigar, sit in the back, and watch TV or read the Times.
Ask the staff for recommendations and enjoy a stogie, old school.
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I am not a smoker. However, when I did occasionally enjoy a puff Nat Sherman was a treat. I used to come into this store during my many college trips to NYC and pick up a few packs of the Black & Gold variety as well as the MCD. The MCD's were my favorite as the paper was slightly sweetened, giving it an almost carmelized taste. Nat Sherman's have a smooth pull and burn very very slowly.
I'm glad I quit smoking years ago. These cigarettes are very expensive.
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A New York institution. I walked by today, and the store was shuttered! I was really bummed until I realized:
They just moved a few stores down 42nd, to 12 E. 42nd.
PHEW!
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Great cigars, great service, and great atmosphere. It's nice just to sit back and watch a game on their widescreen TV or drink some of their coffee. Anyway, Nats is moving to another larger location soon so expect this great shop to only get better.
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For my twice-a-year cigar indulgence, this is certainly the place. The smell draws you in as you pass by, and it's all over from there.
The staff is super friendly, catering equally well to the aficionado and to the clueless tourist (which you'll find plenty of).
I'm not sure how the prices compare- they seem reasonable.
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I typically smoke cuban cigars...however...when I go domestic, I go Nat Sherman. There is a store downstairs, and a lounge to hangout with your friends and smoke upstairs. I can't say that I have ever been to a smoking lounge that didn't have friendly staff, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't give their staff credit for being friendly. They are super friendly and helpful!!!
A very high class smoke shop/lounge!
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For those smokers remaining in NYC, Nat Sherman is a find. A high class smoke shop for all kinds of tobacco, pipes, etc.
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Nat Sherman is a really nice place to spend an hour or so if you have time to kill and are in Midtown (but who really has an extra hour these days). Like other reviewers have said the staff is always well dressed, helpful, and smiling, but there is something about the place that also makes the customers as friendly as the workers. The smoking loung is beautiful, and the seating is comfortable. The only reason I wouldn't rate it higher, is because the cigars are pretty expensive there (go just a couple of block north on 5th Ave and you will find the same cigars for much less at JR Cigars, plus they have a much wider selection), and it is often crowded, so seating is hard to find, you don't want to buy a nine dollar cigar downstairs then head upstairs to smoke it and find there is nowhere to sit. I also wish they were open a little later.
Having said that, Nat Sherman is a temple dedicated to smoking, and if you want a cigar, the Smoking Lamp is always lit at Nat Sherman
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I loved this store. i allow myself every once in a while the great pleasure of a nat sherman, and i think ahhh this is the life. What's more, i'm not a smoker, but these are exquisite.
the store has a real old timey and sophisticated feel. i like the phantom played piano, and the lower and upper levels. plus, it's right next door to the NY Public Library.
I love Nat Sherman. The man, the store, the cigarette. Here's why:
The cigarette: I've been smoking Shermans for years now, (and exclusively Shermans ever since regular cigarettes started costing $8 in NY - Shermans cost $8.50), and now I just can't go back to my old Parliaments. Their tobacco is additive free, and the specialty packs they have (Fantasias for brightly colored cigarettes, Black & Golds for the uptown girl/woman, etc.) are fun and mild.
The store: Where can you find a host of beautiful and beautifully tailored men who'll cater to your (almost) every whim? Nat Sherman store. They're good-lookin', they're suave, they're charming. They joke with you, answer your questions, and in general have a laid-back, natural air that makes you relax. Every time I come here, a different beautiful man helps me, and every time the experience is the same. It's not flirting - it goes beyond that. About a month ago, a man walked in to buy cigars for an engagement party (his own), and ended up talking to the staff for more than an hour about the engagement, his taste in cigars, his family. It just happens. They make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. (Tangent: recently there's been a female employee there who isn't quite as nice and who really destroys my whole "Sherman store only hires beautiful men" theory, but eh, such is life). The upstairs lounge is a wonderful addition to the store, adding perfection to perfection.
The man: for making it all happen.
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