The cheapest place to buy tobacco in the world? Road trip to Andorra!

[@RedcoatsReturn]

I always wondered about Andorra 😄 Great that these micro countries exist 😊 Looks like paradise for shopping, can‘t beat those prices 😲😄🇦🇩 Thanks for taking us with you 😉👍👍

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks Lester, maybe next time I will take my first foray into the world of cigars!

[@BrodyJoeandBriars]

It's great to see Andorra again...I'm in the USA but spent a three week vacation, based around Toulouse, way back in '92 and went to Andorra on a day trip! In October, the mountains were covered in snow and so beautiful (a rare sight for a deep south guy)! The outskirts of the town are still just as I remember from so long ago! I never thought I'd see a Lamborghini dealership anywhere, much less in a tiny mountain village like that! So crazy! On the same stay in France, I took the long train trip to St. Claude to spend two days exploring the pipe carving capital of the world...very cool!

[@BrodyJoeandBriars]

@@ariegepipesmoker897 I often wonder how much St. Claude has changed since '92...there's a bit of a funny story about my arrival there...I missed the first train by 2 minutes and had to wait 2 hours for the next one...I'd called ahead and made reservations at the St. Hubert hotel and was originally supposed to arrive before dark, but the delay put my arrival way past dark in light snow flurries. By that time, there was only an elderly lady and I left on the train. I could see that St. Claude was basically closed for the night, and fear gripped me, as I wondered how I'd find the hotel! The lady spoke no English, but I tried to ask her about the hotel, with no luck...we got off the train and only her husband was there, to pick her up. She told me to get in the car (I just barely fit in the backseat of their tiny car with their dog...LOL) and I was uncertain if they understood about the hotel...as we left the town and headed into the mountains, I didn't know if they were taking me home or what! I was a little freaked out until the hotel appeared up ahead and they pulled in, saying 'is this?' I thanked them profusely! They were definitely angels in disguise! Once inside, the desk manager told me the restaurant was closed for the night but they did whip together a large Jambon sandwich for me...so good!

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

@@BrodyJoeandBriars sounds like a great adventure! I miss the excitement and uncertainty of travelling!

[@BrodyJoeandBriars]

@@ariegepipesmoker897 I miss it, too...at age 69 and retired 5 years, it seems I seldom get farther than a hour drive from home, since thankfully, all my hiking trails are close by for nature photography...

[@gumbytheonetheonly9089]

Not only cheap but nice selection Thanks for bringing us along neat place ....

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

I think normally there is a bigger range but due to the lockdowns I think business has been very slow for the whole country!

[@ahsunflower8500]

Thanks for taking us along and sharing your trip. Looks absolutely beautiful and what a bonus that the baccy's so ridiculously inexpensive. Hearing your original music was also super cool -- you should do a video about that and some of your synths if you ever felt like it. Take care.

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks Naomi, Most of the music I do these days is using a program called VCV rack, it is a free open source virtual modular environment. I enjoy patching self generating stuff that composes itself as it plays out. I could do a video but it would be very long and nerdy and there are many guys doing a far better job of it than me! Omri Cohen has the best channel in this realm!.

[@SmokingCardboard]

Very interesting, thanks for taking us along

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

no problem, thanks for coming along!

[@oomhoward7462]

a most enjoyable shopping adventure!

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks for watching!

[@carlarthur4442]

Lovely looking scenery on the way , I think we've been conned for years , Governments have jumped on the health trip wagon , when you think what we have to pay 💰

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

indeed! In France a tin of Chacom no 5 set me back 27 euros!!

[@Glaswegian]

Hey Simon! Thanks for sharing your visit. Love your selfmade music aswell. Sounds like Jean-Michele Jarré. Enjoy your purchases. Scott

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks Scott, I am really enjoying the Davidoff Royalty as we spaek!

[@garbagemanpiper]

Thanks for the tour beautiful area🍭🐓👶

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danawatkins3634]

another interesting video thank you

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks Dana for watching!

[@Gspitaletti]

I would have bought 20 bags of anphora for cellar. Super nice Symon

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

It is pretty good tobacco, The Three Nuns is also spot on as is the Davidoff Royalty!

[@kevthegranitecitypiper7199]

Fascinating tour Simon & a great Haul 👍🏻 I would be a regular visitor at those prices , Glad you are moving about better , Great content again , Keep well & stay cool 😎

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks Kev, normally it is a regular destination and hopefully they will now keep the border open!

[@fastenglishwithgeoffrey6653]

never thought i would sit a watch someone make a tobacco and booze run XD i did though! great video!

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@oldandintheway1955]

Hiyas Simon, Another very interesting video! What a bizarre yet strangely appealing place. A "Duty Free" village of sorts. The prices are amazing. Take Care.

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

Thanks Gary, it is an odd place for sure! Hopefully next time I can explore some of the old villages dotted around as well as the tobacco plantations!

[@oldandintheway1955]

@@ariegepipesmoker897 That would be very interesting.

[@dalepiper6693]

Well that was fascinating! The last time I was in Andorra was circa 1980 and I remember two long streets of cheap electrical goods stores and the roads leaving the country were littered with abandoned card board boxes which people just heaved out of the windows of their vehicle (before CCTV). Tobacco prices seem about 25% cheaper than the states…maybe a bit more.

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

It is a bizarre place! Almost like Calais a decade ago but up a mountain. Next visit will find the tobacco fields and the museum hopefully!

[@luiscollantetisc]

great video

[@ancomm_uk]

Three nuns (the tinned roll cut not the crappy UK ribbon cut pouch) is always in my rotation. Wish I could have tried the original before they changed the recipe. The Amphora Full is one of the very few aromatics I like and pretty decent. Thanks for the tour of this place. P.S. Like the psytrance track!

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

The Amphora was a pleasant surprise! The Davidoff Royalty gets a thumbs up also, probably do a review soon!

[@TheVictorianPiper]

Great that you managed to take the trip Simon - must have been just before Le Tour passed through? Unbelievable prices there though, pipe tobacco I guess isn't that popular there with the selection they had? Cigars I bet were super cheap. I didn't get a chance to go over the border last time, will be sure to factor in enough time next visit! Great theme music too, chapeau!

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

I am not sure whether the Tour had passed through last Friday or not! It passes through Massat on Thursday, maybe I will go down to film but the roads are shut and there is no parking already due to rows of camper vans! I think normally they carry a wider range of tobaccos but obviously with the lockdowns business has slowed dramatically. Next time I will explore cigars but I have no idea where to start!

[@TheBalconyPiper]

Thanks for sharing Simon! Great prices indeed!

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

next time I may enter the world of cigars!

[@627kayjay]

you let all of those beautiful cigars pass....

[@cetuspa]

Now I am depressed.... 50 grams of Amphora or Captain Black/Sail Regular costs $47 plus tax here in Canada somewhere along the line someone or something is making a killing

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

wow that is indeed pricey! I can't imagine spending that much on the hobby!

[@TheJedjud]

My brother has visited Andorra a number of times a few years ago he came back with 2 Rolex watches that he said were dirt cheap but he was earning good money back then 😂😂😂🦡

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

I think the Rolex prices have sky rocketed in recent years and demand has out stripped supply from the dealers! One day I may be able to afford one but not much money in selling estate pipes lol

[@TheJedjud]

@@ariegepipesmoker897 I think you are probably right I didn’t come across to well I was trying to show just how low there taxes used to be 👍👍🦡

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

@@TheJedjud no worries! I understood where you were coming from!

[@albionpiper575]

Hi Simon, yet another interesting video. You will enjoy the Davidoff Royalty, a really good tobacco, very under the radar in my opinion, probably as it seems difficult to find. How many kilos of tobacco are you allowed to bring back before attracting duty? Keep up the good work, regards, Chris

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

It is a great tobacco, very good quality leafs as I would expect from davidoff. We are allowed 400 grams, which is fine for me living so close!

[@albionpiper575]

I guess we shall have to look for alternatives soon, there seem to be fewer tobacconists willing to send to France. Though logistically it must be almost impossible to stop, if the supplier is willing to send it. Fortunately I have a good cellar, though thinking about growing some in the future, initially just as an exercise.. happy smoking, regards, chris.

[@Pipemonkey]

O my word those prices 😳😳😳 ok I’m on the next flight out lol 😂 €6.30 for 50g unbelievable mate.

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

hahaha, I think I am allowed 400 grams at the border.....although I do have a secret stash place in my van!!

[@Pipemonkey]

@@ariegepipesmoker897 shhhh @ secret stash lol 😂