Bennington Tobacconist
Bennington Tobacconist is celebrating over 60 years of dedication to quality products and exceptional service.
William E. Bennington founded Bennington Tobacconist in 1965. With careful consideration, the location was determined in Saint Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Bennington had the foresight to institute custom hand mixed tobacco blends and hand rolled cigars. Being a family-operated tobacco shop; his three sons, Jack, Jim and Gary grew up in the business. They learned the meaning of service, quality and hard work. To this day, it is still family owned and operated in Sarasota by Jack, Jim and Gary Bennington. They continue to honor their father’s philosophy that quality products should be represented in a proper image.
Bennington Tobacco has hand blended high quality pipe tobaccos since William E. Bennington, the founder, began the company in the fall of 1965. Mr. Bennington was an avid pipe smoker and recognized the opportunity in the lack of high-quality pipe tobacco brands in the U.S. market at that time. There were plenty of domestic “drug store” brands, but few imported brands of the calibers of Dunhill, Erinmore or Rattray’s for example.
In those days the tobacco manufacturers sold the basic blending ingredients i.e., Burleys, Virginias, Latakia, Perique, Maryland and Turkish tobaccos directly to the tobacconist and offered “formulas” as a general guide, which could be tweaked in order to create custom blends.
Bennington Blends No. 10, and No. 24 are two such blends and are still popular today. Blend No. 15 is patterned after the famed “Balkan Sobranie White Label,” which was very popular back then.
Mr. Bennington spent a good part of an evening with tweezers and a scale separating eight ounces of Balkan Sobranie into its component parts of Turkish, Latakia and Virginia to determine the ratios of the blend. He then refined it to his taste and introduced Blend No. 15 in 1966. Blend No. 33 is another original and is still quite popular. Blend No. 33 is patterned after Murray’s Erinmore Flake.
At Bennington’s, they still prefer the original method of buying the basic tobacco component ingredients and creating unique blends from them.
For over 60 years, Bennington Tobacconist has remained in the same location and has remained true to honor their father’s philosophy of providing excellent service and quality products.
Come and enjoy a large and finest variety of tobacco products, including cigars, humidors, pipes, accessories, lighters and ashtrays, e-liquids and more.
Customer Reviews:
“Cute store. Great selection of cigars, Staff very helpful. My husband will be a repeat when we visit Sarasota again.” – Jennifer S.
“Friendly shop owner knowledgeable about pipes and pipe tobacco. I purchased a Randy Wiley Galleon, and it has become one of my favorites. Not many places like this anymore; definitely stop in.” – Jon E.
“Stopped in with our dog, they were very friendly and had a couple of chairs to sit and smoke. It was perfect and spotless. Will visit again when in St Armands circle.” – Mickey F.
“Visited this store last weekend. Hands down one of the best tobacco shops I’ve been in. Everyone was so friendly, and I felt as if I was chatting with family. They helped me pick out some cigars for my dad and he really enjoyed the ones they suggested. Will definitely be coming back for more!” – Tiffany M.
“I’ve been a pipe smoker for about 4 years now and not only does Bennington Tobacconist have the best tobacco, but they also have the best pipes. It’s always a cultural experience shopping there. Bennington Tobacconist has such a variety of products, and their personnel are always so patient, kind, and knowledgeable. They are also very hygienic when it comes to the packaging and handling of their tobacco. It is an honor to be one of your customers. Thank you!” – Sarah Eden
Address:
5 Filmore Drive
St. Armands, Sarasota, FL 34236
941-388-1562
Website:
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