March 10th, 2010
· Know who’s walking in your store, if it’s a cigar aficionado or a young adult who just reached the legal smoking age in your area. You don’t want to baby talk the cigar aficionado, and you don’t want to overwhelm the newbie. It’s basic customer support, but a cigar store is a high class environment and you have to treat people properly.
· Order and stock a general supply of cigars, several brands that you always have in medium to large amounts. These will be where you get most of your profit. Read the cigar magazines and visit the cigar social forums on the internet to know what’s popular and affordable. Never run out of these. Along with those, you want to have a select number of specialty cigars that are higher priced or harder to come by. These will be sold to your VIP customers, the ones who are experts themselves and choose to visit your business out of respect instead of need. You can even provide them with the occasional delivery – trust me, an aficionado will very much enjoy receiving in his busy office a delivery of cigars from his personal cigar broker.
· Creature comforts. Make the store look really nice and enjoyable to shop in, don’t crowd your space with unnecessary clutter, provide a few comfortable chairs and a small table for casual sit downs, and maybe even offer really good coffee for your favorite customers.
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March 10th, 2010
Owning and operating your own business can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling accomplishments anyone can experience. However, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, not to mention sweating and bleeding. For this article, we’re going to explore what you need to know when starting your own cigar business. Unlike others, a cigar business is a particular and peculiar beast and starting your own cigar business will need unique guidance.
We’ll begin with things you should know when starting any sort of business. The first thing is money or capital: yes need it, dummy. You need money in your pocket. And not just enough to get started, I mean you need a surplus of it. If at all possible, you should fish for investors to join your project; if you’re unable to find many, at least find a singular partner who shares your interest and passion in starting your own cigar business.
Another thing any new business owner needs to have is knowledge of their product – and I mean knowing it from back to front and all sides imaginable. A lot of people are going to come to you with questions and they expect a small business owner to be more of an expert than the larger and impersonal “big box” stores. That is in fact your specialty – although you can’t fill a stadium sized warehouse with billions of products, you can offer expertise and a friendly face. You need to know every single item in your store, you need to know where it comes from and how you got it, and you need to know the best way of using it. You want to be starting your own cigar business? Well, it would help if you’re a cigar smoker too (true story: I used to frequent a pub whose bartender and owner never, ever touched a drop of alcohol for personal reasons – it made me uncomfortable to sit at the bar and drink in front of him).
Another important thing to keep in mind is your location and your desired clientele. To exaggerate the concept, a cigar salesman may not do especially well between a maternity dress shop and a health clinic. Not only will you attract the wrong window shoppers and foot traffic, your business neighbors will also not approve of you and you will not have friendly relations. It would be best to be on everyone’s good side for awhile, capice? Good. So choose a location that suits your desired clients and not your own. For a small specialty store, a traditional downtown location is always a good choice. But so can malls or commercial districts and, hell, right next to the barbershop or the football stadium. If it was me, I’d be starting my own cigar business down the street from Governor Schwarzenegger’s office. You’d be set up for life for sure.
Finally, and this is the most important general tip of all, you absolutely must have a brilliant understanding of finances and economics. It’s not enough to be a cigar expert if you don’t know how to stay out of the red. You need to know the right time to invest in upgrading or up keeping your storefront, you need to know how much product to order for to meet your sales quota (and not go over) and you need to work a cash register.
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January 29th, 2010
Storing flavored cigars for a long time can cause them to lose their flavor. Remember that properly storing flavored cigars is not to make them age, but rather to conserve the flavor till the time you use them.
The best way to use flavored handmade cigars is to not buy in bulk. Buying in bulk will create problems in regards to storage and whether you will be able to use them all up before the flavor is lost. On the other hand, if you buy just the right amount that you will smoke in the next couple of days, then you can even forego the need for a humidor to store them. But if you are planning to buy in bulk, then it is absolutely necessary that you buy a separate humidor to store your flavored hand made cigars and not keep them along with your regular cigars.
Flavored cigars take sometime getting used to, and are better used as an occasional indulgence by regular cigar smokers. Having said that, and if you have tried the normal cigars and haven’t liked the experience, then you can try a flavored cigar before writing of smoking cigars once and forever.
The choice of flavor is strictly personal and essentially if you like the flavor in other contexts such as perfumes or tea, then you can safely try them. If you are trying a new flavor for the first time, smoke one or two cigars to see if you enjoy the flavor before deciding to buy in bulk.
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January 29th, 2010
Flavored handmade cigars are becoming more and more popular in the recent years. The demand for flavored cigars has been growing especially for the high-end, handmade ones. Flavored cigars come in several different flavors and some of the more popular flavors include peach, rum, sweeteners and cream. Infusion of flavors into cigars helps the smoker to enjoy a unique smoking experience.
In order to retain the quality of the hand made cigars, you need to take extra care while storing them. Handmade flavored cigars need special care as they do not contain any preservatives unlike their machine made counterparts.
Handmade flavored cigars will become dry if they are not stored in a humid environment. Also, if you are using a humidor, then take care to keep your flavored cigars in a different humidor from your other high end cigars. Do not ever mix flavors while storing the cigars as that can cause the flavors of one cigar to get absorbed by other cigar of a different flavor. It is advisable to leave the packaging on a flavored cigar as it is, while storing it – keep those cellophane and tubes in place till you actually take them out to smoke. You can also store your flavored cigars in an air tight container with a damp cloth inside it, provided you don’t let the water come into contact with the cigars.
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January 27th, 2010
If you are a frequent cigar smoker, chances are you have noted the many types of labels the handmade cigars come with. Collecting cigar labels is actually a popular pastime and can be done easily and by everybody. Some people collect labels as a reminder of the cigars they have tried, while others like the labels themselves and collect them for fun. No matter the reason, here are three things to keep in mind when starting a cigar label collection.
1. Choose a theme or era to collect. While this is not obligatory, having something in mind will help you narrow your search and give you a better understanding of the collection itself. Popular collection areas are pre-1920s labels, Cuban cigar labels and themed collections, such as historical figures, animals or specific images such as pirates or soldiers.
2. Look for labels everywhere. You can find them in eBay and other auction venues, as well as in antique shops and cigar shops. Labels can also be exchanged through groups of collectors online or off. If labels alone seem too expensive, consider shopping for cigars at garage sales, factory outlets and even discount stores. That way you get both the cigar (which you can smoke if still in good condition) and the label itself.
3. Have a place designated to store the labels. Photo albums, similar to the ones used for stamp collections, can be a good option. Or you can wait until you have a few and then frame them for display.
Tags: cigar labels, collection cigars, collection labels
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January 27th, 2010
A cigar lounge is a private space in where cigar lovers congregate to smoke, have a drink, and share their love of smoking. Lounges can be private (requiring a membership) or can be open to the public, just like a store would. In fact, some cigar stores have their own lounge, open to customers. While opening a public lounge requires permits, just as any other business would, you can start a private lounge in just a few easy steps.
If you are starting a private “club” for cigar lovers, your first step is locating a space for the meetings. This can be done in somebody’s basement or you can rotate and meet in different homes each time (a condition of the membership can be that you’re willing to host in a rotating basis). If no space is available in the members’ homes, you can all pitch in and rent a space. Many clubs, bars or even shops will rent you a room or a section of their place for a one-time fee.
Decide on the rules and goals of the lounge. Will the meetings be an informal gathering to talk about anything or would you work on trying new handmade cigars or cigar-related products? Will there be drinks? If so, is there a specific menu (for example, brandy and whiskey) or will the members bring their own alcohol?
Finally, you need to start looking for members. You can advertise locally, in newspapers and websites such as Craigslist. If there is a cigar shop in town, ask if you can post a flyer advertising the lounge. Talk to friends and associates that may be interested as well. Even if they decide not to attend, they may know somebody who will.
Tags: cigar club, cigar lounge, cigar meetings
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January 27th, 2010
With all the options out there, it can get overwhelming to choose cigars to try. Even if you have never smoked one before, though, there are some simple rules that can help you choose the best one (for you).
- Choose mild handmade cigars if you smoke early in the day and a stronger one for the evening. If you’ve never smoked before, milder cigars are better no matter the time, as it can take some time to get used to the taste and strength of a cigar.
- Ask for a recommendation. A cigar shop assistant can help you decide what to try based on your likes and dislikes and whether you’re a beginner or have smoked before.
- The biggest cigars are not necessarily the best ones. In fact, it’s best to try several cigars to see which size (both length and width) feel better in your hand. Since handmade cigars are all about luxury, it makes no sense to smoke something that doesn’t “feel right.”
- Keep your budget in mind. It makes little sense to blow all your money in a single cigar unless you’re sure you’re going to like its flavor and texture. Instead, spread the money out and try a few, including a mild and a strong one, as well as several brands or from areas such as cuba or dominican cigars.
Tags: buying a cigar, chossing a cigar, cigar shopping
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January 27th, 2010
The Figurado is a cigar that is irregularly shaped. They were the most popular type of cigar until the 1930s, when they fell out of fashion. They are being produced again by several companies, including Cuba’s Cuaba company. There are six types of Figurado cigars: torpedo, pyramid, perfecto, president, culebras and tuscanian. These are all unique handmade cigars with characteristics that can’t be found in any other types of hand made cigars. For example, the culebras (“snake” in Spanish) is actually three cigars braided together. The perfecto cigar is thicker in the middle and narrower in both ends, giving it a unique shape.
Figurados are sometimes shaped as different figures and sold as collectibles. For example, the company Arturo Fuente (from the Dominican Republic) sells figurados shaped as everything from chili peppers to guitars. They are often sold through exclusive catalog and retail for hundreds of dollars for a single dominican cigars.
Tags: figurado, uneven cigars
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December 30th, 2009
Among the best places to smoke handmade cigars are the tobacconists. Their smoking lounges will vary widely, but many are very luxurious. Most are open only to customers who have purchased the cigar being smoked from the shop, but there is no other type of fee charged. A lot offer free coffee (usually not gourmet, but at least hot) and have canned and bottled soft drinks available from a self-serve cooler. These are really good places to smoke hand rolled cigars that you want to try before you buy a box, or just to sample something different.
Sports bars differ in their smoking policies, but a large number of them have established cigar rooms. There, patrons can have a drink, a snack, and a smoke while watching the game on television. These cigar rooms may or may not be well-ventilated; some are a bit thick with smoke while others are amazingly clear and fresh. Some also allow cigarette smokers in the same room.
Perhaps the best choice of all the places to smoke cigars is still home. If you live with other people, they may object, but this does not mean that you cannot create a cozy, comfortable smoking area of your own. Porches, patios, balconies, and garages are all possible locations. Spend the time to make it your personal retreat, where you can enjoy a fine smoke in comfort. If you are a music lover, add a portable radio or disc player next to an oversized recliner. Creating your own cigar room can be the most relaxing way of dealing with a stressful problem—finding places to smoke a cigar.
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December 30th, 2009
A nice coffee flavored cigar is the Tabak Especial Colada Negra. These straight, 4” cigars have a ring gauge of 38 and are medium bodied. A five pack of these Nicaragua cigars will run about $20.
Another medium bodied Nicaragua product is the Acid Blondie. One of the best affordable cigars currently offered for sale, these are very reasonably priced at less than $20 per 5 pack and have a natural wrapper.
The Revolucion Cameroon Torpedo is often rated as one of the best affordable cigars. These 6” cigars (with a 54 ring gauge) are a product of Nicaragua, and a five pack will run less than $25.
For a medium bodied, straight shaped shorter (4.5”) smoke, the Arturo Fuente Chateau Natural is an excellent choice. Imported from the Dominican Republic, these are priced around $25 for five.
If you prefer a figurado, one of the best affordable hand rolled cigars of this type is the La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurado Regalias Perfecto. With a true perfecto shape, this cigar has a ring gauge of 57 and is 6-1/4” long. At a price of under $30 for a three pack, this medium strength cigar is a pleasant treat for all perfecto aficionados.
Regardless of whether you are seeking a mild or robust strength cigar, a torpedo or a Churchill, there are a number of excellent choices available. Finding the best affordable cigars is just a matter of looking around a little.
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