Unfortunately my local cigar shops were not very friendly when I first started going and because I was new to this I didn’t have any knowledge about cigars at the time and when I asked what do they suggest for a beginner they were bothered by the question and responded “well idk what you like but you can try this” handed me a Romeo and sent me on my way. Because of that experience whenever I run into someone in the humidor looking to buy a cigar for the first time I am very happy to help guide them in the right direction.
@@NanceLvr haha, well I'll tell you what i started with which was Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real, Montecristo white series, Arturo Fuente 858, Perdomo Champagne, Undercrown Maduro, 858 Maduro, Camacho Nicaragua to name a few of the first cigars i purchased.
I did the nose slide sniff thing on my second visit to my local shop, not long after my first visit, after which, I found I loved the first 3 I bought. I sniffed a cigar for the same reasons a dog would. I probably sniffed at least five. Nobody said anything, but now I know better, thank you. And I apologize…
I don't think that just walking into a cigar shop obligates you to buy something. However, if I'm going to use their lounge for a smoke I will definitely buy at least one cigar there.
I went to a cigar store yesterday for the first time in years. I do not know much about what I am looking for but I do know I prefer the medium to full flavour. The gentleman behind the counter was so helpful. Explain the ring gauges and lengths to me. He suggested which ones he thought I would like. And he was right. That was my best experience in a shop and will always go there to spend my money.
Whenever I'm visiting a shop, beside the cigars I'm purchasing by myself, I always ask the seller to recommend one or two cigars that he/she thinks are the best and that i never tried before, usually in the 5-10 euros range and I just add them to my purchase. It is my way to show gratitude for the service they offer and sometimes i even discover some true hidden gems.
I went into my first lounge in state college PA. And it was a great experience. The man gave us a 101 lesson on cigars in general from mild to full, different cuts and where to start with our journey. Tour of the store. I’m hooked now. And gave up cigarettes so I can fully enjoy and appreciate the cigar.
Oof, the only I remember from state college was on a corner. You walked up the steps, and the counter was right infront of the door, humidor to the left. Memory lane man
I've been smoking cigars for 13 years now, and I feel that I don't know anything, so every time I go to a cigar shop I like to ask questions and talk to other smokers and I always find it fascinating the knowledge of old time smokers!
As someone living in London one thing I would say is don't make it a 15 second experience. Take your time and enjoy . And always ask questions. Great video thanks
I've smoked cigars since I was 18. I am now 32. It's typically 4-5 a week, and I'm lucky enough to have a humidor at home that I regularly keep stocked with a couple hundred sticks. I also have a pretty decent understanding of different regions cigars come from, different wrappers/fillers, most of the shapes and sizes, etc. That being said, when I walk into a shop I will always defer to the owners in terms of knowledge and expertise. I will let them know of my experiences and my little bit of knowledge to give them an idea of my preferences and preferred price points. But after that, I'll usually let them take over and tell me about any new cigars or products they've received recently. 99% of the time, I will learn something new and cool that I didn't know about. There is so much knowledge in these shop workers and owners that too many people either don't know about or simply don't want to hear. And I think that's a huge mistake. And believe it or not, there's been a time or two when I've told them something they didn't know about. Either way, far more times than not it is a positive learning experience. Great video guys.
Thanks for sharing! You have a perfect approach - be educated, yet respectful and open to hearing about new or different products. Appreciate you watching 👊
As someone who has been behind the counter, everything you all said was spot on! This video should be required viewing! In addition, I've visited your location and was absolutely knocked out!
@@gailsack2635 yes. When you include duty taxes and shipping a cigar at 20 ish American can be doubled in price then converted to Australian. It's definitely a special occasion for me but having them on hand, stored correctly makes special times that much better.
I had previously smoked cigars but just recently really got into it. I found myself in one of New York’s finest lounges and because I learned so much about tobacco and cigars I had an Idea of what I wanted to try. The salesman was super friendly and helpful he showed me several good cigars from well known brands that weren’t too expensive. I even bought a cutter. He welcomed me to the cigar family with a warm handshake and then invited me enjoy my cigars in the lounge. The walk in humidor was huge and the lounge itself was massive but nothing about the place or experience was intimidating. In my opinion do some research before you go, and ask good questions and everything should be just fine.
Been coming to Holts for about 10 months have talked to Mazz when Nick Perdomo was there. Anthony knows i come in after my wifes treatment at Fox Chase always asked about her. Was a intimated first time in but now its like a sanctuary for me. Hopefully one day can spend some time in the lounge. You have agreat crew their. Thank You!!!
Been smoking only for four months and asking questions and admitting your newbie has brought so much help and guidance to what I love that the journey has been an utmost pleasurable experience…. Plus cigar people are cool and laid back for the most part.
The cigars I have at home are for me at home or when I’m out and about. When I go to my local shop I definitely always buy one from them. Gotta support the shop.
The first time i went into a cigar shop is as really bothered by the level of customer service that hte employees were provided. It seemed to be like an associate following me around at the department store. However, after more and more visits to shops and lounges i started to understand the culture better and i started to understand that the customer service and hospitality is a part of the experience and the community and i started to appreciate it more. It just took more learning and experience on my end.
Shout out to the Cigaret Shopper in Ellsworth, ME for being the first cigar shop/lounge I ever experienced and the staff was always super friendly and knowledgeable.
Great advice, as usual. As a newer cigar smoker (about 7 months), when I go into a shop, I’m usually looking for good info about the smokes I’m considering. I always buy at least a couple, whether there’s a lounge or not. That’s just good, ethical relations. As a former small retail business owner, I know the patronage is appreciated. Thanks again for the videos, Anthony!
Oliva Series G is an amazing smoke at an affordable price. It’s smooth and creamy but with a little character as to no be boring. It’s a gem. Romeo y Julieta is also a classic.
Great video! Excellent points made. This definitely will make your time in a shop more enjoyable experience. I love to talk cigars to the shop owners or the workers, getting more knowledge on cigars really broadens the opportunity to try some you never thought to try.
I just had my very first cigar which was a Arturo Fuente Chateau, picked up from my local liquor store no questions asked. I literally just read the description and just liked it compared to the other selections. It was also the most picked out of the Humidor Case so I kind of took a gamble.. oh man was I in for a treat! Super nice easy smoke, satisfactory and very clean taste almost as if I could taste the quality control of the factory!! Although not as good or expensive it was a super nice and worthy smoke! I cannot wait to smoke another one tomorrow!!! Ps I did cut it wrong but it still did the job! I’ll make sure to do better next time.
We may cover this topic in the future. In the meantime, you should check out our Top Naturally Sweet Cigars: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6D84wdjlUlg.html
Went into 3 before I found a knowledgeable person but when I did it was totally worth it. Guy was knowledgeable but more importantly he was passionate about it. Great experience and I left with a few of my go to 8-5-8’s and a few new ones to try. As always great content brother
I always buy a modestly priced cigar (or two) and an impulse item at the POS. I normally put these items near the POS then return to the humidor to browse for a higher end stick. I do the same thing at most local businesses.
I started smoking cigars when I was 17 I am now 22. I try to be as respectful as possible bc I know depending on the place it’s a luxury to be able to go and smoke anywhere else but home. I suppose the only thing that’s happened so far that happens everywhere I go is that people look at me often bc of how young I am. Other than that I can’t say I have ever had a bad or odd experience at a cigar shop or lounge. I love cigars and they have opened me up to a whole new life.
When I first started smoking I went through the same thing. I was fairly young & I felt intimidated to ask questions. Ironically I shopped at Holts. Now I’m the GM of Holts. Never be intimidated to ask questions. When you show interest people should be happy to help you enjoy the experience.
People who think they know everything annoy me. I've only been smoking cigars for 7 years. I got a lot to learn. I've been an expert in my field of work for 20 years and I'm on a first name basis with the ceo of multi billion dollar company, I still got a lot to learn. Life and everything in it is constantly changing. The more you understand something the deeper the rabbit hole gets. Always keep an open mind and always be willing to learn something new
Great video as always. I disagree with the statement that you get nothing through smelling the cigar. Let me preface this with the statement that id never put my nose on or finger anyone elses cigar aggressively. But, my cigar is mine. Part of my lighting ritual is to deeply inhale the body and foot of the cigar and taste the cold draw as well before toasting. It increases my enjoyment and i thinknit does help to "prime" my palate with each cigar.
Them "how do I walk into a cigar shop"??? Me: "Open the damn door..." Really though most of these are good points. But expecting a visitor to your shop to purchase is absurd. Some times I'm in a new city and just want to CHECK OUT a cool looking cigar shop/lounge. I may smoke my own, I may not. I may purchase a new cigar, I may not. That's my damn right. I don't HAVE to buy from you just because I walked in your store and looked around. But, if I am going to hang out, I WILL buy a drink or something. I actually didn't know the think about smelling cigars.
Hell, the cigar shop I frequent the workers (owner included) actively pulls cigars out and out of the plastic and says "check this out"/"get a whiff of this" admittedly they won't sell you that one and usually only do it for the less expensive ones. Doesn't bother me or my group, we still love the place
How should patrons feel about people (staff or patrons) smoking in the humidor? I ask because I don’t know…but it has always rubbed me wrong when a fresh product is open for all to see, and it’s (in theory) collecting spent smoke. Thoughts?
Very interesting video, thank you. I have a question if that's OK? You mention not putting the cigar in your mouth before using the store cutter. I don't wet cigars before using my own cutter. Is this something I should be doing? I have noticed sometime the cap cracks a little so is wetting it first something that would help this? Or do I just need a better cutter?
The cap can tear if the cigar is too dry, if your cutter isn't sharp, or both. Wetting your cigar will not protect the cap from cracking due to either of those issues. Also, cutting a wet cigar wears down your cutter faster since you are building up saliva and residue on the blades.
Anthony sir, honestly I support all u saying when it comes to a store or a supplier thats trust worthy. I remember the first time i purchase a box of cigar, actually the first time ever to purchase cigar seriously, I was in Cuba, downtown Havana in the habanos last year October, i had very limited knowledge back then comparing to now and there was a unknown costumer who gently squzzed the cigar, i think it was the Hupmann no2, and he whispered near me, This shit is dry as fuck, he was a very old guy, and i trusted him to move on. Later in the afternoon I walked in the store again, it was a different lady who showed me another box of Hupmann no2 and robina, it was slightly softer than the noon one, I purchased without knowing shit, they even took the original box away and gave me a partagas box. Afterwords when i came back to Canada and visited USA, it was the first time i knew how proper stored cigar should feel like, just by comparsion, the cuban one was quite bad in terms of condition. I mean All you said is true, but it has to be when dealing with trust worthy people that have bacis dignity. not only the product was shit, but when purchasing it, it felt like i own them habanos debt or something, it didn't feel like they want to sell, and indeed they rip me off. but now after trying more sticks and watching u sharing knowledges, i don't think it will happen again on me.😊
Very good advice here. I was intimidated at first, not wanting to look uninformed. I like my local shop. They will leave me alone which I like, but also will answer my questions when I have them. Usually if I am going there I have a pretty good idea what I want, but often still have questions. On a side note: I love the cost and tie, certainly a professional look. Still. I would hate for my good suits to smell like smoke. My wife would hate that. In fact, just going into a shop and back out, one’s wife will know where you have been.
My wife makes me take my clothes off in the garage after I've been to the lounge. If I have a smoke in the backyard I only have to take off my shirt, ha ha.
Great vid! There's a cigar shop in Key West that doesn't allow you to even touch the cigars. The shop associate will pick it up for you if you'd like to look at it or purchase it. Who wants dozens of nasty fingers that have touched the cigar you're purchasing?
Mazz and Faccia are enjoying La Aroma de Cuba Reserva. Great blend, but definitely not mild! Check out our Top Mild Cigars video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BwUrc6wYb6c.html
This was very helpful, I was guilty of a couple 🤦 I recently bought a few cigars from your store on Walnut st and walked upstairs to Ashton to smoke them. Is that acceptable or would it be better to purchase what I smoke in Ashton?
Whether or not you can bring your own smokes to a cigar bar/lounge is different for every bar, but is perfectly acceptable at Ashton Cigar Bar. Thanks for stopping by to support!
When I pick up a cigar and look at it. I look at the cap, making sure for me that it suits me. Secondly,I look at the wrapper to see if I see a steem. I personally don't like to choose that kind. I'll go through the box to see one that's not so pronounced. That's just me. That's how I choose mine.
No. That’s a fallacy. Smoke rises & dissipates. The tobacco in the cigar has been exposed to cigar smoke every step of the way. Cigar smoking is of course very prevalent in cigar manufacturing facilities. That is a myth that people have latched onto.
I will pick up a cigar not to squeeze it but to turn it to see the price. The price is always on the underneath side. I think it should be on the box or name plate. What do you think?
I think you can approach staff, off to the side quietly if you need and say...I'm here to learn, what do you recommend, what do you feel is a good beginner cigar?
Don’t be. It’s like the gym. Everyone there may look scary, but I assure you that most people from the shop owners to the patrons want you to have a good time.
Why do you light the cigar before taking the band off? How many cigars do you smoke in a day? Do you prefer a different cigar based on time of day or what routine you are in? Thanks 😎
We don't recommend removing the cigar band until the ember gets within an inch or so to it. The reason for that is because the heat will loosen the glue on the band and it will be less likely to damage the wrapper if you remove it too early. The mood/day/time definitely plays a role in how many and which cigars you may choose to enjoy. Cheers!
My tips for taking on stronger cigars is to have a large meal before hand. Chose a short smoke like a petit corona, have a sugaru drink handy to sip on, to smoke it as slow as possible and don't be afraid to put it out half way. Also I find smoking it at night or when you know you have nothing on afterwards and you are at home is the best way to do it, because if you do get sick you can just lie down until you start feeling better (might be a hour or two)
I smoked cigar and drank coñag with my best friend I I just realized I never new how to properly smoke a cigar. Hopefully my local cigar lounge sold me a smooth cigar and was patient while I look around.
It is interesting that you point out buying something when you go in. That is actually how I got into all this. I was on a cruise last month and the cruise director recommended a cigar shop that hand rolled their cigars right there in the shop (Das Cigars on St. Maartin). Since this was something I had never seen done before my wife and I went and watched. I was fascinated by the process and before I knew it we had been there close to an hour. I figured I'd been entertained/educated and decided I'd make a purchase (I had never smoked a cigar in my life). They asked for my last name and my cabin number and said that they had a raffle for a box of cigars since I had mentioned the cruise director. I shrugged and filled out a ticket figuring there was no way I'd win. Well, turns out my luck was uncharacteristically good that day and I won (box of 10 robustos). Moral of the story...if you're going in and enjoying what a cigar shop has to offer, buy a little something because you never know.
I was so scared, I ordered a pick-up so I didn't have to spend a lot of time in there lol Now my local (incidentally Davidoff London) is a frequent hangout the last 7 years. (Except for lockdown of course lol)
I just subscribed. I'm also trying different cigars and watched your video on picking a cigar for the first time. Still learning but I'm gonna continue to tap in💨💨
as a looong time cigar smoker, ive had mainly good experiences at shops. I have been to only a few that were trash because of the employees. Where i live we have a dozen or so to choose from and i frequent maybe 4 because of horrible service from the others. As someone who spends several hundred a month on cigars, service is a big thing for me.
Camacho Perdomo reserve Champagne 10th anniversary H. Upmann 1844 classic Leaf by Oscar And Ashton cigarillos might be a like 16 but you get 10 if them Drew Estate undercrown shade Romeo y Julieta House of Capulet Macanudo Café Court
There is a proper way to test the notes of a cigar and its STRICTLY limted to smelling the foot of the cigar. This is important when choosing and preparing to smoke a cigar and getting an idea of the taste and aroma. It's like sniffing wine before drinking. 😅
So my first time in a cigar store. I went to a cigar store, in Vegas, (becaue all good stories start with "in Vegas") i was 29 and my cousin had been trying to get me to smoke a cigar for years. I made a deal with him. If at any night durring my trip i won a certain amount of money. Id go to a cigar store that was close to my hotel and try one. So i lost the bet. . . By winning. . . So i went to the store. To set the scene: it was about 11AM, there was like 2 or 3 other customers there, sitting and smoking and an older gentleman working at the counter. I politely explain im new and why im there. And apparently he was not having a good day. He angrily walks with me to their walk-in humidor. grabs some honey flavored cigar, we go back to the counter, he rings it up, and theows it across the counter at me. I point out i dont know how to cut it and i dont have a cutter or lighter. He angrily, exhales, grabs it out of my hand cuts it with a machine behind the counter and says "lighters are on the tables, chained to the ash trays, figure it out." At the end of the day it was a great time and the way i see it. he could have sold me a real expensive cigar, cutter, and lighter since i wouldn't have known any better. And i got away with a $7, in house special, a cigar that was lighter and a real good introduction. And ive been a regular smoker ever since.
