Stogie Tips: A Little Shoptalk

If you’re a regular smoker fortunate enough to have several cigar shops near your home or workplace, you undoubtedly have opinions about each of them. Sometimes choices are simple—when, for example, only one is open on Sundays and you want to smoke and watch football. But others can be trickier.

For new smokers still deciding which shop to patronize most, here are four keys to look for. While they’re all important, lets keep in mind that there are undoubtedly great shops that would fail on several accounts.

A good owner. I feel better when the owner is present and involved. It indicates the shop is in the hands of someone who has invested himself as well as his money. Practically, this isn’t always possible. But when it is, I think it says something positive.

A well-kept stock. The humidor should be consistently close to 70 degrees and 70 percent relative humidity. Many smokers keep their personal humidors at different settings, particularly less humidity. With the frequent air exchanges and extremes, though, it’s better to keep the levels up in tobacconists. I also like to see a high-quality thermometer and hygrometer.

Neatness. It counts, just like your mother told you. Seeing dust collecting on cigars, jumbled boxes on display shelves, or overflowing ashtrays creates doubts about how well the stock is treated.

Variety in selection. This one is a bit tricky because smokers reading this article are much more likely to want to try new cigars than the average customer. The store owner has to stock what sells or he can’t stay in business. So I don’t hold it against a shop if it doesn’t have rows and rows and rows of boutique brands. I will be disappointed, however, if there’s little more than the likes of Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Punch, and Macanudo to choose from.

That’s what I look for in a great tobacconist. What would you add to this list?

-George E

photo credit: Flickr