New to the world of premium cigars? Have no fear, I’m here to give you some pointers to make the process much simpler!
Perhaps you have a local brick and mortar shop (B&M) that sells premium cigars. That’s great! Definitely use them and ask plenty of questions. However, beware of those that charge a super-premium for cigars that may not actually cost as much as they claim.
The Cons Of Buying Cigars In A Brick And Mortar Store
There are two shops in my hometown that carry cigars. One is a liquor store with a tiny walk-in humidor and the other is a cigarette outlet that has a few cabinets full of cigars. The liquor store has ridiculous prices on all their cigars. Granted, some of them are Padron and Ashton, but still! The discount tobacco shop has very reasonable prices for a B&M shop. Luckily, I had done enough research to not fall victim to the liquor store.
The general public doesn’t realize that a premium hand rolled cigar doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Just because you’re purchasing one as a gift for a more savvy smoker doesn’t mean you have to pay a savvy price! Thankfully, the Internet can save you some financial shock.
Knowing what to expect when you’re shopping for that special someone will help you make better decision. Just because a cigar doesn’t cost $8-10 each doesn’t mean that it’s not a premium smoke. There are countless brands and blends out there in the $4-$6 range that will make any connoisseur happy!
The Pros Of Buying Cigars Online
Let’s start our research on famous-smoke.com. For the record, I’m a big proponent of supporting local business, but shopping online for a specialty item that is overpriced in your town sometimes is the only way to go about it. It’s not okay to willingly be fleeced.
What I like most about Famous Smoke is their huge selection of samplers. Don’t know what to get that special someone? That’s okay! Even the Famous house blends (my favorite is the Famous Nic 3000) are fantastic. Just know that you will generally get a better deal per stick on a box purchase than buying singles, for obvious reasons. Once you pick out a sampler that sounds good, you may want to double check the prices at your local shop. Nothing wrong with shopping around first.
If you aren’t sure about how the cigars will survive shipping, no worries there either. I’ve never had a bad shipment, even during the hottest days of the year. You may want to consider having the cigars arrive closer to the date of the event so that you don’t have to worry much about storing them. Otherwise, cigars can “die” if not properly humidified. Just something to think about.
The benefits of having a local shop that is reasonably priced is a huge plus. Unfortunately for most of us, that just doesn’t happen. Start with your local shop, check around on the Internet for reputable retailers, and then you can make a decision that’s more solid. Just remember that premium cigars don’t have to cost $8+ just for a smoker to enjoy them! It’s all about the marketing.
Good luck!
Mike Dean is a guest blogging assistant with expertise in cigars from Famous Smoke Shop. Mike loves reviewing cigars and helping beginners become aficionados. Visit Famous-Smoke.com for information on winning the cigar lover’s trip of a lifetime!