When you walk into Smoker’s Etc. in Stow, Ohio it can be a little intimidating for first timers. There is a wide selection of cigars from our walk-in humidor and people are smoking and enjoying the big screen televisions and comfortable chairs.
We understand that cigars for the uninitiated are hard to discern one from another. You see the length and wrapper color differences, but what does that mean to someone new to the cigar world? We’ll show you the best route for getting the type of cigar you want from your cigar lounge experience.
Talk To the Experts
The employees at Smoker’s etc. are experts on all types of cigars. We don’t order them unless we know they’re high quality. We try our best to know when someone new comes in, they usually have a look of both fear and confusion.
If it’s a busy day, we may miss you, so don’t be afraid to talk to us directly. We’ll be happy to take you into our luxurious walk-in humidor and show you our wares. We’ll ask you a few questions and direct you to the cigars we think are a good fit for you.
You choose the one you think you’ll like best. Choosing a cigar is a personal experience and depends strongly on your tastes. Our experts know enough about cigars and people to get a read on what you want.
How Much Time Do You Have?
A cigar needs to be smoked slowly to fully appreciate the flavor, body, and finish. Cigars come in a variety of sizes from the short Robusto to the massive Churchill or Double Corona. A smaller cigar takes about 30-45 minutes to fully smoke. A larger cigar takes a few hours.
Don’t choose a large cigar if you don’t have time to smoke it. You’ll end up either smoking it too fast, leading to a headache and nausea or you’ll leave it burning on the ashtray until it burns out. Many times, people new to cigar smoking choose a larger cigar, but can’t finish it.
There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If you don’t want to smoke anymore, then place the cigar on the ashtray.
Select the Right Body
A cigar lounge has many different customers and they all like something different. Cigars come in three different bodies: mild, medium, and full. Beginners often start with mild cigars because they aren’t as hard on the pallet.
Mild cigars often have sweet or creamy notes that make the draw smooth. Medium- and full-bodied cigars tend to have higher tobacco content and more earthy flavors. It’s a good idea to start with a mild cigar and then build-up to the others.
If you start with a full-bodied cigar, then it might be overwhelming and make for a bad smoke. The goal is to keep you coming back for a great experience, so it’s important to enjoy your smoke.
Think Outside the Box
There are many types of premium cigars including flavored and infused varieties. Acid Cigars are infused using an extensive process that adds flavor but doesn’t overwhelm the tobacco. If you want something a little different than the standard cigar, consider a flavored or infused cigar.
Flavored cigars often overpower the taste of the tobacco, which is why they’re commonly used in less expensive cigars that use inferior tobacco filler. There are still good, flavored cigars, but ask one of our employees before choosing one.
Infused cigars tend to be of higher quality and a nice departure for people seeking something different than the traditional cigar flavors. The flavor of the cigar changes depending on the tobacco blend and where they were grown.
What’s Your Budget?
There are cigars of all price ranges. It’s not just between machine-rolled and hand-rolled either, but price differences between premium cigar brands. If you’re new to the cigar world, you probably don’t want to start out with the best of the best.
Super-premium cigars tend to be potent and with a flavor best appreciated by someone with experience. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a premium cigar. Instead, choose a premium with a nice mild flavor. You can even ask us about any sales or deals we have going on.
No sense paying full price if you can get a deal. Smoker’s Etc. always has something going on for you. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a great cigar. We have cigars of all types at the best prices in the area.
Picking the Cigar
You’ve narrowed down your choices and now it’s time to pick your cigar. The first thing you should look at is the wrapper. The wrapper holds a lot of the flavor of the cigar and is chosen for its perfection. There are many different colors with some being more potent than others.
The wrapper should be pristine with no gaps, tears, or cracks. The wrapper should be all one color with no spots or areas that are darker than others.
Hold the cigar in your hand and give it a gentle squeeze. A premium cigar should be tightly packed with tobacco, but still have a little give. If it feels dry, then it probably is. The good news is you won’t find a dry cigar at Smoker’s Etc. in Stow, Ohio.
When you squeeze the cigar, it should be uniform throughout. There are no bulges, hard spots, or divots.
Enjoy Your Cigar
If you followed our tips, then you’re sitting with a cigar in your mouth, enjoying your cigar shop experience. You may not be an expert yet, but you’re well on your way. It’s only a matter of time before you’re lounging in one of our easy chairs and watching the game with your cigar-smoking friends.
Smoker’s Etc. takes pride in providing the best cigar lounge experiences for new and seasoned cigar smokers. If you have any questions about choosing a cigar or about our selection, then please feel free to contact us today.