It’s all about the experience, so when it comes to smoking a fine cigar most people like to take their time.
“After a long day at work, there’s nothing better than sitting down with a cigar and a beverage of your choice,” said Evan Apostolakis.
“There’s a big difference between smoking a cigar and smoking cigarettes. Yes, they are tobacco, but there is a big distinction. Cigars are not meant to be inhaled. Some people might only have one a day or one every few days. People smoke cigars for the flavour and the enjoyment.”
Apostolakis was introduced to the world of cigars several years ago by his brother-in-law.
On July 26, 2014, he opened a store on Queen Street in Niagara Falls called the Cigar Experience, and On Aug. 1, 2015, he moved a few doors down to 4536 Queen St.
There’s no smoking inside the store and a sign in the window says anyone entering must be 19 years of age or older, or they need to be accompanied by someone 19 or older.
Unlike a convenience store where tobacco products must be kept out of view, cigars are on display, mostly in glass cabinets so that temperature and humidity can be monitored. The store also has a walk-in humidor that presents a warm and inviting place for customers to visit. The door is kept closed to maintain the proper conditions.
The store also carries many cigar accessories such as humidors, ashtrays, cutters, punches, humidifiers and hygrometers.
“You don’t want the tobacco to get too dry or too humid. If it gets too humid you will get mould and if that happens you will have to discard it,” said Apostolakis.
For anyone who is new to smoking cigars, he recommends starting off with a milder cigar, don’t start with something too strong because that will likely turn you off and ruin the experience.
“There are plenty of cigars in that category so start with something mild but flavourable,” he said. “Over time you will seek out stronger cigars with bolder flavours. Most people will stay in that mild to medium category.”
Some women are cigar smokers, but they are a minority.
Different types of tobacco from different countries, or blends of tobacco can produce a variety of flavours.
“It’s quite an in-depth process that involves aging and packaging. To create a premium cigar it’s a process that involves a lot of love,” he explains, adding that cigars and wine have a lot in common.
If aged properly, the older it is the better.
Cigars in the store sell for $5.99 up to $59.99. There are cigars that sell for more than $100, but there’s very little demand for something in that price range in Niagara Falls.
The majority of his customers range in age from their late 20s to their 70s. Cuban cigars only account for about 25 per cent of his sales.
“Cuban cigars can be more expensive so our locals don’t usually buy Cubans. We buy cigars from Canadian distributors and they are usually located in Toronto or Montreal,” he said.
Just like many other products, there are fakes when it comes to buying Cuban cigars, so it’s best to buy from a trusted source.
“If it doesn’t look right, don’t buy it,” he said. Check the packaging, check the seal, check the printing on the bands because some customers have found spelling errors.
“A good cigar is one that you like,” said Apostolakis. “Cigars are subjective. There might be a cigar that you enjoy that I might not enjoy. Someone might enjoy a spicy cigar, no different than someone liking spicy foods, but someone else might not enjoy it.”
He compares it to shopping for a bottle of wine. Someone might like a $15 bottle better than $90 bottle simply because they might prefer something sweeter as opposed to extra dry.
A box of cigars might contain 10, 18, 25 or even 50. Depending on how many cigars are in a box, the cost can range from $100 to more than $1,000.
Joseph Hession, who was visiting from Boston, said he likes to enjoy smoking the occasional cigar.
“I don’t smoke them a lot, but I just find them relaxing,” said Hession, who dropped into the store because he wanted to try a Cuban cigar, something he can’t purchase back home.
“I smoke one or two cigars a month. In the summer I like to sit back with a beer and have a cigar. I like a milder cigar, nothing too harsh,” he said. “I got two Cuban cigars, they looked good, they smelled good, so I want to try them. I’ve never had a Cuban before and I have always wanted to try one. It’s like the forbidden fruit.”
Resource: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2016/03/28/biz-beat-its-all-about-the-cigar-experience
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