By Ben Torres
A woman wandered into the humidor at my shop yesterday (The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar in Charlotte, for those wondering) hoping to find something for her husband as he celebrated a special work anniversary. The only problem? She had NO idea what she was looking for or how to go about the process.
I told her not to worry, that this is simply a flipped script of what you normally see when out shopping – a rather carefree significant other stepping into a makeup store (think of Ulta/Sephora, etc.) holding up a name of a random concealer that he can’t even recall the look of, but that he knows his lady is in need. My new friend doubled over laughing, affirming that the example I used was precisely how she felt in this moment.
Shopping for someone you care about doesn’t have to be complicated – but hopefully this starter guide can be of some assistance as you start thinking about Christmas stocking stuffers.
Primarily, it can always be helpful if you take a picture of the cigar band that your person has claimed they are fond of. This allows for staff to easily identify the company that sourced that cigar, so they can point you in that direction and/or assist in finding an alternative if something may be similar (and possibly better). Most shops tend to build sampler packs of each brand so you can get something that allows the receiver of your gift to explore new profiles and sizes under the same company umbrella’s portfolio.
Secondly, don’t be afraid to dive a little deeper into their interests – for example, if they are a fond coffee or whiskey drinker, there are PLENTY of cigars that pair perfectly with either! The dark, full-bodied cigars often go best with an espresso or latte, whereas the medium-bodied profiles tend to be best suited for those who may drink bourbon on the rocks or even an Old Fashioned. If their usual go-to is without a beverage, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for options with flavors that standout well by themselves!
Thirdly, often times the gift doesn’t have to be cigars itself! There is a fantastic assortment of retail products that compliment the cigar smoking hobby – from bracelets that double as “punch” cutters, to pocketknives that double as “straight” cutters, to lighters with fuel and flames of all shapes and sizes! Often these things get lost as people travel, so it’ll never hurt to duplicate something they already have so they can be sure to always have one at home.
As holidays approach, cigar shops tend to act in a similar fashion to other retail outlets. Be on the lookout online for those advertising “Buy 2, Get 1 Free!” and other mirroring ideas that can help drive the overall per unit cost down for those on a budget (or simply looking for the best bang for your buck). Should you ever need anything specific, you can always reach out to us at The Vintage since we can ship straight to your door!
Ben Torres is the general manager of The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina.
They can be reached by phone at (704) 931-3636.
