Happy Wednesday, folks! As 2021 starts picking up steam, it looks like more and more cigar lounges will be open and ready for you to patronize their establishments. Or maybe you’re a new cigar enthusiast hoping to visit your first cigar shop this year and want to know more about what to expect. 

Whether or not you choose to visit our Maxamar Ultimate Cigars lounge in Orange, CA or a shop closer to home, here are ten tips to make your cigar lounge experience better in no particular order. 

10.) Bring Your Own Cigar Cutter

While cigar lounges love providing the basics to enjoy a fine cigar at their establishment, we suggest that you bring your own cutter. In a covid world this makes even more sense, but it’s always been something that I prefer personally. 

Not everyone cuts and lights their cigars the same way, and some make an additional cut (or their first) after leaving saliva on the head of their cigar. To keep yourself healthy, the best practice is to just bring your own cutter.

9.) Ask What’s New

We get it… most cigar shop employees hate this question. And the usual adage applies, whatever you haven’t tried yet is new to you. But we always encourage communication between your Tobacconist, and this is a great way to start the conversation. 

Besides, you may just find that your favorite factory released a new cigar while you were busy with 2020. Other great conversation starters include explaining your likes and dislikes while looking for other blends and asking for their personal favorites. You may find that you and your Tobacconist share a love of similar tobaccos, factories, or blenders. 

8.) Bring a Different Mask

You might not be like me, but I have a particular mask that I’m fond of for the day to day. It’s comfy on the ears and the only way I like to travel by air when I have to for business. 

If you’re the same, please don’t wear this mask to your favorite cigar lounge. You’re much better off bringing a mask that you’re not as fond of or a disposable mask to comply with whichever masking requirements your Tobacconist has enacted for your safety. 

This mask will end up holding a smokey smell that isn’t ideal for running to the grocery store afterwards with to grab a few things for the house. 

7.) Voice Your Problems

Cigar lounges are owned by cigar enthusiasts. They cherish a great cigar as much as the next guy, and no one likes a miserable experience. 

If you fire up one of your favorite cigars and it happens to be hopelessly flawed, please don’t hesitate to let your Tobacconist know. In the States, they’ll likely offer you a replacement since this is an exception, not the rule. They know that cigars are handmade products and things happen. 

6.)  Double Check Store Hours and Availability Online

As we all learned last year, lounge availability and store hours are subject to change depending on local laws in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check with us at our Maxamar Ultimate Cigars Lounge by calling us at 323-301-3399, emailing us at [email protected] / [email protected], or checking in with us on Facebook or Instagram @smallbatchcigar. 

If you’re visiting another fine establishment, we recommend checking in with them as well before getting your hopes up and driving across town to find irregular hours posted on the door. 

5.) Bring Room Temperature Dr. Pepper

I’ll never forget when Dion Giolito told us about room temp Dr. Pepper during one of our virtual lounge experiences with him as our guest. The way he explained it, Dr. Pepper was originally meant to sit on the counter and be served lukewarm. 

I’ve tried this many times with Illusione and other brands and have to say this is a slam dunk! One caveat is that I wouldn’t try this with Diet Dr. Pepper, it just isn’t the same. But if you bring this to your lounge, it’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter as well as an excellent pairing for a wide variety of cigars. 

4.) Don’t Be Shy

Very rarely will someone congregate in a cigar lounge that isn’t a people person. Whether it’s asking for help on how to do something cigar related or making small talk, we strongly encourage everyone to be yourself and learn as much as you can. 

Maybe you grabbed a cigar that has a different cap than you’re used to and want to know if you’re cutting it right? Staff will always be happy to assist, and most cigar enthusiasts love sharing knowledge as well. If you’re curious, chances are that the knowledge you seek is just a few feet away.

A cigar lounge is the most appropriate place to ask cigar questions outside of the internet and you’ll likely make long term friends in the process. Please don’t ever feel like you can’t ask what’s on your mind. 

3.) Try the House Blends or Shop Exclusives

As I’m fond of saying, we should always light it before we spite it. I’ve been guilty of passing over house blends in the past, but after finding some amazing gems I always try one of these when I’m in a new cigar lounge. 

Sometimes you’ll find neat sizes like our very own Small Batch Exclusives, complete with branded artwork, bands, and often a trusted base blend. Other times you’ll find unassuming, unbanded cigars waiting for someone to pick them up. 

My advice is to give those unbanded cigars a try when you can. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised in the past, and the value on house cigars is among the best you’ll find when you happen upon one that fits your flavor profile.  

2.) Let Your Cigar Rest

As human beings, we’re easily caught up in the moment and put too many things on auto pilot. If you’re like me, you probably smoke faster at the cigar lounge talking with friends than you do while sitting on your front porch with a drink and a view. 

If you and I share the same bad habits, try doing what I do: placing your cigar on the rest or ash tray often. This will take the cigar out of your hands and slow down the reflexive habit of smoking like a chimney. 

Conversely, I’ve heard some people are the exact opposite and smoke much slower in a lounge setting. As with all tips about cigars, adapt them to fit your style. 

1.) Stop and Have a Cigar

This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many cigar enthusiasts (new and veterans alike) only stop by the shop to pick up a few cigars and go about their day. While this is perfectly acceptable, I think I speak for everyone when I say we’d love to embrace you in the cigar community wherever you’re at. 

If your Tobacconist is able to provide comfortable seating for you to enjoy a cigar, please give it a try if you haven’t yet! I remember a few stories of cigar smokers purchasing from a shop for a long time without ever staying to light one up. Every time, they say something to the effect of “I wish I would’ve stayed sooner.” 

That’s it from us! Please don’t hesitate to add other good tips below in the comment section.