A good cigar

[Von Wigglestaff]

At a wedding reception I spent part of my evening puffing on a good cigar and sipping single malt - life doesn't get any better than that.

I quit smoking cigarettes years ago but I found the cigar a very pleseant experience. I would like to keep a box of cigars for myself but I don't know much about cigars (not like the accumulated knowledge I have of single malt).
What are the good brands and where in Toronto can I buy good cigars?

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

My suggestion.

I can tell you that I have had the same pleasant experience with a Monte Cristo No. 4 , This was fresh from Cuba. Evidently they are very mild when they are new and get more robust when they are older.
I did not enjoy Romero and Julietas and Cohibas as much as the Monte Cristos.

 

[Kenwoody]

The best deal is to find someone going to Cuba or Dominican and get them to bring you back a box at half the price. Outside of that, try Holy Smokes in some of the better Loblaws stores. Or Thomas Hinds on Yonge & Cumberland, but they usually will have Yorkville pricing. Don't get caught up in the brands, part of the enjoyment of cigar smoking is to try different types and keep note of what you like, much like there are varied tastes in scotch. My personal fave is a Cohiba Lancero with a glass of Grand Marnier or Highland Park and an hour or so with nowhere to go. aaaaahhhh

 

[smtmtd1]

At a wedding reception I spent part of my evening puffing on a good cigar and sipping single malt - life doesn't get any better than that.

I quit smoking cigarettes years ago but I found the cigar a very pleseant experience. I would like to keep a box of cigars for myself but I don't know much about cigars (not like the accumulated knowledge I have of single malt).
What are the good brands and where in Toronto can I buy good cigars?

You might want to check out how these cigars are made. http://www.grouper.com/video/MediaDetails.aspx?id=719152&st=-1&s=7&q=bodyrolled

 

[Larry_Fyne]

There are a number of good cigar shops in the GTA. I go to The Smoking Cigar on Bayview (South of Eglington on East side); The Humidor on Hwy 7 Woodbridge (West of Weston Road on South Side); Cigars For You - two locations - Steeles West of Hilda and Carlingview near the peeler joint.

I personally don't always look to Cubans for the good smokes. There are very good sticks made in Hondouras or Dominican Republic. Just this past weekend I was in The Smoking Cigar and bought a fantastic Fuente cigar at $22 and beats any Monte or Cohiba. Cigar magazines are US based for the most part so they tend to list and rate non-Cuban cigars (with exceptions). Unfortunitly, some of those cigars are not available in Canada because of the Cuban companies. When I travel to the US I always look for US cigar shops and pick up some bargains. Our tax structure is out of wack and the US cigars are so much less expensive. My last trip I bought 12 cigars (including 2 excellant Rocky Patel Olde World Reserves at $12 each) and spent $80 US$.

A lot of the shops in Toronto (and other places too I assume) sell a house brand cigar that is equal in quality in some case to much more expensive Cuban name brands.

I also don't suggest you go out a buy a box. Buy singles to feel out the different brands and tastes.

I keep a diary of what I smoke and refer to it. Careful, you will get caught up in the whole thing. Buy a humidor, then buy 2 of the same cigar when you go shopping. One is for you now, and one is for later after it ages in the humidor. Soon, you will have a collection of varied sticks like my single-malt collection.

 

[revolver]

Another good location is The Cigar Studio. It's at 4 Willingdon Drive which is just a block east of Royal York running north from Bloor. I always buy there.

http://www.cigarstudio.com/

 

[burnandturn]

At a wedding reception I spent part of my evening puffing on a good cigar and sipping single malt - life doesn't get any better than that.

you ain't smoking the right stuff then.

 

[Wrangler79]

Cigar shop by the airport

I know you were asking for Toronto but this is where I got a great deal on my humidor and have bought a few cigars on occation.
Forget the name but it is beside Arizona's and a few doors north of the Landing Strip off of Carlingview.

Funidor, got it from Cuba and they come in there own single boxes within a bigger box of five mmmm... and aslo just had a wonderfully humidor aged Cohiba Esplendido on the weekend.

Cheers

 

[Viewer]

Another good location is The Cigar Studio. It's at 4 Willingdon Drive which is just a block east of Royal York running north from Bloor. I always buy there.

http://www.cigarstudio.com/

Hey Revolver - I wonder if we've seen each other in Jerry's shop. Great place.

I'd go along with the advice previously given. Buy singles, try different lengths, gauges, brands, wrappers, etc. until you get an idea of what you like.

Yes, it can be addictive. Humidor, fancy cutter, double flame torch, a few extra cigars each visit to save in the humidor for later. Addictive, and expensive. Much like that other hobby that many of us here share.

BTW, my current fav. is a Rocky Patel Vintage torpedo.

In fact, it's a good evening to light up, pour a generous shot of Laphroig in the glass, and sit on the deck.... Ahhh.

 

[frankcastle]

I always thought Cohiba's were supposed to be one of the better ones.

 

[Perry Mason]

Well, a well aged Esplendido once in a while and you, too, can feel like Winston or Fidel!

But I like mine with a Courvoisier or Hennessy XO.

Perry

 

[agentman]

I am a bit of a cigar fanatic myself. I've tried cubans and non-cubans. Although cubans are real good i notice that they are usually overhyped/overrated andover priced. Save your money and go to the US for several days and buy some
non-cubans. Some decent and reasonably priced stogie brands are; Gispert, Sancho Panza, EDRM and Carlos Torano to name a few. If you visit the US for a minimum of 2 days you are legally allowed to bring back 50 cigar sticks with no duty being charged to you. Check out www.top25cigars.com for more info, there's lots of tips out on the internet. Good luck.