Cigar Etiquette Discussion: You are in a Cigar lounge.

[MrBirdman]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

Hmmmm........✍️

 

 

Ford             ✅

Birdman       ❌

Fugu            ✅

Arabian        ✅

DuxNutz       ❌

ha_banos     🤔

 

...................sorry......just putting together my private client list for 2026 

 

Let me be clear, I am talking about a single, uncomfortably tight stick in a very nice lounge when the cigar is 46+ ring gauge (which is pretty rare). Things are totally different when you’re buying a box, a skinny, or just bought a single that you took home. I see the markup at a lounge as the price of entry for the experience and part of that experience is getting a smokable cigar. Worth remembering that some lounges don’t even let you select the cigar you choose. And if the lounge has a policy about only replacing truly plugged cigars - fine with me as long as it’s clear going in. 

[LordAnubis]

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Hmmmm........✍️

 

 

Ford             ✅

Birdman       ❌

Fugu            ✅

Arabian        ✅

DuxNutz       ❌

ha_banos     🤔

 

...................sorry......just putting together my private client list for 2026 

 

I came here to reply that 99call is your dream customer 😂

[El Presidente]

10 hours ago, LordAnubis said:

I came here to reply that 99call is your dream customer  😂

99call                 ✅

LordAnubis        ❓

Ken                   ❌

[LordAnubis]

10 hours ago, El Presidente said:

99call                 ✅

LordAnubis        ❓

Ken                   ❌

Not a CPP get in line man. The semi dowel is going back to the host via arm powered rapid air transit 😂 

Honestly if they tried to poke it and “investigated” (“ahh yes feels tight here at the band”) that’s probably enough and I wouldn’t be expecting another cigar. However it’s about service. If they replace it, I’m probably buying 2 more cigars. If not, I’m calling it a day and going to get lunch. 

[El Presidente]

10 hours ago, LordAnubis said:

Not a CPP get in line man. The semi dowel is going back to the host via arm powered rapid air transit 😂 

Honestly if they tried to poke it and “investigated” (“ahh yes feels tight here at the band”) that’s probably enough and I wouldn’t be expecting another cigar. However it’s about service. If they replace it, I’m probably buying 2 more cigars. If not, I’m calling it a day and going to get lunch

LordAnubis     ❌     

[LordAnubis]

10 hours ago, El Presidente said:

LordAnubis     ❌     

You know, it’s interesting when I find places that cut and light. They often don’t offer the test draw between cutting and lighting. I think would save the business heaps. By save I mean build a large stash of plugs etc for the owner to suffer through 😂

[El Presidente]

Just now, LordAnubis said:

 I think would save the business heaps. By save I mean build a large stash of plugs etc for the owner to suffer through 😂

That's why I am only allowed to smoke seconds!!!!! 

I have a draw in the walk in humidor full of underfilled or overfilled  F****rs!  

Jesus, I own the business but DI and Lise insist I smoke the writeoffs only 

[99call]

For some list Rob's list is making me think of this classic scene.

[LizardGizmo]

If the draw is too tight and nothing is helping, I would certainly request another cigar. I would hope the shop would want me to enjoy my time in their establishment and not suffer through the impossible. If they asked me to pay for a second cigar, I would do so without fuss...but I imagine that most reputable shops would be keen to replace it and hopefully result in some repeat business/loyalty. I'd also imagine the shop would want to know so they can inspect whatever box it came out of to prevent other less-tolerant customers from having the same experience.

If the draw is wide open, I consciously smoke slower and don't say a thing.

[Gemini_Man]

If the draw were too tight, I would mention it and see how the shopkeeper reacts. If he/she offers to replace it I would likely take them up on it. 

If the draw were too open, I would slow down and be even more mindful of my draws.

[ChanceSchmerr]

I said return for both...but only given the circumstances. It's not based on the price (yeah it's higher than it was in the past, but nothing ever goes down in price), but because there is an expectation that you're in the Divan for an experience, and an overly tight/overly loose cigar makes for a miserable experience that I don't want, and that the business likely doesn't want me to have either.

That said, any such situation to me, requires grace and tact when explaining it to the staff. if you're going to ask for a replacement for an unsatisfactory cigar - you better be damn gentlemanly and respectful in doing so!

Lastly - On reflection, I don't think I'd probably say anything about the loose cigar, just slowly slowly smoke it and only stop if it really didn't care for the flavours I did get. 

Side note - I'm happy for assistance in selecting cigars in a lounge, but I'll never EVER accept a lounge attendant lighting my cigar again. Not after visiting a very well-regarded lounge in London a couple years back, selecting a quite rare cigar I've always wanted to try, and then watching as the attendant took his torch and proceeded to carbonize the living f*ck out of the first inch and a half of the foot. Ruined the whole first third of the cigar. Never again. 

[riderpride]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

That's why I am only allowed to smoke seconds!!!!! 

I have a draw in the walk in humidor full of underfilled or overfilled  F****rs!  

Jesus, I own the business but DI and Lise insist I smoke the writeoffs only 

Forum now reconsidering Rob's most frequented sticks... 'morish' 😆 

Cheers!

[anacostiakat]

In the past generally I would just write it off. But at current prices? Complain! Heh

Begs another question though. Do you inspect the cigar pre-cut? Again, at current prices I THINK SO!  

 

[ha_banos]

19 hours ago, anacostiakat said:

In the past generally I would just write it off. But at current prices? Complain! Heh

Begs another question though. Do you inspect the cigar pre-cut? Again, at current prices I THINK SO!  

You can never tell though. I've had cigars that feel rock solid that have smoked perfectly. Perhaps it rocks the odds in your favour but still. Of course avoid the squishy ones.

 

[BurkeAK]

If the draw is that tight, I probably would mention it to the owner/shopkeeper and see if that's been his experience with that cigar as well. The lounges I've been to so far, everyone has been very kind, so honestly I'm sure they'd replace it without asking. I'll try to pay for it regardless, it's really not their fault (unless it is). If they want to replace it and won't accept payment, great! That means a bigger tip for the bartender/server honestly.