Cigars and Covid
As usual there are always at least two sides to a situation or story.
In the Premium cigar business, it would appear that the consumers are sitting pretty, with time on their hands to smoke more cigars than usual. This is compounded by the same consumers being denied Travel and Culinary delights outside of home – even a “Gourmet” takeaway is still a takeaway.
Time and money to spend on good cigars – how nice.
At the other end, the beginning of the cigar story, are the Farmers and the Production Teams in the factories. The farmers in Cuba and many of the other Caribbean cigar areas have been hammered by both the virus and some of the worst weather in years. But then Farmers have always been “strange” people, having their livelihood depend on the one major element to their existence completely out of their control – the weather.
Mind you I saw an article that Woolworths spent 15 years developing Avo farmers in different areas of South Africa to produce Avos all year round for the demanding public.
The cigar factories sit in between the farmers and the consumers, and they might be starting to be concerned about the rate that their stock is flowing out. Good for this year, but what about the middle future - two, three years from now? There will be the temptation to shorten that ageing period to release more cigars for a cash chest.
This could compromise the brands, as it did in the 1990’s boom with Cuban cigars. When Cuba tried to produce more cigars than usual, the quality was compromised.
Also sitting on the line are the retailers, like us.
There is a good demand for certain brands and sizes but these are beginning to become difficult to come by. We may have either the brand but not the preferred sizes, or the other way around - the sizes but not the brands.
What can we do to protect our business and keep you happy?
From this point on I can only say what we, as Wesley’s, plan to do.
We will broaden our range of “Selections” to make it easy for you, our valued customers, to do a little more experimentation with your cigar options.
More of same size, from the same country source, or different country sources.
Different sizes from the same brand.
We will go as wide as we can to bring a little more excitement to your cigar smoking.
Each selection includes a leaflet describing the origin of the cigars and of the brands. And a link to a Tasting Score Sheet.
Keep watching our website and remember:
- We can come to you.
- You can make payment by EFT to our bank, or via Credit card through Wallet.doc.
When you do decide to try some Selections, you may need a new humidor to keep the cigars.
With such a variety of cigars, you don’t want the flavours to affect each other.
But the glass tubes will take care of that – and will keep the cigars in perfect condition ready for you to smoke.
No worries about humidification – but keep the humidor in a cool place.
 
We have chosen two simple humidors to suit the purpose:
Beautiful traditional Burl grain finish for about 30 cigars 73-J2121 R2012.50
Distinctive Tactile-deco walnut finish for about 25 cigars 73-J1273 R1910.00
And from October 21, 2021 the prices will be even better:
You will pay 25% less on these two options
But for two weeks only – offer expires November 4, 2021 |
It may be that you have to move out of your “comfort zone”, but we can offer alternative cigars for you to try through our selections.
Colin Wesley
No.504 October 14 - 27, 2021
All previous blogs are archived in the Library, by date and by subject.
A visit will allow you to choose from any of the more than 400 blogs to read or re-read at your leisure.
PS If you can’t visit a Wesley’s Bricks and Mortar, remember that if you’re not completely happy with your Internet choice, you can always return it for a full refund.
Stay at home, stay safe – we can come to you.
Note:
By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system. In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.
In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.
We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial
Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area.
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(ZAR)
