Cigar shops in Canada

[Islandboy]

I’m going to be doing a Pacific-Northwest road trip this summer that takes me into Canada to visit my sister - she lives in Calgary. I’m planning to return to the States through Vancouver. I know Canadian cigar prices are outrageous, so I’m fully prepared to shell out some bucks to bring a few boxes home with me. Can anyone chime in on the best shop or 2 to check out in Calgary and Vancouver?

Online I’m coming up with Zigarren in Calgary, and Cigar Connoisseurs and City Cigar Emporium in Vancouver. Any and all input is appreciated! 

Aloha,

Brad

[Schumi5]

Hi Brad, 

You will see plenty of incredible things during your trip to our fine country and provinces; cigar prices will definitely not be one of the highlights!  With that being said, there are some great local stores in Vancouver. City Cigar is by far the best in my opinion and well worth the trip.  I would also add Revolucion to your list which is located in Yaletown in downtown Vancouver.  In Calgary, I think Zigarren is your best bet.  Don't hesitate to reach out if you need any info as I know both Calgary and Vancouver well.

[Islandboy]

Thanks for the intel Schumi! I’ll add Revolucion to the list. 

I’m a big fan of the Canadian Rockies...done many a mountain bike ride there in the past, the most memorable being Seven Summits in Rossland. This is my first trip back since adding cigars to my list of passions, so I’m really looking forward to shopping for some Cubans.

[BrightonCorgi]

I'd go for the Canadien Regionals; they're always good and hard to find outside of Canada.

[havanaclub]

Thanks for the intel Schumi! I’ll add Revolucion to the list. 
I’m a big fan of the Canadian Rockies...done many a mountain bike ride there in the past, the most memorable being Seven Summits in Rossland. This is my first trip back since adding cigars to my list of passions, so I’m really looking forward to shopping for some Cubans.

Just be prepared to pay 30 Canadian for a PSD4 single.


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[Islandboy]

18 minutes ago, havanaclub said:

 

Just be prepared to pay 30 Canadian for a PSD4 single.

 

It’s only money. And the only time I get to say that is when I’m on vacation.

[Hammer Smokin']

and $30CAD for PSD4 is cheap for a single.

my local (not native/indian) B&M here in Ontario is $32 plus HST.

 

[havanaclub]

and $30CAD for PSD4 is cheap for a single.
my local (not native/indian) B&M here in Ontario is $32 plus HST.
 

Sounds about right. I wasn’t adding tax at 13 percent lol


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[cookj1]

2 hours ago, havanaclub said:

Sounds about right. I wasn’t adding tax at 13 percent lol


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Everything is approximately 25% off for Americans visiting Canada right now.

[KZou]

I'm a regular at City Cigar in Vancouver. And they are definitely one of the best shops around. Staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. Cigars are always kept in excellent condition. Be sure to ask for a discount if you buy a full box. And they usually will have a few different hard to find items in the back. Ask and you never know. If you plan on bringing them back to the states, let them know and they'll handle it. 

[Islandboy]

10 minutes ago, KZou said:

I'm a regular at City Cigar in Vancouver. And they are definitely one of the best shops around. Staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. Cigars are always kept in excellent condition. Be sure to ask for a discount if you buy a full box. And they usually will have a few different hard to find items in the back. Ask and you never know. If you plan on bringing them back to the states, let them know and they'll handle it. 

Thanks KZou, that’s some excellent advice! I would’ve never known to look out for a discount on full boxes. 

[ComancheKeen]

For sure check out Zigarren if your in Calgary. I wouldn’t bother buying full boxes of regular production within Canada though. You would be crazy to do that. Canadian RE’s though are worth a look if you want to bring back something nice. Some B&M’s still have some of the older releases kicking around. I’d recommend looking for the 2010 Ramon Allones Gordito and 2012 Vegas Robaina XV Aniversario if you can find them. They come in 10 count boxes and are priced somewhat “reasonable”. The Bolivar Simones and VR Petit Robaina were also excellent releases but are a little harder to find now. There are a few other smaller shops in Calgary you could try depending on how much time you have to look around and what area of the city you will be in. PM me if your interested and I can fill you in.

[puromaniac]

You can pair a RE Cuban at Cigar Connoisseurs in Gastown with some excellent sushi by just walking across the street to Momos. Just be sure to order wild sockeye not farmed Atlantic salmon! 

[Cigar Surgeon]

Feeling like chopped liver over here ...

Cheap Smokes & Cigars over in West Calgary. Adam is fantastic, and has the 2nd highest amount of inventory of anyone in the city. His prices are also some of the best. I'm a bit biased because I'm the GM for our Franchise of 18 stores... Cheap Smokes & Cigars Calgary South has a smaller selection but more of the higher end ELs / REs if that's what you're after.

I'd also recommend Tobacco Outlet. They have excellent service as well.

Also if you're going to be in Calgary for a few days we should get a herf together. The Calgary BoTL group has several hundred members, we could get 15 or 20 together on short notice.

[ComancheKeen]

16 minutes ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Feeling like chopped liver over here ...

You shouldn’t, Cheap Smokes has some great stuff and solid prices. I have only been to the Airdrie and Red Deer locations so I personally couldn’t vouch for the Calgary stores.

[Cigar Surgeon]

1 minute ago, ComancheKeen said:

You shouldn’t, Cheap Smokes has some great stuff and solid prices. I have only been to the Airdrie and Red Deer locations so I personally couldn’t vouch for the Calgary stores.

You reaaaally should stop by Adam's store (or check out the 360 shots on Google, or the photos on our CSC website). He's a bit obsessive when it comes to cigars, he ended up building two humidors in his shop.

Our most recent locations - Calgary West, St. Albert, Leduc, Lethbridge, Bonnyville, and even Grande Prairie are all hardcore cigar shops. 

[ComancheKeen]

7 minutes ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

You reaaaally should stop by Adam's store (or check out the 360 shots on Google, or the photos on our CSC website). He's a bit obsessive when it comes to cigars, he ended up building two humidors in his shop.

Our most recent locations - Calgary West, St. Albert, Leduc, Lethbridge, Bonnyville, and even Grande Prairie are all hardcore cigar shops. 

I spoke with the fellow in the crazy coat (Jeff?) at RMS 16’ who told me to check out the West location which was just opening at that time. He was very excited about the owners passion and how everything was shaping up. Still have yet to see it for myself as I live 2hrs NE of the city and rarely make it to that area anymore. But the reminder is appreciated and I’ll make a point to get there this summer.

Also did I see a possible new Spruce Grove location on your website at one time or did that fall through? I’m up there a lot. Also, any plans for Drumheller?

[Cigar Surgeon]

1 minute ago, ComancheKeen said:

Also did I see a possible new Spruce Grove location on your website at one time or did that fall through? I’m up there a lot. Also, any plans for Drumheller?

Spruce Grove is still in progress. The toughest part for us expanding is getting property. A lot of management companies don't want tobacco stores on their properties (yet they're falling over themselves to get Cannabis shops). 

We had some interested people a few years ago with Drumheller but nothing ever came from it. I think Drumheller could be very successful as a dedicated cigar & pipe tobacco shop.

[Islandboy]

1 hour ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Feeling like chopped liver over here ...

Cheap Smokes & Cigars over in West Calgary. Adam is fantastic, and has the 2nd highest amount of inventory of anyone in the city. His prices are also some of the best. I'm a bit biased because I'm the GM for our Franchise of 18 stores... Cheap Smokes & Cigars Calgary South has a smaller selection but more of the higher end ELs / REs if that's what you're after.

I'd also recommend Tobacco Outlet. They have excellent service as well.

Also if you're going to be in Calgary for a few days we should get a herf together. The Calgary BoTL group has several hundred members, we could get 15 or 20 together on short notice.

Many thanks CS, hoping West Calgary is close to my sister. I honestly have no idea so I’m checking with her.

Unfortunately my time in Calgary is very limited (one day), as the rest of the family and I are all just gathering at my sister's, then hitting the road for Lake Louise and Jasper the next day. I appreciate the offer for a get-together....wish I could take you up on it. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

3 hours ago, Islandboy said:

Many thanks CS, hoping West Calgary is close to my sister. I honestly have no idea so I’m checking with her.

Unfortunately my time in Calgary is very limited (one day), as the rest of the family and I are all just gathering at my sister's, then hitting the road for Lake Louise and Jasper the next day. I appreciate the offer for a get-together....wish I could take you up on it. 

Well I'm just down the road so I'd welcome a chance to have a cigar out back of the shop if you have time. I hope you enjoy your stay in Calgary, safe travels!

[shadowACE]

You will be able to find all sorts of great cigars to smoke in Canada but good luck finding a place to smoke it. Smoking has been banned in a lot of public outdoor places and smoking lounges are completely non-existent. 

[hoyopr]

On ‎5‎/‎3‎/‎2018 at 8:44 PM, Islandboy said:

Thanks KZou, that’s some excellent advice! I would’ve never known to look out for a discount on full boxes. 

In Vancouver, City Cigar is the shop. The shops in Gastown generally are targeting tourists off the cruise ships and storage conditions and selection not what you'll find at CC.