This is a great topic.
Boutique vs. Big Brand
- Thread starter btowens
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This is the question, in my eyes. How do you define “boutique”? Is it based off number of cigars produced, a mindset, something else, etc?
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- Jan 11, 2010
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Good question. In my mind boutique is small batch production that is aimed at a narrow market segment. Big operations can produce a boutique cigar. Also, boutique does not directly translate to higher quality construction or a better tasting cigar.
I really cannot say I have a preference. I enjoy so many smokes from both types of companies. My anti big business gut wants to say support the smaller companies, but with few exceptions most of the now big brands started small and excelled because of quality.
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I would sat that I like both. Just received a box of tatuaje anarchy apocalypse and a 10 ct box of the black label lanceros. Plus I have 8 little boris left. All fantastic smoke and will be missed when they are gone but the beauty of botiques is that there is always something new coming out. As far as Big brands go ,or staples as I call them, it is nice to know for sure what you are getting .
I am a boutique fan, personally. Specifically Tatuaje, Illusione, Emilio, and Viaje. Anything by Don Pepin is on my list as well.
There are only a few of the big brands I will even touch these days - Punch and La Gloria are always good. Fuente has only put out one cigar in the past decade that I like - the Rosado R.
There are only a few of the big brands I will even touch these days - Punch and La Gloria are always good. Fuente has only put out one cigar in the past decade that I like - the Rosado R.
I'm gravitating towards boutiques. Understanding what goes into making a great cigar make me appreciate the folks who make cigars because they love them as much as I do. Finding and trying cigars that few have access to is part of the fun.
I think the reason everyone focuses on General and Altadis is because most of the other "big" companies were all boutiques at one time, whereas those two never were. Only 5 years ago you could see DPG rolling cigars in his small store on Calle Ocho and My Father Cigars was not even a concept. I still remember having Indian Tabac in my store before RP grew that brand. PeteJ and JDrew grew their brands to what they are in a short space of time compared to the industry as a whole. Fuente and Padron are an exception, imo they are the Godfathers of this industry - Respect.
It's great that even the bigger companies have sub-brands that I would classify as boutique, Davidoff Room 101, Litto Gomez LG, Padron Anniversary, etc. But on the whole it's awesome that we have all this choice, boutique or not, there are some great smokes out there. I find it refreshing that guys like Ernesto Carillo, Christian Eiroa, Don Pepin Garcia teamed up with people like Jon Huber, Matt Booth, Pete Johnson to bring us some great smokes. And even some of the ultra-boutiques have produced some great sticks, Table 36, PDR, Roma Craft, etc. IMO these guys have to work harder to get a good stick to market and compete with the big boys. Some boutiques do and some don't but you can generally tell which ones are just getting on the boutique bandwagon and those who really believe in their brand.
I'm about 80% boutique at my B&M and I educate customers on these brands. It's a choice to differentiate from all the other stores here in SOFL and the Internet market. But I am fortunate, my customers are happy to try something different. I choose not to carry General & Altadis but they do make some great smokes. Let's face it they have a huge tobacco store to select from and some very good blenders.
