In case you were thinking about cigars – here’s a quick guide!
A 24-year-old cigar aficionado breaks down the cigar hobby culture for non-traditional hobbyists.
Sandton businessman Phillip Antoniades (24) serves a novelty, niche hobby culture from his humid corner at the Hobart Centre. Antoniades sells cigars out of the humidor built-into Copa Habana. It houses a whole world of cigars that he, impressively, knows all about.
“My family has always been in business and I knew that one day I would own my own business as well,” he explained.
“In August 2020, I opened the first Copa Habana in Hobart Grove Centre with my business partner. We have learnt so much and been able to impart our knowledge to build a community of likeminded people we see regularly and share our huge selection of cigars with.”
Antoniades and a university friend opened their shop four years ago, when he was 20-years-old, to cater to the culture surrounding cigars which has a substantial subscriber base in Sandton and Johannesburg.
“In Sandton, it’s very big. If you look at Cape Town and Durban, the cigar culture is not anywhere near like it is in Joburg.”
Hobbies vary, and hobbyists tend to gravitate towards activities which enhance well-being and longevity of life. Although not everyone in society is easily swayed into conforming, and some people just enjoy looking at birds while chewing on the pulling end of an artisanal cigar imported from South America.
“Cigar culture is all about meeting new people, sharing experiences and broadening our knowledge. I have met many interesting and incredible people since opening our stores in Bryanston and Hyde Park and have made many friends who share the passion and enthusiasm for cigars.
“It is great to see cigar culture in the younger generation as it was not so before.”
Antoniades revealed the basics which most cigar aficionados start off with – lighter samples that aren’t too heavy with vapour to imbue, mentioning two brands varying in pricing.
“A good cigar to start with is a Don Diego – that’s a nice, light Dominican cigar. If you want a Cuban cigar – it’s quite expensive – an Epico number 2, is a very good starter light cigar.”
He said cigars were his dad’s hobby – and he joined along as he got older.
“Looking back, cigars have always been a part of my life. My dad used to enjoy smoking Davidoff cigars now and then. I remember my dad and uncles smoking cigars but it was mostly in celebration of something.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/226767/medical-evidence-suggests-vaping-harmful-cigarette-smoking/
