Good Cigar Stores in Toronto, Ontario

[M1903A1]

I've heard different stories about Canadian smoking laws, so let me ask...in which of these places would I actually be able to sit down and light up?

Some of my friends keep taking trips north to ride the streetcars in Toronto...one of these years I may have to go along....

[Bythehour]

A trip just to ride our streetcars?!?! uh, ok? Just kidding. Some of the older ones are really cool. Check this link out: http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/pcc_historic_charters.htm

It's a charter tour of Toronto on an "antique" streetcar. I saw it last year. It looks pretty cool.

As for smoking laws, it goes city-by-city. Toronto is pretty strict now. Basically, no smoking in enclosed public places. Not in bars, not in restaurants and not at sports events.

It is ok to smoke on an open patio IF it does not have a roof. But, get this: if it has a permanent (or permanently affixed but retractable) awning, no smoking. A table umbrella is ok, but no awning.

I think Vancouver is pretty much the same (if not worse). Montreal and Quebec are more relaxed. In fact, the further east, the more "welcome" BOTL/SOTL are welcome....

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by Bythehour

As for smoking laws, it goes city-by-city. Toronto is pretty strict now. Basically, no smoking in enclosed public places. Not in bars, not in restaurants and not at sports events.

So this includes tobaconnists?

I think Vancouver is pretty much the same (if not worse). Montreal and Quebec are more relaxed. In fact, the further east, the more "welcome" BOTL/SOTL are welcome....

Ah vraiment? I may have to brush up on my French!

[Bythehour]

Originally Posted by M1903A1

So this includes tobaconnists?



Ah vraiment? I may have to brush up on my French!

Mais oui. Tobacconists and even private clubs.

It gets worse. I understand that in another year, tobacco products cannot be displayed in plain sight at retail establishments. Tobacconists may be exempt from this rule if they register with the city as a specialty shop. However, convenience stores or newstands (like Relay or LMPI) will not be able to display cigars, etc.

Geez, I'm getting depressed thinking about all this crap...time to spark up a stick....

[Cigar Lover 101]

Here's an updated review of La Casa Del Habano in Toronto.

La Casa Del Habano

Even though I've been in here tons of times to pick up sulfur free matches, today was the first time I actually walked into the humidor.

The staff was knowledgeable and I didn't feel too pretencious when asking to see the box dates. I noticed a few cigars had a few white spots on them, but only in a few boxes.

Today I was lucky enough to pick up a La Gloria Cubana Sabrosos for $25.00 Canadian that had a May 2002 box date. I can't wait to try it later today.

Overall not as bad as I originally thought, but some of the staff are way too corporate. One guy was cool and then this other salesman who worked there suddenly jumped at us when I went to purchase it asking me for I.D.

I find this funny as I'm 26 years old and don't look that young, but I showed it anyway. Then he says:

"Yeah, it's okay. You can sell it to him, he's 30." Obvisiously he can't do math or he didn't read my I.D. correctly. Then when he put my cigar in my Havana Pocket Humidor, he actually said to me:

"You actually use that thing?" which I responded with that "I love it and use it all the time." It's not made of leather but at least it's got a sponge unlike their three finger cigar cases that look cool but does not have a sponge.

As a heplful CS Member, anyone from Toronto who wants a La Gloria Cubana Sabrosos from 2002, they have about ten or so left.

Most of the other cigars they have there have a box date of 2006 or 2007 which kinda sucks.

Bottom line is I would definately go back here again, even if some of the staff is a bit weird as it's the only cigar store I've been to in Toronto that I've seen that carries La Gloria Cubana. Actually they only carry La Gloria Cubana Sabrosos and the No.2 for anyone interested in La Gloria Cigars.

Hope this helps.

[rborrell]

This past weekend I stopped into the Cigar Bordega store in Unionville. Not a bad little shop. The guy there was friendly and helpful. I picked up a couple of their house sticks and some Don Tomas Maduros.

[GWN]

Originally Posted by rborrell

This past weekend I stopped into the Cigar Bordega store in Unionville. Not a bad little shop. The guy there was friendly and helpful. I picked up a couple of their house sticks and some Don Tomas Maduros.

Did you get the new anniversary house blend? Hoping to try them next time I'm in.

[rborrell]

Originally Posted by GWN

Did you get the new anniversary house blend? Hoping to try them next time I'm in.

Yes I picked up a couple Robusto sizes of them. They are resting right now - I think Canada Day weekend I will spark up one.

[Sean9689]

Great thread and lots of info.
I'm headed to Oakville, Ontario the week of August 20th for some training and it looks like Toronto is pretty darn close. I'll probably get that way 2 or 3 times for a smoke at the LCdH.

[rborrell]

Here's a place a fellow BOTL clued me into. He lives downtown so it's close to him.

http://www.correnticigars.com/

They actually make cigars there. he tells me that you can watch them rolled. They are downtown on Kinf between Spadina and Bathurst.

Sean, Oakville is about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto - I visit clients in Oakville/Burlington a couple of times a week. If schedules work, perhaps you can hook up with some Canuck BOTL.

[Cigar Lover 101]

Lately I've been buying from Thomas Hinds.

Some people may disagree with me on this but I wouldn't bother with La Casa Del Habano in Toronto. I bought a La Gloria Cubana Sabrosos with box date of May 2002 in summer of 2007. It tasted horrible and the cigar fell apart.

The only problem I'm finding is most cigars I like others are too and thus the box dates are getting really young as I mostly buy singles. I gotta start buying boxes!

I live in Toronto and have been buying cigars for a long time and find the best spots for what I'm looking for in the downtown area is from either:

Holy Smokes at Loblaws on Queens Quay (the older woman is cool and really knows her stuff).

Thomas Hinds (they've updated their website with prices).

Cheers Smoke Shop is good but the owner is a bit of an ass but he has good prices. Weird thing about him is he doesn't like it when you ask for a box date as he gave me a big speech on how it wastes time and how it really doesn't make a difference because of Havana House and their warehouse or some crap like that. Honestly I've been buying from him for a while and every cigar I've bought has always been good.

I'm finding most of the other cigar stores located in downtown Toronto don't store their cigars properly and are really dry or have mold. I also find most of the other places overcharge on thier products. King Street and Bay area is IMHO catered to rich business men/women who don't have the time to go to a better cigar shop.

I know this might sound stupid but one of the best things I ever did in regards to trying and buying cigars was take a trip to Cuba this year and create my own sampler pack. For all the cigars I smoked/bought it cost me around $150.00 Canadian for about 15 different cigars. Cohiba, H. Upmann, Bolivar, Diplomatico, Trinidad and Sancho Panza. I could name the exact cigars if anyone wants to know them.

For what I smoked if I bought them here it would of cost me at least $400.00 Canadian.

Better yet, purchase a travel humidor and pick up what you want. Just don't buy any cigars at the airport. Check out Marty''s website:

http://marty.514crew.com/cigarsmain.html

It's the best site I've seen that lists a rough idea of what a cigar will cost in Cuba, plus the good shops to buy cigars at. A helpful tip when buying in Cuba, just because some of the cigars are not in a humidor and are on shelves, doesn't mean they are bad. I had some great ones, just watch out for highly air conditioned cigar shops.

I don't mean to be harsh but I've honestly given up on most of the B & M 's here in Toronto, plus it's becoming really hard to smoke them anywhere except at a private home, park or on the street.

I hope this topic I started was insightful, and by all means continue adding to it if anyone wants to but that's how I feel on the subject.

A dream of mine is to one day open up a cigar lounge/club in Toronto. Maybe one day it might happen if the laws ever change. Until then enjoy your smoke and life.

[rborrell]

Originally Posted by Cigar Lover 101

...
A dream of mine is to one day open up a cigar lounge/club in Toronto. Maybe one day it might happen if the laws ever change. Until then enjoy your smoke and life.

I am in a situation where my contract my be terminated. I keep telling people that if it happens, I will open a Pulled Pork BBQ restaturant and sell cigars out of an attached room. I know the government won't like it but it's fun to dream.

[Cigar Lover 101]

Originally Posted by rborrell

I will open a Pulled Pork BBQ restaturant and sell cigars out of an attached room. I know the government won't like it but it's fun to dream.

Hope it happens for ya if they ever decide to change the laws.

[sanfrantreat]

I've been in a the smoking cigar, thats where i bought my humidor and travel humidor, cutter, lighter and the younger gentleman in there was extrememely helpful in helping me pick out all of this. I would definately go there again.

Also casa del habanna on yorkville, amazing store also extremely helpful when I went in to look for a travel humidor. Great looking store, comfy lounge and amazing humidor. However expensive but i'll still go back to purchase some cigars just to support them.

[noquarter]

Hi,

I'm a first time poster. You guys have a great forum going, keep it up!

I was wondering if anybody has experience with a shop on 10 Adelaide St W in downtown? The name as far as I remember was "Smokes and Gift Shop". But when I search for it online, the name of the shop at that location is "Cheers Smoke Shop".

I wanted to get either a pack of Dannemann Moods Filters or Cafe Creme Filter. I called up the place, but the guy told me they don't give out prices on the phone.. would anyone have a rough idea what the total with taxes would be? (Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread)

Thanks a lot!