The Bible tells us excess is to be avoided. The Greek maxim is, "All things, in moderation." Mom always tells us that too many cookies will make us sick. But sometimes, we need not fear decadence. Just sit back and watch it; love it.
Maison Edwards Tobacconist is located in Nickels Arcade, between State and Maynard streets, but it might as well be nestled into the comfortable, rainy alleys of London. Upon entering the store, time slows down. The rush and insanity of the Arcade falls away and is supplanted by the voice of Ella Fitzgerald. The silly art deco and faux country squire furniture of the coffeehouse circuit is chased from mind with stuffed leather chairs, a rich, foot hugging carpet and ashtrays out of an episode of "Upstairs, Downstairs."
This place carries every smoker's necessity under the sun; from domestic cigarettes (Marlboro and Camel) to the more acerbic Turkish smokes to the impressively classy Nat Sherman, Dunhill and Davidoff. They stock a dizzying array of pipes, pipe tobacco, lighters, humidors (a humidified cabinet made specially to store cigars) and cigar cutters.
But the pride of Maison Edwards is the cigars. Three massive, sliding-door humidors dominate the back corner of the store, containing the finest handmade cigars this side of Havana. The cigar renaissance of the last several years has brought a well deserved prestige to the humble Tobacconist. Now neophytes and connoisseurs alike mix and fumigate together, over a cigar.
Fred Chase, a Maison Edwards resident expert, noticed an upturn in the cigar business "around 1993 or so."
"Most of our cigar buyers tend to be execs or young professionals," he said. "But students also buy good cigars, though not as much as the general public."
More than any other sphere of smoking, cigars are vastly complex. Every cigar worth smoking in Maison Edwards is hand-rolled. Machine made cigars, made with cheap tobacco and wrapper leaves, overheat when smoked and generally taste like a burning sock. When you think of cigars, DO NOT think of Swisher Sweets or (it hardly needs to be said) Blunts. It should also be noted that this is not a cheap hobby. Expect to pay $4 at the very least for a decent cigar. Most of the truly exceptional ones go from $7 up.
Within the world of handmade cigars there is staggering variety. There are smokes for every taste and palate. Just ask the regulars.
Chris Carnacchio, an LSA junior, recommends Ashtons (as would I), a mild yet flavorful smoke from the Dominican Republic. Tom, too much of a gentleman to give his last name or age, disagreed, calling the Ashtons "too mild." His call would be either Avos, a stronger Dominican or Fillipes, which are stronger still.
"I'd say the Avos are our biggest seller," Chase said.
Louie and Jon cast their votes for Padron Anniversario and Hemingway Short Stories, respectively, calling the Padrons, "well-made, strong with good character."
Chuck Ghawi, the man behind the counter, tends to be more cryptic in his counsel, preferring to gently steer his clients to their selections. Just don't ask him what he thinks of the Macanudos.
Obviously, cigars are not the most healthy thing for you. Like cigarettes, their smoke can be hazardous to your health. But cigars have less tar, nicotine and additives than cigarettes. Besides, the smoke from cigars should never be inhaled.
It's stuff like this that makes Maison Edwards truly unique. In an age where our image of a smoker is a small, pre-cancerous man in a cheap suit sneaking a smoke outside his office building, it is easy to forget that this sort of thing exists. Smoking here is genteel and benign, a matter for enjoyment and debate. A good sized cigar can take an hour or more to smoke, which lends itself to a very unhurried, deliberate mindset. The regulars can be heard leisurely debating the pros and cons of a particular brand. The conversation in the store is of the usual barbershop type, with plenty of good-natured teasing and moments of semi-crude humor.
Yet, even though the store has a feeling of exclusiveness; it is not a snobbish or rude environment. Chuck and the other cigar experts behind the counter are always more than happy to show people around the humidor, helping them find the cigar with exactly the right flavor. Every customer, from the Camel buyers to the buy-them-by-the-box regulars, is also treated with the same level of respect, a rarity in the world of high-priced cigars.
People who enjoy a good smoke and good company, without having to be surrounded by neurotic study fiends (read: rendez-vous) will love Maison Edwards.
DAMIAN PETRESCU/Daily
Maison Edwards Tobacconist sees a few students stopping in every now and then.