Lounge
May 1, 2015
THE CIGAR MUSEUM’s first physical store is finally open! Part 2: "Spirits to Pair with Cigars"
THE CIGAR MUSEUM's First Physical Store is Finally Open!
Part 2: "Spirits to Pair with Cigars"
Enjoying exquisite cigars with rum, armagnac, and port wine. Such a space has finally opened.
Text by Mamoru HiromiPhoto by Jamandfix
With Spirits I Deeply Cherish
The long-awaited walk-in humidor is finally complete. The sight of 100,000 cigars stored in a temperature-controlled environment of 18°C and 70% humidity, maintained constantly, is something one can gaze at endlessly.
The humidifier is directly connected to the water supply, eliminating the need for manual refilling. A pure water unit was also installed to ensure that the mist sprayed, similar to cigar factories, consists of pure water. Furthermore, a proportional control device was installed to optimally control the spray volume. This prevents the humidifier from swinging to over-wet conditions with its on/off switching. Additionally, a state-of-the-art air conditioner was chosen that automatically cleans its stainless steel filter once a day. This brings great peace of mind.
Cigars are meant to be smoked while sinking deep into a chair. The seat should be low, and the backrest must be reclined.
Marcel Breuer's masterpiece, the Wassily Chair, boasts a beautiful back profile.
The interior, furnished with Wassily Chairs. Wood blinds adorn the walls. Large plants were sourced from FUGA.
However, a storage facility can be built by anyone with enough money. The dreams of the past have now taken shape, but one cannot live on dreams alone. The business starts now. What kind of products will be sourced, at what price, and sold for how much? And how many will sell each month?
The never-ending work of management begins anew. What must be kept in mind is that sales will not be achieved simply by the store pursuing them; customer support is what leads to sales. Sales follow customer support.
Needless to say, the product of a bar is "alcohol." While there are various drinks that pair well with cigars, doing the same thing as everyone else is uninteresting. So, what is interesting? I decided to focus on "rum," "armagnac," and "port wine." Among these, I decided to stock a rich selection of aged varieties, particularly 30 and 40-year-old bottles.
These are also spirits that I myself deeply cherish. When selling a product, I believe that love for the item, allowing one to recommend it with confidence, is essential. However, whether these will be accepted remains to be seen. What will the outcome be?
On the walls, display cases showcasing cigar accessories and matching mirrors are coordinated.
White wallpaper, the same as the wall, was applied to the inside back of the display cases to make the humidor's color stand out.
A Gift for OPENERS Readers!
Doukanyama BARUpon visiting, simply say "I read OPENERS" and receive one complimentary glass of "Flor de Caña 18 Year Old," a Nicaraguan rum.
All our staff look forward to your visit. (Valid until December 25, 2008)
Access to Doukanyama BAR
http://www.hiromienterprise.com/map.htm