Tony Jacobs

The premium cigar landscape is evolving, and cigar lounges across the country are feeling the impact. Once dominated by legacy brands and large distributors, the market is now being reshaped by boutique cigar companies that bring authenticity, exclusivity, and stronger profit potential to retail partners. For lounge owners focused on growth and retention, boutique cigars are no longer optional. They are essential. Today’s cigar consumer is more informed and adventurous than ever. Aficionados seek unique blends, compelling brand stories, and limited production cigars that offer an experience beyond the ordinary. Boutique brands meet this demand through small batch craftsmanship, innovative flavor profiles, and a sense of discovery that keeps customers engaged. Unlike mass produced cigars, boutique offerings create conversation. Customers ask for them by name, return to purchase again, and bring friends to try them. This behavior increases foot traffic and repeat visits, the lifeblood of a successful lounge. Higher Margins and Faster Turnover Boutique cigars often provide stronger margins than large corporate brands. Without heavy marketing overhead, boutique companies can offer competitive wholesale pricing while maintaining premium retail value. This creates a powerful revenue dynamic. Lounges earn more per stick while benefiting from faster turnover. When customers perceive a cigar as exclusive or hard to find, they are more likely to purchase immediately, improving sales velocity and humidor performance. The Power of Brand Story One of the greatest advantages boutique brands bring to lounges is story driven marketing. Customers do not just buy cigars. They buy into the narrative behind them. Drunk Chicken Cigars exemplifies this advantage. As a woman owned boutique brand founded by Desiree Sylver, the company stands out in a traditionally male dominated industry. Its bold identity, memorable name, and commitment to quality create a strong emotional connection with consumers. Lounge owners benefit from this built in conversation starter, encouraging engagement and loyalty. Demand That Starts Before the Lounge Boutique brands like Drunk Chicken Cigars generate consumer demand before customers enter the lounge. Through social media, influencer partnerships, and owner led messaging, the brand encourages smokers to request Drunk Chicken Cigars at their local lounges. The lounges that thrive today are those that embrace change. Boutique cigars represent a shift toward experiential retail, higher margins, and customer driven demand. By partnering with brands like Drunk Chicken Cigars, lounge owners gain access to products customers seek, stories that spark engagement, and revenue opportunities that extend beyond the humidor. In a competitive market, differentiation is everything. Boutique cigars deliver that differentiation and are proving to be the key to sustained growth and profitability.

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GLP-1 is undoubtedly the greatest revolution the Food industry has seen in years. Tate & Lyle has been actively contributing in several discussions on the topic based on great proprietary research into users, former users and non users of GLP-1 (follow Tate & Lyle and Emma Cahill to stay on top of the topic!). In this article on FoodBev Media I had the opportunity to bring the lens of 'Mouthfeel' and the role of the sensorial experience of foods for consumers on and off GLP-1 drugs, a key considerations in formulation besides the nutritional content. "GLP-1s are reshaping the conversation around food and drink. Whether consumers are navigating medication-linked reduced appetites, adjusting to changes post-medication use, or boosting their fibre and protein intake, their needs converge around a clear expectation: food and drink must work harder to satisfy their physical, nutritional, and emotional needs. This goes beyond macros. It's about how products feel to eat and drink." https://lnkd.in/ezaV--cu

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THE 2026 ALCOHOL “TRENDS” LIST IS OUT — HERE’S WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS Forbes’ annual look at U.S. alcohol trends for 2026 outlines familiar but important forces shaping the market: moderation continuing to normalize, premium spirits holding relevance but facing more scrutiny, ongoing growth in RTDs and spirits-adjacent formats, and increasing overlap across beer, wine, spirits, NA, and adjacent categories. The article also notes a more price-conscious consumer, fewer impulse purchases, and a broader shift toward value and intentional choice as shelves and menus continue to converge into a wider “adult beverage” set. Those signals matter — but not for the reasons trend lists usually suggest. Every year, the headlines focus on what’s new: new formats, new categories, new buzzwords. What tends to get lost is what actually drives decisions once someone is standing at a shelf, a bar, or scrolling on their phone. Most drinkers don’t follow trends. They follow occasions. What keeps showing up beneath all the predictions: People want clarity, not complexity They want drinks that fit a moment, not a manifesto They’re choosing with context and convenience, not tasting notes And they’re still gathering — just differently than before Yes, moderation is real. Yes, RTDs and adjacencies keep evolving. Yes, price sensitivity matters more than it did five years ago. But none of that replaces the core truth of this industry: The drink is the handshake. The moment is the reason. As categories blur, competition shifts. Bottles aren’t just competing within their segment anymore — they’re competing against anything else that promises a similar feeling, pace, or experience. That’s why 2026 looks less like a breakout year and more like a sorting year. The brands and venues that win won’t be the ones chasing every trend. They’ll be the ones that help people answer a simple question faster: What should I drink right now, for this moment — and why will I enjoy it? When discovery gets easier. When flavor feels intuitive. When the experience fits real life. People don’t drink more. They drink better. People remember how it fit the moment.

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