Maybe you’ve smelled it as you’ve walked by: the peppery, spicy, smoky aroma of the cigar. It might bring to mind a favorite uncle, or a soothing image of people laughing together, or a vision of suave movie actors gazing thoughtfully out into oblivion while puffing away. In El Dorado Hills Town Center, a convivial gathering spot draws newbies and aficionados to connect, smoke, taste, and learn all about the fine art of cigars.
At CJ’s Cigars, everyone age 21 and older is welcome. CJ Brown, who began working at Adam’s Cigars (in the same space) in 2013, purchased the shop when previous owner Adam Markhieh retired six years ago. “I fell in love with both the craft and the camaraderie that came with it,” says Brown, adding that purchasing the shop felt like a natural next step for her. “I was inspired to continue what he started—building a welcoming, relaxed environment where cigar enthusiasts and newcomers alike could come together, connect, and enjoy premium cigars.”
A cigar is a tube of dried and tightly rolled tobacco leaves, wrapped in tobacco leaf. Color, flavor, and strength can differ tremendously, depending on tobacco characteristics, humidity, age, and other factors. CJ’s Cigars sources from some of the world’s regions most respected for fine-quality tobacco—and cigar craftsmanship—including the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. “Our humidor is thoughtfully curated,” she says. In fact, the shop’s walk-in humidor is one of the largest in El Dorado County, and within it, customers will find a floor-to-ceiling selection of classic favorites and boutique brands, as well as some rarities and limited editions that will delight cigar collectors and serious connoisseurs.
For newbies, there’s a natural starting place, and helping determine cigar strength is one of Brown’s special talents. She enjoys personally engaging with customers to help them find the right cigar. “For beginners,” Brown says, “I usually recommend something smooth and approachable. I always start by asking a few simple questions: what flavors they enjoy in food or drinks, how familiar they are with nicotine, what time will this person have to give their undivided attention to the experience. The goal is to make the introduction enjoyable, not intimidating.”
People who already know they like cigars or who are seasoned smokers might typically go for something bold and full-bodied, or something from a rare collection. It all depends on the person, Brown says.
As well, this goes for people—smokers or not—who come in with the intention to purchase cigars for Father’s Day. “Think about your dad’s personality and preferences,” Brown says. “Is this his first-time experience? Does he already enjoy cigars?” If it’s the latter, she suggests a limited edition to make the gift feel extra special. CJ’s can put together gift sets that include a careful selection of premium cigars packaged with a high-quality cutter, lighter, ashtray, and other essentials.
As a gift, a cigar is not just a cigar. “It’s about giving more than a cigar,” Brown says. “It’s giving a moment to unwind and enjoy.”
She reminds customers, whether giving a gift or indulging themselves, to consider how the cigars will be stored. Because humidity matters, people should always include a humidor or Boveda pack (which provides two-way humidity control—not too high, not too low) if they or the recipient don’t have one already. Without proper humidity, Brown says, cigars dry out quickly.
CJ’s is well stocked with cigars, pipe tobacco, and all manner of accessories. The lineup of top-tier cutters and lighters is especially alluring and includes some from prestigious French brand S.T. Dupont. Other notable selections include exquisite hand-carved pipes from Northern California artisan Max Capps, alongside a wide variety of pipe tobaccos for those who prefer the old-school ritual. Among some of the shop’s most prized items: cigars from Arturo Fuente’s Aged Selection, including the iconic OpusX and the highly coveted “Heaven and Earth” cigars, which come presented in an elegant limited edition travel humidor. The accompanying “Heaven and Earth” ashtray adds another layer of sophistication, especially for collectors and aficionados. The rare vintage cigars, created by Carlos “Carlito” Fuente (of Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. in Santiago), are highly sought by discerning cigar collectors and connoisseurs around the world. Furthermore, it’s not just about the cigars: With Fuente’s Aged Selection, a portion of the sales proceeds is donated to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which defines its mission as working to improve “people’s lives in the mountainous Bonao region of the Dominican Republic.” By focusing on families, the foundation strives “to give the children in this cigar-producing region an opportunity for a better future,” according to the CFCF website.
Meanwhile, back at Town Center in EDH, the cigar shop itself is warmly lit and welcoming, with a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. A lineup of cigar-friendly liquor graces the shelves, too. (Because what’s a cigar without brandy? Or whiskey?) Regulars often congregate in an outdoor lounge area, where Brown says the conversations flow as easily as smoke. “The focus is on great conversation and genuine connection,” says Brown, who finds the relationships formed and the sense of community to be the most rewarding aspects of her work. “Cigars have a way of bringing people together,” she says, “whether it’s longtime friends catching up, a father and son sharing a moment, or first-timers discovering something new. I’ve watched strangers become friends, just by sharing a cigar and conversation.”
Shop owner CJ Brown regards the sense of community as one of the most rewarding aspects of her work. “Cigars have a way of bringing people together, whether it’s longtime friends catching up, a father and son sharing a moment, or first-timers discovering something new.”