Welcome to another weekly Intercigarview. Jolene describes herself as a cigar nerd who finds real pleasure in her cigar passion.
Here is her cigar story.
What was it about cigars that drew you to them?
I love the ritual of it. Removing the cellophane, cutting, lighting, smoking.
Describe the first cigar you smoked and the experience surrounding it.
I was at a national a/c conference. The industry leaders would gather around and smoke a cigar. I was invited to join them and handed a cigar.
Do you think there are any parallels between the AC industry and the cigar industry?
I would just say that they are both primarily male oriented and people are generally curious why, as a female, am there.
What is your favorite response to that scenario?
When I go to AC conferences or cigar shops the general assumption is that I’m there for my husband. I just tell them, he is there with me.
Does your husband enjoy or smoke cigars?
My husband has about one a week
What is your most fondest memory of smoking a cigar?
Gasparilla. I try to get right up front and light a cigar. The pirates that see me usually come over and give me beads and most will say “I love a woman with a cigar…”
How long have you been enjoying cigars and about how many per week?
Probably 6 years now, but I didnt become a full-fledged cigar nerd until about 3 years ago. I smoke one each weekday and 2-3 on Saturday and Sunday.
What are some of your favorite settings to enjoy a cigar?
At a lounge making new friends, at events, I love when my family sits around over cigars also.
The best cigar you ever had?
Hard question!!! I have to say the El Titan de Bronze My Way. I have had that cigar quite a few times and it has always been good, but I smoked one in particular a couple of weeks ago…by myself…and I heard angels singing, haha. It may have had extra love from the hands of the roller or a particularly good batch of tobacco.
Do you think cigars have a spiritual or philosophical component to them?
The Native Americans used tobacco and rituals to get their messages to the spirits and I can understand why. When you smoke a cigar you quiet your mind and relax and block out your worries and stresses of the material world.
In your experience what determines a good cigar?
It has to have a good draw. I like a lot of flavor and I love when the flavor changes as I smoke it. A bad cigar has a hard draw, burns uneven, lacks flavor or is single noted.
How would you describe your cigar journey?
I would say it’s a passion.
What advice would you give a woman who might want to get into cigars?
I would tell her to go for it. To not be afraid to ask for help or advice because this industry is the most welcoming that I’ve ever experienced.
And smoke what you like. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or expensive. It doesn’t matter if it has bad reviews or no one else is smoking it…if you like it, it is a good cigar.
What is your favorite size cigar and cut?
I am on a Lancero kick lately. Straight cut.
Thank you Jolene for sharing your cigar story!
If you enjoyed this interview and all the others please feel free to share with you cigar loving friends at the lounge. Keep it smoky!
