The Cigar Bossman is one tough SOB and a cigar aficionado

We will leave the identity of the @Cigarbossman private but if you want to know what Shawn does feel free to message him yourself. Not every day you get to meet a cigar lover who embodies the cigars he smokes. No thrills no bullshit, just a guy who after a long shift grabs a cigar, a bottle of whisky and relieves the many stressors of his day. This is how cigars were meant to be smoked. Not in a private club, only high-end Cubans or KSA in a small group of pompous Instagrammers. But that story we will save for another day. Let’s get to know the Bossman.

What was your first cigar experience? Was it love at first smoke?

SB: My first cigar experience was when I was like 12 or 14 years of age. My brother and I got a hold of a pack of my father’s Colt tipped mini cigars. I thought I was a badass like Clint Eastwood, so yeah it was love at first smoke.

Shawn you love cigars from all walks of life. What is it about smoking the stick, the environment you’re in, or even pairing it with a nice whisky, that makes the experience worthwhile?

SB: It’s true, I smoke different types of cigars from Cubans to non-Cubans, if it’s a good stick and I enjoy it that’s all that matters. What is so great about smoking a good stick is the calming and relaxing effect I get from it. Pairing and the environment I smoke in, just add to that effect.

Those of us who know you, know that you make sure to keep physically fit by lifting heavy a** weights in the gym. But you also like to enjoy a nice cigar and some whiskey. Is health and being fit an important part of your life? if so, how do you find the balance between the health and the vice?

SB: Health and being fit is most definitely an important part of my life, without it I would not be able to enjoy my cigars and drams for years to come lol.  No, seriously, many times I have stressed the importance of everything done in moderation. A good dram and good stick should be enjoyed and not abused to excess, just as it is true for most things in life.

Has your life changed in any way because of Instagram?

SB: Haha how do I answer that being as honest as I can. Let’s see, I use to bitch at my kids about wanting to have social media sites. I then got into Instagram when my daughter left for College so I could keep in touch (an eye on her lol) when she was so far from home. Now!  Let’s just say after meeting so many cool people on IG, I might be a little addicted.

Shawn, if you could pick one person as your hero, who would that be and why?

SB: That’s a tough one, and I will have to do what the Bossman does and change it up a little Lol.  The answer is my wife, daughter, and son because they are just so freaking awesome. They have stood by me through some tough times with the line of work I’m in such as the crazy a** schedules. Along with not knowing if I will be coming home after a shift.  They have done so much in their lives to give back to others and to just be the awesome people they are. (I’m not crying Lol)

On your Instagram, you’re often seen doing cigar/whisky pairings. What goes into the pairing, or is it based on recommendations or maybe just spontaneous?

SB: Most of my pairing of a good stick and dram comes from my experiences, trial and error so to speak.  Another good part of it is reading other reviews of their likes and dislikes. That’s what makes this fun you can share with brothers and sister’s and enjoy trying new things.

If you could give any advice to the Cigar industry ambassadors and tobacco producers, what would you tell them? 

SB: That’s Simple, keep it real! Don’t be one of those fake a** people out there, you’ll love yourself for it. The industry also needs to go back to the art of creating a great cigar for the love of creating, and not just to seek the all might dollar by putting just any old sticks out there. Now I’m not saying the many families in this industry that go way back in History don’t have the passion to make a good stick anymore. All I’m saying is that there is a lot of overpriced stick out there making it hard for the average person to enjoy the pleasure that comes from a Smokey moment.

What can the tobacco industry do to make cigar smoking more approachable to women? Or even beginners who are too intimidated of looking like a noobie?

SB: They can stop trying to sell their product with sex, but I guess that’s everywhere now and I’m just old fashioned. If a woman desires to smoke a cigar for the art and pleasure of it, she should not be expected to post sexy pictures just to feel accepted in the industry. Hell, there are a lot of women out there who know a ton more about the cigar industry then I do. Now if a woman chooses to smoke a cigar and be sexy, or post provocative pictures well that’s her choice. However, she should not be judged for that choice as long as it was hers to make. The newbie needs to watch, listen, learn, and don’t count on anyone but themselves to make their experiences with cigars a great smoky moment.

A lot of people out there talk trash about cigars that aren’t Cubans, but you seem to love them all. Do you think Cubans are superior to non-Cuban cigars in terms of construction or flavor?

SB: A good cigar is a good cigar end of story.

Anything else you’d like to share with the readers?

SB: I just want to thank you, and the readers for the opportunity to share some of my thoughts.