We are so lucky here at Taste the dram to have the opportunity to interview amazing Instagram personalities. Today we spoke with Drida the lady behind @Elegant Plume. Follow her on her #SOTL journey and help pave the way for equality of women everywhere, starting with cigars!
Please tell us who you are and how you first got into cigars? Do you remember your first?
DH: My name is Drida Hyde and I smoke under the moniker Elegant Plume. Elegant Plume is a cigar model, event host, podcaster and social media influencer. I had my first cigar in April of 2015, so I am very much still a new smoker. A friend that owns a cigar lounge came to visit me and we went to a cigar lounge where I tried my first cigar, Acid Blondie. Between the taste of the cigar and the environment/experience at the lounge, I was hooked! Shortly after my friend left, I went looking for more Acid cigars-starting exploring the Acid line and then moved on to other cigars made by Drew Estates. Over time my palate developed, and I now enjoy full body cigars.
When and where do you like to smoke the most? Also what is your favorite cigar at the moment?
DH: I smoke about 6 cigars per week and where I smoke varies. It really depends on my mood and the weather. Sometimes I smoke on my deck, at a lounge, on a patio of a restaurant or in my car as I run errands. I don’t have a favorite cigar. There is no way that I can pick just one! My top 5 is constantly evolving as I try different cigars. If I had to name a few that I really enjoy (in no particular order), I would say:
1) Padron 90 year
2) Romeo San Andres
3) Espinosa Especial
4) The Wise Man by Foundation Cigar Co.
5) Ashton VSG
The tobacco industry has been for the longest time heavily dominated by men, but in the last 20 years we have seen a big movement by women who enjoy cigars. What do you think is responsible for this movement?
DH: I think women have come to embrace what historically was deemed to be un lady like. In the same, men have become more comfortable with women cigar smokers and have thus become very welcoming in cigar lounges which was at one point considered to be a Man Cave away from home. Women have now formed cigar groups where they get together and vent about their day while enjoying a great cigar and many have become Reps for cigar companies, cigar lounge owners, etc. We are definitely growing in numbers and I do my part to increase that number every chance I get!
What would you say attracts you to cigars and the cigar world?
DH: I enjoy the taste, the aroma and the relaxation that comes with smoking cigars. I am likely to be found at a cigar lounge at 10 am on a weekday working with a nice cup of coffee to compliment my stogie choice for that morning. I can also be found on my porch at midnight staring at the sky in deep thought enjoying a cigar or in traffic singing my heart out to my favorite tunes in between pulls or you may find me at a cigar lounge listening to music and being social with like-minded people. Cigars represents all this for me. What I also love about cigars is that I am constantly learning. I love increasing my knowledge base and being able to share what I know with others in a very casual, non-judgmental way.
What is your favorite vitola? Is there also what origin of tobacco you prefer more than the other and why?
DH: I prefer a Toro or a Robusto. I shy away from larger ring gauges because I am looking for flavor and complexity versus just having a large cigar in my mouth.
What are the big tobacco brands doing wrong when trying to market cigars to women? What should they really be doing?
DH: The fact that women cigar smokers are on the rise is an indication that whatever marketing efforts, or lack thereof, by big tobacco brands is working. I think they should focus on individuals that enjoy cigars regardless of the gender. All women don’t enjoy infused cigars and in the same, some men only smoke infused cigars, so the safe rule when it comes to gender marketing in the cigar industry is perhaps to just toss the idea all together.
Thoughts on Cuban Cigars vs New World Cigars?
DH: It’s a common misconception that Cuban cigars are superior to the rest. Everyone’s palate is different. I would just encourage everyone to try all types of cigars (including boutique cigars). Keep your mind open when selecting your next stogie.
What advice would you offer other novice women who are trying to get into the cigar world?
DH: I would encourage a woman to start with a light to medium cigar. This would start off as a good starting point. If she needs something lighter, there are cigar selections that would suit her. All the same if she wants more strength. I would suggest a Oliva Serie G, Tabak dulce, or New World by AJ. If she is alone, I would strongly encourage her to ask for help from a Tobacconist at the lounge.
The Instagram cigar community is knowledgeable and very inclusive with popular tags such as #botl (brother of the leaf) and #sotl (sister of the leaf). What is it about the culture and the group aspect of cigars that everyone finds so appealing?
DH: People learn from one another, weather it is a new cigar, new lighter, cool cigar branded clothing, cigar clubs, cigar events, pairings, cigar lounge etiquette, etc. The list goes on and one. The cigar community is essential is developing and evolving the cigar culture and what is so beautiful about it all is that everyone is bonded by the leaf. It makes no difference of your gender, race, ethnic background, social class, occupation, marital status…. doesn’t matter!
If you could smoke one cigar for the rest of your life which one would you choose?
DH: I wouldn’t want to smoke one type of cigar for the rest of my life just like I wouldn’t want to eat pizza for the rest of my life. There are too many food choices out there to restrict myself to one and the same applies to cigars!
Are you currently involved in any ventures in the cigar industry we should know about?
DH: In 2017 I released a cigar calendar and in November of 2018, I released my 2019 Elegant Plume calendar. This calendar differs as it includes other sisters of the leaf and includes tips and cigar industry dates important to remember. I did a cigar lounge tour with my sponsors to promote the calendar during the first quarter of 2019 in various parts of the country. I am also the founder and Admin of a FB cigar group powered by Elegant Plume called Cigar Cut Up where we have fun while learning about cigars through Trivia, Polls, and have frequent meet ups to have smoke sessions in person. Also, in March 2019, I launched a podcast called The Smoke Room- Cigars with Elegant Plume where we discuss all things cigars. In 2020, I will be launching Elegant Plume branded cigar accessories and clothing for women and men.
It’s a common misconception that Cuban cigars are superior to the rest. Everyone’s palate is different. I would just encourage everyone to try all types of cigars (including boutique cigars). Keep your mind open when selecting your next stogie. – Elegant Plume
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
DH: Thank you for the interview invite. I would encourage and appreciate your following to stay in contact so they can be updated on upcoming Elegant Plume events and product launches!
Https://elegantplume.podbean.com
IG: ElegantPlume
FB: Elegant Plume
FB cigar group: Cigar Cut Up
