Brian please tell us who you are and how you first got into cigars. Do you remember your first?
BS: I’m just an average guy who adores his wife and daughter, works a nine to five, loves to watch and play sports as much as possible, rides his Harley up the coast that also enjoys relaxing with a good cigar. I like to think I have a decent eye for photography, so I wanted to start an Instagram page to share my love of cigars and my enjoyment of taking a nice picture.
Besides Swisher Sweets, when I thought I was a badass in High School, my first real cigar was an Acid 1400cc. I remember being in Vegas at 18 years old playing craps at the Bellagio. I happened to be next to Tom Hanks, his wife, his daughter, and Jerome Bettis, with a stogie in my mouth feeling like I was on top of the world. Side note, the Hanks’ were unbelievably nice and, Jerome Bettis was huge and had an equally massive diamond-encrusted bus around his neck. Haha.
The many people who know you, know that you are heavily into one particular cigar brand – Fuente elite line of cigars, Opus X, Lost City, God of Fire, etc. How did your fascination with this particular brand get started. Also, what is it about this particular brand that draws you in?
BS: When I started heavier into cigars, a really good friend told me about Arturo Fuente cigars and how they were the best. Being newer to cigars, I wanted something smooth and consistent. When I went to my local lounge, luckily, I learned they are pretty known for having a great relationship with the Fuente family and had an amazing selection of singles for sale. I was able to sample a wide variety of their cigars, and each one I had was better than the last. After that, I was hooked! It doesn’t hurt that I think they have the best-looking bands on the market. Shout out to all the awesome people at @lordpuffercigars in Escondido, CA, for always being so nice and helpful, feeding my addiction.
What would you say attracts you to cigars and the tobacco industry in particular?
BS: For me, like most people I imagine, cigars are the perfect excuse to slow down. There is always so much going on in our everyday lives that its nice to just take an hour or so to stop and relax. When I’m smoking, I’m not thinking about what needs to be done or stressing about work. I just sit back, put my feet up, and just enjoy the peaceful feeling a cigar gives me.
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?
BS: *I think you said it, the community is very inclusive. I have yet to come across anyone on Instagram that was not more than happy to answer a question or even just shoot the shit. I feel that most people who smoke cigars have very relaxed personalities and that shows through. Unlike a lot of industries, cigar smokers actually enjoy and use the products so, they love to talk about it and share their experiences. I’ve also learned that the community as a whole is very generous and seems too enjoy sharing which, is a rare thing. Several times I have just made a comment that I would like to try a particular cigar, but have not been able to find one and someone then offers to send one out without any expectations. That is an amazing thing.
I am sure you’ve had many wonderful and special cigars over the years. But let’s keep this short and to the point. Give me your top 5 best of all time. And tell us why number 1… well is your number one.
BS: Such a hard question. I feel like my list changes every time I try to answer it because there are so many good ones out there, and I’m still discovering them. Sorry, too hard. I have to split it to make it easier for myself. However, all of these cigars are up there because while the flavors may differ they are always smooth and consistent.
Top 5 Fuentes right now…
Don Carlos The Man
Don Artura Destino al Siglo
Opus X 20th Anniversary
Forbidden X 13
Opus X Angel’s Share
Plus so many more!
Top 5 all other at the moment…
Davidoff 2016 Art Edition
Padron 1926 Serie No. 90 (just recently had for the first time)
Davidoff Churchill limited edition 2019
Don Pepin Garcia “blue”
Aj Fernandez San Lotano (Aj & Jochy)
What is your favorite vitola? Is there also a particular origin of tobacco you prefer more than the other and why?
BS: I’d say my go-to is Robusto. For me it’s just the perfect size. I guess a lot of my favorite cigars do tend to be Dominican, so if I had to choose then D.R., it is. I don’t discriminate however, if it’s a good cigar, I don’t care what the origin of the tobacco is. I’m always up for trying any cigar once and, if it’s good I’ll buy more.
If you could smoke one cigar for the rest of your life which one would you choose?
BS: Really!? One cigar!? I guess since you didn’t say one specific blend, I’ll have to cheat again and say Arturo Fuente.
Brian many people blow the horn for Cuban cigars as being the top in the world in terms of cigars. As someone who smokes primarily special Fuente’s what would you say to those non-cuban haters?
BS: There are so many different cigars, Cubans and Non-Cubans, I don’t think you can name one region as “the top.” There are many Cubans that I really enjoy but, just like the Non-Cubans, there are good and bad. In my opinion, the difference between Fuentes and Cubans (in general, not all) is consistency. I have not had a single “bad” Fuente, draw issues, blocks, or anything. Cubans have had inconsistency for me in that respect. Again, there are Cubans I do really enjoy like the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure de Luxe but overall I’ll take a Fuente any day of the week. Not just Fridays haha
Brian when I talk to you, you have so much knowledge about different types of tobaccos and cigars. Where do you get your knowledge from? Any particular websites you think are worth following or podcasts to listen to?
BS: Compared to a lot of BOTLs and SOTLs, I am very much still a rookie, but I do enjoy learning. I have learned so much from just reading other posts on Instagram and asking questions. I am lucky to have a pretty solid group of friends that has an ongoing group chat, and any question I may have they are always willing to help. I don’t necessarily like to read reviews on a cigar before I smoke it because I want to form my own opinion. I do like to look up specifics on cigars just to get a breakdown on the tobaccos used and the region they’re from. There are plenty of review sites out there, but it’s more fun to come up with your own opinion.
I do have to mention from an entertainment standpoint I really enjoy listening to the fellas on the @burndownpodcast. Fun show to watch and a couple of good guys. Also, I want to mention a few people that have been super helpful to me since the beginning and I would consider friends. Check out their pages! @solopuros_ @scotchandtime @blavkmedal76 @chcigars_ @titacontreras0830 @projectcarboninc @sticksandticks @davidoffguy @sencimedia I know there are so many more so if I missed anyone it was not intentional, I promise.
Has your life changed in any way since you joined Instagram and became part of the #botl and #sotl community?
BS: Even though I’ve only met a few in person, I feel I’ve met a lot of really good friends all over the world because of the Instagram cigar community. I really feel like I’m a part of something that is really good. Not to sound cheesy, but I really feel if more people were the way most are in the cigar community, the world would be a better place. The generosity and kindness of a large number of the BOTLs and SOTLs is unmatched by any other industry.
If you could give any advice to the Cigar industry ambassadors and tobacco producers, what would you tell them?
BS: I guess the one thing I would want to be a little different is the ability to get some of the special edition cigars. There are quite a few that I would like to try but you have to be in the industry to get them. By the time regular folks have access they are being sold for insane prices. I guess the rarity is part of what makes them special and considered “unicorns.”
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
BS: I just want to reiterate how amazing this cigar community of ours is. It really is like one big family. If you are new to cigars, don’t be afraid to reach out to the accounts you follow. 99% of the time they, will be more than happy to help and answer any questions you have. The more engaged you are, as long as you’re being real, the better your experience will be.
I also want to thank you Gene, for the opportunity to talk a little bit about myself and allow me to talk about this great community that I’ve been so very fortunate to become a part of. In this strange time we are in, I want to wish health, happiness, and nothing but success to all.
