Angelique let’s kick things off the old-fashioned way. Tell us about yourself and how you first fell in love with cigars?
AP: To tell you about myself, I can say that I am an atypical woman who loves male universe like luxury watches, cigars, sport cars, motorsports while remaining very feminine myself. That’s why the cigar has always fascinated me since I was young. It was already for me a symbol of power and success. Later, I first started to smoke cigars 20 years ago.
The male dominated tobacco industry has seen a big shift lately, with a good number of women entering the market. What do you think led to this big push?
AP: Nowadays, women don’t feel guilty anymore for having male activities: they practice male sports and sit at directors’ board of large groups. They don’t care anymore about the gaze of others and particularly of men’s gaze. Policies of gender equality and social networks have probably accentuated this.
What is it about the cigar/tobacco culture that keeps you so drawn in?
AP: In the cigar culture I am drawn in the cigar’s ritual, a time sharing between aficionados during when you appreciate the spirit evasion. Smoking a cigar is a spirit travel when you can let your imagination wandering, sharing ideas, or enjoying this moment to imagine the future or personal projects.
As a woman in this industry, what mistakes do you think big tobacco brands are making when it comes to making tobacco more approachable to more women like yourself?
AP: Big tobacco brands are making the mistake to impose a specific size for women (thin and long cigars), some female naming or female packaging (woman face for example). Cigar for women should not be a by-product for women but it should stay a unisex product. I used to smoke all kind of cigar size; this is a story of mood of the present moment.
Let’s get personal. What is your favorite origin for tobacco? Are you a Cuban girl or do you dabble in all different types of cigars?
AP: I am not a fan of Cuban cigars anymore! I prefer Dominican cigars, Nicaragua, or other Latin America cigars. I feel disappointed by Cuban cigars due to their quality deterioration during those last years (poor draught, abnormal degradation of wrapper, bad and unjustified of the quality/price ratio) compared to the upgraded quality of the world production outside of Cuba. I have a preference for Dominican brands (Lampert and Davidoff) which originate from Santiago de los Caballeros area.
Accessories and proper lighting techniques, do they really matter when it comes to really enjoying the cigar, or are they all gimmicks in your opinion?
AP: Accessories and proper lighting techniques are not gimmicks! I noticed that, effectively, lighting with a match or a gas torch give a better taste than using a classic lighter with gas or gasoline which must be avoided. The pleasure of smoking a good cigar starts with four of our senses: look at the cigar, touch it to choose a soft one, smell it and finally taste it. Cigar preparation is also part of the ritual. Ideally, I prefer to use a puncher than a cutter.
The cigar industry every year gets bigger and bigger with more brands coming to the scene. If I was a beginner, what advice would you give me so I don’t get lost in the fold?
AP: I would like to advice beginners to start with a small size and mainly to choose a good brand, guarantee of a sure value like Davidoff. This is better to discuss with real aficionados instead of trying to discover alone.
How long have you been smoking cigars, and do you remember your first?
AP: I have been smoking cigars for about twenty years. I remember very well the first time; it was with an important director a French construction company during a dinner. We became and stayed very good friends since this day.
As a model you must travel a lot. Tell us about a few places around the world where you had the best smoking experience?
AP: My best smoking experiences were in countries with tropical climate where this is pleasant to smoke outside all year long like Punta Cana, Bali, Singapore, Mauritius, Hong Kong and French Polynesia. I also appreciated to share evenings with aficionados in Dubai.
What is your favorite cigar and why?
AP: I have two favorite cigars: the Davidoff Anniversario number 3, long robusto and the Lampert Seniora. For the first one, the combustion is regular and pleasant, the aroma is strength with a perfect balance of spices, pepper, and hazelnuts. For the second one, the draught is simply perfect, and it is light. Its aromas of honey and spices give sweetness to be smoked in the evening.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
AP: I would like to say to your readers that you must take your time to smoke and appreciate a cigar. Time should be hold on. You do not hesitate to share those moments with people we love. Ladies, take pleasure before anything else!
