Real Talk: The cigar community is all about the shared love of the leaf and it is beautiful

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the cigar community, from companies large and small to influencers to the average connoisseur, it’s that it’s wonderful to be a part of. I forgive you, dear reader, if you’ve been led to believe otherwise. Because the reality is that we’re a brash bunch who willfully enjoy an activity that has long been said to cause various health problems. Many cigar smokers on social media are also outspoken, often expressing conflicting views and sometimes even questionable political opinions. And let’s face it: cigars and tobacco are definitely a vice, just like alcohol.

While this community is special, it’s a place where we share our shared love of an activity that has long been misunderstood, but let me explain why I share this and why it’s important.

For the love of the paper

Time and time again, I have seen many cigar lovers share the love of their craft with others. They give advice, provide instructions, and occasionally do “bombing” – that is, “bombing” another cigar lover with a bunch of new cigars to try out. Yes, I understand that calling it bombing sounds brash and almost insulting, but it is a beautiful practice nonetheless.

It’s a tradition of shared love – a shared love of an ancient craft with many new beginnings. The world of cigars has expanded in recent years, and there are so many boutiques and small brands across the country. That means that sometimes, no matter how good a particular brand or label is, it can be hard to find in certain areas. There’s a kind of “pass it on” reverence to this unconditional act of sending new cigarettes to others in the community that resonates throughout the cigar world.

Sharing your favorite cigars with others, or sometimes sending local and rare cigars, helps to pass on the experience. However you look at it, I certainly see it as spreading the love.

Recently I talked to someone at the companyI was visiting the community on X when I noticed an amazing shadow box in the background. Inside the box, the cigar labels were on full display, a charming display of cigars that this person had tried. Of course, I noticed how much I liked it and they contacted me via private message and asked if I wanted one. I offered to cover the shipping and handling costs or at least send cigars in kind, but they took nothing in return. They offered it as a gift, with no expectations. This act of generosity is not uncommon in our community and is one of the many reasons I love being a part of it. Not only because I am treated so well, but because everyone is welcomed with open arms and well taken care of.

This story alone may not seem representative of the entire community, but I assure you, it is. Day after day, since I began practicing this infamous craft, I have witnessed countless opportunities where others have shared their joy, love, and experiences. In local shops, where cigar lovers share advice, guidance, and support with those new to the craft. Online, where the community comes together with anyone willing to listen and join in. Even most shops and cigar makers, large and small, are just as friendly. They all just want to share a craft and a hobby they love with others.

This is something I haven’t seen in many other communities and honestly it’s a beautiful sentiment and tradition that you rarely see anywhere. I urge you to browse through cigar posts on various social media platforms such as X. You will discover many posts of people sharing with each other, not only content but also many conversations about how people send care packages including swag, cigars and more. It’s really beautiful.

Quantifying the power of the community

In an earlier conversation with Mike Gehm from Lovely Cigarswe discussed the idea that cigars are a “great equalizer.” When you’re in a room with others enjoying a cigar, it doesn’t matter who they are, what they do for a living, or what their status is. Everyone is equal. Everyone enjoys the experience, conversing, relaxing, and staying present in the moment. It’s a space where almost no one feels left out, regardless of their background or beliefs.

This is exactly what happened on another trip I made recently. Terence Reilly from Aganorsa was there at the time, promoting the brand’s cigars, but he also chatted with everyone present. He even showed us around a Fuma experience Here you taste different tobacco leaves one at a time and then all at once to see how they make the final blend of a real cigar. It was interesting, but even more fascinating was the amount of people from all walks of life chatting, meeting each other and having a great time.

If you think otherwise from the outside or from others who are not involved, you may be wrong. Of course, there are one or two black sheep in every community and I am not going out on a limb and saying that everyone who smokes cigars is a saint – I am sure there are plenty of jealous people.

What I am saying is that if you are just entering the community, taking your first steps into the water, or spending a lot of time enjoying cigars alone, you may want to consider this a sign. There are many others like you who are ready and willing to share the love of the leaf. You are not alone on this journey, and you are part of a community that values ​​your presence and contribution.

There’s a reason the nicknames “Brother of the Leaf” and “Sister of the Leaf” exist and are used so frequently. And as for everyone else, for every bad thing that can be said about the community and craft, there are also a dozen good things.