Totally and 100% social media. Our connection to the cigar community is entirely thanks to social media. It all began with a celebratory cigar after annual fitness conventions and evolved during the pandemic when we started searching for online cigar retailers. What started as a casual interest six years ago has now become an integral part of our lives.

The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Umbagog was the cigar that transformed my perception of cigars from a casual pastime to a genuine passion. I had previously smoked infused cigars for a few months during the pandemic, which forced me to stay home. As someone who finds it difficult to sit still, I discovered that I could enjoy a cigar for an hour while teleworking. While adventure cycling is my hobby and fitness is my lifestyle, sharing a cigar with the love of my life has become the core that unites everything.

I've smoked in temperatures well below zero while walking around downtown Fairbanks. It might sound extreme, but you’d be surprised as to how manageable a -25 degree temperature can feel with minimal wind and the sun's warmth hitting the pavement can be.

It was around six(ish) years ago when I first started indulging in cigars, and exclusively smoking infused blends, my cutie bought me a Umbagog to see if I’d like it. After a few draws, I was hooked and the rest is history.

Oh geez. Multiple and mixed reactions. To start, Steve and Cindy flagged us down in a parking lot during The Great Smoke event. I was preoccupied with finding a parking spot and expected a brief greeting. Instead, we had a longer than normal conversation about Chris Duque and the Year of concept. Then, he asked if we would like to be the face of 2026. I was speechless. My initial response was one of disbelief. I remember saying something like, “We’re just a couple of ordinary nobodies from a small town in Alaska. Why us? I am not worthy of such an honor, she may be but I’m just the husband.” To this day, I am still in awe and completely flabbergasted by the offer.

That depends on which humidor you open. Our main, most-used humidor is predominantly stocked with Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust cigars, followed by Tatuaje and El Mago. You'll also find a generous collection of full bundles, packs, and boxes from many of our other favorite brands.

I choose my cigars based on my flavor mood at the moment, rather than distinguishing between a normal Tuesday and a celebration cigar. Some days I might feel like enjoying the complex flavors of a rare Unicorn cigar for no special reason, while other days I might prefer the subtle, lighter notes of a Brulee or a Triunfante. My go-to favorites include the DTT Triqui Traca 648 and the El Mago Miami Maduro, but my choices are always changing. For me, every day is a celebration of life and sobriety.

My dear calls me a light weight, and I am, but that’s mainly because sitting and slowing down drives me bat shit crazy. I may average about 10 cigars a week when I'm not traveling or busy with projects. However, that number increases significantly during events like The Great Smoke or when visiting our favorite cigar spots.

The cigar community can seem intimidating at first, but it's a uniquely welcoming and almost magical culture. If you're an extrovert, don't hesitate to visit a local lounge, light up a cigar, and start a conversation. If you're more introverted like me, my advice is to take the leap. You'll find that the shared passion for cigars creates an instant bond that transcends social barriers.

For us, the most significant aspect of the cigar community is how it has brought us closer as a couple. It’s a remarkably non-judgmental environment. In a cigar lounge, you'll find people from all walks of life, with varying net worths, enjoying different cigars. The focus is on the shared experience, whether it’s the conversation, a game on TV, or a celebration, and the camaraderie it fosters.

While we are fortunate to have many incredible cigar memories, one that will always hold a special place is from May 31, 2022. It was a perfect, sunny semi-warm day, and we sat on our upper deck to share a couple of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Unicorns. We were celebrating my one-year anniversary of sobriety. That moment was about more than just the cigars, it was a celebration of love, trust, and courage that I feel solidified the foundation of not only our future together, but for my life as I wanted it on this earth of ours.

While it is a limited release, I would have to recommend the DTT Year of the Pausers and if I’m being honest, the blend on the left. However, for a more accessible, regular production cigar, my unequivocal choice is the DTT Triqui Traca 648. It's an outstanding blend that I believe everyone should experience.

YES, YES, and YES. Our lives revolve around a certain event, travel to a specific place, and cigars 365 days a year. Our next planned trip is to what we consider a magical place, the Smoke Inn Mothership in South Florida, in early November 2026. It’s our go-to vacation destination and feels like visiting family, so we make the trip a couple of times a year. We are also already looking forward to The Great Smoke in 2027, and as for more cigars, absolutely.