WOMEN’S CIGAR NEWS
Rhiannon B. Williams writes about her love
of cigars.
“I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with
nicotine. Between 1985 and 1996 I spent much of
the time as a genuine nicotine 40 Marlborough a
day smoker.
As with any addiction, the hate outgrew the love,
and I managed to kick the habit, for good, or so I
thought. My husband had reached the grand old
age of 48 without ever touching the dreaded weed.
So it came as some surprise, when one balmy
August night in Rome, we sat outside a bar, and
simultaneously looked at each other and said “Do
you know, I really fancy a cigar.”
That was the start of our journey. As someone
who likes to research everything, by the time we
had hit British soil I had already found the nearest
tobacconist (John Hollingsworth) and knew that
there was a fine humidor in the depths of the
Birmingham Hotel du Vin. My first cigar made me
fall in love with nicotine all over again, and this
time there was no addiction-hate to contend with.
Before the indoor smoking ban, we spent many
enjoyable Sunday afternoons cocooned within its
walls.
My personal tastes have developed along the mild
to medium ranges, whereas my husband prefers
something more full-bodied. I confess to feeling
slightly insecure about this choice for a good
15
few years, until I realised that many men also
preferred a gentler smoke.
A woman smoking a cigar is still a point of interest
for many people. Thankfully it’s not as bad as
when I first took up cigars. In the early days (when
we could still enjoy our hobby indoors) I would
stand in a bar and certain men would think it
absolutely acceptable to invade my personal space
and make it very obvious that my smoking a cigar
was a sexual thrill for them. Most men these days
are more respectful, probably because when I do
enjoy a cigar in public, it’s with fellow cigar lovers,
who want to share enjoyment.
I love the camaraderie of the cigar world. Along
the way I have met many helpful and generous
fellow cigar-lovers. I would like to make a very
special mention of Julien Foussadier, ex Hotel du
Vin, currently Searcys Shoreditch, who kept a very
fine humidor at the Birmingham Hotel du Vin,
shared many lovely cigars with us and encouraged
two very nervous beginners. Colin Field, famed
barman of the Bar Hemingway at the Paris Ritz,
for infecting us with his enthusiasm for great
cigars. To Keith and all those at The Prince of
Wales in Moseley, Birmingham. To all the others
I have met along the way, a heartfelt thank you
for sharing your knowledge, your cigars and the
pleasure of the journey.”