CIGAR SOMMELIER

Ever heard of a cigar sommelier?

Me neither.

There are about 250 master cigar sommeliers in the world.

That is because there is a very rigorous training and certification process. 

This course is not for the novice. It is mainly for the cigar industry professionals; who open their own shops or lounges and want to better serve their community with their knowledge.

I met one of these cigar sommeliers online recently. 

His Instagram name is cigars_andcoffee but in real life his name is Bradley.

A young man, who lives in Perth, Australia.

Here is our interview:

BSW:  Good afternoon Bradley, thank you so much for sitting down and chatting for a bit. 
Can you tell my readers a little bit about yourself.

CaC: No problem, I'm originally from Scotland and I'm part Scottish and part African. I live in Perth, Australia and I'm 30. I was born with mild Cerebral Palsy and I moved to Australia when I was five years old. My mom has S.A.D, which means, Seasonal Affectedness Disorder) so we have to live in a warmer climate because of it.

BSW:   I see you brought a cigar with you. What are you going to smoke?

CaC: I have a Crowned Heads Mil Dias.

BSW:  Can you describe it for me?: 

CaC: It is a medium-bodied cigar which will go very well with the Latte that you are drinking. It is sweet and has a rich complex flavor profile.

BSW:  Well I am going to have to try that one. 

CaC: What are you smoking on?

BSW: I am smoking on Monte Cristo White.

CaC: That's a nice one.

BSW:  So let's get right to it. Why did you decide to start smoking cigars?

CaC: I started smoking cigars because i was fascinated about the history and culture of the cigar industry. I also wanted to know how the cigars were made.

BSW:  What do you get out of smoking a cigar?

CaC: Relaxation. Time for myself and also I get to find like minded people. 

BSW:  So it's 11 am here in Australia and moving into the early afternoon. What time do you normally like to enjoy a cigar?

CaC: Generally around this time. I like it around 10 am and 10:30; with breakfast. 

BSW:  So let's talk about being a sommelier. Was it hard and how did you decide that you wanted to do this?

CaC: The reason I became a cigar sommelier is because of my passion and my interest in the cigar industry and the culture as a whole. Having this on my resume would benefit me greatly in finding work within the cigar industry. Whether brick and mortar or at a restaurant, where smoking is allowed. The course was very intense but interesting at the same time. I specifically took my time with the course because I wanted to get it right. I found that it drew me in more as I was learning about the industry and the tobacco itself. Plus the benefits are that I can work in the cigar retail business or the hospitality business.

BSW:  When did you decide to launch the Instagram page and why?

CaC: At first my IG page was built around bartending and as I got into the cigars I transitioned it to the cigar page. I founds that when I did that, I got more and more contacts and people reaching out to me because they liked my posts and the knowledge I gained as I progressed in smoking cigars. 

BSW:   How is the cigar culture in Australia?

CaC: ?There is a very limited cigar culture here in Perth because where I live, it isn't a very heavy presence. It's hard to find people of the same mind as me. For instance, here in Perth, we only have one cigar lounge and it is extremely hard to get approved to build cigar lounges because of the anti smoking laws.

BSW:   Wow, that makes it very difficult for people to enjoy cigars. I guess that is why you smoke mainly at home. What is your favorite cigar?

CaC: My favorites are Viva La Vida Jester by Tabacalera A.J Fernandez Cigars De Nicaragua and S.A & Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro.

BSW:   I see I'm going to have to try those. Do you have one that you don't like?

CaC:  There isn't one that I don't like, per se. It might not fit my palate or flavor profile that I enjoy.

BSW:   Give me the process for smoking a cigar.

CaC: It's really quite simple. You have to learn how to smoke a cigar before you even try to do it because there is a significant difference in the way to smoke a cigar and how to light it. It's not like lighting a cigarettes. There is a science to it but once you learn how to cut, light and smoke it; it's one of the simple pleasure's that you will enjoy.

BSW:  Wow, has it already been an hour. My cigar is almost done and so is yours; so I guess that means that our time is done. I thank you so much for sitting down with me and telling my readers all about this cigar life. We are now, BOTL and SOTL. (brothers of the leaf and sisters of the leaf) 

There you have it! Next week we will get more into the world of cigar smoking with another interview.

Stay reading and stay with me. 

Summer is here....

Well not quite, but oh my goodness! I am as happy as a pig in slop, or maybe as happy as a dog with a bone, or maybe I'm as happy as a kid with candy. No, I got it! I'm as happy as a woman with NEW SHOES!

Oh heck yeah! You have got to love summer! Right, well you don't have to love it, but you have to admit that it is really nice to throw those sweaters in the closet, put those boots away and let your toes breath in a nice pair of stiletto heels!

Imagine my giddiness, and I am sure you can feel it in this post; as I opened up a shoe box with the most incredible shoes ever! My best friend, Denise; ok, maybe I shouldn't use her name, but she has to get her proper due. She gave me the most beautiful pair of tan, strappy heeled shoes, and when I tell you that my feet look INCREDIBLE in them, I aint lying! (you will see, just wait for it)

These shoes came as a surprise gift on my birthday and I can barely stop looking at my own feet! I tell you, I think I am in love. Yes, I know I am in love with these shoes! They are so me! They are 5 inches of sexiness! They are sleek, and they have just the right amount of silver accents to be sexy and not trashy! Snaps! Did I mention that they have snaps! Yep. Instead of buckles or ties, they snap around the ankle! Oh My Gosh! If I could walk down the aisle and marry these shoes, I'd be saying, I do.

I had gotten a deluxe pedicure that day, so to come home and see my new 5 inch stilettos made me a little teary-eyed. (yes, a new pair of shoes makes tears spring to my eyes like a summer shower) #dontjudgeme.
As I slipped my newly polished purple toes into them, I couldn't wait to show them off at work! Trust me when I tell you, the men at my office, went crazy over my new shoes.

Yes, summer is here and boy am I ready! I have my new tan strappy sandels and I bought myself a black pair with a zipper on the back and a bow on the side. Ok, I won't show you that picture until next time. I want you to drink in all of the sexiness of the Strappy Shelly's that I have on. (now you do know I name my shoes, right?)

Now see for yourself. If you don't think these shoes are sexy....well keep that to yourself.


Until next time.

Are you like the Marines?

Do you wonder what I mean by that? I mean, are you being all you can be...as an author? Are you preparing yourself for marketing, book appearances, book signings, conferences. Are you on Twitter and Facebook. Yes, you need to be on both. Are you blogging, or at least guest blogging. Again, I ask you: Are you being all you can be?

If you answered NO to one of those questions, than you are doing yourself a dis-service.

In the past month I have attended 3 conferences and will head to another this weekend. How many have you attended this year. Your goal should be to do something once a month, that is book related.

Are you on Kindle? Are you marketing your books whenever you are out doing your errands? Don't stand to close to me in line and I see you pick up one of those 'magazines'. I will quickly tell you that I'm an author and if you want to read some GOOD fiction than you should pick up one of my novels, or one of my many friends novels.

Oh, friends. I have made great friends with Jeffrey Deavers, John Gilstrap, and Brad Parks. Did I mention that they are best selling authors. At least two of them are on NY Times Best Selling list. Imagine that! I met them at one of the many conferences I attend. Again, Imagine that! Oh, you don't believe me...well I have pictures to prove it and you will read and see all about it next week; along with the pictures from the upcoming Raven Con conference that I am attending this weekend in Richmond.

Again, I ask you; Are you like the Marines? Are you being all you can be?

It's over...

Yes, Taste N Books is over but the buzz continues. If you had the pleasure of joining us on Sunday, there was fun to be had by all.

I think for a first time venture, everything went as smoothly as expected.

Working hard paid off by the many compliments that were bestowed and all of the authors that attended said they would like to participate again.

We even had a publisher in the house and I believe she may have gotten a few new authors in her business cubicle.

It's amazing what food can do and speaking of food. Chef Frank Dalton, Executive Chef for the Palms Hotel, made some incredible strawberries. OK, he didn't make the strawberries; but he put his soul into those delectable treats. AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!

Next year promises to be even bigger as a couple of seasoned veterans have graciously offered their help and I am accepting.

So, if you are in the Waldorf Area next year, or maybe even at the end of this year...consider Taste N Books II...I promise; you won't be disappointed.