TU: The Unredacted Story

The PCA Interview: Looking Back At 29 Years Of Tobacconist Education

When was your organization founded/launched?

Tobacconist University (TU) was founded in 1996 as a proprietary educational program for a two-store chain of luxury, full-service retail tobacconists in ivy league and tourist towns.  It also provided educational seminars for consumer events and certifications.  In the 1990s, the release of Cigar Aficionado magazine facilitated a cigar boom which elevated consumer knowledge and sophistication, creating a need and opportunity for highly trained professionals.  By the early 2000s it was clear that the emerging internet was also providing a huge amount of information, both good and bad, so TU evolved into a publicly available educational resource.  By 2008 the professional Certified Retail Tobacconist (CRT) program was available online at www.tobacconistuniversity.org and TU became the official educational curriculum of the RTDA-IPCPR-PCA, providing free education and low-cost certification to brick and mortar retail tobacconists, as well as consumers.

Tell us about your educational program. What can people get from going through it?

The majority of our academic curriculum is available for free, online in the TU CAMPUS.  It includes Tobacco, Accoutrements, Taste and Service Colleges, as well as a Tobacconist FAQs and the largest online and multi-media/hyper-linked glossary of tobacco/tobacconist related terms anywhere in the world.   We start with the definition that a Tobacconist is an expert in tobacco and all the related accoutrements and provide all of the history, science, agricultural, manufacturing, business-specific and practical knowledge that is necessary to achieve that minimal goal. 

An equally important fundamental premise in the TU Academic Curriculum is that “Taste” is subjective, so there is no objective right or wrong with regard to human preferences, likes or dislikes.  This perspective allows us to remain brand neutral and focused on un-biased education.  Above all, we focus on teaching strong fundamentals when science and facts apply and empowering individuals to develop their own perspective and opinions when artistry and taste is required.

What makes your organization’s approach to education different from its competitors?

The TU Academic Curriculum was thoroughly researched and documented for more than a decade (1996-2008) before being released as a freely available public resource.  It is not hidden behind a paywall, but rather on display for all to learn, scrutinize and contribute to.  We are committed to triple sourcing our facts rather than parroting marketing jargon, subjective or editorialized opinion and biased or inaccurate information.  We start with the premise that ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ and refuse to repeat information just because someone of repute ‘says so’.  Our RESOURCES section is available for public scrutiny on our website and it includes more than one hundred books (both current and out-of-print), scientific studies and professional interviews on every topic we cover.  In addition, all of our colleges, with a particular emphasis on Service College, have contributions from industry leading tobacconists as well as agricultural, pre-industrial and cigar making experts.    

Our Academic Curriculum includes hundreds of videos, photographs and graphics that are proprietary to TU, gathered through countless self-funded educational expeditions to factories and farms in Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, the USA and the Dominican Republic.  All of this effort is made to avoid bias, misinformation and to not be beholden to corporate or marketer influences.  Furthermore, it is necessary to create a substantive educational curriculum that dispels and corrects the erroneous information that is so commonly available and disseminated on the internet, in print and through marketing channels. 

How did you go about designing your educational program to be easy to navigate and consume?

Structuring an educational curriculum for an industry and products that are so diverse and profound was one of the most challenging aspects of creating and organizing TU, especially since no other organization has ever existed to educate and certify tobacconists.   In addition, our industry battles social stigmatization, extreme regulation and excessive taxation like no other.  Consequently, our educational curriculum must also serve as an ambassador of credibility and substance to the greater culture: the curriculum must be rooted in integrity.  The TU motto is Puro Integritas, a play on words and language that guides every facet of our vision and mission.

The layout and sequencing of the online curriculum must also be logical and linear.  For example, Tobacco College starts with ancient history as well as cultural, business and political context.  Then we define and study what is Nicotiana Tabacum.  Only after this foundation can we start to learn about Geography, Climate, Cigar Regions, Seeds & Plants, Growing, Nurturing, Harvesting, Curing, Fermentation, Cigar Rolling, Packaging, Aging, Shipping, Cigar Shapes & Sizes and the Marketing of Cigars.  Tobacco College rounds out the journey with Pipe Tobaccos and Cigarette education: providing a comprehensive perspective on the entire world of tobacco.  All of our Colleges are structured in a linear way, so that you hit the ”Next” button to ‘turn the page’ and continue studying:  it’s like reading a giant multi-media book, at your own pace and empowering you to come and go and revisit topics at your own discretion.

At the heart of the curriculum is substance, science and an extreme belief that words matter.  Words must be properly defined and used.  Therefore, our Glossary and curriculum webpages are hot-linked together: if you are studying inside a college and come across an important word, it will be linked to our Glossary or another curriculum webpage with expanded information.  The TU Glossary also hot-links words back into the curriculum for an enhanced learning experience.   This is an educational matrix designed for profound learning.  We believe our industry is plagued with the misuse and misunderstanding of simple terms and words that are bastardized every day by most people.  Words like “strength”, “taste”, “body”, “curing” and more, are misused by advertisers, so-called “experts” and online “educators” in print and on the internet every day.  But, if you are a Certified Tobacconist or passionate consumer who uses our Glossary and website, you should know exactly what those words mean in the proper context.  

You will find that our custom designed academic curriculum is very different from the Learning Management Systems (LMS) commonly found on the internet.  These contemporary websites/programs are used to teach things like food sanitation, boat safety  any consumer level course (e.g. Learn how to juggle, buy real estate, day trade, etc… ), and a plethora of for-profit educational enterprises for people and organizations who want to sell ‘courses’.  You can learn almost anything through today’s LMS products, but we found them restrictive to our goals and needs.  In many ways, LMS products are designed to guide you through a ‘module’ of content and quiz you at the end of that section: they are essentially teaching you how to pass the quiz.  It is important to note here that we do offer our CIGARS 101 course through an LMS and it provides an excellent, efficient and cost-effective fundamental learning experience for consumers.   

The TU Academic Curriculum is designed as a vast digital and multi-media library that is an easily accessible resource and library for lovers of luxury tobacco.  And we expect you to know everything necessary to pass our online exams.  Those who get certified by TU are expected to pass a 50 or 100 question multiple choice exam when they are ready to earn their consumer or professional certification.  And we expect you to retain and own the knowledge you seek. 

Our Vision is to build and project the credibility of the luxury tobacco industry in order to support cultural acceptance around the world – preserving luxury tobacco for generations to come.   Our Mission is to research, learn and teach in order to educate, certify and promote the most knowledgeable and honorable tobacconists and consumers.  In that process we provide resources for tobacconists to leverage for their customers and businesses - build credibility, culture and community for tobacconists and consumers - are the epicenter of cigar, pipe and tobacco education.  In short, we educate with a broad, serious and strategic purpose.

Why should people take the time to complete your educational program?

TU has developed the following certifications to meet the needs of consumers and professional tobacconists over the last 29 years - each serves a distinct need and purpose.  All current 3000+ TU Certified Tobacconists and apprentices are listed on the TU website under their company and/or individual name.  Every TU Certified Tobacconist must accept their specific Code of Ethics & Standards and pass the final exam with a 90% or better.  We encourage you to visit the GET CERTIFIED section of our website to see which certification will suit your goals and needs.  All of our programs are self-study at your own pace, include online final exams, website listings and the ability to print your diploma when you graduate.

CCT – Certified Consumer Tobacconist: a non-professional certification designed for avid consumer enthusiasts who are not employed within the luxury tobacco industry.  This is indubitably the most challenging and comprehensive curriculum for any consumer enthusiast.  The curriculum in our CAMPUS is the same that CRT and CST study for their professional certifications.  The final exam is 50 questions derived from the professional exams.  

CCST – Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist: our first and most important fundamental professional degree for those working with premium cigars.  The CCST degree is designed to serve cigar retailers, fine dining establishments, lounges, bars, event promoters, influencers and anyone seeking strong fundamentals and professional credentials around the world.  It is both time and cost efficient by concentrating the cigar curriculum into videos and succinct lessons that focus on Retail School, Cigar Fundamentals and Pairing School.  Our CCST Schools can be structured for individuals, stand alone or multi-location retailers, salesforces and/or any other organizational types. The final exam is 50 questions which includes specialized questions on “tasting” and “pairing”.    

CRT – Certified Retail Tobacconist: our most comprehensive and profound professional degree for full-service brick and mortar tobacconists.  This degree tests on Tobacco, Accoutrements, Taste and Service College as well as our Tobacconist FAQ and the TU Glossary.  The unparallelled education creates the world’s most prestigious and highly credentialled professional tobacconists.  Apprentices must work for an existing retail tobacconist for at least six months before taking the final exam – ensuring enough experience to earn the CRT designation.  When CRT leave a retail store/company their listing can be ‘moved’ to another retail store or they will be re-listed as a CCT if they do not return to the industry. 

CST – Certified Salesforce Tobacconist:  the counterpart to our CRT degree.  The CST degree is for employees of cigar distributors/brands/companies or other non-retail organizations. 

CCST Maestro – Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist Maestro: any CRT or CST who also has a CCST degree is eligible to curate and run their own CCST School and certify others under their own brand - which makes them a CCST Maestro.  A CCST Maestro can purchase ‘wholesale’ CCST certifications and use them as they please: they can be used for employees, sold for profit, to create brand ambassadors, given away as promotions and/or any combination thereof.   CCST Maestros can also upload their own content into their schools and use the course materials if they want to teach and certify through live events.

CMT – Certified Master Tobacconist: the highest professional level one can achieve as a TU Certified Tobacconist.  Only CRT and CST are eligible for this advanced degree.  Candidates must apprentice and prove hundreds of apprenticeship hours with cigar/pipe makers and TU Certified Retailers as well as making a substantive educational contribution to the TU Academic Curriculum.

My 3 Biggest Mistakes As A Retail Tobacconist

After nearly thirty years as a retail tobacconist, operating multiple stores in different states, I am still haunted by regrets and mistakes I made.  I left a lot of money on the table by not being smart enough or wise enough.  

Control Your Real Estate
My first great mistake was not controlling or owning my own real estate.  Being beholden to a landlord and paying rent means you will never build an asset and get the benefits of appreciating real estate down the road.  I knew this in the early 2000s yet I chose to fund Tobacconist University (TU) instead of buying the building(s) my stores occupied.  I can forgive myself for this because my dream of helping other retail tobacconists and elevating the luxury tobacco industry became my real passion.   My next two mistakes are the ones that really haunt me.

Sell Your Own Brands
I spent most of my time and energy building other people's brands instead of my own.  I took great pride in procuring and selling popular and hard-to-get cigar brands that my customers wanted but neglected consistently building my own brand(s).  I should have dedicated 20% of my shelf space and focus to private label and house brands.  That would have greatly increased my profitability and given me a portfolio of dedicated and happy customers that I could keep forever.  They could continue to be customers beyond brick and mortar and be an asset and income stream indefinitely into the future.  

Embrace E-Commerce
Lastly, I failed to see the future and value of the internet in the 1990s when I opened my first store.  I was always focused on the physical environment and community of retail without seeing the power of permanently tethering my customers to my store with an ecommerce website.  If I had better foresight, I could still have proactive and enriching relationships with thousands of customers who were just 'passing through' town and loved my stores.  It makes me sick just to think of the lost potential.  And it is all my fault.

SOLUTIONS & STRATEGIES FOR YOU

On the bright side, my failures represent new opportunities for TU Certified Tobacconists.  I am trying to make up for my failures by creating solutions and resources for TU Certified Tobacconists.  Our TUECOM and TU Private Label programs exist so you won't make the same mistakes I did.  Above all, TU seeks to help retail tobacconists succeed because they are the keystone which makes the luxury tobacco industry so special!

Turnkey mail order websites for Certified Retail Tobacconists.  Our goal is to make it as cheap and easy as possible for retailers to operate their own mail order websites. 

We have partnered with extraordinary cigar makers to give TU Certified Tobacconists exclusive access to highly profitable cigars.  Having started with our R&D Cigars and moving forward with our private label cigars, we are shepherding products to market with an educational component.  In fact, we have created the only cigars in the world which require you to be certified to sell: a bona fide competitive advantage!

In Closing ...

I want to emphasize the key to capitalizing on these resources is to start early and take the long-term approach!  It takes time to reap the rewards and build the business so you must be consistent about investing in these programs now so you can benefit in the future.  There is no easy path or magic trick to success.  But by committing yourself now you will certainly be more successful in the future.  

Email info@tobacconsituniversity.org or call 609.651.2311 if you have any questions.

     

CIGAR LOUNGE SERVICE From The SOTL Perspective: by Lefty Karropoulos, CMT

 

Below are 10 things that are very important to women that visit lounges and that lounge owners could use to bring their service up a level.  All are from interviews and conversations with hundreds of aficionadas from multiple areas and countries.

SOTL Cigar Lounge Service Points

1.      Warm Welcome

·   Greet her warmly with a smile and welcome her to the lounge. "Good evening, welcome to [Lounge Name]! How can I make your experience enjoyable today?"

2.      Comfortable Seating

·  Offer her a choice of comfortable seating options. "Would you prefer a seat by the window or in a more private area?"

3.      Personalized Service

·  Ask about her cigar preferences and suggest options based on her tastes. "Are there any particular cigars you enjoy, or would you like some recommendations?"

4.      Offer Pairing Options

·  Suggest drinks that pair well with her cigar choice. "We have a selection of wines and spirits that complement this cigar perfectly. Would you like to hear about them?"

5.      Respectful Interaction

·  Maintain professionalism and respect her personal space. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm here to help."

6.      Educational Opportunities

·  Provide information about the cigars and their origins if she shows interest. "This cigar is from a renowned region and has a unique flavor profile. Would you like to learn more about it?"

7.      Event Invitations

·  Inform her about upcoming events or tastings. "We have a cigar tasting event next week. It would be great to see you there."

8.      Prompt and Attentive Service

·  Ensure that she receives prompt attention throughout her visit. "Is there anything else I can get for you? Your comfort is our priority."

9.      Encourage Relaxation

·  Create a relaxing atmosphere where she can enjoy her time. "Please make yourself comfortable and enjoy your cigar."

10.     Express Gratitude

The Pathos, Egos & Logos of The SOTL Global Movement: by Lefty Karropoulos, CMT

 

The Sisters Of The Leaf Global Movement: A New Era for the Global Cigar Community
In the world of cigars, a new wave of empowerment has emerged thanks to the Sisters of the Leaf Global Movement. Since 2017, this organization has been redefining the cigar culture to be more welcoming and supportive of women. At the forefront of this movement is Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi, whose vision, ethics, and leadership have played a pivotal role in its success.

The movement not only creates opportunities for both women and men to build their networks but also brings together cigar enthusiasts worldwide. It pioneers the concept of women-friendly cigar lounges and emphasizes the importance of education by implementing the Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST) program, empowering our members through substantive knowledge.

Furthermore, the SOTL Global Movement is dedicated to empowering women through mentorship, self-discovery, and personal growth. By fostering a supportive community, it encourages participants to connect, learn from one another, and unlock their full potential.

Joining the SOTL Global Movement: An organization for All Cigar Culture Lovers
The Sisters of the Leaf (SOTL) Global Movement is an inclusive community open to both women and men who share a passion for cigar culture. With around 4,000 members worldwide, our focus is on the quality of engagement rather than numbers. Membership is free, and those who join can actively participate in initiatives that align with our mission.

Membership and Engagement
Joining SOTL is simple and comes with the opportunity to express your ideas and get involved in our initiatives. We prioritize meaningful connections, often scheduling personal Zoom meetings or group sessions with our committees to ensure every member's voice is heard.

To join, visit our website and fill out the form or send an email to info@sotlglobalmovement.com.

Gathering Unique Perspectives
We collect valuable insights from our members, particularly women, using structured interviews and questionnaires. These qualitative research methods help us understand and address the experiences and challenges faced by women in the cigar community. Additionally, we provide a platform for women to share their ideas and concerns directly with our advisory board and management team.

Quality Over Quantity
While we have a strong membership base, our true focus is on fostering deep engagement. By maintaining open communication and encouraging active participation, we ensure that every member can contribute meaningfully to the SOTL Global Movement.

The Visionary Founder: Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi
Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi is not just a name but a force of change in the cigar industry. Her vision for a world free from stereotypes led to the creation of the Sisters of the Leaf Global Movement, which has since grown into a worldwide community.  As a globally recognized social innovator with notable achievements in culture, business, and academia, Dr. Psomiadi identified the need for a platform where women could explore their passion for cigar culture in a supportive and respectful environment.  For the first time in cigar history, she gave the floor to women by creating a space where they presented themselves and their contributions to the cigar industry.

Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi created the first-ever global initiative to give women a voice in the cigar industry through the SOTL Global Round Table, which was launched on the Zoom platform during the COVID pandemic. For the first time, women were invited to present themselves and discuss the stereotypes they have faced in their countries during their cigar journey. This groundbreaking initiative was shared with 21 global cigar communities in collaboration with their admins, marking a historic moment in the industry.

Since then, we have organized 11 SOTL Global Round Tables, both digitally and in person, along with networking events, mentorship programs, and initiatives that have helped build networks among women. As you have likely noticed, many of these projects have inspired well-known individuals and organizations within the industry, who have begun to organize similar initiatives.

These contributions have been recognized by prominent figures like Carlos Fuente, Nick Perdomo, Jeremiah Meerapfel, Al Micallef, Jose Blanco, and others, who have acknowledged the impact of the SOTL Global Movement.

You can find some of these statements and the impact of our work in this article: 

Cigar Journal Article

The Power of Education
Education is a cornerstone of the Sisters of the Leaf Global Movement, and the Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST) certification is at the heart of this educational endeavor. The CCST program is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge about cigars, from the farming and production processes to the art of pairing and tasting.

Τhe leadership team and the advisory board of the movement emphasize the importance of the CCST certification for anyone serious about their cigar journey. The certification enhances personal knowledge and adds credibility to those who wish to work in or contribute to the cigar industry. For women in the movement, the CCST certification is a tool for empowerment, enabling them to thrive and excel within the cigar community.

The SGM Maestro School of CCST Alumni
The SOTL Global Movement of the School of Sommeliers Alumni’s mission is to foster a community of graduates by offering a platform to network, share knowledge, and develop professionally.

In addition to networking opportunities, SGM—in collaboration with the Humo Latino magazine— present interviews with each member of the SGM Alumni, available in both Spanish and English, to spread the experiences and passions of the graduates, who serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring sommeliers.

The Sisters of the Leaf Global Movement is more than just a global organization; it's a revolution in the cigar world.  The movement is breaking barriers and creating new opportunities for self-development for both women and men. It fosters personal growth, the setting and achieving of new goals, and the creation of new life pathways, ultimately sculpting a better world.

Nicotine & Strength

Nicotine is a naturally occurring organic compound in the same family of substances (alkaloids) as caffeine. Nicotine is found in tobacco plants, and to a lesser degree in tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, and eggplant*. The general effects of nicotine are biphasic: initially it is mentally invigorating, and then it leads to a relaxing effect.

Like alcohol and caffeine, nicotine can be addictive and its effects will vary depending on the user and delivery method. Cigarette smokers are typically the most dependent users of nicotine. By design, cigarette smoke is acidic and meant to be inhaled into the lungs where it is easily absorbed in large amounts. Alternately, cigar and pipe tobacco smoke is alkaline and is not meant to be inhaled into the lungs. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of pipe and cigar smokers do not exhibit nicotine addiction because they do not inhale and ingest significantly less nicotine than cigarette smokers.

* The fact that nicotine is found in vegetables is simple proof that 'the dose makes the poison' and not all methods of consuming nicotine are addictive (e.g. cigars and pipes).

Nicotine Strength

Nicotine is something we feel. As with caffeine and alcohol, every person has a different tolerance level to nicotine: too much nicotine can induce nausea and light headedness.  If this ever happens to you, consume a little sugar and the feelings will subside. Consequently, cigars and pipes should be smoked on a full stomach when the body is properly fortified. 

The effects or quantity of nicotine are what determines the strength of a cigar or pipe tobacco. It can be said that a particular tobacco has strong spice or strong body, but these are, more accurately, flavor and sensation descriptions. 

The true strength of a balanced cigar or pipe tobacco comes from the nicotine, not the flavor.

Certified Cigar Reviews - Free Worksheet

Here is our Certified Cigar Reviews (CCR) Worksheet: you can fill it in by hand or use your computer.  In addition, it includes hyperlinks to important definitions and our Academic Curriculum, FAQ, Glossary, and more... Enjoy it is a printable document which you can keep for personal use or share with your friends and/or customers.

This download is free to anyone who wants to use it for any purpose.  It is tailored to the Certified Cigar Review process which emphasizes proper terminology, comprehensive structure and a professional process.  Enjoy!  

CCR Paper Review Worksheet 

Growing "Cigar" Tobacco In Missouri: By Danica Baird, CMT

 “What do you think?” Corey asked me when I stepped foot onto the open empty field. It was a warm Saturday morning in May, and I had no idea what my expectations were or how taking this risk would become one of the greatest learning experiences I ever had. I simply smiled, “We will see.” Like many things in life, patience and hard work can cultivate a lot of results. Growing tobacco can bring this to the surface. I was taught on how to grow tobacco in the Northwest corner of Missouri, in a small town called Dearborn. I learned techniques from the Dominican way and good old American ingenuity. Also, by a mix of machines and hands-on throughout the process.

To say I was optimistic was a bit of an understatement. As I observed the open field there were no mountains, this wasn’t a valley by any means… So, no nutrient erosion. Was it hot? Yes. But what about the soil? Was it good enough to sustain and grow good hearty tobacco? This spot of land had a slight slope and little to no tree coverage around the perimeter. The slope helped on rainy days distribute the water absorbed into the soil richly among the plants.  The soil in this area is heavy clay loam to sandy with high organic matter which helps the area grow a variety of healthy crops. Corey described the land has been decent to tend but is also learning about what varietal of tobacco grows the best. This year was Broadleaf. The land was owned by the city of Dearborn and was next to the water waste lake and a large creek. Just to the East there was a small corn field and some city buildings… let’s just say I was given GPS coordinates to get to the location.

Corey is Corey Frisbee, who started Weston Tobacco in 2010 with his son Colton. More like brothers than father and son; they worked together with very little to build a small, humble, homegrown business, that became a staple in the area. After Colton’s tragic passing, Corey couldn’t step foot back into Weston again but the passion he developed for tobacco continued to burn in him. He knew he needed to continue working with tobacco in some capacity and thus I encountered him on his third year of growing Missouri tobacco.

Every weekend from May to August I traveled to Dearborn and met with Corey to pick his brain about cigars and tobacco, as well as to learn all the hands-on farming. The field we would be planting on had grown everything from corn to hemp. During the off seasons Corey said they picked something that wouldn’t change the soil or need too much caring for. We prepped the soil by cultivating it by machine and by hand. The land was cultivated every week for several weeks before planting to ensure impurities such as old crop, sticks, rocks, and weeds were all removed. The field was also walked by foot to double check for these impurities prior to growing. There weren’t any chemicals added to the soil prior to planting. We ensured there were stacked mounds for the plants to be implanted on. We used a hand fed mechanical planter to drop the plants. Some of us would walk behind and ensure the plants were standing tall and hand planting the missed spots.

Throughout the coming weeks I would hoe the field by hand, pull weeds, cut the grass, cut off suckers, top the plants, even add a chemical that sealed the top where it was topped to help the tobacco continue to grow. Over the last couple of weeks in August we stalk cut the plants. Corey said in his experience stalk cutting Broadleaf was best. So, we cut and spike the plants on lathes before barn hanging them. It should be noted that as I write this, the plants are still hanging in the air-curing barn until about Thanksgiving when they will be packaged and sent to Hail and Cotton in Tennessee as well as several other vendors who purchased it.

To give a broader perspective, after planting, the following weeks we began to really work and mind the fields. This was done by hoeing the mounds around the plants, making sure they had enough soil around to develop a sturdy, healthy base of the stalk. We continued to check for land impurities by walking the 3 acres by foot and checking every planted row. As the plants began to grow, they would sprout suckers or second shoots. In the next week we patrolled by foot again and took these off. It was important to do this for a strong base and to ensure the tobacco leaves have the best chance at proper growth and nutrient enrichments you need only one base or stalk.

Until the leaves reached a point of topping, this tending was completed every week. We also included tending to the surrounding area by mowing the grass and ensuring we had walking rows. Every week as the plants continued to grow, we would add another part of the tending. Pulling weeds and cutting excess plants became a part of those weeks. When the plants became about 3-4 feet tall, they sprouted their flowers at the top. That week was topping week. Using hatchets, we walked the field and cut off the flowers along with suckers. Another group would walk behind us and spray a specific non-toxic chemical that would “seal” the spot where the plant was cut in order to keep more from growing and ensure the plant nutrients remained. This is the only chemical that we ever added during the tobacco growing process.

In the last week of July and first weeks of August we began to stalk cut and hang. Now around 9 weeks after we first planted, after all the tending and pruning, it was time to cut. Stalk cutting caused a longer curingprocess, however it allows the tobacco to have a deeper, richer flavor. Stalk cutting is the process of cutting the full tobacco plant several inches from where the stalk meets the ground and spearing it on a lathe. The lathe is a large wooden stick, at the end of this stick would be a metal, cylinder-shaped, removable spike. This is actually a very dangerous process, says the new scars on my hand and forearm… If you are not standing on the proper section of the spike, you can easily get impaled when pushing the stalk onto the lathe.

Over the last several months of working on the field I became very humbled by the process. To work with the soil and plants by hand, to see everything I read and watched put into practice was rewarding. I can say it was a unique experience. While working on the field I also continued my education. Studying Cigars 101 and earning my Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist (CCST) and Certified Retail Tobacconist (CRT) degrees from Tobacconist University. I also produced and taught a Cigar 101 class for the cigar lounge I work at.

I spent the last 12 years as a law enforcement officer in Kansas before taking a medical retirement last December. During my time there I saw and experienced things that are hard to describe. To say I suffered mentally is an understatement. I needed something to help me heal, something to give me purpose. Cigars did that, growing tobacco did that, learning to roll did that. Rolling has very quickly become a deep passion. Devin Ashley of Bad Ash Cigars was my first teacher, followed by Corey. I still have my first rolled cigar!

This regal life within the cigar world can give you a purpose if you are looking for one. It can also give you peace. I’ve met some fascinating, passionate, adoring people within this culture. No matter the path we find ourselves on we can always find an outlet in the cigar way of life.