My Five Cigars: Neil Garcia of Jake Wyatt Cigars
Smokes that changed everything...
There’s one undisputable fact about the cigar world: every smoker and every premium cigar comes with a good story. Oftentimes, those stories can end up going unsung. So, we are giving some of the best cigar blenders and personalities in the biz the chance to tell theirs. I had the opportunity to sit down with Neil Garcia of Jake Wyatt Cigar Co., and I did so with one purpose - break his journey into the cigar world down into a story of just 5 cigars.
Cigar 1: H. Upmann Cuban
We kick off by bringing it back to Neil Garcia’s first experience smoking a cigar, and he says this goes back roughly 25 years. He recalls golfing with some buddies from his baseball team and how they always smoked. When Neil describes his first time smoking, he is quick to mention that it was the finish that most stayed in his mind. The aftertaste of this Upmann did precisely that, and led him on his cigar journey in the following off-season. He wound up diving in headfirst and smoking 3-5 cigars a week, and hit the ground running. Here, he states one of his favorite principles regarding how he approaches anything: “Always learn from those who came before you.”
Cigar 2: La Aurora Preferidos Diamond
In our previous article, Neil mentioned Manuel Inoa from La Aurora as one of his cigar mentors. He elaborated on that and said he would never have entered the business without Manuel. It was hard for Neil to pick out just one La Aurora that impressed him, but he went with the La Aurora Preferidos Diamond. He had the opportunity to try out dozens of what they had to offer, and that was one he said always stuck in the back of his mind. Neil was quick to speak very highly of Manuel and his experience working with him: “It was the authenticity and kindness that I was met with from the industry that led me to dive deeper into cigars. Manuel’s willingness to be so open and communicative helped me reach the point I’m at today with Jake Wyatt.”
Cigar 3: Davidoff Paul Garmirian
Neil described what he looks for in a cigar as “flavor, smooth, and elegance.” He was quick to reference Paul Garmirian, made by Davidoff, as one of these. It’s no secret that the Jake Wyatt brand is a big fan of Dominican tobaccos. He talked about how many of these original cigars had a delicious profile with a clean finish, and likened it to the aroma and flavor of movie theater popcorn emits. He loved how those early cigars would have a finish and an aroma that anyone could enjoy. Neil says that Manuel helped him capture the smooth elegance he sought, leading him deeper into that ballpark with the Jake Wyatt blends. He also brought attention to how he always tries to capture blends that will please any smoker, the kinds of cigars that even the pickiest smokers could pick up and enjoy.
Cigar 4: Montecristo No. 2
Neil quickly mentioned that Montecristo No. 2 and many other Cubans like it brought him into this world. He reminisced on days during the off-season, how he’d pull money together to get those Cubans. While he joked about how the quality control was less than ideal back then, Neil quickly added that “there’d be nothing like it when they hit.” Those stories and communal experiences led him to start Jake Wyatt Cigars.
Cigar 5: Jake Wyatt Icarus
The current favorite child of Neil Garcia’s lineup. He jokes that his cigars are like his kids, and which one he likes to shout out often changes and shifts depending on his mood. But today, he reflected on the journey that ended with the creation of his latest release. “The Icarus was a fun challenge. The fire-cured tobacco was pretty finicky, so we had to go back and redo it a few times. But I think we had a cigar that pretty much anyone can smoke and enjoy.” He also mentioned how the creation of his Candela, Lucid Interval, went through a similar process. He prides himself on how Icarus created a gateway to the fire-cured profile, and his growing passion for the fire-cured tobacco was palpable.
Neil closed us out by mentioning one of his favorite parts of business: the experience of his local cigar lounge. He feels at home here talking shop about cigars, blends, and preferences. Neil spoke of how often his current favorites come from that communal experience - talking about cigars, getting recommendations, and swapping sticks around. The hidden gems he finds are usually the ones that’ll stick in his mind longer. He feels that it is one of the most essential parts of the business. So, get out there and talk about your favorite sticks at your local lounge when you can.
Do you have any cigars that are critical to your journey? Or have you tried anything on Neil’s list? Comment on our social media links below and let us know!