Within visually-centric social media such as Instagram, there exists a growing spectrum of female cigar smoker profiles who foremost choose to capitalize on an angle of sex appeal to ensnare male followers.
After all, images of a sultry face within a cloud of cigar smoke and a little cleavage thrown in for good measure is definitely more enjoyable to gaze upon than just another boring old cigar resting on a glass of whiskey, right? It’s a cheap and easy sell, but it usually works – if merely boosting up likes and followers is your main objective.
Though we think there’s essentially nothing wrong with that, serious cigar enthusiasts generally want a little more than just a another pretty face and a stogie. We generally seek out trustworthy and reliable sources to help shape and enhance our experience.
Thankfully beyond the thick surface layers of the sex appeal-only crowd exists one smokin’ gal (pun fully intended) who’s chosen to carve out a BIG name for herself as a leading curator, and she’s accomplished this not-so-easy feat as a woman in what’s always been seen as a man’s domain.
Her name is Delicia Silva – though you likely know her as The Cigar Vixen.
Images of sultry faces within a cloud of cigar smoke with a little cleavage thrown in for good measure is definitely more enjoyable to gaze upon that just another boring old cigar resting on a glass of whiskey, right?”
Make no bones about it – Delicia is very easy on the eyes – but unlike other personalities that’s not the driving force behind her fast growing appeal and cred within the cigar crowd – for guys and girls alike.
In this instalment of our Leading Ladies of the Leaf Series, The Gentleman’s Flavor had the opportunity to sit down with one of the cigar world’s leading influencers and ask what it’s like being a woman who loves cigars, as well as discuss what led her to develop such an appreciation for the craft – and to begin curating a better cigar culture for all of us lovers of the leaf.
Tantilizing trifecta: Delicia, a coffee and a cigar.
DELICIA SILVA, THE CIGAR VIXEN
Known to most people exclusively as The Cigar Vixen, Delicia Silva first began publishing cigar videos on YouTube in 2012. Almost a decade later, she’s one of the leading media figures among all cigar personalities – male or female – and for good reason; she brings a positive and consistently fun attitude toward smoking cigars while espousing a deep well of knowledge and appreciation for the craft. With a video series now streaming on Amazon, she’s also been interviewed and photographed for publications like Cigar Snob Magazine, Cigar Advisor and Cigar and Spirits Magazine, just to ramble off a few.
Currently she’s even growing her own brand of coffee called Tazas Specialty Coffee by Delicia.
With an Amazon series, Delicia can be seen travelling to hotspot locations for cigar and spirits around the globe.
Delicia emphasizes that women like herself take pleasure in being embraced and respected within a male dominated domain like a cigar lounge, and appreciates the time honored craft of cultivating tobacco and the ritual of smoking the exquisite finished product.
Delicia brings with her an air of sophistication and fresh insight to cigar smoking, and as a result has enjoyed a busy schedule doing guest appearances around the globe.
With a video series available on Amazon, she’s also been interviewed and photographed for publications likes of Cigar Advisor, Cigar Snob Magazine and Cigar and Spirits Magazine – just to ramble off a few.”
The Gentleman’s Flavor: How did you first discover cigars? Was it love at first sight, or did they take awhile to resonate with you? What were some early cigars that really struck a chord with you back then?
The Cigar Vixen: Growing up I was exposed to cigars early on, my oldest brother worked at a hip cigar lounge in downtown San Diego which was my first exposure to the cigar world. Cigars were always present with family gatherings – uncles, cousins and even some of my aunts smoked cigars, casually. My very first cigar made me throw up! [laughing]
Not very glamorous, but I will admit that I knew nothing about smoking cigars and accidentally inhaled. This occurred after a long day of over indulging in too many spirits, and ended with hanging out with my uncles who were both drinking scotch and persuaded me to try one of their cigars – a Macanudo Hampton Court. Years later in this industry, I would learn that this was pretty common among cigar enthusiasts – even cigar manufacturers – as their first experience. Shortly after having my first bad experience it actually piqued my interest to learn how to properly smoke a cigar. This began my journey.
TGF. Your popular YouTube channel is always a fun and informative watch for any cigar lover. When you first started back in 2012, did you ever imagine it growing and evolving like it has? What were some key moments/videos that really helped it blossom?
CV. Thank you for the compliment! When I first started my channel I could have never imaged that it would grow so much and be so well received. It had been a total blessing. I think for me, once I got over my shyness in front of the camera, I was able to really explore some different avenues for the channel like interviewing manufacturers, attending different cigar events and visiting factories and farms. Discovering all of that really fed my inner cigar nerd and I felt like I had an opportunity to showcase the beautiful behind the scenes world of cigars.
Delicia’s appreciation for the craft of tobacco has taken her to the farms and factories they originate from.
TGF. In your travels, you’ve had the fortune of meeting many prominent women within the cigar world. Among them, who has left the biggest lasting impression on you and why?
CV. Tough question to answer. As you said, I have been blessed in meeting many prominent women in this industry. If I had to choose just one, it would have to be Nirka Reyes. Since I first met her, she had always demonstrated class, elegance, and intelligence. Not to mention a deep rooted passion for cigars. She has overcome many personal obstacles and has managed to shine and portray her love of cigars and family into this industry. She is an inspiration to many and I am blessed to have her as a friend.
TGF. In North America, seeing a woman so deeply involved in the world of cigars doesn’t really phase us these days. Do you find that in other countries you get the same acceptance as a woman in this industry?
CV. Personally I have seen the growth of females smoking cigars world wide, both genuine and otherwise. It seems to be accepted in all the places I have visited and even many countries which I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing. I receive a lot of positive feedback through my social media outlets from many different countries.
I have noticed this open acceptance grow even more in the last 5 years thanks to social media. When I first started my channel, before the boom of Instagram, it wasn’t as common place to celebrate female smokers. Not to say they didn’t exist, [it] just wasn’t as widespread. Now you flip through Instagram and we see SO many women enjoying cigars. Wonderful to see. Especially the ones that are truly smoking and sharing their journey.
TGF. Are some men still foolishly questioning your authenticity? How do some men react when they realize that you’re every bit as passionate and serious about the cigar ritual as any man out there?
CV. Funny you should ask; I don’t encounter this very often anymore. I did once in awhile in the beginning of my cigar journey as I was still making a name for myself. Now a days, if I do encounter this type of character, it is usually someone who is not an avid cigar smoker and demonstrates a curiosity as to why a women like myself would want to smoke a cigar [laughing]. As a whole, I would say the cigar world is full of gentlemen. Or at least that is who my particular path has crossed.
TGF. Do you have any advice for women who are intrigued about cigars but are maybe afraid that’s its seen as ‘too masculine’?
CV. I’m not sure there are any more of these women left out there, but if so, I would say that they should not worry about the perception of smoking a cigar, but rather see for themselves the instant tranquility, friendships and amazing taste experience lighting a cigar brings. Also, if there are any cigar events nearby them, they should definitely attend and meet other lovers of the leaf to help along their journey!
TGF. If a woman is to take to cigars, is it obligatory that she too must pair them with the typically paired ‘darker colored spirits’ (rum, scotch, bourbon, etc.)? Are there any atypical cocktails or spirits that you’ve surprisingly enjoyed with a cigar?
CV. Not at all, I don’t think one should limit their pairings to anything typical. While I certainly enjoy the darker, aged spirits like rum and bourbon myself, I have also ventured out of the norm and done many other types of pairings – like Highclere Castle Gin – the juniper berry adds an amazingly refreshing flavor note, especially on warmer days.
TGF. Like you, we love enjoying a coffee with a good cigar. Tell us a little more about Tazas Specialty Coffee by Delicia.
CV. Tazas has always been a total passion project for me. I have always loved coffee, dare I say more than cigars? [laughing]
Like most, I have my morning ritual that involves a cup of coffee. During the past several years of travelling to many cigar countries, I have been able to try a variety of coffees along with many fabulous cigars. It was always an idea of mine to search for that perfect roast and origin that would accompany a great cigar.
Sip and a smoke: two of Delicia’s passions side by side
For now, I have kept things rather simple in offering just 3 different coffee choices – in doing so it is my hope that people will notice the quality and taste that enhances with each cup they brew.
Daydrinker is a Guatemalan single origin, medium roast coffee for that lover of dark chocolate, caramel and brown sugar notes. Hopping Goat, a single origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe medium-dark roast coffee with gorgeous notes of apricot, cherry, jasmine and citrus. the Jeffe Blend is meant to be brewed for espresso lovers that prefer to taste all the notes of their coffee rather than mask the burnt darker roasts.
This espresso offering is medium bodied and smooth as silk. Notes of citrus, raspberry, green apple and nutiness. Of course people can always visit me at tazascoffeebydelicia.com!
The Coffee Vixen: potentially an even greater coffee lover than cigars
TGF. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can only bring ONE cigar? What do you bring?
To read ‘On Pairing Coffee With A Cigar’ with Delicia, click here. For all other things The Cigar Vixen, visit: www.cigarvixen.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/CIGARVIXEN. Tazas Specialty Coffee by Delicia: www.tazascoffeebydelicia.com. Instagram:@cigarvixen. Facebook: @DeliciaCV
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Best regards,
Thomassen Raahauge
[…] to have her very own line of coffees called TAZAS Specialty Coffee by Delicia, is also one of our Leading Ladies Of The Leaf, and certainly knows a thing or two about coffee and […]