Soumya Shankar, Bangalore
In an age that measures worth by velocity—chasing money, promotions, success, and fame—there remains a quieter truth. The things most worthwhile often ask only for a reason to sit down and stay awhile. A cigar understands this instinct perfectly.
The observation comes from a recent encounter with a Belgian cigar purveyor whose knowledge of his stock approached the molecular. Noting a preference for black coffee, he selected a cigar that would sit just right between the fingers. The lesson was immediate and lasting: it cannot be rushed. You choose it, prepare it, ignite it, and allow it to unfold—its own slow magnum opus. Somewhere between the first draw and the final speck of ash, conversations begin.
Rudyard Kipling, no stranger to the ritual, put it with characteristic directness: “A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.” In the same spirit of unhurried discernment that runs through his poem If—, he counselled the value of patience: “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting…” A cigar demands exactly that quality of attention. It rewards those willing to linger.
That philosophy now takes concrete form. A premium Cigar Club is being curated for those who already appreciate the leaf and for those simply curious enough to discover it. The planned lounge will open in Bangalore, India—a sophisticated environment designed for both. Newcomers will find a welcoming space to learn the basics of their first cigar; seasoned enthusiasts will encounter carefully chosen expressions from around the world, celebrated for their provenance, craftsmanship, and the company they foster.
Here the emphasis falls not on spectacle but on substance: the origin of the tobacco, the skill of the roller, and the easy conversation that a properly paced smoke invites. In a city known for its energy and ambition, the lounge offers a deliberate counterpoint—a place to step out of the race, light up, and stay awhile.
As Kipling also reminded readers, the unforgiving minute is best filled with intention. Between the first draw and the last ash, that intention finds a natural home.
Contact Soumya Shankar on Whatsapp – +91 99803 22133
