The Cigar Smoker’s Cigar Room
In the world of sports, it’s common to hear respected athletes referred to as “a pro’s pro.” The adage implies the consummate professional, the kind of player ired by their peers, and who, within a room of true professionals and lovers of the game, stands out as a shining example. In our community of ionate cigar aficionados that appreciate the craftsmanship and fine art of cigar smoking, Robert Rudl of Slovenia is a pro’s pro—thanks in large part to his immaculate cigar room and massive social media following dedicated entirely to smokes.
Rudl, though 65 years of age, is no dinosaur when it comes to social media. In fact, his Instagram page makes many professional brand pages look elementary. Over the past decade, Rudl has taken to Instagram to share his love of fine cigars, particularly those of Cuban origin. His handle (@thecigarsmoker), is followed by more than 103,000 s worldwide. Rudl says he created it due to ion and curiosity, and almost seems surprised by its growth. “It came organically, I didn’t buy any followers,” he says with a chuckle.
The attraction is natural for fellow cigar connoisseurs. Rudl’s photos are well-framed, the range of cigars is quite impressive, and overall, he captures the refined allure of the cigar-smoking lifestyle. But for Rudl, the connection goes both ways. “I’ve met many interesting people from all around the world through Instagram,” he says, some of which help build his inventory given the somewhat limited selection in Rudl’s native Slovenia.
It’s not just Rudl’s social media following that impresses: he also has a gorgeous smoking room that reflects his immense ion for the industry and Cuban cigars. Unlike many other personal cigar lounges, which often have dual purposes serving as a man cave or a place for entertaining, Rudl’s room is entirely dedicated to smoking cigars. It’s the kind of space diehard aficionados will appreciate, a pro’s pro approach to enjoying a fine smoke.
The 20-foot-by-10-foot-room is located in what used to be a garage in the home Rudl moved into two years ago. Rudl used to live in a condo, which offered little space for enjoying his cigars. “I always wished I would have my own room where I can smoke my cigars, enjoy my music and sip my whisky,” he says. Once he moved into his new home, he was struck with the notion that the garage had a grander destiny than simply a place to park cars. “I said this would be perfect for my cigar room,” Rudl says.
After buying the house, Rudl began a four-month renovation process, which included setting up his cigar space. “When we moved in, I began to decorate it and move the furniture in,” he says. But these weren’t your typical furnishings. Rudl carefully curated the space, from the decorations to the specific pieces of furniture, the latter of which Rudl says is composed entirely of vintage pieces he acquired via online auctions. He says the side table, sandwiched between two brown leather chairs, is from 1875. And the chairs? From 1960. He also has a coffee table from 1940, a 1990 brown leather couch and sideboard table that dates back to 1966. On top of said table is vintage, refurbished audio gear to match, including a 1973 Marantz receiver, a 1975 McIntosh amplifier, a Thorens turntable and a pair of Klipsch floor-standing speakers. He also has additional speakers flanking his leather couch.
The terracotta orange walls, combined with the subtle golden ceilings and light-colored tiled floors, makes for a warm and elegant ambiance. Yellow-gold lighting, a dark red-toned rug and the many vintage pieces blend effortlessly with the surrounding colors. It’s easy to imagine how one could get lost in this space with the company of a fine cigar. There is also a small window should natural light be desired, although Rudl says he usually smokes in there during the evening hours.
The decor in the room serves as a love letter to Cuban cigars. Brand memorabilia and Cuban cigar art cover the walls, limited Cuban cigar jars are neatly organized on an elevated shelf above the sideboard table, plus, he even has a framed Cuban flag and multiple La Casa del Habano signs. There’s also a prominent portrait of Simón Bolívar, but it’s not there because Rudl is a history buff. “Bolivar cigars,” he says with a laugh. “I respect the people who did great work with these cigars.” But quite remarkably, or perhaps understandably given his Slovenian home base, Rudl has yet to visit Cuba. “It’s still on my bucket list,” he says.
Perhaps when he does get around to visiting, he’ll add to his cigar inventory, although it’s already pretty extensive. “I smoke only Cuban cigars,” he says. “Tobacco from Cuba has a different taste, and that’s what I like.” He keeps his inventory of more than 2,000 Cuban cigars spread throughout four humidors located in the room. One of them, positioned on the coffee table, is designated for what he calls his “day smokes.” Another, is a custom-made humidor with the tops of two Behike boxes on top, which holds what Rudl calls his “leftovers.” Don’t let the moniker fool you though, this humidor contains leftovers from boxes of Edición Limitadas or special releases. “I always leave one from the box, the last one is in that humidor, which I will smoke someday,” he says. His remaining two humidors are behemoth tower humidors which hold most of his inventory.
Rudl isn’t too keen on singling out a favorite cigar among his extensive inventory, but if pushed, there’s one popular Cuban that he wouldn’t mind being stuck with. “If I have to choose one cigar for a lifetime, it would probably be Partagás Serie D. No. 4,” he says.
The Slovenian’s journey with cigars started nearly two decades ago, he believes sometime in 2005. Rudl, who says he previously was never a tobacco man, was on vacation with a friend in Bangkok, when he had his revelation. “One day he invited me to a club and said ‘now you’re smoking cigars,’ ” says Rudl, who smoked a Cuban Romeo y Julieta that day. “I tried it, and I liked it.” The experience turned him into an occasional cigar smoker, and his appreciation for cigars—and his frequency of smoking—grew.
Nowadays, he classifies himself as an everyday cigar guy. Even with his gorgeous room, Rudl says the location of his smoking depends on the weather, which varies quite a bit by season in Slovenia. In the summer, he’ll utilize his terrace or garden. But when winter rolls around, it’s back to the cigar room. He has room for four inside, but says he typically smokes alone or with his son when he visits. He prefers the late hours of the night for his smoking engagements. “Around midnight, when everyone’s gone to sleep, I put some smooth jazz on my stereo, light a cigar and pour some good Scotch,” he says. He’s an audiophile who doesn’t limit his listening to just one genre. “Sinatra, Nat King Cole, the classics,” he says, are also among his favorites.
He mostly sticks to Scotch as his preferred pairing partner with cigars. He has an impressive collection to match his cigar inventory, including many bottles of Macallan and Glenlivet, among others. Rudl also enjoys Bourbon, Havana Club, Diplomaticos Rum and Cognac every so often, but usually keeps it simple with his Scotch.
Rudl stands out in the small country of Slovenia. He says the cigar culture is “not so common” there and is looked at more as a hobby of prestige. But the cigar lover has hope for what he says is a burgeoning cigar community. “In 10 years I think it will be common,” he says. The lack of a prominent cigar culture is reinforced by the scarcity of cigar lounges, most of which are not very close to his home. But, that never deterred Rudl. “That’s why I made my own.”
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