Presidents, Power and a Good Cigar
Presidents Day Reflections from Hasksin Hideout Cigar and Bourbon Lounge
Presidents Day gives us a chance to reflect on leadership, legacy, and the personalities that shaped the United States. And if history tells us anything, it’s this: the Oval Office has seen its fair share of cigar smoke. For many presidents, cigars weren’t just a habit. They were a ritual. A reward. A shield. Sometimes even a political statement.
At Haskins Hideout Cigar and Bourbon Lounge, we appreciate that tradition. Because a cigar isn’t just tobacco wrapped in a leaf. It’s time carved out for thought, conversation, and connection. Let’s light one up and take a walk through history.
If there were a Mount Rushmore of presidential cigar smokers, Grant would be front and center (probably with a cigar the size of a baton clenched between his teeth). As detailed in the book Cigars, Whiskey and Winning, Grant’s association with cigars became legendary during the Civil War. After victories like Fort Donelson, grateful citizens reportedly sent him boxes upon boxes of cigars. He was known to go through as many as 20 a day. Grant favored large, robust cigars ... the kind that make a statement before you even strike the match. For him, cigars were part celebration, part contemplation. The smoke curled upward as strategies formed and decisions hardened. You could argue that in Grant’s case, cigars symbolized resilience. Quiet confidence. Steady nerves under pressure. Not a bad pairing with bourbon, by the way.
Kennedy had a refined appreciation for cigars ... particularly Cuban. His favorite was the H. Upmann Petit Corona. In fact, legend has it that just before authorizing the Cuban trade embargo, he had his press secretary secure over a thousand of his preferred Cuban cigars. Priorities, right? Kennedy enjoyed smaller ring gauges, classic vitolas that allowed for a balanced, elegant smoke. It fit his style. Polished. Charismatic. Measured. A good cigar, like a good speech, doesn’t need to shout. It resonates.
Coolidge wasn’t known for long-winded conversation. In fact, quite the opposite. He used cigars, at times, as a subtle social exit strategy. Light one up and suddenly conversation slows. Awkward questions dissipate. The room shifts. It’s not avoidance. It’s pacing. There’s something to be said for the cigar as a boundary ... a moment of pause. A silent cue that says, “Let’s take our time here.” Sometimes leadership means knowing when not to speak.
Richard Nixon and Barack Obama: The Camera-Aware Era
As media evolved, so did image management. Nixon reportedly enjoyed cigars but was cautious about being photographed with one. Optics matter. Obama, too, was careful about public smoking images during his presidency, despite his well-known struggle to quit. The modern presidency is lived under a microscope. Cigars, once symbols of power and authority, became potential PR headaches. But here’s the truth: behind closed doors, across party lines and generations, the cigar remained what it always had been ... a tool for reflection and conversation.
Bill Clinton: Well… Let’s Just Say…
We can’t talk about presidential cigars without at least a raised eyebrow. Clinton’s relationship with cigars became, shall we say, culturally unforgettable. The headlines practically wrote themselves. Let’s keep it classy: cigars have always been symbols. Of celebration. Of power. Of indulgence. In this case… perhaps of unfortunate creativity. History is funny like that.
The Cigar as a Conversation Starter
Strip away politics and personalities, and what remains is the ritual. A cigar forces you to slow down. You don’t rush a good one. You sit. You sip. You talk. Some of the most important conversations in history ... business deals, military strategies, political compromises ... happened in rooms thick with cigar smoke. Why? Because cigars create space.
They create rhythm in conversation.
They create time to think before you speak.
They create connection without distraction.
That’s what we believe at Haskins Hideout Cigar and Bourbon Lounge. Join us for our soft open to the public at noon tomorrow, the day after Presidents Day. Please follow our Facebook page to stay in touch.
📍 100 W Main St, Haskins (formerly Mail Pouch)
Whether you’re reflecting on history, debating modern politics, or just unwinding after a long week, our lounge was built for moments like these. Memberships include 24/7 access to amenities designed for serious relaxation:
✔️ Plush massage and heated chairs with phone chargers
✔️ 6 smoke eaters for comfort
✔️ Dozens of TVs up to 86"–100"
✔️ Free pinball and Golden Tee
✔️ Full golf simulator
Gather a few friends. Pour a bourbon. Select a cigar worthy of the occasion. You don’t have to command an army or sign legislation to appreciate the ritual. Sometimes leadership is simply knowing when to slow down, lean back, and have a meaningful conversation. And history suggests, that’s often better done with a cigar in hand.
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