Interview with the Influencer: Ken Stemler

In the second installment of Interview with the Influencer, we spoke with a man whose love for cigars surpasses taste and enters joyous reverie. At 14K followers, we introduce to you, Ken Stemler!

"Do not ask me to describe the charms of reverie, or the contemplative ecstasy into which the smoke of our cigar plunges us." - Jules Sandeau

NH: We love your blog! How would you describe it to our readers?

KS: Thank you! My name is Ken Stemler. I’m 35 years old and live in Germany. My Instagram blog @cigar.dreams is about the passion for cigars and the lifestyle around it. Every cigar smoker knows that feeling when you're thinking about what to smoke next or reminisce about the last delicious smoke. It’s not only about the moment when you smoke the cigar, it’s also about the dreams you have around the ritual. So I created the name @cigar.dreams. The hashtag #liveyourcigardreams completes the whole thing.

NH: When did you become interested in the world of cigars?

KS: When I was a child I was fascinated by the way my father would smoke his german short filler cigars. Even back then I liked the smell of the smoke. Many years later I visited a city at the German coast with a friend. We spent the evening in a smoking lounge where you could watch over the sea, smoke a delicious cigar and take a drink. It was the perfect moment. Since then I’ve been an avid cigar smoker and collector.

NH: What do you usually like to drink while smoking your cigar?

KS: The perfect drink to pair with a cigar is coffee for me. Coffee never overshoots the taste of the cigar. But, I also like to drink some high quality rum, whisky, or especially in the summertime, a gin and tonic.

NH: Is there a cigar lounge in Germany we should know about?

KS: We have so many great cigar lounges here in Germany, that it would be unfair to say one is better than the other. All the La Casa del Habano retailers have amazing lounges here.

NH: What is one cigar accessory that you must carry with you at all times?

KS: I have a lot of cigar accessories from different manufacturers. One company that I must mention is S.T. Dupont. And here I would name my Limited Edition 007 James Bond Golden Ligne 2 lighter. Highest quality and a piece of art. I love it.

NH: What cigar humidor do you use at home?

KS: I use a lot of humidors. Some wooden cigar humidors for daily smokes. Some big ones for storing boxes and some for long time aging.

NH: What are you currently smoking?

KS: I smoke mainly cubans. I’m completely satisfied with the taste of the Habanos. But I also try cigars from other countries. Currently I am smoking the Quai D‘Orsay No. 54. Perfect size and full of flavor for a daily smoke.