Cigar life began simply enough for Kevin Shahan — with dinner and a beer. Like many who take up cigar smoking, it evolved into a passion and the desire to know about cigars. As his website states, Shahan’s company, Cigar Prop, was “born out of necessity.”
While working as a mechanic, he needed a place to set his cigar. He built a cigar rest from leftover materials, and the rest, as they say, is history. He has been creating accessories and apparel ever since. Shahan talked to Cigar Life Guy about spreading the good word about cigars, remaining true to his blue-collar roots, and how every guest on his I’d Tap That Cigar Show is interesting.
First Premium Cigar Experience
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Kevin Shahan: My first premium cigar experience was on April 22nd, 2015, at the Tobacco Locker in Port Charlotte, Florida. I was with Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, and it was a dinner and cigar event.
I remember the exact date because it recently appeared on my Facebook Timehop. For $20, you get three cigars, dinner, and a craft beer tasting. Try and get all that now for $20.
At that point, I had been smoking cigars for a few years, but they were cheap cigars sold from one of those online magazines. You got a humidor and 50 cigars for $19.99. I had no idea what I was doing or smoking.
When I attended that Tatuaje event with Pete and heard him talk passionately about cigars, I wanted to learn everything about the business and every cigar I smoked.
The Accidental Inception of Cigar Prop
Cigar Life Guy: How did you get into the cigar industry? What did you do before, and how does it help inform what you do with Cigar Prop?
Kevin Shahan: I got into the cigar business through the cigar accessory business. I was working on my mini lathe one day, making some parts while smoking a cigar, and every time I set my cigar down, it kept rolling around. So, after making my part, I took the extra material in my lathe and made a little cigar rest. I would take that rest to my local cigar lounge with me, and after my buddies saw it, they wanted one, so I made a few extras. My wife Jessica (then girlfriend) encouraged me to make more and sell them, so I did.
After selling a few, I started a cigar review channel on YouTube to help promote myself in the cigar community.
What I did before the cigar industry is still what I do now — I’m a mechanic. But at one time, I did have a beard care company and also did beard product reviews on YouTube. Those reviews helped me hone my videography skills. So, when I started a cigar review channel, I knew what I was doing.
Why Cigar Prop Apparel Stands Out
Cigar Life Guy: What makes Cigar Prop apparel and accessories unique?
Kevin Shahan: Everything Cigar Prop makes is made in the USA. If we can’t make it here in the States, we don’t. That goes for our apparel as well. We source blank apparel made in the USA and purchase heat press graphics made in the USA.
Kevin Shahan’s Cigar Journey
Cigar Life Guy: Your slogan is “Cigar Prop is a brand, journey, a way of life.” What does that mean, and how do you want consumers to perceive your brand?
Kevin Shahan: Cigar Prop is a brand of quality products made by a cigar smoker for cigar smokers. The journey represents not only our journey through the cigar world but also your journey through the cigar world. You don’t have to take this journey alone. We are with you to help with cigars through reviews, knowledge, and resources to help you navigate the world of cigars.
The way of life is that of a regular cigar smoker. We aren’t fancy. We don’t talk down to new cigar smokers because you don’t know how to pronounce Arapiraca or Liger. And we don’t make expensive accessories that the average cigar smoker can’t afford. The way of life is that of a blue-collar cigar smoker.
Going Beyond Accessories
Cigar Life Guy: Have you considered expanding beyond apparel and accessories to a full line of cigars? If so, what would be true for you to think it seriously?
Kevin Shahan: Last year, we launched Trash Panda Cigars. We started selling vintage cigars and cigars made just for us by Sinistro and Espinosa.
Starting in 2024, we stopped selling vintage cigars and now focus on selling cigars made just for us. Trash Panda Cigars is still very small, but we plan to grow it into something more significant in the next few years.
Becoming a Cigar Influencer
Cigar Life Guy: You are also a cigar personality and influencer. What do you think is the most important thing to communicate about cigar culture?
Kevin Shahan: First, Juan Cancel of Protocol Cigars says I’m not an influencer; he prefers the term promoter. I don’t mind the term influencer because people listen to what I say, and my words can influence the buying decisions of those listening to or watching me.
Cigar culture takes no less than 300 pairs of hands to craft a cigar. The process begins with the person in the field harvesting tobacco. Then, it extends to the person behind the counter at your local brick-and-mortar selling you a cigar.
Your words can change the life of someone you have never met before. If a cigar isn’t in your wheelhouse, don’t bash the cigar online because your words can influence someone who may have never tried that cigar, and that’s not fair to every one of those 300 hands.
With that being said, if you enjoy a cigar, show some love to that company on social media because your words can influence someone else to try that cigar and get introduced to a brand they may have never heard of.
Behind the Scenes of Hosting a Cigar Show
Cigar Life Guy: Tell us about I’d Tap That Cigar Show. Who have been the most exciting guests so far, and why?
Kevin Shahan: My co-host, Kerr Viajante, and I love doing the I’d Tap That Cigar Show! Every week, we showcase a maker, a fellow influencer, or a brand owner and hear the story of their journey through the cigar world. We try not to ask the same questions that every other interviewer asks. We try to dive deep into how they became who they are in the cigar world.
Every guest is the most interesting! Who would have thought a show dedicated to Life Insurance would be fun? But when we had Dave Arlinghaus on, I had a blast!
The Future of Cigar Prop and Kevin Shahan
Cigar Life Guy: What else can we expect from you and Cigar Prop in the future?
Kevin Shahan: Cigar Prop will keep doing what we do best: bringing cigar smokers great products, reviews, and interviews.
Follow Kevin on Instagram, check out I’d Tap That Cigar Show, and the latest from Cigar Prop.
Photo credit: Cigar Prop