Politics and cigars don’t often mix, but United States Congressman Wesley Hunt of Texas’ 38th District has more than earned the right to light up and enjoy a premium cigar. The Congressman’s cigar life began in the war zones of Iraq and Saudi Arabia long before his political life. Serving in the United States Army and flying Apache helicopters, he recalled his post-mission cigars as a “rare luxury”. A true family man, the father of three discussed the similarities between the military and cigar community, the honor of having men and women trust you with their lives, and how cigars are not about addiction and excess, but slowing down and being present.
First Premium Cigar Experience
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Congressman Wesley Hunt: At 24 years old, in the heart of Baghdad, my first premium cigar was a CAO Brazilia. After long missions, when the dust settled and the danger passed, we’d light up in celebration, each smoke a quiet reminder that we had survived another day. We even ordered boxes, shipped straight to us in a war zone, turning those moments into rare luxuries amid the chaos.
Serving His Country
Cigar Life Guy: You come from a military family and served in the military. What is the most gratifying aspect of serving in the United States Army?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: The most gratifying part was leading soldiers. There’s no higher honor than having men and women trust you with their lives and their futures. In combat, it wasn’t medals or promotions that mattered. It was bringing my soldiers home safe. That bond, that responsibility, is something I’ll carry with me forever.
Cigar Life Guy: How are cigar life and military life similar?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: Both are rooted in camaraderie. In the Army, you bond with your brothers and sisters in arms during the toughest moments. With cigars, it’s about slowing down, sitting together, and connecting. Different settings, same principle: fellowship, discipline, and respect for tradition.
Cigar Life Guy: Tell us a bit about the “Viper Lounge Club.”
Congressman Wesley Hunt: The “Viper Lounge Club” was our way of creating a little normalcy in a world of chaos. One of our soldiers was an artist, and he designed the look and feel of it, posters, artwork, the whole thing. After missions, we’d gather, light up cigars, and share stories. It wasn’t just a smoking club; it was a brotherhood. When someone left the company, they were given one of those posters as a keepsake, a reminder of the missions, the camaraderie, and the bond we shared.
Wesley Hunt’s Favorite Cigars
Cigar Life Guy: We heard you enjoy a CAO Brazilia. What are some of your other go-to cigars?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: The CAO Brazilia will always have a special place for me, but my humidor has a few other favorites. I enjoy the richness of the Diplomatico, the craftsmanship of Partagas Lusitania, and the timeless elegance of a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 4. Each brings its own character, and each one is a reminder that a great cigar is as much about the moment as it is about the smoke.
Politics and Cigars
Cigar Life Guy: Cigars and the tobacco industry are often criticized by the general public, and it can be a touchy subject when it comes to politics. How do you navigate and reconcile those two worlds?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: I approach it with honesty. Cigars are not about addiction or excess; they’re about ritual, tradition, and fellowship. It’s a completely different culture from cigarettes or mass-market tobacco. What I’d want non-smokers to know is that cigar life is about slowing down, sharing time, and celebrating life’s milestones. It’s a community, not a habit.
The Cigar Community
Cigar Life Guy: What is your favorite aspect of the cigar community and the cigar life?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: The fellowship. You can sit in a cigar lounge and see people from every background: business leaders, veterans, young professionals, all equal when the smoke rolls. It strips away the noise of the world and creates an authentic connection.
Cigar Life Guy: What makes cigar smokers so unique?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: Patience. In a world addicted to speed, cigar smokers choose to slow down. That’s rare. We savor the experience, the conversation, the tradition. It’s not about rushing, it’s about being present.
Cigar Life Guy: Cigars aside, what is the one passion you have that most people don’t know about?
Congressman Wesley Hunt: Most people know me as a Congressman and Army veteran, but not everyone knows how much I love being a father, a husband, fitness, a fresh pair of Air Jordans, and the opportunity to travel the country and meet incredible patriots who support what we’re doing and what we’re fighting for every single day.
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Photo credit: Wesley Hunt
Editor’s note: Cigar Life Guy is a non-partisan brand and will consider publishing the stories of cigar lovers of all political affiliations with similar national stature.