Someone who tasted their first cigar at age eight was bound to end up in the tobacco industry. Jamond Hackley of Definition Cigars, one of the good guys in the industry, talks about boutique lines making their name, the Dallas lounge scene, and individuals defining their experience.
Jamond Hackley’s First Cigar
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Jamond Hackley: My first experience was with my grandfather at the ripe age of eight years old. He was an avid cigar and pipe enthusiast, and I took a puff off his cigar one night while watching Benny Hill. I didn’t enjoy my first experience. In my adult years, I picked up cigars because of being around him and his love for cigars and wanting to share that with him. So there was no big occasion; I just wanted to have my own experience with cigars.
Cigar Life Guy: What did you do before you entered the cigar industry? How long have you been in the cigar industry, and describe what makes it different from other businesses?
Jamond Hackley: I was and am still in the logistics industry. Definition Cigars is five years old. The industry is made up of a bunch of really great individuals overall. I didn’t come up with this saying, but I heard someone say it, and I agree with it, “while I love cigars, I love cigar people even more.”
Cigar Life Guy: What are the biggest challenges you have faced as an upstart brand and in the tobacco industry?
Jamond Hackley: Knocking down the thought that a small boutique brand cannot live up to the supply and demand of the brick-and-mortar stores.
The Story Behind Definition Cigars
Cigar Life Guy: What is the inspiration behind the name Definition Cigars? What makes them unique, and how do you want the cigar world to view your line in terms of branding?
Jamond Hackley: The inspiration states that the individual defines their experience. To avoid getting caught up in what has been commonplace with cigars. Be different. Stand out, and describe your journey. The cigar culture should view the company as one that supports and provides cigars that support the cigar culture in identifying their own Definition. We hope you do it with a Definition Cigar.
Dallas Cigar Culture
Cigar Life Guy: You are headquartered in Dallas. What is the cigar scene like there? How is it different from other cities around the country?
Jamond Hackley: The cigar scene in Dallas is great. A great deal of experience in and around the shops. An emphasis on understanding what makes a cigar great. Its setting is different because most of your journey in Dallas will be at a lounge.
Cigar Life Guy: You have expanded to the Esteli Region of Nicaragua. Describe your relationships with the blenders and growers.
Jamond Hackley: The relationships continue to grow, and new relationships are on the horizon. The brand recognition in the market has allowed for doors to open to have conversations that will enable the brand to have market sustainability for years to come.
Jamon Hackley on Cigar Events
Cigar Life Guy: Definition is active as a sponsor of large events or “cigar weeks,” we’ve seen a proliferation of them post-COVID. What would you tell a cigar smoker considering attending a large event that has never attended?
Jamond Hackley: I would ask them if they are going for some education in some form or if they will have a good time. Nothing wrong with either, but that should be identified before attending. I look for things at the event that align with the core competencies of Definition Cigar.
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Photo credit: Definition Cigars