To recognize and honor the women of the premium tobacco industry, particularly the field workers and factory laborers who play a vital role among the hundreds of hands involved in crafting a cigar, the private group UK Ladies Aficionados hosted a gathering in commemoration of International Women’s Day.
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The event took place at Boisdale of Canary Wharf, a London restaurant and bar that welcomed the members of this friendly and enthusiastic community of women who share a love for premium cigars.
To date, UK Ladies Aficionados brings together over 50 women smokers and aspires to establish itself as a passionate group who can make a positive impact on both the cigar scene in the UK and the lives of the women who contribute so much to this industry.
This marked the first edition of such an event within their community, so attention to detail was a priority. For the welcome reception, guests were offered the first cigar of the evening, paired with prosecco and gourmet appetizers.
For lunch, the menu featured Dunkeld smoked salmon and slow-cooked Scottish beef, perfectly complemented by fine wine and live music. But the best pairing was reserved for the star of the show: tobacco.
Before lunch, attendees enjoyed a Zino Nicaragua Half Corona, paired with a bold, smoky, and unforgettable Smokehead Islay Single Malt whisky. After lunch, the group lit up a Camacho Nicaragua Robusto, a rich and bold cigar, alongside a Smokehead High Voltage whisky, intensely smoky with a touch of character.
Additionally, Sarah Saunders, founder of the Women’s International Cigar Club, delivered an inspiring talk about her journey in the world of premium cigars.
UK Ladies Aficionados
Alexa Ferrera
Tobacco: Art and Legacy
From a young age, the aroma of tobacco has been a part of her life and a connection to her father, César A. Ferrera, and his passion for the tobacco industry. Later, inspired by her brother Yesser Ferrera’s work to bring their family’s culture and tradition to other continents, Alexa turned her attention to tobacco as an art form and a legacy.
At 19, she moved to London, where four years later she discovered within herself the passion she had always seen in her family. This marked the beginning of her commitment to carrying on the Ferrera Cigars legacy, proudly sharing its essence with the world, through Ferrera Prestige.
Tatiana Camacho
Extensive Career
Tatiana is a director with over 15 years of experience in the tobacco industry, having held various roles in both UK and international markets. Her experience includes prominent positions at Habanos S.A. and Hunters & Frankau Ltd, luxury gift companies, and she currently serves as Secretary General of the Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council (ITPAC).
Mariana Cuencas
Seductive Experience
With over seven years working in the luxury hospitality sector, Mariana has always been fascinated by the artistry inherent in the business. When her partner, a cigar sommelier and true aficionado, introduced her to the Cigar World just a few months ago, she was instantly captivated.
According to Mariana, the experience was dangerously and deliciously seductive. Her journey into this industry, with its aromas, flavors, history, and craftsmanship, has only just begun, and she considers meeting the women in this community to be one of the best parts of the experience.
Rosalie Barber
Bringing People Together
Rosalie Castillo Barber is a 49-year-old aficionado from Harrogate, England, who fell in love with cigars five years ago, drawn to their rich history, craftsmanship, and camaraderie. Her journey has taken her to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Ybor City, where she has explored renowned farms and factories.
Beyond smoking, Rosalie loves bringing people together and building a community around cigars, as each cigar she enjoys reminds her of her father, a tobacco farmer in the Philippines. In addition to being part of this community, Rosalie shares her passion through her personal Instagram account, cigarvogue.
Becky Moss Allison
Family Business
Becky is the director of Barkers of Harrogate, a UK-based premium cigar importer specializing in brands like Gurkha, Karen Berger Cigars, Kristoff, Macanudo, and Buenaventura, among others. Barkers is a family business founded by her father over 30 years ago.
She joined the family business a decade ago and has since developed a deep appreciation for cigars. “Understanding the passion, craftsmanship, and dedication behind each one makes every smoke a unique experience.” Her preferred blends are a Connecticut wrapper in the morning and a Maduro in the afternoon or evening.
Tracy Conday
The Perfect Cigar
For the past eight years, Tracy has also been part of Barkers of Harrogate, where her passion for cigars has only grown. According to her, attending trade shows and industry events has allowed her to learn more about the craftsmanship behind each cigar, deepening her appreciation for the products she works with. She recently completed a course at the Cigar Academy, further expanding her knowledge and love for cigars. Tracy enjoys helping customers find the perfect cigar, while her personal preference leans toward light and sweet blends.
Elena del Pino
Cuban Torcedoras
As a Cuban, her connection to cigars began in her teens, working in the tobacco fields of Pinar del Río, Cuba, the heart of the country’s tobacco industry. There, she had the privilege of learning firsthand about the intricate process of growing, harvesting, and curing tobacco leaves. Her passion grew when she smoked her first cigar at the Casa del Habano in Soho, London, where she worked alongside expert Cuban rollers, taking them to exclusive events and live rolling sessions. Determined to share this art with a global audience, she founded Cuban Cigar Roller, a women-led business dedicated to preserving and showcasing the craft of Cuban cigar rolling at private events, luxury gatherings, and masterclasses worldwide. Through this, she continues to celebrate and honor Cuba’s rich tobacco heritage.
Sarah Saunders
WICC founder
Sarah is the founder of the Women’s International Cigar Club, established in 2009. Inspired by her frequent trips to Cuba since 1999 and meeting influential figures in the Cigar World, Sarah realized that women who enjoyed cigars had little visibility beyond stereotypes and set out to change that. In the days before social media, her first challenge was finding suitable images for a website. Her first “real” cigar was a Trinidad Lancero, which remains one of her favorites when available.
“Smoking a cigar offers me the opportunity for solitude and reflection, but also connection and fun. When I smoke a cigar, I know I’m part of an incredible community, no matter where I am in the world.”
Karen Hunter
Pub Smoker
Karen began traveling to Cuba regularly 20 years ago and fell in love with the country and its cigars. For years, she was the only female smoker at her local pub, receiving curious looks from people before discovering an incredible global community.
Unlike most of the amazing women in the group, Karen is a regular consumer and member of many other clubs, including WICC, Cigar Club Ldn, Ashholes UK, Cigar Lounge International, The Humidor Social, and Cigar Fanatics.
She also participates in Zoom herfs several times a week with cigar enthusiasts from around the world, where she has made incredible friends. Karen started her Instagram account a few years ago, where she always tries to showcase the variety of cigars she’s tried and her journey in the Cigar World. She doesn’t do reviews but aims to show the joy cigars bring and how an average middle-aged woman can participate, have fun, and enjoy.
Her goal is to encourage any woman to try cigars if they’re interested and to show that it’s a hobby for everyone. “We are a community that must continue to grow through inclusion.”
Jenna Sach
Smooth and Bold
Jenna entered the Cigar World at 18 thanks to a close friend who worked at a tobacconist in South Carolina. After trying several brands, she fell in love with the Oliva series, a brand she always returns to for its smooth yet bold flavor. Jenna has always loved enjoying a cigar in beautiful locations, such as Mont Blanc, France, and Orkney, Scotland, always paired with a glass of Highland Park whisky.
Hazel Alvarado
Cigars and Craft Beer
Hazel is a New York native who jokes that her first cigar was “part of the job,” explaining that outings with Wall Street clients included the trio of cigars, whisky, and steakhouses. But it was a Fine Tobacco event at the iconic Carnegie Club that sparked her curiosity to learn about the craftsmanship and cultural significance of cigars while connecting personally with other enthusiasts. It was here that she would organize her first Ladies Smoker Social and, later, her wedding.
In 2023, Hazel and her Scottish husband (a former publican) established the first craft beer, spirits, and cigar bar on the Isle of Man. She is currently pursuing her Certified Tobacconist designation from Tobacconist University and enjoys meeting others in the global cigar community to learn and share her passion.
Caroline Roddis
Revelatory Moment
Twelve years ago, Caroline smoked her first cigar, a Partagás D4, an experience she describes as a revelation. As someone working in the wine and spirits industry, it was almost inevitable that she would be drawn to the complex and fascinating flavors of cigars, not to mention the stories and personalities behind them. Learning more about cigars has become a lifelong passion.
Today, she hosts whisky and spirits tastings for the Farrants cigar lounge in Surrey and shares her journey in the Cigar World through her blog, Cigar Flaneuse.
Tuba Day
Sacred Time
In 2010, while celebrating her graduation, Tuba lit a Cohiba Siglo VI, a cigar that marked a victory and a moment of achievement. Though she didn’t start smoking regularly at the time, the experience stayed with her. It wasn’t until early 2024 that she truly embraced cigar smoking as a hobby, and she hasn’t looked back since.
For her, the 45 minutes to an hour spent smoking a cigar are sacred: a chance to relax, disconnect, and simply enjoy the moment. Tuba believes it’s not just about the cigar itself but also the atmosphere, the ritual, and the people you meet along the way.
Through cigars, Tuba has connected with fascinating individuals from all walks of life, each with their own stories, making every smoke an experience worth savoring.
Amerita Singh
Business and Cigars
Amerita works in the film, television, and media industries as a director. She has also launched her own businesses, primarily in London, where her business meetings often include a cigar in hand, leading her to develop a passion for them over the years.
Yenisbel Momblan
Weekly Ritual
Born in Cuba, Yenisbel’s first cigar experience was a Montecristo Edmundo at 19, but it wasn’t until she moved to Spain for a master’s degree in Journalism that her true passion for cigars ignited.
For Yenisbel, smoking a cigar became a way to connect with her home, her loved ones, and her heritage. Over time, this activity evolved into a cherished weekly ritual.
Today, what began as a passion has become a lifestyle, leading her to manage La Casa del Habano in Edinburgh, Scotland. Yenisbel is a staunch advocate for the inclusion of women in the cigar industry, whether as employees, enthusiasts, or simply customers. She is also the proud ambassador of Ligh’EmUp Cigar Club, Cigar Rights of the World Europe, and the Art de Vivre Festival.
Amy Mudhar
Cultural Connection
From the rich heritage of Cuban cigars to the bold complexity of New World blends, Amy finds pleasure in both the smoke and the moment, believing that every smoke should be an experience.
Whether enjoying a smooth draw in a beautiful lounge or relaxing with a cigar on a scenic vacation, for her, cigars are more than a passion: they are a lifestyle, a moment of luxury, and a connection to the culture and craftsmanship behind each cigar. In this sense, she hopes to continue finding beauty in every moment and building meaningful connections with fellow enthusiasts around the world.
Maria Dittrich
Women’s Community
Maria smoked her first cigar in 1996 and hasn’t looked back since. She started with brands like Nat Sherman and quickly found favorites in Partagás, Arturo Fuente, H. Upmann, Macanudo, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Drew Estate, and Rocky Patel, among others. She currently has a preference for Gurkha. Maria enjoys a Maduro wrapper and prefers a Toro vitola, 6-inch, 50 ring gauge. As an American working in England, she is thrilled to have found this community and excited to have participated in this International Women’s Day event.
Martina Curlejova
Bonds and Memories
Driven by the desire to share her journey in the Tobacco World, Martina decided to join this group, convinced that the pleasure of smoking has become a very special part of her life.
In her youth, she used to smoke cigarettes but never as anything significant in her routine. Everything changed during a trip to the champagne houses in France, where she discovered the fascinating world of premium cigars.
Martina describes the moment as a transformative experience that captivated her instantly, especially due to the rich and complex flavors and the slow, enjoyable pace that characterizes cigars.
What she loves most about smoking a cigar is how it fosters connection and conversation, whether delving into life topics or simply appreciating the moment together. For her, lighting a cigar in good company is a wonderful way to create lasting bonds and memories.
Additionally, as a personal tradition, every January 1st, Martina lights a cigar to welcome the New Year, a meaningful ritual she looks forward to, as it sets a tone of reflection and anticipation for what the year holds.
Slávka Curlejova
Special Affinity
Slávka describes herself as naturally sociable, with a special taste for connecting with new people and making friends. She also admits to being a cigarette smoker, though it doesn’t stop her from enjoying premium tobacco, a product she recognizes as distinct from cigarettes and for which she feels a special affinity.
Regarding the first UK Ladies Aficionados gathering, Slávka says she is excited and eager to learn more about the enthusiast community and to participate in projects or initiatives within the industry.
