My Favorite Cigar
Bill Rau • Antiques Maven • Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Churchill
M.S. Rau Antiques is one of the world’s leading sellers of luxury collectibles, and a big reason is because Bill Rau, a member of the third generation to manage the New Orleans store, does not sit around gathering dust. The 66-year-old president and CEO of M.S. Rau has succeeded by pursuing exquisite items with incredible backstories and by cultivating relationships with wealthy buyers. It requires long days.
When the day is done, he enjoys unwinding with a cigar. “Romeo y Julieta Churchill has become my go-to,” Rau says. He finds its Ecuador Connecticut-seed wrapper to be smooth, but not overpowering and the large size gives him a solid hour to unwind.
A friend introduced Rau to the Churchills about 15 years ago, after a long buying trip. Ever since, they have become a delightful reset. “I’ll sit outside with a friend or two, have a glass of Port and just talk. No phones, no business—just good conversation,” he says. “They’re my pause button. A good cigar forces you to slow down and literally just breathe. Plus, some of my best conversations happen over cigars—there’s something about sharing one that gets people telling the stories you really want to hear.”
