My Favorite Cigar
Matthew Ramsey • Singer/Songwriter • Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6
Matthew Ramsey, the lead singer of country music band Old Dominion, eased his way into premium cigars. At first, he followed the ways of his folks, smoking machine-made Swisher Sweets, drawn to the aroma. But eventually, he tried handmade cigars. “I fell in love with the time it takes and the kind of forced meditation,” says the 47-year-old.
Cigars are an essential “post-show reward” with bandmates during hectic touring schedules. The indulgence is well-earned. Old Dominion has won Vocal Group of the Year honors four times at the Country Music Awards and three times at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Since the passing of a fellow songwriting friend, Andrew Dorff, the band likes to honor the cigar lover by lighting up when they gather to write. Perhaps the tribute helped influence the vulnerable, deeper tone of their new album, Barbara. “I don’t think it was an intentional choice, rather that’s who we are as men right now and who we are as a band.”
Ramsey’s palate has matured too. His favorite cigar is the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6, our No. 4 Cigar of 2024.
