Lake Country Cigars
by Alek Olson
Tucked just off Interstate 94 in Delafield, Wisconsin, a specialized cigar lounge offers not only “the state’s best selection” of cigars and “the finest humidor around,” but also an extensive craft beer selection--and even its own line of specially blended cigars.
Matthew and Michele Matheny bought Lake Country Cigars in 2019 from its founders, Don and Mary Lynn Kane, who started the business in 1998. Matheny managed the shop for roughly seven years for the Kanes, learning more and more about the cigar industry, the retail end of the business, and how to manage a team operating at the highest level in the cigar community. Realizing his own vision for the business, Matheny and his wife took a leap of faith with their purchase and have successfully continued to grow Lake Country Cigars into what it is today.
Cigar lounges can be found all across the country and worldwide, but each shop has its own flare and flavor. As Matthew says, Lake Country Cigars has the “living room-style” setup that is very cigar-heavy. He did not want to draw the bar crowd, the loud nightlife, and the party atmosphere that is found at many lounges. He preferred his lounge to be a place where customers are welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, try new cigars, dive deep into conversations with others at the shop, and truly become a part of the Lake Country Cigars family.
Lake Country Cigars is one of the few (if not only) cigar lounges in the state that does not have a full-service bar. Although you cannot pair your cigar with a fine bourbon or scotch there, they do have an extensive beer menu, free coffee, and one of the industry's most well-stocked humidors.
In Wisconsin, as in many other states, the legislation around opening, owning, and operating a cigar lounge complicates the industry, but also comes with some perks if you are one of the lucky ones to own a shop--limited competition.
Choices Galore
The Mathenys wisely did not position themselves to be reliant on associations or distributors to supply the cigars in their humidor, which oftentimes limits which brands or lines can be carried. Instead, their stock has been thoughtfully curated and selected based on the interests of the staff, customers, and the industry as a whole. This gives Lake Country Cigars the freedom to carry any cigars that they would like, to bring in new and upcoming brands, and to offer truly unique options in their humidor.
One of the most special cigar lines they carry is Matthew’s own brand, Revival. In collaboration with Brothers Cigar and Tabacalera William Ventura, Matthew made his dream of creating his own brand with his own blends a reality. Revival has three offerings available exclusively at the shop.
+ The Revival Habano features an Ecuadorian wrapper, Sumatran Binder, and fillers from Nicaragua, the Dominican, and the U.S.
+ The Revival Maduro has a San Andres wrapper, a Sumatran Binder, and Nicaraguan and U.S. fillers.
+ The new Revival Indonesian comes in a corona size and has a uniquely sweet flavor that is imparted by the Indonesian wrapper.
The thought process and hard work that has gone into these three offerings has been driven by the Mathenys and their partners to create products that only enhance the atmosphere and hospitality-forward experience that is found at Lake Country Cigars.
Little Smoke
One of the events for which Lake Country Cigars is best known is Little Smoke, an annual event dating back to 1998 where customers, brand owners, brand representatives, and local businesses come to enjoy cigars together, unwind, learn more about the brands that we all know and love, and break bread together — all while giving back to their community. At Little Smoke 2022, auction proceeds were donated to Zacharias Acres, a local, faith-based special needs non-profit whose mission is to “connect children with special needs and their families” with nature “so they may know their Creator.”
The Mathenys’ mission at Lake Country Cigars is much more than just to sell tobacco products; they want to also help the community that has supported them all these years. It is people like them and shops like Lake Country Cigars that poise the cigar industry as a hotbed for positivity, community engagement, and true passion.
If you are traveling through Southeastern Wisconsin, be sure to stop and enjoy a cigar at Lake Country Cigars … and maybe discover a new favorite! Visit www.lccigars.com for more information.
