Just when you thought your attic was a waste of space...

[JohnS]

Just when you thought your attic was a waste of space, along comes a cigar room design that has to be seen to be believed, on account of how practical it is. The following article from Cigar Aficionado demonstrates one man's desire to create a comfortable environment to enjoy poker, bourbon and cigars...

A Cozy Cigar Den Near The Home Of The Masters

Feb 7, 2024 | By Garrett Rutledge

Jason Alford transformed the attic space above his garage into a haven for lovers of fine cigars, Bourbon and poker.

When you think of Georgia, you might not envision a place requiring refuge from the outside. The Peach State is known for its temperate climate; but the peak winter and summer months don’t always offer the most comfortable environment for smoking a cigar. Jason Alford, a resident of Evans, Georgia (just outside of Augusta), faced this dilemma for some time. Then Covid came around, and presented with an influx of spare time, Alford sprang into action. He converted the attic over his garage into a smoking den that’s the perfect getaway spot for cigar and Bourbon lovers who fancy the occasional card game.

The pair of leather lover seats offer a comfortable spot to watch a game, or a break from playing cards if it's not your night.

Alford built his house about seven years ago. “A buddy and I were trying to figure out how to smoke inside because we were always banished to the back porch,” says Alford with a chuckle. It wasn’t until Covid hit, bringing on seemingly endless time at home, that Alford began to have a clearer vision of where the cigar room might go and what it would look like. That’s when he started looking at that attic space. “You sit around long enough, you come up with ideas,” says Alford. “We were talking about building an exterior building and we ended up taking that [attic] space and converting it into a poker, Bourbon and cigar room.”

Alford started on his cigar project in June 2020, and finished by October of the same year. With the help of his brother-in-law, who is a builder, and a small team of subcontractors, they turned that attic space into a cigar haven, roughly 30 feet long by 13 feet wide, just under 400 square feet. The floors, walls and ceilings are completely outfitted with pine, giving the feel of a rustic loft space in a cabin. As you enter, just off to the left sits a three-level-bar with loads of fine Bourbon and Scotch, constructed using repurposed wood straight from Alford’s property. Plenty of familiar, sought-after favorites line the shelves, including bottles of Blanton’s, Glenlivet 12, Macallan 18, Jack Daniels Bonded and Eagle Rare, to name a few. On the main counter of the bar, alongside an array of bottles, sits a table cigar cutter, often seen in lounges, and a gorgeous Daniel Marshall desktop humidor. Alford is considering adding a cabinet humidor to the mix so he can build up his inventory. 

The homemade bar has no shortage of fine Bourbon and Scotch available to pair with cigars.

In the center of the room is a tan leather poker table with matching leather chairs. Beyond the table, two brown leather love seats, accompanied by a side table bearing an astray, sit facing the opposite direction towards a mounted flatscreen TV. An animal skin rug fills the space between the chairs and the TV and two large, Hi-Fi speakers are situated in both far corners of the room. An entertainment center holds the middle ground between the speakers and below the TV, and is loaded with the most recent issues of Cigar Aficionado magazine. 

The two Klipsch Cornwall Floor-standing Hi-Fi speakers, favorites among audiophiles, are joined by a tube amplifier and offer a bit of serenity to Alford when he enjoys a smoke. “It’s old technology but it makes the sound from the speakers really warm and enjoyable to listen to and smoke a cigar,” says Alford, who’s particularly fond of classic rock, classic country and the blues.

Alford's Hi-Fi speakers grab the attention of audiophiles who appreciate the sound quality generated from this old-school technology.

For ventilation and filtration, Alford has two exhaust fans in the room along with a pair of Rabbit Air filters. “When you’re in there with one person or two people, it’s not too bad,” says Alford. “When you’re in there with six or seven, it’s going to get pretty smoky.” Thankfully, even the smoky nights are usually little issue given the room’s location isolated from the house above the garage. Temperature isn’t a problem either, as Alford has a Mitsubishi split system for air control in there, which is of notable importance during hot summer days and the cold temperatures of the winter months.

A quick glance at the decor on the walls reveals the love Alford has for the SEC powerhouse, Georgia Bulldogs football. Despite a slight road bump this year, it has been a passion Alford has been able to thoroughly enjoy in recent years up in his cigar room. Perhaps the best piece of wall art, however, is a classic photo of none other than Winston Churchill. In the framed picture, the cigar-loving statesman is sporting a pinstripe suit, a top hat and a huge cigar hanging from his mouth with a gangster-style Tommy Gun in hand.

It doesn't get any better than cigar-smoking icon Winston Churchill, who holds a prominent spot on the wall of Alford's cigar room.

Alford has been enjoying cigars for about 20 years now. A friend got him into the hobby, which soon grew into a serious passion. “Montecristo No. 2’s are some of my favorites, obviously Padróns, Melanios, My Fathers, Liga Privada No. 9’s, pretty much anything,” says Alford. “We’ll pick up a few from the store before we buy a box, see if we like them.”

Alford typically visits the cigar room about three to five days a week. “After a long day’s work, I like to come up, watch a football game, smoke a cigar,” he says. “Just get away from daily life a little bit and relax.” But he doesn’t just enjoy the spot on his own. “It could be anywhere from me by myself, to two guys and we’ve had up to eight or nine in there,” says Alford. “It gets used quite a bit.” 

Jason Alford seen pictured in his room with his dog Sam.

The room also gets used to host meetings of the Bourbon club Alford is a member of, along with a bunch of his friends. The group tries to meet at least quarterly, first enjoying a nice meal from the grill then tasting four to five Bourbons befitting a similar theme. One of Alford’s buddies usually spearheads the tastings, basing them on various themes such as “the best Bourbons under $50” or a selection from a particular distillery. With a room of this quality, it’s no surprise that cigars eventually come into the mix. “We’ll take some Bourbon, go upstairs, play poker and smoke,” says Alford. Now that’s the kind of club we all can get behind.

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/a-cozy-cigar-den-near-the-home-of-the-masters

[Li Bai]

Really nice ! I wish my mancave was as fancy as his attic 😅

[anacostiakat]

Absolutely gorgeous!  Congrats!

[BrightonCorgi]

I wonder what the stairs to get to the attic look like. Most people have pull down stairs from the ceiling. I doubt his best buddy went up those.

[jazzboypro]

That was quite an attic to begin with space wise. Very nice place. Well done sir !!

[bmac]

Looks awesome. Pure and wholesome joy.

[MrBirdman]

Very nice but why on earth would you mount the TV so high?

[Chibearsv]

That doorway makes me think it may be an attached garage attic with access from the 2nd floor in the house. I considered doing something similar (not nearly as nice though) in my garage attic but claustrophobic and 6'5" thought better of it. I decided that a heated garage was a better idea for me. It works fine, it would just be nice to have a space like that for when friends come over in cold or crappy weather.

[BrightonCorgi]

He needs a couple of rugs in there. Not so cozy and must echo.