The secret to the Nicholasville cigar bar that’s a lot more than just a cigar bar

One of Central Kentucky’s only cigar bars has been building a community behind it’s business for over a decade now, one puff at a time.

Opened by Jake and Autumn Glancy in April 2010, Jake’s Cigar Bar in Nicholasville features more than 400 facings of cigars in it’s walk-in humidor. That’s paring nicely with its more than 380 different bourbons, 550 whiskeys, countless barrel picks, signature cocktails and more.

“I’d say 40% of the people that come here aren’t even looking for a cigar at all,” said Jake. “We’ve created such a great and inclusive environment with so much to do.”

That environment has expanded over the years in Brannon Crossing to include event and patio space, outdoor entertainment like cornhole, horseshoes and even a mini putting green. There’s even a market in a nearby storefront.

But at the main cigar bar location, patrons are able to buy cigars individually, by the box or bring their own from home (for a small cut fee). Despite the multitude of options to choose from on-site, the bar’s most popular cigar continues to be their in-house blend, Jake’s White Label, which comes in at just under $10 a cigar.

“What I wanted with (the Jake’s White Label) was a cigar that everyone could smoke whether you’re a novice or expert,” said Jake. “It’s not going to sit heavy or make you feel bad. It has a Brazilian habano wrapper that gives it a whole lot of flavor without the bite.”

Favorite drink with a cigar: Smoked Old Fashioned

Jake says most all the cigars have a bourbon or cocktail they pair well with. One of the favorite pairings no matter the cigar is a Smoked Old Fashioned. The craft cocktail uses a Knob Creek bourbon barrel pick, mixed with leather and tobacco bitters made in-house, along with other cocktail bitters, agave nectar, a roasted orange peel, Luxardo cherries and limestone spring water. It’s then served in a glass lined with smoke from the wood of the barrel pick.

“We’re essentially creating a white liquid smoke that falls to the side of the glass to preserve some of that wood flavor from the barrel chips,” said Jeremy Kendrick, general manager at Jake’s. “It’s almost like a little show every time we make one. Customers enjoy watching them be prepared and love the taste of them even more. It’s success led us to also offering take-home Smoked Old Fashioned kits that have been extremely popular as well.”

Equally as meticulous to produce are Big Jake’s Bloody Mary, the Jali-Berry and the “Tropic Like It’s Hot.” A seasonally featured cocktail from bartender Romondo Tatum, the “Tropic Like It’s Hot” includes Rangpur Lime Spirits, freshly picked blueberries and watermelons, lemon, peach-infused agave aloe syrup, Cointreau orange and sparkling wine.

Jake’s Cigar Bar expansion

The cigar bar is just the latest venture for serial entrepreneur Jake, who previously owned companies in lawn care, deck building and catering in addition to a Jimmy John’s franchise. The idea began in 2008 as consignment work through one of his co-workers at the time while working as a chef at the Campbell House in Lexington.

Following its success, the Glancy’s launched Jake’s Cigar Bar in 2010 at Brannon Crossing. In 2019 they expanded, working with EOP Architects on a new barn-like building further back in the popular Jessamine County shopping center.

The new space features a private mezzanine for events and an outdoor patio equipped with everything from cornhole to horseshoes and a mini putting green. Hanging from the tall ceilings inside is a chandelier that curls and straightens depending on the humidity, similar to tobacco when it’s hung to cure. Reclaimed wood from old Jim Beam rickhouses also line the floor.

“I like to joke that we literally have bourbon in our foundation,” said Jake.

The Market at Jake’s

Next to the barn in an adjacent shopping strip lies The Market, an offshoot of the Cigar Bar where customers can purchase Smoked Old Fashioned kits humidors, shirts, cigars and more on the go.

“The reason we did (the market) was because so many of our customers felt intimidated by the bar and were afraid to come in,” said Autumn. “The market is designed to be much more approachable for those looking to learn more or just starting to get into smoking cigars.”

Overall the Glancy’s say business is booming. Not only have they been able to retain their crowd of regulars, but they’ve also been able to grow it by converting many customers at the market to bar patrons.

Another factor contributing to Jake’s, and the entire industry’s success, is the steady increase of women who smoke cigars as the perception of smoking them slowly shifts from “old” and “manly” to inclusive to all.

“One thing that we’ve stressed since the beginning is that we wanted to make the bar an open and welcoming place to all,” said Jake. “We want to see a lawyer in a three-piece suit sitting next to a plumber with muddy boots at the end of the day with everyone getting along and enjoying each other’s company. Cigars are great but it’s the camaraderie of smoking them together with friends and family that makes the experience so special.”

Jake’s Cigar Bar

Where: 100 Langley Dr., Nicholasville

Hours: Noon.-Midnight Sunday-Thursday, Noon-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday (Market open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily)

Online: JakesCigarBar.com