Reprinted from "Sophisticated Living's" Caddy Concierge Magazine, September 2008 Ryder Cup Issue:

After taking a long, relaxed draw from the cigar that bears his name, Ted Jackson launches into an eloquent soliloquy on the nuances of a fine cigar. Just before the moment one might think he is making the experience out to be too self-important, he finishes by saying, "It’s just a cigar." Such a simple statement is simultaneously close to and far from the truth, as the humble product cradled in his fingers belies the years spent leading up to this moment of leisure in the relentless pursuit of a cigar that meets his exacting standards.

Jackson’s foray into cigar production began in 1996 when he was approached by Maker’s Mark to create a cigar for their "Roaring 20s" Derby party. In response, Jackson created a unique premium cigar actually flavored with Maker’s Mark Bourbon. After a great deal of trial and error, Jackson found that the ideal way to add subtle bourbon flavor, without affecting the cigar’s integrity, was through the tedious and time consuming secret process of aromatic seasoning. A similar amount of R&D went into the unique packaging, in which each cigar is hermetically encased in a glass tube and finished off with a signature Maker’s Mark wax drip. The cigars are made by a partner company in the Dominican Republic, with the flavoring and packaging done at Jackson's Louisville, KY-based headquarters. The blending of fine bourbon with a premium cigar in a unique package has not gone unnoticed, as millions of these cigars are now sold worldwide.

One of the ancillary benefits of the endeavor was that Jackson learned the intimate details of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the Dominican cigar industry. "Spending six to eight weeks there on an annual basis really allows me to see and experience another culture," said Jackson. While working in partnership with the Dominican-based cigar manufacturer and their master cigar blender Juan Sanchez, Jackson’s development of the Maker’s Mark blend led him down the separate path of creating a premium small batch blend for his personal use. He tried dozens of different combinations before settling on a unique blend of Brazilian, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. Little did he realize then how popular this cigar, which he created for himself, would prove to be.

Around this same time, Jackson found himself pursuing another passion back at home, one that would allow him to meld his deep-seeded affection for the outdoors and architecture. In 2004 he learned about the impending sale of Devil's Elbow, an historic farm in Corydon, IN, named for a bend in the Blue River that runs through the expansive property. After a successful bid for Devil's Elbow at a festive auction with all the trappings of a county fair, Jackson immediately set about transforming the rickety old barn into a Montana-style ranch house with all the comforts of home – the perfect spot to spend a quiet evening or to entertain friends whenever the spirit moved.

The main living quarters are situated in the lower level beneath the barn. Upstairs is a three-season room that is the hub of social gatherings. The walls track open on four sides to provide the sense of being outdoors. Big game trophies, distressed leather upholstery and weathered Kilim rugs add to the rustic authenticity. A stone's throw away is a one-time corncrib that provides additional first class dressing and bathroom facilities for guests who have been out on the river or gathered around the fire pit at the water’s edge. Through a painstaking process, Jackson purchased an 1840s cabin, moved it to the farm and converted it for use as a luxurious guest cottage.

Jackson's vision was to create an environment where everyone immediately felt welcomed, a place that invoked the sound "of a slamming screen door." Devil's Elbow is the kind of place that knows no stranger. To help cultivate this sense of belonging, Jackson told friends that if they planned to sit in front of the fireplace and enjoy a cigar at The Elbow, then they had to help gather the stones to build it. So they all pitched in on the project, wrangling upwards of 40 tons of rock in the end. Their efforts were rewarded not with just any cigar, but with Jackson’s personal Dominican cigar. After awhile, friends of friends were asking for a "Ted's" cigar, and before he knew it, Jackson had another bonafide success story on his hands.

Today, the "Ted's" cigar is available to the public and sold in hundreds of retail outlets across the United States and around the world. These premium cigars are available in two distinct blends and three sizes with either a Connecticut shade or a Maduro wrapper. While demand continues to grow, you will not see any flashy advertisements for "Ted's", no suave man using a $10,000 lighter while a sultry woman lounges on a Chesterfield sofa in the background. The tagline, "simply fine cigars," pretty much sums up a "Ted's" cigar's elemental appeal. "The social element of enjoying a good cigar is a great equalizer," said Jackson, who attributes his cigars' broad fan base to a down-to-earth approach – one that can be traced to a group of friends sitting around the fire taking a well deserved break after a hard day at work and play.

More pictures from Ted's place:

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