In partnership with
Some weekends are built for productivity.
This isn’t one of them.
This is the kind of weekend where the pace slows down… where the first coffee lasts a little longer, the air feels a little fresher, and you actually give yourself permission to sit still for a while.
A long weekend — especially this one — has a different rhythm.
It’s not about rushing from one thing to the next.
It’s about ritual.
Lighting something you’ve been saving.
Pouring something you’ve been looking forward to.
Firing up the grill without checking the clock every five minutes.
It’s those small, intentional moments that turn a few extra days off into something that actually feels like a reset.
And that’s exactly what this issue is about.
Not Easter.
Not schedules.
Not obligations.
Just a few simple ways to slow things down… and enjoy it properly.
The Long Weekend Ritual
There’s something different about this long weekend.
It doesn’t ease in…
👉 It starts slow.
Right from the beginning, the pace changes.
No early rush
No packed schedule
No feeling like you have to “get through” one more workday
Instead, you wake up and realize…
👉 You’re already in it.
That’s where the ritual begins.
Not on the second day.
Not after things settle.
Right away.
Maybe it starts in the morning.
☕ Coffee in hand
🌬️ Cool spring air
🌅 A quiet moment before anything else begins
Or maybe it’s later in the day…
🔥 The grill’s warming up
🥃 A drink is poured — simple, familiar, perfect
🚬 And sitting nearby is a cigar you didn’t pick randomly… You chose it
That’s the difference.
During the week, everything feels rushed.
Even the good stuff gets squeezed in between everything else.
But this weekend?
👉 You’re not catching up… you’re already there.
You take your time lighting up
You actually notice the flavors
You let the conversation drift… or enjoy the silence
This isn’t about indulgence.
👉 It’s about intention.
Those small, deliberate moments that turn a few extra days off into something that actually feels like a reset.
And somewhere between that first draw and the last sip… something shifts.
The pace slows
The noise fades
And for a couple of hours, everything feels exactly the way it should
That’s the long weekend ritual.
And this time…
👉 It starts the moment the weekend begins.
The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
🔥🥃 The Long Weekend Pairing — Simple, Slow, Perfect
If there’s one moment to get your pairing right…
👉 It’s a long weekend.
You’re not rushing.
You’ve got time to enjoy it properly.
So let’s keep this one simple, balanced, and satisfying.
🚬 The Cigar: Smooth, Medium-Bodied Dominicans That Never Miss
You don’t need to overthink this — you just need the right kind of smoke.
Top Picks:
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
Davidoff Winston Churchill (The Original Series)
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real
What you’ll get:
Creamy texture
Cedar, light spice, subtle sweetness
Effortless draw and burn
👉 Why these work:
These cigars are refined but forgiving.
They don’t demand your full attention — they reward it.
Perfect for:
Sitting back
Letting the conversation drift
Or just enjoying the quiet
🥃 The Whiskey: Approachable, Flavour-Rich Bourbons
This is not the weekend for overproof heat.
You want something:
👉 smooth, slightly sweet, and welcoming
Top Picks:
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Woodford Reserve
Maker’s Mark
Flavor profile:
Vanilla
Caramel
Soft oak
Gentle warmth
👉 Why it works:
The caramel and vanilla enhance the cigar’s natural sweetness
The oak backbone mirrors those cedar notes
The balanced proof keeps everything smooth and easygoing
No burn. No fight. Just flow.
🔥 The BBQ Pairing: Reverse-Seared Steak or Smoked Ham
This is where the weekend really comes together.
Option 1: Reverse-Seared Steak
Rich, juicy, beautifully charred
Stands up to the bourbon while staying balanced
Option 2: Smoked Ham (The subtle Easter nod)
Sweet, salty, and incredibly forgiving
Pairs effortlessly with both the cigar and whiskey
👉 Why this trio works:
The fat and richness soften both the smoke and spirit
The sweet + savoury combo ties everything together
Nothing competes — everything complements
🧠 Pro Tip: Match the Pace, Not Just the Flavor
This weekend isn’t about chasing bold flavors.
👉 It’s about letting things unfold.
Sip more slowly than usual
Let the cigar rest between draws
Don’t rush the grill
Because the best pairing this weekend?
👉 Time.
Affiliate Link to Home Wet Bar
📰 Humidor Headlines — What’s Burning This Week
🔥 Cigar Prices Continue to Climb
If you’ve felt like your go-to cigar costs a little more lately… you’re not imagining it.
Across the industry, prices are creeping up due to:
Higher tobacco production costs
Ongoing supply chain pressures
Increased demand post-2020
👉 What it means for you:
Now’s a great time to explore value sticks like Arturo Fuente, Oliva, or Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real — cigars that still overdeliver without breaking the bank.
🥃 Bourbon Demand Still Outpacing Supply
Bourbon continues to ride a wave of popularity — and it’s starting to show on shelves.
Limited releases are disappearing faster
Age-stated bottles are getting harder to find
Prices on premium options keep climbing
👉 The smart play?
Stick with reliable, available winners like:
Buffalo Trace
Maker’s Mark
Woodford Reserve
Great flavor. No hunting required.
🌱 The Rise of “Everyday Premium” Cigars
One of the more interesting trends right now:
👉 Smokers are shifting away from “special occasion only” cigars
👉 And leaning into affordable, high-quality daily smokes
Brands are responding with:
Better construction at lower price points
More consistent blends
Wider availability
This is good news.
Because it means your long weekend ritual doesn’t have to feel like a splurge — it can just feel like a habit worth keeping.
🚬 Cigar Lounges Quietly Growing Again
After a few uncertain years, cigar lounges are starting to find their rhythm again.
Not louder. Not rowdier.
👉 Just… better.
More refined environments
Better ventilation systems
A shift toward a relaxed, social experience
Which lines up perfectly with what cigar culture has always been about:
👉 slowing down, connecting, and enjoying the moment.
🔥 The BBQ Pit — Easter Edition
This weekend is all about keeping things simple… but doing them really well.
And if there’s one cut that fits this long weekend perfectly?
👉 Smoked Ham.
Not complicated. Not fussy.
But when done right? Absolutely next level.
🍖 This Week’s Focus: Double-Smoked Ham (The Easy Upgrade)
Most hams you buy are already cooked.
Which means your job isn’t to cook it…
👉 It’s to transform it.
Here’s the move:
Set your smoker or grill to 250°F (indirect heat)
Place the ham cut-side down
Add a mild wood (apple or cherry works beautifully)
Let it warm slowly for about 2–3 hours
Now here’s where it gets interesting…
🔥 The Glaze (Don’t Skip This)
In the final 45–60 minutes, brush on a simple glaze:
Brown sugar
Dijon mustard
A splash of bourbon
Let it caramelize gently.
👉 What you get:
Sweet
Slightly tangy
A sticky, flavorful bark that ties everything together
💡 Why This Works So Well This Weekend
It’s low stress — almost impossible to mess up
It feeds a group without constant attention
And it pairs perfectly with your cigar + bourbon setup
You’re not stuck managing the grill…
👉 You’re free to actually enjoy the day.
🧠 Pitmaster Tip
Let the ham rest for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing.
👉 The juices redistribute, and every bite gets better.
Cigar Pairing (Optional, but You Know We’re Doing It)
That sweet, smoky glaze?
👉 It pairs beautifully with a creamy Dominican cigar and a smooth bourbon — exactly what we featured above.
✉️ Closing Thoughts — From My Humidor to Yours
Long weekends have a way of reminding us of something we tend to forget the rest of the year.
👉 We don’t always need more time…
We just need to use it better.
Not every moment has to be productive.
Not every hour needs a purpose.
Sometimes, the best parts of a weekend are the ones that don’t feel planned at all.
Sitting a little longer than you expected
Letting the conversation drift
Watching the smoke curl without thinking about what’s next
That’s where the reset actually happens.
This weekend, give yourself permission to slow it down.
🚬 Light something you’ve been saving
🥃 Pour something you enjoy
🔥 Fire up the grill — or don’t
Just don’t rush it.
Because in the end, it’s not about the cigar…
It’s not about the whiskey…
👉 It’s about the moment you create around them.
From my humidor to yours — enjoy the long weekend.
