Emilio Cigars Releases Los Regalos

Press Release

December 28, 2012

Gary Griffith of Emilio Cigars announced this morning that the first blend of the Los Regalos series, "Quetzal", made in Esteli, Nicaragua will begin shipping immediately.

"These cigars are being produced in a new factory for Emilio Cigars, and we are excited to have formed this new partnership," he said.

There will be a total of 4 blends in the series, as well as a limited edition cigar made entirely from 2006 harvest tobaccos.

"The Robusto, Toro, and Torpedo sizes are available at this time," said Griffith, "and the Corona and Sixty will be released on January 11 at Riverside Cigars in Jeffersonville, IN. Those two sizes will ship to other retailers subsequent to that event."

This will be Emilio Cigars final new release of 2012, capping off an extremely productive year in which several new Emilio blends became available, and in which numerous distribution agreements were negotiated.

From our family to yours

First and foremost I want to wish all our wonderful friends in this little family of ours, including our staff, our manufacturing and distribution partners, and most importantly our consumers, a joyous holiday season.

Emilio Cigars has grown in ways over the last 12 months that have exceeded all my hopes and expectations. We've gained new partners, dear friends, and I've somehow managed to fit in finding the love of my life.

I wish all of you the best in the coming year, thank you all for your support and encouragement, and hope that 2013 holds more promise for each of you than you might imagine.

Live your dreams. Stay true to your purpose and beliefs. Live. Love. Laugh. The future is in your hands.

God bless you all. Merry Christmas.

Gary

Emilio Cigars Releases La Musa Melete

We are pleased to announce that La Musa Melete by Emilio Cigars has arrived at our warehouse and will begin shipping later this week.
This cigar has already been favorably reviewed in pre-release, and will now be available to  consumers through our retailers. It is available in 25 count cabinet style boxes. These are available immediately in three sizes; Robusto, Toro, and Torpedo.  Coronas and a limted run of Lanceros will be made available at a later date.

Emilio Cigars and Epicurean Cigars enter distribution agreement

Press Release

December 14, 2012

Steven Ysidron, President of Epicurean Cigars, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars announced today that they have entered into a joint distribution agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement Epicurean Cigars will now be shipped from the Emilio Cigars facility in Vineland, NJ and added to the portfolio of products of the Emilio Cigars sales staff.

Ysidron, formerly with Savinelli, USA, has had a long career in the industry, and is now producing his own line, Epicurean Cigars. "We are very excited to be a part of what Emilio Cigars are doing. They represent the integrity and commitment to quality boutique cigars that has long been a passion for me and my family," said Ysidron.

Griffith reiterated: "We welcome Steve to the family, and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership. I am fully dedicated to the mission of bringing an array of quality boutique cigars to a broader market, whether under the Emilio Cigars mark, or the mark of other equally dedicated and passionate manufacturers."

This agreement will free Ysidron to stay focused on new product development and production oversight and allow him to expand his distribution into new markets.

Distribution will shift to the Emilio Cigars facility during the first week of January, 2013.

The right thing to do

This is a short story about a little cigar company that could, and will continue to, because we do the right thing.

It began with the Grimalkin, a name that bore no resemblance to anything else on the market. There came a time when it was pointed out to me that the theme on the cigar might play a bit too closely to that of another cigar maker who works in the same factory. Simple solution for me. Realize that it might mistakenly be construed that way and change it to La Musa. Simple and effective solution.

When I first named the larger size of the Emilio AF1 I called it a BMF. I later learned that another manufacturer had a cigar with a similar suite of letters. I respect that manufacturer... alot. Easy fix. It's now called the Toro Grande. No harm. No foul.

At IPCPR I was approached by a cigar maker about the use of the name Suave, as in our Emilio AF Suave. He was considering naming a cigar Suave, and expressed concern that my prior use might affect that release. Know what my response was? "It's a Spanish word dude. Use it. You're not calling yours Emilio, right?" What the heck do I care if there's no deliberate attempt to play of the Emilio brand?

Then last week I received a call that the word "Quetzal" on our Los Regalos had a prior usage. A dear friend made a few calls and voila! The answer was "let them sell the first production and then not use it again." No hostility. No offense taken because none was intended. A gracious and gentlemanly response. I appreciated it.

Know what? We have enough enemies attacking us from the outside. We shouldn't spend so much time, money, and energy attacking each other over trivial crap and honest oversights. Divide and conquer will play into the hands of the anti tobacco folks. We need to be far more united.

All these things were handled just as they should have been. Quietly, without a fuss, and at little to no expense.

My sincere appreciation to those in this brotherhood that get it. And a cautionary tale for those who don't. How about we not let our egos and pride divide us so that we become even more vulnerable to outside attack?

La Musa Cigars Arrive in Retailers

The long wait is over, as the La Musa Mousa cigars from the House of Emilio have begun to arrive in retailers across the country. Formerly known as "Grimalkin" the Mousa is the same delicious Habano Rosado wrapped cigar that won critical acclaim in 2011. Despite the name change the blend remains the same.

Halfwheel ranked the Grimalkin #3 on their Top 25 Cigars Consensus List last year, a true honor for a small cigar company. Bill Berris of Cigar Snapshot also ranked these cigars in the Top 10 of 2011, using a similar composite scoring method.

Craig Vanderslice included the Grimalkin, along with both the Emilio AF1 and AF2 in his list of Top Cigars .

Jerry Cruz of Stogie Review included them in his Top 10 Cigars of 2011 and they were runner up for Cigar of the Year on Tiki Bar Online.

As if that were not enough the cigars were included on numerous other Top Cigar lists in 2011, including both Ben Lee and Shawn Pratt of Nice Tight Ash, General  Griff of Mike's Stogies , Cigar Coop's Top 10 , number 4 on Seth's Humidor Top 25 of 2011, Cigar Explorer's Best 5 of 2011 , and Cigar Inspector's Top 10 Cigars of 2011.

All that having been said, we are pleased to bring these cigars back into retailers, and thank both our retailers and consumers for their wonderful support.

Emilio Cigars November Recap

To say it has been an exciting month here at Emilio Cigars would be an understatement. As our portfolio of products has grown we have begun to garner much attention and praise in the marketplace. Our retailer family continues to grow, with Emilio Cigars available at the following new retailers: Fumatore di Sigaro in Cape Girardeau, MO, Centro Cigars in Lawrence, KS, Sunrise Coast Tobacco in Flint, MI, Highland Cigars in Atlanta, GA, The Cigar Shop in Athens, GA, Twins Smoke Shop in Londonderry, NH, Timothy's Fine Cigars in Bay City, MI, The Cigar Exchange in Wilmington, NC, Old Dominion Cigar Co. in Petersburg, VA, Cigar Werks in St. Charles, IL, A G Cigars at Eagle's Landing in Stockbridge, GA

Los Regalos Quetzal by Emilio Cigars

We had hoped that the Los Regalos Quetzal would have been released shortly after the IPCPR trade show in August, but delays in box production forced us to adjust our schedule. This new blend features a Habano wrapper, and is produced in Esteli, Nicaragua. On my return from Nicaragua in late October I brought a few of these back with me and sent them out as pre-release samples. Several people have reviewed them, and we are happy to say they've received universal praise. Here are a few:

"The Los Regalos Quetzal is not only a home run, but I feel could be some of the finest work to date by Emilio Cigars." - Cigar Coop

Other recent reviews of the blend have been posted by Cigar Poet , Covering Your Ash , Keeping Your Man Card

The good news? Los Regalos Quetzal has shipped from Esteli, and will begin arriving in retailers over the next few weeks. However, the Quetzal will be produced only once in this packaging, and will then receive a make over. We'll release details at a later time.

La Musa Mousa and La Musa Melete

In 2011 our Grimalkin cigars received rave reviews from many. Earlier this year I made the decision, for various reasons, to rebrand them as "La Musa". Ultimately there will be four blends in the series. The Grimalkin is now know an La Musa Mousa, and released to retailers within the last few days. Our second blend in the series is known as La Musa Melete. Again, the feedback we've received from pre release samples has been positive.

Charlie Greenbacker of Stogie Review posted a video which gives a very complete description of the La Musa Melete. Other reviews of this new blend have appeared on Keeping Your Man Card

La Musa Mousa is now arriving in retailers, and we're hoping to release the Melete blend around the end of the year.

Other recent Emilio Cigars reviews: Serie H Maduro by Stogie Guys , Emilio AF1 by Tom's Cigars The Daily Tobacconist, Draig K by The Smoking Greek . Tiny Tim's Cigar Blog reviewed the AF Suave, Serie H Maduro, and AF2

1502 Cigars Reviews

November has been good for our partners at 1502 Cigars.The 1502 Ruby has been reviewed by Cigar Poet , Mike's Stogies , Nice Tight Ash  . The 1502 Emerald was reviewed by Cigar Coop , Cigar Poet , Mike's Stogies , The Cigarmy . The 1502 Black Gold, strongest of the three blends saw favorable reviews by Cigar Craig and Keeping Your Man Card
The 1502 Ruby also received a 91 rating in the latest issue of Cigar Journal:

We welcomed the following new retailers to the 1502 Cigars family: Cigars Plus in Wyomissing, PA, Total Tobacco in Newtown Square, PA, Red Arrow Cigars and Lounge in Kalamazoo, MI

Rodrigo Cigars

New retail partners in November include Highland Cigar in Atlanta, GA , Cigar Plus in Wyomissing, PA, The Cigar Shop in Athens, GA, Tobaccology in Manassas, VA, Total Tobacco in Newtown Square, PA, Golden Leaf Pipe and Tobacco in Westminster, CO, and The Smoking Dog in Maple Shade, NJ

Guayacan Cigars by Noel Rojas

Recent reviews of Guayacan Cigars can be found at GC Puffs

We also welcomed the following new Guayacan Cigars retailers; Truly Cigars in Marietta, GA
 The Cigar Shop in Athens, GA, Cigars Plus in Wyomissing, PA, Timothy's Fine Cigars in Bay City, MI, Total Tobacco in Newtown Square, PA

And last but not least, a new family member

Finally, Emilio Cigars has reached an agreement to distribute another terrific boutique cigar brand - Ezra Zion Cigars. Full details can be found in an earlier edition of this blog. We are delighted to welcome these three wonderful men to the family, along with their incredibly well made cigars.

Emilio Cigars and Ezra Zion Cigars enter distribution agreement

Kyle, Chris, & the Don, the owners of Ezra Zion Cigar Company and CigarFederation.com, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars, announced today that they have entered into a nationwide distribution agreement. To satisfy the rapidly expanding demand for the super-boutique Ezra Zion product line the Emilio sales staff will service new and existing accounts. 

“When we launched Ezra Zion Cigar Company at IPCPR in August, we were overwhelmed by the positive response and volume of orders.” said Chris, “Keeping up with the demand for our cigars and delivering a supreme, quality smoking experience is paramount to our company.  Joining forces with Gary Griffith and the House of Emilio will allow us to do that even better!”

“We started Ezra Zion with the idea of making cigars that you and your buddies would make if you made a cigar.  To us, smoking is a celebration and an experience to be had, not just a hobby. Partnering with Gary and his staff will bring that celebration to a shop near you. 

The Inception and the Reagan lines have arrived at the Emilio Cigars warehouse in Vineland, NJ and will begin shipping immediately.

"I am delighted to be able to help this outstanding boutique manufacturer benefit from our existing shipping and billing facilities, and even more happy that we were able to make this arrangement with such passionate new cigar makers" said Griffith.

“Through videos and social media, we want to continue to bring innovation and insight into our cigar journey. Whether we are at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Ca. for a Reagan/Two If By Tea cigar pairing…in Nicaragua creating new blends…or on our ranch in Texas shooting  an M-14 with a cigar burning, we want to bring cigar lovers everywhere into our world and take the journey with us.” added Chris. 

Keep up with the Ezra Zion Cigar Company on EzraZion.com. Follow on Twitter @EzraZionCigars

Butternut Squash Breakfast Frittata

This is a first for me as far as publishing a recipe, and this one is hardly original. I was rooting for eggs in the refrigerator this morning, fully intending to just make scrambled eggs for a late breakfast, when I realized there was some mashed butternut squash left from Thanksgiving. I thought "Google is my friend" and typed in butternut squash breakfast recipe. Lo and behold there were several, and I settled on this one.

I've never been one to follow a recipe exactly, and I didn't in this case. I just took a quick look through, got the basic idea (which is quite simple), and tossed it together.

In a nutshell: I covered the bottom of a greased baking dish with the mashed butternut squash. I then combined 4 eggs with a bit of milk and whisked them until frothy, and poured this mixture over the squash. Next step: sprinkle with a bit of pepper, and dropped the leftover cheese chunks from our snack tray evenly over the surface. There were 4 leftover cherry tomatoes in a salad that seemed as though they would be happy to be atop the frittata, so I tossed those on .

Last step: bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Let it cool for a few so it would become firm, and voila! Breakfast. I served this with a plate of mango slices on the side. Quite a good meal, and a great way to use up leftovers.

1502 Cigars Earns Recognition

There is little more satisfying than seeing someone rewarded for their hard work. What's even more gratifying is to see someone who works in the cigar industry recognized and rewarded by a publication from outside the industry.

On our return from our recent trip to Nicaragua Dora and I were stranded in Miami for a few days while we waited for Hurricane Sandy to clear out of the northeastern U.S. This was no problem for us, since we have many dear friends in the area, and it gave us an opportunity to visit with them.

On our second night we had the pleasure of attending an awards ceremony with our friend Enrique Sanchez of 1502 Cigars and his beautiful wife Soleana. The ceremony was sponsored by Hispanic Target Magazine, and the honorees were presented with awards for their outstanding entrepreneurial spirit. As you can see, Enrique was the recipient of one of those awards.

From the first moment I met Enrique I was struck by his enthusiasm, honesty, and dedication to his family, our industry, and the people of his native country - Nicaragua. The flame of his passion for all he does burns as brightly as mine, and together we've formed business connections and a bond of friendship and respect that will have an enduring impact on both of us.

1502 Cigars have been widely praised in the blogging community, and justifiably so. The careful craftsmanship that goes into their making is evident from the moment you place torch to foot.

I offer my sincere congratulations to this remarkable young man on having received this well-deserved recognition, and look forward to continuing to grow our brands together, while giving back to the people of Nicaragua with the establishment of the La Musa School of Art in Esteli, which Enrique has pledged to support.

Retailers interested in carrying 1502 Cigars should contact their Emilio Cigars sales representative.

The McIntyre Effect

What do you get when you combine youth, passion, and creative genius? The McIntyre Effect.

A bit over a year ago I was standing in my hotel room at IPCPR in New Orleans, staring out at the Mississippi river, and talking to a young man on the telephone about our cigars. He made it clear that his dream in life was to be involved in the cigar industry. I brought him on as an independent sales rep without ever meeting him in person. That young man was Nathan McIntyre, a resident of Spring Hill, Tennessee.

He immediately established himself as a major presence in his market, opening and servicing the accounts of retailers in a way that drew constant praise not only from the retailers themselves, but from long-established members of the industry who recognized his talents, and admired his determination.

A few months later, as Emilio Cigars grew I appointed Nathan to the position of National Director of Sales, a position that afforded him no additional compensation from our fledgling enterprise, but imposed huge additional burdens on him. He undertook the task without hesitation, and always expressed his faith that I would honor the commitment I made to him at that time - someday he would become our first full-time member of staff. He never questioned my judgement when circumstances forced me to delay honoring that promise. He always believed.

Today, at long last, Nathan joins us full time in that same capacity, supervising a now nationwide sales staff, and taking responsibility for a cigar brand that has grown almost five fold in size just in the months since he first joined us.

The coming months will be exciting for all of us as Nathan begins traveling the country, assisting and training our sales representatives, and educating retailers not only about the Emilio brand, but the portfolio of small and promising other cigar brands we now distribute, including Rodrigo, Herederos de Robaina, Guayacan, and 1502 Cigars.

Watch for the McIntyre Effect to take hold across the country. Watch what we are about to do. Wish him well. Let's get it done in a bigger way than any of us ever imagined in the beginning it could be. See that determined young man in the picture? He is my right hand, my brother, and a man I now trust with everything I've worked so hard for. Together at last. Let's get this done.

Emilio Cigars Announces La Musa Mousa Release

Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars, announced today that the long anticipated release of La Musa Mousa is scheduled for the week of November 5.  The initial shipments will occur by mid week to those who have placed preorders, followed by allocation of cigars to newer accounts wishing to open.

In addition to the previously available 3 sizes of robusto, toro, and torpedo, the La Musa Mousa will be available as a regular production cigar in corona size. Each year there will also be 200 boxes of lancero made available to select Emilio retailers.

As most are aware, this blend is the rebranding of the highly acclaimed Grimalkin cigars.

"We are pleased to finally see these cigars come to market", said Griffith, "and look forward to the announcement of the release date for La Musa Melete, second blend in this series, soon."

Interested retailers should contact National Director of Sales Nathan McIntyre for additional information on availability.

Emilio Cigars and 1502 Cigars enter into distribution agreement

Press Release, September 24, 2012

Global Premium Cigars and Emilio Cigars Enter Distribution Agreement

    Enrique Sanchez Icaza, owner of Global Premium Cigars, makers of 1502 Cigars manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragua, and Gary Griffith, owner of Emilio Cigars, announced today that they have entered into a distribution agreement. Under this arrangement Emilio Cigars sales staff will bring the 1502 cigars to market, while Sanchez Icaza will continue to focus on manufacturing and product development along with retailer support and education about the brand. Sanchez Icaza will continue to handle sales in the state of Florida as well. The cigars will be warehoused and shipped from the Emilio Cigars facility in Vineland, NJ.

    "I am delighted to be able to help another boutique manufacturer benefit from our existing shipping and billing facilities, and even more happy that we were able to make this arrangement with a dear friend" said Griffith.

Sanchez Icaza added: “I am very proud and honored to have Gary carry our 1502 Cigars. He is a true friend, great entrepreneur and a great cigar guru. I am sure our business relationship will be very successful!”

Product should arrive at the Emilio Cigars warehouse within a week, and begin shipping immediately thereafter.

Grand Opening Announcement

It's been quite some time in the making, but we're finally close to opening our newest location - Total Tobacco in Newtown Square, PA.,  located at 28 Alpha Dr.

We will open for business on Monday September 17, 2012 and hold the official grand opening ceremony on Saturday September 22, 2012.

The store features a spacious walk-in humidor with a terrific selection of cigars and accessories.

We look forward to meeting the many new friends we will make, and seeing many of our old friends. Please consider joining us on Saturday the 22nd.

Process vs. Results

"We don't do it that way" and "We don't do it that way" can be two different things.

Confused? So are many people.

When you tell me you don't do it that way because you've just never done it that way you're telling me you're too invested in your process to look for better results. Having the same daily routine yields the same daily results. You're letting your process drive your life, and you've relinquished control of your future.

When I tell you I don't do it that way, I mean I don't let processes dictate what my maximum achievable results are. I decide what the results are that I want, and develop a strategy to achieve them. I don't let time of day dictate which tasks I'm focused on.

Two different things. Exact same sentence.

The Importance of Smell in Memory

I listened to an interview on the radio today by a woman who had traveled the world to find all the essential essences needed to create a perfume that would remind her of not only where she had found them, but that suited her particular scent profile.

This set me to thinking, as I occasionally do, about what it is that draws some of us so strongly to particular flavors and overtones in our cigars, and what causes us to not dislike, but at least less enjoy others.

A part of the discussion centered on evocative memory, or the idea that smell and taste can bring us to places in our past, both pleasant and unpleasant, that have had a distinct influence on us. Indeed, I agree with this concept, as I can well remember the distinct aromas that lingered in my great grandmothers kitchen; bacon, cooked cabbage, and the crisp clean taste of the water from the hand-pump at sinkside. Each time I detect a similar smell I am brought back instantly to those days when I was 9 or 10. I can immediately see the entire layout of the house, hear the tinkling of the glass chimes on the screened porch, and picture the enormous collection of salt and pepper shakers that spilled from every available display space in her home. I can remember rifling through the stacks of fading sepia photos in her attic, wondering who each and every person was, and how they were related to me.

Taste and aroma are powerful reminders of the past, but as cigar smokers perhaps we must be cautious that we not let either prematurely lower our expectations of a cigar based on prior experience.

One of our employees rather crudely describes what I perceive as earthiness in a cigar as "that cow pie smell," and won't smoke anything that gives him that impression on pre-light. That's a shame, as I've certainly smoked a few cigars that gave me that sense when I smelled them, but immediately blossomed into true gems once the torch was applied.

You see, taste and smell at times can have a certain dissonance to them, whereby we may initially be turned off by the smell of the unlit tobacco, yet surprisingly pleased by its taste once we smoke it. Sort of a "Don't judge a book by its cover" moment.

Each of us have very different capacities to taste and smell, and I always enjoy the differing reflections customers give to a smoke. Some have very discerning palates, and quickly grasp the nuances of subtle hints of flavor provided by the tobacco. Others are constantly perplexed by descriptions like "subtle hints of nutmeg" or undertones of leather and spice."

What's important is that you not let someone else influence your decision to sample a blend based on their judgment. What your friend or neighbor dislikes may become an everyday enjoyment for you. Indeed, don't even let the best of tobacconists dissuade you from smoking a blend you enjoy, for in the few hours a day or week we're given to truly enjoy our cigars we should smoke those that satisfy us most.

But attempt this, if you will: Try to remember while smoking. Think of those special moments and memories that are brought back to you by certain flavors and smells. Distill the essence of all you're experiencing into a flash of memory, and recall the best times of your life. That is what cigars are all about.

First published September 27, 2009.

You did what?

In all my years managing people in these tobacco shops I've come to realize that I can generalize people into two very simplified classes of employees.

There are those who come to me and say "What do you need me to do today?" and afterward say "I've finished that, what can I do to contribute now?"

Then there are those who occasionally come to me and say "Look what I just did!" to distract me from the hundreds of things they should have stayed on top of on a daily basis, did not do, and hoped I didn't notice.

The former will earn my respect, admiration, and advancement. The latter I am unimpressed by.

Folks, I don't miss much, if anything. I just keep track.

Decide which you are and become it, but remember there are either rewards or consequences.

The choice is always yours.

Milton Bernal - Pintor Del Tabaco

A week or so ago a painting appeared in my Facebook news feed of Alejandro Robaina. I was immediately struck by the image, and sat in wonder at how much the artist had accomplished with so deliberately limited a palette.

You see, Senor Robaina holds a very special place in my heart even though I never met the man. He, through his tutelage of my dear friend A.J. Fernandez, has blessed me with more knowledge than I ever imagined I could attain about cigars and tobacco.

I immediately set out to discover more about the artist, Milton Bernal, and what I've discovered is that I'd somehow managed to overlook one of the most amazing of talents.

This morning as I had my coffee I summoned up the courage to contact Senor Bernal, and ask his permission to try to bring awareness of his work to my readers, and he graciously agreed. So I give you just a taste of what he does, but implore you to delve further into his work yourselves, and come away as awestruck as I have become.

Here's what's remarkable: every painting incorporates tobacco into the creative process, and not just as you might assume. Bernal manufactures his own papers of vegetable fibers, paints the initial images in oil, and then carefully incorporates either pigments from, or actual overlays of tobacco into each.

Many of the paintings reinvent historic masterpieces using these techniques in imaginative new ways that simply astound. Others, of his own creation, are so distinctly unique that he may well have developed a style that others will emulate far into the future.

I encourage you to take a moment, look at his web site, and then research deeply beyond that. As La Musa kept putting it when she reviewed his portfolio today: "Wow!"

To learn more about Bernal and the processes he uses to create these marvelous works read this interview from Progreso Weekly

News Release: Chattanooga Tweetup Cigars

 

#CHATweetUp2012

Twitter, Everywhere – What started last year with the inaugural Tweetup event at Burns Tobacconist (@burnstobacco99) and was put together by the hard work of David Jones (@dmjones1009) tikibaronline.com has grown into the massive event that is expected to converge on Chattanooga on August 24^th and August 25^th. To commemorate the united voice of cigar smokers on Twitter  Emilio Cigars and Miami Cigar & Co. have joined forces to release a limited edition set.

The cedar box of 2 cigars will contain a cigars made just for this historic event. The Añoranza in a box-pressed Churchill, and the debut of La Musa Melete from Emilio cigars in the same format. These sizes will be limited to 300 boxes of 2.

Gary Griffith (@emiliocigar) states,  “We are delighted to be releasing this joint project with Miami Cigar and Co., dear industry friends, on behalf of Burns Tobacconist, one of the finest retailers in the country. We chose this opportunity to release this special size of the new La Musa Melete blend, and as the first appearance of the blend on the market.”

In their second year supporting the Tweet-Up, Jason Wood (@miamicigar) VP of Miami Cigar adds, “Cigar smokers on twitter have become a driving voice in the industry. These aficionados are passionate about our craft, and we wanted to share with them something special.”

If you can’t make it to Chattanooga, you can follow the festivities via the twitter hash-tag #CHATweetup2012

Like a Phoenix - Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac

     There were no ashes to rise from, as did the legendary Phoenix. There was mud and mold, stench, rot, and a dream erased by walls of wind and waves of water.

     When Hurricane Ike hit Galveston, Texas in September 2008 Skip Martin and his partner owned a thriving cigar shop. What he discovered a few days later was that it was gone, his dream erased. Most would have given up and moved on, but not this infectiously optimistic and cheerful young man. He simply determined to succeed again, and he has in a way that has earned him both respect and praise in the cigar industry.

     "I inhaled the aroma from the foot of the cigar directly into my nostril; it displaced all of my other senses. I ceremoniously peeled the cap off of the end of the cigar and lit it. I stood there, in that damp and dank room, smoking my cigar and began to cry for the first time in more than ten years."

     Less than four years later Skip is riding a creative wave that by any rational measure would have seemed impossible, and the cigars his RoMa Craft Tobac factory are producing are in such great demand they are sold virtually before they are produced.

     I recently had the pleasure of traveling across Texas for a week with Skip.  You couldn't ask for a better guy to do a road trip with. Late nights of speeding along empty highways for hours allowed us plenty of time to know and understand each other, and I learned to appreciate Hip Hop music, barbeque, and the joy of spending time with an honorable man who has earned a special place in my heart.

     Each time I look at his picture I am reminded of someone else in my life who is so unique and special that her value to me is beyond measure, and what they share in common is that at about the same age most people would have written them off.  But, from the first moment I met each of them I knew they were the kind of people one could only ever hope to meet once in a lifetime. I am twice blessed.

     Will he succeed? Let me put it this way: I got five on it.

     Please join us September 15, 2012 at Delaware Park Racetrack and Casino in Wilmington, DE for the 6th annual Delaware Cigar Festival to meet Skip, and participate in the national release of his new Aquitaine Cigars. You'll be glad you did.  For additional information, or to purchase tickets call 302-836-4889.

More from intention....

"Live more from intention, and less from habit."

I haven't a clue what the original source of this quote is, though I've scoured the web and am still unable to give a correct citation. Nonetheless, it has stuck with me these last several weeks since I came across it, and it strikes me as a bit of advice useful to those who have dreams, but live on the promises of others.

What do you intend of your life? What are your dreams? What are your goals?

These are the first questions you must ask of yourself before you proceed, lest you fall into established habits and comforts to your own detriment.

Here's a quick and easy way to discover whether you're really pursuing your own dreams, or being drawn into those of others as little more than a comfortable thing rather than the person you are:

Flip a coin and make a wish. Before it lands on the ground or in your hand you'll know what you really want. Pursue the path that rewards you with that, not the one that is convenient for now.

It is not the now that rewards us. It is the future. You only have one.

The people who are using you to their own comfort and benefit have multiple options. They always do. If you open your eyes the signs are the same ones that were there the last time you made this same mistake.

Fix it quickly. Move on. Succeed.

Doors

When someone, especially someone busy, says to you "My door is always open for you" they mean it. This is a genuine and sincere gift. It means that, despite how hectic their schedule may be, they have committed to you that they will always make time for you, that you are important in their life, and that when you need them, they will be there for you.

Busy people don't make these kinds of promises to just anyone, they make them for a reason. They make them because they care.

You can pass through that portal multiple times over days, months, and years and at wildly varying intervals.

Here's the thing: The single most important time you will ever pass through that door is what they perceive to be the last. It matters a great deal to them which direction you're traveling, so choose carefully which direction you're going, and remember, whichever it is you'll need to take your baggage with you.

If you're going in one direction it means the door will remain forever open. If you're going the other it almost certainly means it will close. Either way, you'll need to be packed for the trip.

Oh no you won't

With the IPCPR show just around the corner I'm going to take this opportunity to clarify a few things. Some of you will like it. Some of you won't. But this is the way it is.

For several months now I've been listening to retailers, as have our sales staff, tell us "we'll just order at the show." For several months I have made it abundantly clear that whether or not Emilio Cigars would make an appearance at IPCPR would depend on a number of factors all of which are in a constant state of flux.

Folks, the flux has just hit the rotating oscillator, and I'm going to outline very clearly where we are on this issue, in part because I simply don't want to disappoint anyone, and also in part because I'm finally in a position, given the facts I have at hand, to inform you fully.

I have for many years worked for a wonderful family owned business and managed their premium cigar operations. They have generously and graciously allowed me to pursue my dream of bringing Emilio Cigars to market, often on their time and at their expense. Because the IPCPR show is unquestionably the most important event of the year in order to help them grow and prosper as I've promised them I would it is imperative that I not let them down in any way, and as a man of integrity I will not. I will attend the show, but as a buyer for the chain of stores I manage.

I had really hoped that I'd have someone trained to take over the buying duties for the stores at this stage, but it is a large task to undertake, and I can't just throw someone into it until I'm certain of their ability to handle it. That wouldn't be fair.

What does this mean? It means that we will not conduct Emilio Cigars business on the show floor, as that would be unfair to those who will be working so hard in their own booths, have paid for them, and have poured their blood, sweat, heart, and soul into their companies.

We will certainly entertain discussing our cigars with you after hours, but please understand, I will have pressing duties buying for our stores, so we'd really prefer that if you're on the fence right now, let us help you get the cigars in now, so that the inevitable compression of time at IPCPR does not shortchange you of the opportunity to get all the information you need before making a decision. We'll do our best for you, and hope you'll help us do so.

Remember, we will never short an existing retailer just to open a new account. The astute among you will understand and respect this, make the phone call, and come aboard while the opportunity presents itself.

At some point, as we did last year, I will cease to open new accounts, and this decision will be based entirely on how comfortable I am with the scale of our production as compared to our capacity to fulfill our promises to our retailers. We don't break promises. We promise those who carry our cigars that we'll do all in our power to help them, and we always will.

Now let's go get some stuff done, and get through this next few hectic weeks in a way that benefits us all.

Good luck to everyone at IPCPR, and here's to hoping for your future successes.