Giving Back

We at Emilio Cigars have been blessed. We are working in an industry we love, with people we love, and producing cigars we hope that consumers have come to love.  We are surrounded each day of our lives with all the people and things that allow us to be comfortable and enjoy our lives.

Yet others that we rely on, and without whom we could not do what we do, are less fortunate.

Those of us who have spent so much of our time in Central America realize that without the proud and dedicated people who make our cigars we could never hope to have the lives we have.

A few months back my dear young friend, whom many of you know as "La Musa" announced something to me. We were having lunch, and during that beautiful spring afternoon she told me that her future dream was to open an art school in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Needless to say I was both delighted, and quite frankly stunned. Anyone who knows the story of how I met this young lady and why she so inspires me will know that, in that moment, I was the happiest man on earth. What she did was present me with a gift.

You see, she is a tremendously talented artist with a natural instinct to teach, to share, and to give. What I am now is a man determined to see her dream fulfilled.

Over time you will see us make available a number of unique Emilio Cigars themed items and the iPhone case pictured here is the first of them. Our company will keep none of the profit from these projects, but rather save them to help fund her future art school.

Here's where you can help. If you too love cigars and have been looking for a way to give a little back to the people who make them for you, why not purchase those themed items that suit you and thereby help make her dream come true while enabling her to brighten the future of our dear friends in Central America. It's a win-win. And that's a pretty cool thing.

Reach into your pocket. Reach into your heart. Help make dreams come true, just as mine have. You can order at this link.

Thank you.

Emilio AF Suave - Released!

Last year I was at the factory with A.J. Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua and happened to mention that I supposed at some point I would need to add a Connecticut wrapped cigar to our portfolio. There are plenty of Connecticuts out there, and the one thing I stressed that I didn't want was a one dimensional cigar. Instead, I said I was playing with the idea of making something that would maintain the interest of the seasoned smoker, yet not overpower novices.

A few weeks later it happened that my friend Eddie Ortega was traveling to Esteli, and since I just love traveling with Eddie I decided to return. I've known him since early after I got into this business, and from the moment we met I knew we would be lifelong friends. I also knew he was working on a new line of cigars, and since he'd been so helpful to me through the years and given me so much encouragement and advice I wanted to do at least something to repay that kindness.

There was, of course, also the notion in the back of my mind that I might have the opportunity to try some of his new cigars.

One afternoon, with some free time available, we called the Fernandez factory and said we were stopping by. As we entered the conference room I noticed a tray of cigars sitting on the table, separated into two groups. One batch was marked AF3 and the other AF4. A.J. had obviously been working his magic, and he smiled broadly when he realized I'd noticed them.

We had an enjoyable afternoon comparing notes on the two blends, and after a long discussion decided to put one into production with no blending changes.

That's the beauty of working with people who are so talented, and who take the time to understand  you both as a customer and friend. It's almost as if they can read your mind sometimes.

The Emilio AF Suave is available in cabinet boxes of 20, and comes in the following sizes: Corona, Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, and Churchill. The wrapped is Ecuadoran Connecticut, and the filler all Nicaraguan.

We were fortunate that on the first day of release some folks who do reviews managed to find some, and delighted that their assessment was overwhelmingly positive.

We hope you will enjoy them, and look forward to your comments. To find a retailer near you visit our website: Emilio Cigars 

For all the latest news and information about Emilio Cigars you can follow us on Facebook

If you're interested in a far less reverent experience, we're also on Twitter

America's Most Unique Cigar Shop?

Every once in a while you just walk into a place and think "this is amazing." That was the case for me this past weekend when I arrived at the Leaf and Bean cigar shop in the strip district of Pittsburgh, PA. From the first moment I finally met Jim Robinson, the owner and head throwback, I knew we were going to get along just fine.

We'd corresponded on and off for several months via Facebook, and I knew going in that Jim was a unique man, but I have to tell you he and his shop are so distinctly unique, and I was so impressed, that nothing could prevent me from pouring out a huge batch of high praise the moment I returned home.

My first thought when I stepped through the entrance was "La Musa would love this place." It is so creatively festooned with relics of times gone by that one could get lost in hours of thought and remembrance. I'll need a crowbar to get her out of here if I ever get her to visit.

The walk-in humidor is well supplied with just the right product mix. There is something to appeal to every taste, and the staff are helpful and eager to please. They don't just sit at the front counter waiting to take your money. They actively engage everyone who walks in, probing with questions to assure they make just the right recommendation. In short, they really "get it."

Originally I was scheduled for about a 4 to 5 hour appearance on Friday, but the place is so fun that when 11pm rolled around I found myself still having a blast, and we finally decided to head out at about 2am the following morning. I could have stayed forever. This place not only has character, it is so full of interesting characters that one could easily spend a lifetime making new friends and listening to their stories.

I'd almost be willing to bet this is the most unique cigar shop in America. I've never seen or experienced anything like it, and I'd be hard pressed to imagine I ever will again, unless I return, which I most certainly will.

On Saturday afternoon we returned and I had the pleasure of listening to, and spending some time with, Tom Breiding, an incredibly talented singer and songwriter.

Each Saturday afternoon "The Bean" hosts live music, and I was fortunate enough to be there when Tom was playing. I was so struck by the passion in his music that, having bought his "Time to Roll" CD I listened to it on repeat play all the way home.

Find his stuff and buy it. This guy is so full of talent I don't have enough words to describe him.

In closing, I'd like to thank my dear friends Peter and Regina Dapas for hosting my visit. It was so good to see them again, and I look forward to returning soon. There is nothing better than time well spent with people who are worth loving.

Cigar Network Magazine - A Consumer Take on Ratings

Some time ago I stumbled across the website for The Cigar Network, and found myself intrigued by their rather unique approach to rating cigars. You see, they don't use rating panels, they just ask for input from consumers. I found this a refreshing change, not as a substitute for the more traditional publications, but as a nice addition to the industry, a way of letting average cigar smokers have some input in a very direct way into which cigars they were enjoying.

Last spring they published their first print edition, and shortly thereafter seemed to have disappeared from view, so I must say I was somewhat surprised yesterday to see that the website, at least, had been resurrected. I was even more surprised and pleased at what I found inside this issue.

Two of our cigars received wonderful ratings, and for a small company like ours with essentially no advertising budget this was a blessing. Below are the images from our two cigars that were included.

I would encourage consumers to join this site, and if there's a boutique cigar  brand that you're enjoying but that isn't widely seen in the marketplace why not give them a hand by adding your honest and objective views to their database?

Take ownership of the process, let your views be known, and at the same time add to that rising tide of enthusiasm for true boutique cigar manufacturers that just may help this industry survive, but thrive in the face of ever more regulation and restriction.

Want your rights? Fight for them in every little way you can, including this one.

Emilio Cigars Events for June, 2012

I don't often do personal appearances, but when I do, I do them on short notice.

Being so actively engaged in product development and management I rarely get the chance to just get out and meet our consumers. I do my best to stay engaged on Facebook and Twitter , but that's just not the same as getting out and having face time with real people.

This month I've decided to kick up my efforts a notch, plant my butt in the seat of my truck, and go to where the real people are. Obviously I can't get to every place I'd like to, but I'm gonna visit a few, and if time allows try to continue this.

Last night we had a great tasting event at Cantwell's Tavern in Odessa, DE. It was good to see some familiar faces, and to meet new people as well. If you're not familiar with Cantwell's let me tell you it is a wonderfully restored colonial building. The outdoor bar and seating area is perfect for cigar smokers, and the owner and staff are top-notch and gracious hosts. The food is beyond good. It is simply fabulous.

This Friday night, June 8, I'll be visiting Jim Robinson and the crew at Leaf and Bean on the Strip in Pittsburgh, PA, beginning late afternoon. As with most things, I've told Jim to not set a specific time, and I'll stay as long as I can, and get there even earlier if I can. Stop on in for a visit and try our Emilio Cigars . If you're able to attend I'll bring you up to speed on all the new products we have coming, which we're very excited about, and hope you will be too.

The following afternoon, June 9, I'll be visiting Rob Heming to record the Blowin' Smoke Podcast . This is a great no-holds-barred program that takes no prisoners, and it fits my style well.

While in the area I'm also going to try to make stops at some other shops in the area that carry Emilio Cigars, and a few potential new clients, so if you wanna meet me and have a chat pay close attention to my twitter feed , as I play "Where's Weirdo" around the area.

On June 15 I'll be making an afternoon appearance at Cigar Connection in Arlington, VA. This is a newer retailer for us, but they're already doing great things, and I've chosen to visit them precisely because of their strong support of the brand.

On June 22, our National Sales Manager, Nathan McIntyre will be doing an Emilio Cigars tasting at Havana Dreamin' Smoke Shop in Montgomery, AL, so stop on by and meet the big bald man with the Social Cam. Should be a fun time.

That's all for now, but ya never know what else I may throw into the mix, and by the way, did I mention it might just be a good thing to follow my twitter feed? ya know, just in case?

Emilio Cigars Upcoming Releases

I recently posted a list on my Facebook page of new products we would be releasing through the end of the year, and into early 2013. Today I take a more expansive view of that list, and will attempt to offer a bit fuller explanation of each.

Draig K Limitado

The Draig K will be produced in 3 sizes, namely corona, robusto, and toro. 400 boxes of each have been made and after months of aging will be allocated to our retailers based on how long their account has been open, and how well they've supported our core brands in the past. We anticipate shipping these to our retailers at the end of June.

These cigars, made in Nestor Plascencia's El Paraiso factory, feature a dark Columbian maduro wrapper, and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. Assuming continued availability of the wrapper tobacco we may produce these annually, though each year we are also hoping to introduce another blend in the Draig line using equally rare and high quality tobaccos. Time will tell how this goes.

The "K" designation and Welsh theme recognize and honor both my family heritage, and the first initial of my friend Ken, a Welshman who died in a tragic auto accident at about the same time I was finishing this blend. The band was created by a friend of both mine and Ken's who happens to be a children's book illustrator, thus the pastel colors. You can save the "pink" comments folks, I've already heard it, and it's not changing. To me this a priceless remembrance of a dear friend.

La Musa by Emilio Cigars

As most are aware, La Musa is the rebranding of our highly acclaimed Grimalkin cigars, made in Esteli, Nicaragua.

There will ultimately be 4 blends in the La Musa series, the first of which, replacing Grimalkin, is simply known as Mousa, the Muse, and is dedicated to a dear and inspiring young friend, whom I often refer to as my muse. The additional 3 blends in the series will be named after he 3 original Plutarchian Muses; Melete, Aoide, and Mneme.

We've prettied up the packaging a bit, and given the boxes a stone like texture and pattern to go along with the Greek theme. The bands will vary in color but retain the design shown below. Why yellow for the first? Because it is La Musa's favorite color.

The second blend, known as La Musa Melete, will be shown at the IPCPR trade show in August, and will ship shortly thereafter. The Melete blending was completed earlier this year, and yields a somewhat stronger, but equally complex cigar as compared to the original. The Aoide blend, to be released in summer 2013, is a much milder cigar with a tremendous amount of nuance.

I've added corona to the list of available sizes as a standard production item, along with the existing robusto, toro, and torpedo. Each blend will also see the production of a single release of 250 boxes of lanceros. In 2013 we will also release a La Musa limitado in a single size, toro, which will only be produced one time.

Emilio AF Series

All of the cigars in our AF Series are produced in Esteli, Nicaragua by my dear friend Abdel Fernandez (known to most as A.J.), therefore the AF designation.

I've added corona to the list of available sizes in standard production for both AF1 and AF2, and I expect we'll see these available in July. Our new Emilio AF Suave, with Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper, should start arriving in retailers later this month. It will be available in 5 sizes; corona, robusto, toro, torpedo, and churchill. The band design remains similar to others in the AF series.

In spring 2013 we will likely release Emilio AF3, and will keep you informed on the progress with this new blend going forward.

Carpe Noctem

Carpe Noctem translates from Latin to "Seize the Night." This incredibly dark, strong, and spicy cigar will feature a broadleaf maduro wrapper, and plenty of Esteli ligero in the filler. These cigars will be available in robusto, toro, and 6x60 sizes, and packed in cabinet boxes of 20.

I've once again gone back to A.J. Fernandez to produce this cigar, and those fond of powerhouses should be well satisfied. We're still toying with art work for boxes and bands, and expect to release these cigars during the first week of 2013.

Los Regalos

For these cigars we've begun production with an entirely different factory than we've used before, and I'm very satisfied with what they've produced. There will be 4 blends in the series, as well as a Los Regalos Vintage 2006, comprised entirely of exquisite tobaccos from the 2006 harvest.

The packaging will feature a Mayan theme, and be a bit more playful and colorful than our other brands. We are hoping to show the first blend in the series, the Quetzal, at the IPCPR trade show in August, with shipment to retailers early in the fall.

In conclusion

I hope I've both clarified some things with this post, and added to the mystery, as I usually like to do. Have questions? Post them and I'll happily answer those I'm willing to answer, but before asking specific dates remember that the tobacco always drives the process. Enough said for today.