A wonderful piece written by Nathan McIntyre:
Over the past three years, our project that was Emilio Cigars has
grown exponentially. This largely due to our passionate community of
cigar enthusiasts finding out about us and sharing their discovery with
friends. For this, we thank you.
One thing we
have realized also is that while we have grown very quickly, we haven't
stopped to actually share the story of how Emilio Cigars came to be.
So, it is here that we'd like to take a moment and just give you the
story of what Emilio Cigars, and our imagery, is about.
What you may know...
Gary
Griffith for many years has managed a chain of tobacco stores in
Delaware. While doing so, he received a call to come to Central America
on a blending trip. While there doing the work that he was called to do,
he blended what came to be our Series H Sumatra and Maduro...at the
time, content just to sell them in his shops. While there, he struck up a
friendship with AJ Fernandez, and on a return trip blended what is now
our AF1 and AF2. Still, content to sell them to a small number of
shops...whomever was interested. Alongside those came the Grimalkin,
inspired by a friend who had haunting eyes....
No delusions of grandeur or stardom. Just interesting cigars that his passion for tobacco and friendships helped create.
2011
came along, and with it, a number of the right people. Most by
accident, but we're learning there are no accidents. With the right
people came an astounding level of attention from internet media. Emilio
Cigars, having no advertising budget made top-10 after top-10 toward
the end of the year.
2012 brought AF Suave...
our Connecticut made on a dare. Then Draig K Limitado, and the
rebranding of Grimalkin to La Musa. La Musa, we felt was more
appropriately branded in honor of a dear friend who inspired us that
Gary called his Muse. In fact, every line has a unique story and purpose
behind it.
We also realized that in the same
way that friends had helped us early on, we had the capacity to help new
friends come to market. Enter "House of Emilio." It is our honor to
provide great retailers with great cigars, and help our friends along
the way. Once again, it wasn't in our "Five Year Plan", but always doing
what seemed right when presented with the opportunity.
Doing right by people, every time. However, there's more to it.
What you probably do not know...
The
deeper story behind Emilio Cigars can be seen in our logo. Most
companies start with a logo and go from there. For our first two years,
we didn't bother to have one because nothing was perfect. We just made
great cigars.
Until on a car ride the subject of Metasequoia glyptostroboides came up. Metasequoia glyptostroboides is the "Dawn Redwood."
Considered
extinct for millions of years, a few Dawn Redwoods were discovered
living in China in 1944. American scientists brought them back to the
US, and slowly started working to repopulate them. The Dawn Redwood is a
deciduous conifer. While growing cones, it turns bright orange every
Fall and loses it's fern-like, prehistoric leaves, only to come back in
Spring. Truly unique...a tree that should not exist, yet despite all the
odds it lives and grows. Much like Emilio Cigars.
The
leaf in the Emilio Cigars logo is that of a Dawn Redwood, handpicked.
The sword is Gary's family sword, which he owns to this day. Together,
these images form a message that tells you the meaning behind Emilio
Cigars. We are fiercely dedicated to honoring our loved ones, and
thankful for that which should not exist. There are no accidents.
So,
when you smoke an Emilio Cigar now, perhaps you'll feel a little bit
more of our story. We'd like to start telling it more. Some details
we'll keep for ourselves, but now, when you smoke Emilio, maybe you'll
appreciate things which should not be, and give thanks that they are.
...as we do everyday.
Smoke well friends.
