House of Emilio January Newsletter

"The Best of the Boutiques"

A recap of news and reviews from around the web in January, 2014

It seems as though this winter has been especially harsh in many areas of the country, but despite that folks have still managed to get in a bit of time to smoke. I've decided to create this monthly summary of all the good news from around the web about the House of Emilio rather than continue my annual summary, which has gotten quite cumbersome. I hope you enjoy this.

I'll give credit to all sources, but if I happen to miss giving proper credit please just let me know, and I'll correct it promptly.  All photos are from the original blog sites.

All the best,

Gary

In his review of the Nomad S 307 Ben's Cigars says:  "This Nomad S-307, is by far one of my favorite cigars to date. I enjoyed this down till I thought I would melt my nail polish. If you haven’t tried this cigar, you’re really missing out! Fred Rewey is one of the best in the business and his marketing strategy of “just being a regular dude” instead of the “pre-Madonna rockstar” type really works. It’s a good feeling when you buy cigars from a friend."

A Bit of Our Story

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.

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 

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