Interviews

August 16, 2010 Local Flavors #4: Mike's Cigar Room, Conroe, Texas

Although there are many 'seasoned' CW members, there are also those who are fairly new to our wonderful world of cigars and related topics. This installment of Local Flavors provides the opportunity for some great perspective from a man who has been involved with cigars, pipes and tobacco since he fired up his first pipe in college in 1975! He has survived the 'Bust Years' as well as enjoyed the 'Boom Years', and has a unique view on business that may surprise you. Recently, CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) sat down with Mike McCoy, owner of Mike’s Cigar Room in Conroe, Texas (a northern suburb of Houston), to fire one up and learn about the history and current success of a true cigar B&M entrepreneur. Read more...
October 15, 2009 Local Flavor #3: Elite Cigars

Those of you who spend a lot of time on the road, either as professional drivers, business travelers or vacationers may have noticed the "Elite Cigars" signs outside of various SunMart Travel Centers throughout Texas, Arizona and Wyoming. If you have wondered whether or not you can really purchase quality cigars, or if this is just a marketing gimmick, you will find this article interesting. Recently, CW Contributing Editor Neil Noffsinger (Roadhawg) sat down with Jim Kaden, Director of Operations for Petroleum Wholesale, to share a smoke and find out about the unique positioning and business strategy employed by Elite Cigars. Read more...
August 03, 2009 An Interview With Jonathan Drew

Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Richard McRae (mealstrom) chats with Jonathan Drew, founder of the Drew Estate Cigar Company. Mr. Drew shares the history behind his many lines of premium cigars as well as his thoughts on trends in the cigar business. Read more...
May 11, 2009 Local Flavor #2: Serious Cigars Houston, Texas

Cigar Weekly Contributng Editor Neil Noffsinger sits down with Ron Lesseraux, owner of Serious Cigars and the Cellar 17 wine shop in Houston, Texas, for a discussion about trends in the cigar business. Read more...
March 25, 2009 A Cigar Weekly exclusive interview with Mario Andretti

Cigar Weekly Editor-In-Chief Thomas Bender interviews Mr. Mario Andretti just as the legendary motor-racing driver gets set to enter the cigar industry and establish a cigar line that will bear his illustrious name. Read more...
March 12, 2009 Cigar Weekly Interview with Tim Socier of Timothy's Fine Tobaccos

Join Cigar Weekly Contributing Editor Tom Chapman (tchapchap) as he visits with and interviews Tim Socier of Timothy's Fine Tobaccos in Bay City, Michigan. Read more...
January 30, 2009 Cigar Weekly Interview with Ernesto Perez-Carillo

It was recently announced that Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, maker of La Gloria Cubana and others, is leaving General Cigars on March 15th. In departing, Perez-Carrillo will be going out on his own to start a new venture with his children. The famed cigar maker talked with Frank Seltzer (Mowee) about his departure from Swedish Match "General's parent company" and his plans for the future. Read more...
January 12, 2009 Cigar Weekly Interview with Carlos Diez

Cigar Weekly has been anxious to follow up with Carlos Diez ever since his having taken over (one year ago) a company very well-known to avid cigar smokers. This interview comes on the heels of Carlos Diez celebrating his first anniversary as President of (the renamed) Reyes Family Cigars. Read more...
December 04, 2008 Cigar Weekly Interview With 25 Smokin' Figurados

The talented new group 25 Smokin' Figurados, a collaborative effort headed by frontmen Timothy Abbott and Gregg Kirk, have released a new CD and recently launched their newly-formed band at a gala event in Austin, Texas. Contributing editor Roger Farnsworth (ElkTwin) recently caught up with the band and had a chance to interview the cigar-smoking musicians. Read more...
October 24, 2008 Cigar Weekly Interview with Ernesto Padilla

Cigar Weekly would like to thank CW member easyt (Tim Wong) newly at Padilla Cigars for expediting this interview with Ernesto Padilla, founder and owner of Padilla Cigars. This is the 'longest' interview in CW history, having first been sent in the late July of 2006. Many thanks to Ernesto Padilla, too, for his candor and willingness to speak with us. Read more...
October 13, 2008 Cigar Weekly Interview with Christian Eiroa

Cigar Weekly's Contributing Editor Frank Seltzer (Mowee) was able to obtain this interview with Christian Eiroa on Monday, October 13, 2008, the day Camacho announced its acquisition by the Oettinger-Davidoff Group - a merger that will place Camacho amongst the top 10 cigar brand names worldwide. Read more...
August 06, 2008 Cigar Weekly Interview with Murray SawChuck

Cue Heart."He's a magic maaaaaaaaaaaaaan... he's a magic man, Mama." When I used to watch cable network VH1, I'd just as likely come across the video of "Magic Man" from Ann and Nancy Wilson's Heart as I would any slightly more sophisticated or eclectic offerings ranging from Pat Metheney, Chris Isaak, Al Argenti's favorite Indigo Girls or Edie Brickell and New Bohmeians to Fine Young Cannibals, 1970s left over Poco (trying to make a new start), .38 Special, Don Henley... well you get the idea. Eclectic mix about sums it up. Meet Celebra Cadabra, VH1's show where various personalities shadow accomplished magicians to try and learn the art and craft of magic in order to be able to put on at least one act of their own. Say hello to Murray SawChuck. One of Murray's many quality traits is that he's one of us - that's right, a 'Brother of the Leaf' (BOTL). I mentioned I was skeptical, right? Read more...
January 21, 2008 Cigar Weekly Interview with Jon Huber

Cigar Weekly editor Thomas Bender (TommyBB) recently had the opportunity to interview the Director of Lifestyle Marketing for CAO Cigars, Jon Huber. They discussed his new title and the changes occurring within CAO, Henri Wintermans and the takeover of the marketing arms of Carlos Toraño and Alfred Dunhill. Read more...
March 19, 2007 Cigar Weekly Interview with Pete Johnson

March 19, 2007 -- Meet Tattoo Pete of Tatuaje Cigars Pete Johnson started enjoying cigars while he was in his band back in the early 90's. He first got into the business back in 1992 working for Gus' Cigar Shop in Los Angeles. Cigar Weekly's Dave Preston (Mr. Goodlife) caught up with Pete on a visit to Dion Giolito's Fumare in Reno, NV and here's what he had to say: Read more...
July 29, 2005 Cigar Weekly Interview with Don Benigno

Don Benigno learned the art of hand rolling cigars as a child with his father and uncles. His grandfather, who was born in 1871, opened a small tobacco shop at the age of 29 and produced a cigar caled CENIZA. Living in a time of world crisis, all of his children, including 14 sons, spent their days going to school then working at the shop. By the age of ten they were all proficient in the art of hand rolling cigars. Read more...
May 01, 2005 Cigar Weekly Interview with Luis Sanchez, craftsman

Luis Sanchez began selling La Tradicion Cubana cigars in 1995. Sanchez' family has been involved in the cigar business since 1928 in the Pinar del Rio province in Cuba. Sanchez adheres to the tradional Cuban cigar making techniques and is committed to producing quality cigars at an affordable price. Made in the heart of Little Havana, the cigars are made with a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos with a Honduran binder and an Ecuadorian wrapper.The maduro version features a Mexican wrapper. Read more...
March 01, 2004 Cigar Weekly Interview with Arlin Liss, craftsman

Arlin Liss is the proprietor of Arlin Liss humidors. Recently Rod Gwinn (Niceash) of Cigar Weekly received the exact humidor that Steve Saka reviewed and that has caused much controversy in Cigar Afficionado. Rod contacted Arlin to get some background on his business. NiceAsh: I just received in the mail a desktop humidor handmade by Mr. Arlin Liss. Mr. Liss has been making humidors for the last 10 years. At first glance you wonder how something that looks so nice could be used to store something like cigars. The material is a burl wood and you can visually see the attention to detail. Click here for the First Look TM review and pictures of the humidor. Read more...
January 01, 2004 Cigar Weekly Interview with Ilja van Horssen of CUESTA-REY cigar shop

Ilja van Horssen is the proprietor of CUESTA-REY cigar shop. Recently Rod Gwinn (Niceash) of Cigar Weekly had the fortunate opportunity to spend some time with Ilja in his very nice shop in The Hague, The Netherlands. NiceAsh: I have to say that this was one of the nicest store fronts I have visited and both Ilja and his wife, Yvonne van Horssen-Litz, were very gracious hosts. While I was there, I took some time and chatted with Ilja about the cigar business, while I enjoyed an SLR petit corona from 98 and a very good cup of coffee. Note, Ilja Van Horssen passed away, due to lung cancer, in July of 2006. CW and its members mourn the loss of one so young. Read more...
September 02, 2003 Cigar Weekly Interview with Charlie Torano

Charlie Toraño is the President of Toraño Cigars. CigarWeekly.Com sat down with him for a few minutes of candor about his family business and the industry in general Read more...
July 01, 2003 Cigar Weekly Interview with Tony Borhani of Bahia Cigars

Tony Borhani began making cigars in 1994 because he had a passion for the art and the product. He has made an impact on the industry and speaks his mind. CigarWeekly.com caught up with him for an interview just before he left for the Retail Tobacco Dealers Association (RTDA) Annual Trade Show in Nashville, TN. Read more...
January 01, 2003 Cigar Weekly Interview with Nick Perdomo

The Perdomo cigar making tradition was restarted in 1991 when Tabacalera Perdomo, S.A. was started by Nick Perdomo, Jr. his father Nick, Sr., mother Mary, grandfather Silvio (who was finally released from prison and smuggled out of Cuba in 1974 by Nick, Sr.) and two Cuban master rollers. His sales and marketing staff then consisted of himself, his wife Janine and brother-in-law Michael Argenti. Here at his Miami headquarters in an office he shares with his brother-in-law and executive vice president Michael Argenti, Mr. Perdomo agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for Cigar Weekly Magazine. He also graciously agreed to answer questions from our readers. Read more...
April 01, 2002 Cigar Weekly Interview with C.A.O Vice President, Tim Ozgener

Aside from being Cano's son, Tim has really risen to the forefront of C.A.O., and has been a big part of C.A.O.'s recent success and new product development. Read more...