In just five years, Willy Herrera has become one of the most esteemed premium cigar blenders in the industry. Having joined La Gran Fabrica de Drew Estate in 2011, as the man behind Herrera Estelí  and Herrera Estelí Norteño cigars, and the new Undercrown Shade cigars, Willy has come a long way from directing the daily operations and production at El Titan de Bronze on Calle Ocho in Miami’s “Little Havana.” CigarAdvisor.com executive editor, Gary Korb, spoke to the gentle giant about working with the Drew Estate team, and his singular approach to cigar blending. To listen to the podcast, click here.

MASTER BLENDERS: Willy Herrera of Drew Estate Cigars

MASTER BLENDERS: Nestor Plasencia of Plasencia
Nestor Andres Plasencia is the 5th generation of this highly-respected tobacco-growing family who originally grew tobacco in Cuba's famed Pinar del Rio valley. Like Many tobacco men, he learned the trade from his father, Nestor Sr., and today Nestor Andres is the Vice President of Plasencia Tobacco S.A. Nestor also holds a degree in agriculture Engineering from Escuela Agricola Panamerican Zamorano, and he began working full-time within days of his graduation in December, 1998. Nestor's first major project was finding a way to tobacco organically, which eventually produced the critically-acclaimed Plasencia Organica cigar selection.  Nestor's boyish looks, warm smile, and award winning personality have made him a revered colleague to tobacco growers, cigar makers, and retailers alike throughout the industry. To learn more about him, listen to this podcast.

(NOTE: This podcast was recorded with Nestor on the phone from Esteli Nicaragua. Some of the audio is hard to understand due to the connection. but despite the technical difficulties, i'm certain you'll get a lot out of the conversation. - G.K.)

MASTER BLENDERS: Nestor Plasencia of Plasencia Cigars

“For nearly 15 years, I was simply an appreciative cigar smoker,” says Nomad Cigar Company founder, Fred Rewey. “I boarded a plane and headed to the Dominican Republic and the small town of Tamboril. [It was] mostly a fact-finding trip that later led me to the tobacco fields of Nicaragua. I admit it. I am not your typical cigar maker. I am not a 40th generation Cuban. I did not work side-by-side with my father in the tobacco fields starting at the age of four. I do not have countless family members all raised in the art of growing, blending, and rolling cigars. Nope, I was never that lucky. But I did have a very important game plan.”
 
Originally from Wisconsin, Rewey, a marketing executive who looks more like a rock n' roll musician than your average master tabaquero, listened to his gut, followed his passion, and by working with experts in the Dominican and Nicaragua who did grow-up in the tobacco business, learned the ins-and-outs of blending premium handmade cigars. Three years later, the Nomad Cigar Company was born, and since then, its success has fueled the growth of eight full production blends divided between factories in both the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.


Nomad's most recent selection is called Therapy, rolled in three affordably-priced blends that are designed to, as Fred says, "cure what ails you." They follow in the wake of his Estelí Lot 8613, C-276, and S-307 cigars, all of which are made in Nicaragua. The Nomad cigars made in the Dominican Republic include the Nomad Classic D.R. (a.k.a., "Nomad Classic") and Connecticut Fuerte cigar lines.

 

Fred's new career, combined with his marketing savvy, have earned praise for Nomad Cigars from the tobacco industry media, cigar bloggers, critics, and cigar smokers alike. To learn more about how this entrepreneur followed his passion to cigar-making success, listen to this podcast.

MASTER BLENDERS:  Fred Rewey of Nomad Cigars

Erik Espinosa is one of the "young guns" of the cigar industry who's worked in practically every facet of the business, from selling cigars behind a counter, right up to owning his own rolling factory in Nicaragua. For this podcast, CigarAdvisor.com executive editor, Gary Korb joins Erik in "the zone" for a look back at his early successes with E/O Brands, as well as his more recent La Zona cigar factory releases, among which include the 601 Steel (made exclusively for Famous Smoke Shop), his 93-rated Laranja cigars, and much more. To listen to the podcast, click here, and feel free to share it.

MASTER BLENDERS: Erik Espinosa of Espinosa Premium Cigars

Jon Huber, co-founder of Crowned Heads Cigars is not a tobacco blender. He wants to be clear about that. But he is someone with a talent for knowing how great cigars are made, taste, and marketed. In this podcast interview with Cigar Advisor executive editor, Gary Korb, Mr. Huber discusses his highly-acclaimed cigars like Las Calaveras, La Imperiosa, and more, including the new limited edition Four Kicks Black Belt Buckle cigars. To listen to the podcast, click here, and feel free to share it.

MASTER BLENDERS: Jon Huber of Crowned Heads Cigars

How did Michael Giannini, a former chef from Philadelphia, eventually find himself blending cigars for one of the world's most celebrated brands - and become its creative visionary, too? Listen to this podcast with Cigar Advisor editor, Gary Korb, to hear his fascinating story, and more. 


MASTER BLENDERS: Michael Giannini of La Gloria Cubana Cigars

Cigar Advisor magazine is a digital publication created by, and for, real cigar enthusiasts. The Editors strive every day to accomplish three goals: welcome novices to the hobby of cigar smoking with advice and open arms; share their tobacco-rich lifestyle with good friends and veteran smokers alike, and profess their love for a good smoke with cigar enthusiasts of all stripes, from around the world. Cigar smokers are a passionate bunch – and whether it’s food, drink, sports or cigars they're fanatical about, Cigar Advisor shares those passions with a razor-sharp edge. Find that passion and more on display at https://www.CigarAdvisor.com.

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