Lily Wang Brings Her Passion to the Cigar Game
Lily Wang has come a long way since launching Cigar Ambassador in 2005. Her passion for cigars and respect for the art of creating blends led to the release of Tobacco Queen in 2023. She talked with Cigar Life Guy about her best industry advice, China’s evolving cigar culture, and how cigar life fosters the […]
Douglas Bocock Wants Everyone to be Cocky
Doug Bocock and his brother, Bryant, have lived the cigar life for nearly three decades. Natives of Honduras, it all began at a nightclub with the idea of drawing a crowd in Tegucigalpa. The brothers built a humidor and created a house blend, and the rest is history. Recently, they became the first cigar company […]
Sans Pareil’s David Swinburne is Doing His Best to Create a Cigar Experience Without Equal
As an investor and cigar lounge owner, David Swinburne has seen almost everything in the cigar world. However, his experience in the supply chain served him best in his role as CEO of Sans Pareil Cigars. David talked with Cigar Life Guy about the “intriguing” problems in creating a cigar from beginning to end, the […]
Going Mobile With Christine Morgan
Christine Morgan is the owner and founder of Lips Sticks and Fingertips. She has been living the cigar life and breaking barriers in the cigar industry for nearly a decade. Ever the businesswoman, she has learned she can’t be in two places at once. However, that hasn’t stopped her from sharing insights and welcoming newcomers […]
Molon Labe’s Steve Bartell is “All-In”
People called Steve Bartell crazy for getting into the cigar business. Still, when you have lived the cigar life since childhood, it’s anything but crazy. Bartell — owner and president of Molon Labe Cigars — is all in and has an “intent” to make his brand global. He talked with Cigar Life Guy about his […]
Jon Simons of Warfighter Tobacco Co. is Having Fun
Jon Simons tasted his first premium cigar as a teenager, and after eight and a half years as Vice President of Warfighter Tobacco Co., he has never stopped learning. He and his partners are ex-military; today’s Warfighter remains their primary focus. Simons spoke to Cigar Life Guy about the company’s recent rebranding, the similarities between […]
Reinier Lorenzo of HVC Cigars is Always Learning
Growing up in Cuba, there is probably no avoiding the cigar culture, but Reinier Lorenzo, founder of HVC Cigars, studied medicine before he studied cigars. After nearly twenty years in the cigar business, Lorenzo continues to create new blends and pay homage to Havana City. He spoke to Cigar Life Guy about getting his start, […]
Leonor Abzaradel Shares the Nova Cigars Story
Leonor Abzaradel worked in the wine business for a time. So transitioning to another luxury industry like the cigar world wasn’t difficult. Known as “Leo” in the cigar business, the CEO of Nova Cigars shared her first cigar with her father. She has been living the cigar life ever since. She talked to Cigar Life […]
Michael Herklots is Hitting All the Right Notes
Michael Herklots had worked in the cigar industry for over twenty years before launching the Ferio Tego Brand with business partner Brendon Scott in 2021. Herklots sees Ferio Tego as more than just cigar blends. It is a “philosophy rooted in values.” It’s no wonder the Ferio Tego (translated as “Strike and Defend”) brand uses […]
Going to the Moon with Omar de Frias of Fratello Cigars
Omar de Frias, founder of Fratello Cigars, left a high-paying job at NASA to pursue his passion for cigars. Omar has been living the cigar life since his teens and found some surprising similarities between his work with NASA and the cigar industry. He talked with Cigar Life Guy about the science and artisanship of […]