Staff, Author at Cigar Life Guy

Interview: Luis Torres of Freud Cigars

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Staff

Torres of Freud Cigars has done it all in the cigar industry. He spent most of his career with Davidoff, so he understands what being a “luxury” brand means. Who better to represent that than one of the most famous cigar smokers in history, Sigmund Freud? Luis talks with Cigar Life Guy about his brand’s namesake, storytelling, the importance of educating the consumer, and the cigar journeys that make the industry “magical.”

Luis Torres’ First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Luis Torres: (laughs) It was an Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown. I was with a bunch of friends in Miami. At the time, I was living in Jersey City, New Jersey. A bunch of friends of mine got together. They knew more about cigars then, and we stumbled into this shop. I remember it well. I must have been in my early twenties, and I fell in love with the cigar world.

It was stronger than I anticipated. I didn’t know what I was doing, but it was enjoyable and piqued my interest in what was to come.

The History Behind the Name

Cigar Life Guy: Everyone is familiar with Freud as the father of psychoanalysis and an avid cigar smoker. Tell us more about your decision to name a cigar line after him.

Luis Torres: I came from Davidoff. Most of my career was at Davidoff of Geneva. I met the Churchill family, Randolph Churchill, the great-grandson of Winston Churchill. We had the Winston Churchill line, which later became the Davidoff Winston Churchill. I spent a lot of time thinking about world historical figures who were prolific cigar smokers. They accomplished much and were part of the psyche, part of the lexicon of language. I just kept gravitating toward Sigmund Freud — you know, Freudian slip. It just made sense. He did most of his groundbreaking work with a cigar in his hand. Astonishingly enough, no one had seized the trademark to his name. It just seemed right. We did all the homework and were surprised it was available.

Many people don’t know this, but I want to announce it. Still, we’ve been in contact with Matthew Freud, his great-grandson. We’ve sent him his cigar, so we have been authentically active with the Freud family on some level. We just launched Sigmund -his birthday cigar — to celebrate his birthday, May 6. It will be an ongoing Limited Edition to celebrate his life and times. I wrote about his life and times for the inserts inside the box. It just made sense for a luxury cigar brand, an emerging one, to have the name of someone as important as accomplished and part of our psyche as Sigmund Freud.

Defining Luxury with Luis Torres

Cigar Life Guy: You have long been in the business, working for companies like Davidoff. What makes Freud Cigars unique?

Luis Torres: I’m glad you asked that. We are a luxury cigar brand, and many people throw that. They say that they’re “luxury,” and when I was at Davidoff and later when I was CEO at Casa De Montecristo, the first thing that I’d ask was, “So what does that mean?”. You say that you’re luxury, so what does that mean? I often wondered why people would look at me like I had grown ten heads in boardrooms and conference rooms.

To me, a luxury brand is storytelling. It’s of premium prominence. The people you work with have a track record and history of creating unique and visually appealing things. Having something in a sea of brown in a humidor — where everything is brown — you stand out. And on those three fronts, we meet that goal of being different. That’s why Freud is special. Not only do we have the namesake of one of the most prominent cigar smokers and world-historical figures, Sigmund Freud, but we have Eladio Diaz, one of the greatest blenders (former master blender for Davidoff). Maybe even — I’m going to say it for the first time — perhaps the greatest blenders to have done this. Wiber Ventura and the Ventura family, who make cigars for some of my favorite brands, like Caldwell and Room101, have succeeded. Also, somebody I worked with at Davidoff.

You put all that together, and you have a compelling story. That’s why we’ve been successful.

Luis Torres: Retail and Cigar Lounge

Cigar Life Guy: You have seen the retail and lounge sides of the business for Casa De Montecristo and other companies. How does founding your line compare?

Luis Torres: That’s a great question. It’s different. I’ve never been on the retail side. I’ve run retail stores and scaled retail for Davidoff and later for Imperial brands. I oversaw the expansion of Davidoff Retail and became the CEO of the world’s most prominent cigar retail chain.

So it’s very different. You get an idea of what people are looking at, buying, and thinking. You’ve reached your pulse: “Hey, this brand is working, and why.” But it’s very different from running the lounges and running what is essentially a lounge-retail experiential play into creating a brand you want to segue into that channel. It’s very different, but some things you learn along the way are complementary to building this. I’m glad I have that experience. Both are great companies. I learned a lot. Most of my career has been at Davidoff. I had a brief stint at Imperial Brands. It was a great run.

Packaging and Partnership

Cigar Life Guy: The packaging of your cigars is distinct. Tell us about your design team and how you created your product’s presentation.

Luis Torres: We wanted it to be disruptive. We trademarked certain things like “Indulgence,” which are trademarks of Freud. “Redefining luxury cigars.” Those are trademarks of Freud. “Freud” and “Freud Cigars,” obviously. We wanted it to be impactful. We wanted to modernize Freud’s face. Recently somebody wrote what it looked like. I don’t think it’s a cartoon. It’s a rendering of what he would look like if he were younger. It’s a cool, edgy thing that we’re doing. If we’re talking about Agape, everything from the bands to the lacquered boxes to the plain wooden boxes. Everything has symmetry, and we’re proud of what we’re doing.

Cigar Life Guy: Freud is an adjunct of Agape Lifestyle Inc. Describe your partnership with David Stadnyk. Tell us more about Agape and how Freud fits with the branding and other products.

Luis Torres: David Stadnyk is a venture capitalist — luxury goods, an aficionado, and a family friend, and he asked me to work with him on this. He’s the cofounder, along with George Tsafalas and me. He financed and co-created this with me. He’s an incredible partner, as is George. We created this together. With Agape Lifestyle, we’d like to develop spirits brands alongside it.

We’re looking at tequila. We’re looking at scotch and other segments to tap into. We want this to be a family of luxury brands, and Freud is its star. David has excellent experience in venture capital and philanthropy. Everything from oil and gas to cannabis to many other things, so I’m learning a great deal working with him. He’s a great friend and partner to work with. I’m very proud of what we’re doing together.

Luis Torres: Educating the Consumer

Cigar Life Guy: What is the cigar industry’s biggest challenge today?

Luis Torres: Most people would say regulation. That’s a lazy answer because regulation will always be part of our lives. The biggest challenge is educating the consumer. We’ve got to talk about what a great cigar should be — this whole thing about big ring gauges and overly potent and robust cigars.

Many guys smoke because they want fellowship. They want to get together with others, and it’s a means to that end. We must teach people what they should be doing and how they should smoke. Every cigar doesn’t have to be full-body. If you like a heavy cigar and somebody else prefers something lighter, neither of you is wrong. It’s what you want. We should educate consumers about choosing what they like and what the blends should do. The journey they should be on when they smoke a cigar and educate folks on the experience. American cigar smokers gravitate toward different things from smokers elsewhere. We could better educate folks about what to look for.

You care about more than your business and whether you succeed. You also care about the industry and the end consumer; you want that consumer to experience everything they can. The cigar industry is magical, and cigars are wonderful things people can enjoy on special occasions and almost daily. We owe it to them to teach them how to cut it, light it, and find what they’re looking for. Everything doesn’t have to be full-bodied or an 80 gauge. People gravitate toward standard cigar sizes: Lanceros, Coronas, Lonsdales, and Robustos — traditional Cuban sizes. There’s a reason why those why those are the prized sizes for cigars throughout the ages, and we need to do a better job of educating folks about that.

What’s Next for Luis Torres?

Cigar Life Guy: You debuted the Super Ego cigar. What’s next for the Freud line?

Luis Torres: We debuted Super Ego, Alter Ego, and Agape. We’ve got three collections and are about to launch Sigmund Freud’s birthday cigar. That’s about to enter the United States next week. We’ll start shipping them all over the country then. It’s a Double Corona, medium-bodied, and a limited edition. And it’s everything you would expect from people following what we are doing. It’s a complex, balanced, delicious cigar packed with flavor.

Follow Luis on Instagram and check out the latest from Freud Cigars here.

Photo credit: Luis Torres

Interview: Dean Parsons, Founder of Epic Cigars

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Staff

For over a decade, Dean Parsons has been making Epic Cigars. Originally from Canada, he left work in law enforcement to learn everything there was to know about the cigar business. Dean talks with Cigar Life Guy about his journey into the cigar world, the Canadian cigar scene, and the “epic” moments that make cigar life unique.

Dean Parsons’ First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Dean Parsons: One of my first memorable cigar experiences was in early 1999. I was with some friends after a day-long ride on our Harley-Davidsons. We were in my friend’s garage, a CEO for BMO Nesbitt Burns and a world traveler. I was still in law enforcement then. His garage was an actual man cave with a loft, a vintage Triumph motorcycle, several old-school barber chairs, and artwork from his international travels. He went into his humidor and took out a box of Cuban Cohibas and a bottle of Balvenie. It was the first time I had paired cigars and scotch, and it was a surreal experience. After this, I began enjoying cigars on a weekly and monthly basis.

The Canadian Cigar Scene

Cigar Life Guy: You are originally from Canada. What is the cigar scene like there, and how does it compare to other places you’ve been?

Dean Parsons: The cigar scene in Canada is very prominent. Twenty years ago, it was mostly Cuban cigars. Today there are many more “new world cigars”- Dominican and Nicaraguan brands. Epic Cigars have been distributed in Canada since 2015. The import taxes are very high, and the average price for a premium cigar in Canada is 16-CAD 20. There are very few retail lounges but many retailers. The smoking laws in Canada are much stricter. Canadians have the same passion as most cigar aficionados worldwide. They must be more creative in finding smoking places, especially during winter. Several private member lounges around the country provide indoor smoking year-round.

From Law Enforcement to Cigars

Cigar Life Guy: You have ten years of experience in law enforcement. The cigar business is a change of pace. Tell us how you got started in the cigar industry.

Dean Parsons: I left Canada in 2005 after ten years in law enforcement. I moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands to work with a real estate development group. Finding premium cigars in Turks and Caicos was challenging, so I started traveling to the Dominican Republic to buy cigars as closing gifts for my clients. I would go a couple of times a year, and I just started meeting a lot of small factories, boutique manufacturers, and just people in the industry who were open to helping me learn about the business. I learned about tobacco, fermentation, and the process of blending cigars.

Soon after, I found a small factory to work with. I launched my first brand called “Turks Select Cigars,” a premium cigar branded specifically for the Turks and Caicos Islands. This brand was only available between 2006-2010 in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 2009 the real estate market crash hit the Turks and Caicos Islands hard. I was fortunate to land a new job with a real estate development company in the Dominican Republic.

The move to the Dominican Republic gave me more access to the country’s best boutique factories allowing me to spend more time learning about cigars from some of the industry’s most renowned experts. In 2010, I officially launched Epic Cigars. At the time, the company came out with two premium offerings: the Epic Maduro and the Epic Corojo. Both cigars were received well and remain in the Epic Cigars line of products today. I lived in the Dominican Republic for nine years and recently relocated to South Florida.

Dean Parsons and The Epic Line

Cigar Life Guy: Epic is a great name. When people smoke your cigars, what do you want them to associate with your brand?

Dean Parsons: I was fortunate to secure the Epic name and trademark when I launched the brand. When people smoke Epic, I’d like them to associate sharing #epicmoments with friends and celebrating the Epic lifestyle, whether the birth of a child or a weekend bachelor party in Las Vegas. We’ve always used the social media hashtags #liveepic #smokeepic #epicmoments #epiclifestyle.

Cigar Life Guy: That was how Nat Cicco acquired Epic. How has that partnership been, and what has it allowed you to do with the brand that you couldn’t do before?

Dean Parsons: The partnership with Nat Cicco/Zander Greg Distributors has been great. Very little has changed for me. I’m still the Founder of Epic Cigars and very much hands-on regarding all aspects of the business. We’ve drastically increased our annual production, events, travel, and marketing. We’ve also added more international retailers and distributors.

Cigar Life Guy: What’s next for Epic Cigars?

Dean Parsons: We continue growing our existing brands and introducing new product lines. We are also redesigning our core line packaging. This year we are also building a national sales and brokerage team.

Follow Dean on Instagram and check out the latest from Epic Cigars here.

Photo credit: Dean Parsons

Interview: Micky Pegg on All Saints Cigars

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Staff

When it comes to the cigar industry, Micky Pegg has done it all. After a brief hiatus, he launched his line in 2019. Pegg continues growing the All Saints Cigars brand with plans on expanding to the West Coast. Pegg talks with Cigar Life Guy about lounge culture, smoking with Kid Rock, and how the business evolved since he made cigar runs for senators.

Micky Pegg’s First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Micky Pegg: One of my first memories was working for a senator on Capitol Hill. Back then, they didn’t have to pay interns. They would have you run errands, and when you ran errands, you got to keep the change because there weren’t Ubers. It was only taxis.

One senator sent me to Georgetown Cigars to fetch and bring cigars back. They liked a particular cigar, Juan Clemente; I don’t even know if they make them anymore. The cool thing was you got to keep the change because you had to jump in the cab, go to Georgetown, and come back. He always got an extra cigar, and I got to sit with the senator. It was like talking with the President of the United States at a pub- on speaker phone. It was pretty cool. So Juan Clemente and fetching cigars for a senator was my first experience. Then I started buying some of my cigars, and Georgetown Tobacco gave me a part-time job, which was awesome.

Micky Pegg: Life on Capitol Hill

Cigar Life Guy: You worked on Capitol Hill in college and made regular cigar runs to Georgetown Tobacco. You shared a cigar in the senator’s room. Who was the exciting person you smoked with?

Micky Pegg: Jeez, I’ve smoked with a lot of people. Interesting? I’ve been fortunate. Rock stars. Business moguls. The most interesting was Kid Rock. He has strong business acumen. It was in my old days at CAO. It was cool how much he loved cigars and how in tune he was with the business aspects of it.

And Hank Williams Jr. Those two guys know each other. And it’s the same thing. Hank Williams is like a big brother to Kid Rock. There were plenty of others, but those two because they were about cigar culture, the business side, and their smartness.

Launching a Cigar Line

Cigar Life Guy: You have said you enjoyed visiting retail shops as a sales rep. What makes a retail shop stand out?

Micky Pegg: I started working in a retail shop, then as a rep, and then as VP of sales at CAO. Now I own a company. I always loved it. I always say, “If you’ve only been to one retail shop, you’ve only been to one retail shop.” It’s a different culture, even for guys who own many shops under the same name. Every shop has its personality. I see the different personalities, talking to the people, enjoying a cigar, and creating ways to grow the business. Plus, all the banter. We all like the same things.

Cigar Life Guy: You have worked in various capacities for some premier cigar lines. What is different about launching your line?

Micky Pegg: A lot more work. A lot more on the table. You’re starting something and building a foundation. It’s completely different than taking something with a foundation and growing it (like I did before in the cigar world and the mutual fund world, where I was for a bit). So many critical little details need to get done, from keeping up with the tax situations in all the different states to ordering the inventory. All the other companies have specific people that did all these different practical things. Now it’s me and Frank Layo, my partner. He’s behind the scenes, and I’m more the “front of the house.” There’s a lot.

You’re always moving and working on things. That’s one of the reasons I keep going down to the factories as much as I do. You must stay on top of it to keep getting what we promise to deliver—everything from the packaging to the most important part, the cigar.

Micky Pegg on Cigar Lounge Culture

Cigar Life Guy: You have done it all in the cigar industry and have been in it on and off for a long time. How has the premium tobacco business evolved since you were in Washington?

Micky Pegg: The biggest thing is the lounge culture that has evolved with it. When I got in, most cigar shops were cigars, cash, and carry. Smoke shops were either cigar stores that sold pipes or pipe stores that sold cigars. And they were cash and carry. Very few people had lounges. In the last ten to twelve years, lounge culture has taken over.

And there are all different types of lounges. There are BYOB lounges. There are “on-premise” lounges, meaning they sell booze on-premise. Sometimes it’s just beer and wine. Sometimes it’s full service.

Then you have these smoking lounges that have a small humidor as an accent to the place. Then you have places that have larger humidors for full service. I’m trying to say that there are all different types of lounges, but everybody has a lounge component in their stores. That’s why you see so much on lounge etiquette. But it’s relatively new in the premium market. The lounge culture is relatively new if you go back to the boom chapter starting in the late 80s and early 90s. There were lounges out there, don’t get me wrong, but they were only here and there.

When I was in retail, if a guy had a lounge, the manufacturer or brand owner would not sell directly to that lounge. Instead, they had to buy it through a retailer, which would give them ten to fifteen percent off. So they had to rely on their liquor sales. But now that’s completely changed.

Growing the All Saints Cigars Line

Cigar Life Guy: What can we expect from All Saints Cigars in the future?

Micky Pegg: Growth! We’re working on it every day. Right now, I’m in the middle of a 25-day tour. We’re onboarding three new sales guys: one for Arizona, one for Southern California, and one for the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) of Texas.

This year is our third year in the market, but the first year was COVID. So we had two years with an asterisk. The first year we had 40 accounts, and now we have over 300.

We have four lines on the market and need people to smoke our cigars. Since the media has done an excellent job of giving us exposure, it’s time to capture that. We have had a good online presence, though. In fact, we spent the last couple of years on the East Coast and are now expanding to the West Coast.

Cigar Life Guy: Have we missed anything? Please tell us anything else you’d like the cigar world to know.

Micky Pegg: This started with Frank Layo and me. We’re excited about what we’re doing. We are all in. I don’t have a Plan B. I put everything into this business, and we will make it work. We’re very proud of our relationship with Rocky Patel because we use his boutique cigar factory, Tavicusa. Working down there (Esteli, Nicaragua) with guys like Amilcar and Gerber, who run the factory, is a pleasure. We love the relationship we have with those guys.

Follow Micky on Instagram and check out the latest from All Saints Cigars here.

Photo credit: All Saints Cigars

Behind the Smoke: The Karen Berger Cigar Legacy

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Staff

Most success stories don’t begin as humbly as that of Karen Berger. Beginning her cigar journey as a roller when she was 18 taught her every aspect of the cigar industry. She would go on to become the Tobacco Businesswoman of the Year. Building on her husband’s legacy, Don Kiki, she continues developing new blends and giving women a voice in the ever-evolving cigar industry.

Karen Berger: Her First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell us about your first premium cigar experience.

Karen Berger: My first premium cigar was a Don Kiki Cigar. It was a cigar that Kiki made in the factory. I smoked it, and he told me, “This is what a cigar is supposed to taste like. When it doesn’t taste like this? You get rid of it and destroy it because it’s nothing we want coming out of our factory.” It was a very poignant moment for me.

Karen Berger: The Cigar Business

Cigar Life Guy: You started working in a cigar factory as a roller when you were 18; what was that experience like, and what was the most important thing you took from it?

Karen: I didn’t have enough money to finish my degree in Business Administration in Nicaragua, so I decided to go into a factory and get a roller job. Rolling cigars, I learned every aspect of the industry. Now I am currently the CEO from the ground up. So number one, the dexterity in my fingers is unbelievable.

My ability to navigate around a cigar and tobacco all stems from that experience of being a roller. I know every dimension of the industry.

Cigar Life Guy: What is your favorite aspect of the cigar business?

Karen: Without a doubt, when people say, “I love your cigar!” I love being able to say, “Thank you so much. I appreciate your support.” The enjoyment of someone holding our cigars in their hand, smoking it, is my number one thing in the business.

Cigar Life Guy: What is the cigar industry’s biggest challenge today?

Karen: The biggest challenge facing the cigar industry today is, of course, regulations at the state, federal, and international levels. Navigating our way through laws, licenses, taxes, and regulations. That’s the biggest challenge today.

Women and the Cigar Industry

Cigar Life Guy: Congratulations on being named Tobacco Businesswoman of the Year. Women in the cigar industry are often overlooked. What advice would you give to women entering the industry and women who smoke cigars?

Karen: I am thankful to win this award for all the women in the cigar industry that do not have a voice. Women are found all throughout the cigar industry. Women sort tobacco and roll cigars. There are already so many women in the business who don’t have a voice, so winning this award is me speaking for all the women in the industry.

As for women who smoke, smoke what you like! Don’t feel ashamed of smoking a full-bodied, flavored cigar or this or that. Don’t worry about what other people think.

Karen Berger: The Kiki Legacy and Beyond

Cigar Life Guy: You have worked hard to maintain your husband’s legacy; what do you want people to know about Kiki and his cigar lines?

Karen: Kiki was the most generous man in the cigar industry. He gave so much of himself. And he always put others before himself. That’s why we had slower growth in our company when other companies had quicker growth. He was more focused on helping others than growing his own line.

Cigar Life Guy: You continue to add different blends. What’s next for the Karen Berger and Don Kiki cigar lines?

Karen: Our two new cigars are coming out in July at the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show. Neither one has the name K by Karen Berger or Don Kiki. Our cigars in the future will be under the umbrella called Karen Berger Cigars.

They will no longer have the moniker Don Kiki or K by Karen Berger and then a subset of something like Gold, Platinum, or Connecticut. Instead, we’ll name these new cigars in and of themselves.

Cigar Life Guy: Have we missed anything? Please tell us anything else you’d like the cigar world to know.

Karen: I want everyone to know I am the hardest-working woman in the business, and I want everyone to have an opportunity to try my cigars. If your tobacconist doesn’t have them, please ask for them.

Follow Karen on Instagram and check out the latest from Karen Berger Cigars here.

Photo credit: Karen Berger Cigars

Interview: Cigar Mike Bennett

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Staff

You don’t get a nickname like “Cigar Mike” by being a novice. As a cigar consultant, event coordinator, and aficionado of all things cigars, Mike Bennett has been an ambassador for the cigar life for 26 years. With nearly 1000 events under his belt, his legend is building. Bennett lives to his name and talks about smoking as an experience, looking for maniacs in the industry, and creating all the elements of a successful cigar event.

Cigar Mike Bennett’s First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Cigar Mike Bennett: I was at a buddy’s place; it was springtime. There were four of us. It was a double-date situation. We were hanging out, and my first premium cigar was a Don Tomas. So Don Tomas was my first foray into smoking premiums and just smoking, period.

I think I enjoyed the experience maybe a little bit more than I enjoyed smoking the cigar. It just continued from there. I started smoking occasionally. Then I found more occasions to smoke, and then bam, I smoke every day.

Cigar Mike Bennett: The Nickname

Cigar Life Guy: A straightforward and authoritative nickname like “Cigar Mike” must be well-earned. So how did you get it?

Cigar Mike Bennett: Well, I smoke a lot. That’s one way. The other way is I do a lot of cigar events. At one point, I was doing 110 events a year just working inside the industry.

But I actually got the name from a buddy of mine, Cedric Ward. I was hanging out at a cigar spot and introducing myself, and Cedric said: “Man, that’s Cigar Mike; you want to know something about cigars, ask him.” So we joked it off. And a week or so later, we were in a completely different spot with another set of people, and I was talking, and guys were like, “Oh, that’s Cigar Mike.” From there, it took on a life of its own. So someone heard it in the first spot, and then it took on a life of its own.

The trouble is living up to it (laughs). But I’m pretty good at that.

Mike Bennett: Cigar Ambassador

Cigar Life Guy: You are an ambassador for the cigar life. What do people who don’t smoke cigars not understand about cigars and the cigar lifestyle?

Cigar Mike Bennett: That’s an excellent question. The first thing is the misconception that it’s an old man thing. That you have to be 50 to smoke a cigar. I’m 51, and I’ve been smoking for 26 years. I started when I was 25, and it was a peculiar space because 25-year-olds were looking at me like, “What the hell are you doing?” And 45-year-olds were looking at me like, “What the hell are you doing?” (laughs).

I realized it was a microcosmic environment that people not in this world don’t completely understand. Once in the cigar world, it was like, ok, I’m a kid, and I’d get, “Look at the young fellow.” But there was a lot of information that was given. Guys asking, “Have you ever had this?” Or “Do you want to try this?”

We’re a welcoming world once you decide to be a part of it. But, unlike other worlds, we don’t solicit and encourage. Instead, we don’t go out and say, “Hey, Smoke Cigars. You’ll have a great life as we do.”

No. If you want to smoke cigars, then sit the hell down and light one up and let’s talk about it. That’s a big thing. We don’t care if you don’t understand; it’s if you want to understand.

Finding the “Maniacs”

Cigar Life Guy: You work with many new and up-and-coming brands. What do you look for in a brand to work with? And what advice would you give to someone considering launching a new business in the cigar space?

Cigar Mike Bennett: I look for maniacs. You’ve got to be a maniac to be in this space. You must be a function of pure passion and really want to be here. That’s what I am looking for. I ask myself, is this guy or young lady really committed? They’re really committed to doing this because you’re not gonna make a lot of money upfront.

You don’t jump into this business and become Rocky Patel or Pete Johnson. An overnight sensation in the cigar business takes about five years! That’s how long it takes for people to know who you are. So I look for people who really want to put in the work. I didn’t have a car when I was doing 110 events a year. Instead, I was catching the bus to my events, cabs, or Uber. If you’re unwilling to put in that, then it’s not much of a conversation. The fly by night: “I’m gonna be in the cigar business?” I wish you luck, but there’s really nothing I can do.

The Hustle

Cigar Life Guy: You have lived the cigar life for over 25 years, and your hustle is legendary. How many events do you think you’ve done? And how has it changed over the years?

Cigar Mike Bennett: I’ve been doing events for fifteen years. If I had to guess, I would say over 500, less than 1000. I would do some stuff every week — weekly and monthly events and everything in between. Events change, I don’t want to say dramatically. The numbers have grown.

I make it a point not to change my business model because I always want to be welcoming to somebody new to smoking but still endear the event to everyday smokers. These guys have been smoking for three, 10, and 15 years. So I want to be that common ground where everybody can exist and still get information. I call it cigar entertainment. I want you to be educated and entertained.

You don’t need someone saying, “This is this” or “That is that.” Nobody wants to sit in a classroom, and very few people want to take that class(laughs). But it speaks a little better if you’re having fun and you pick up on this information. That way, it’s manageable. So you come here, and it’s not, “I’m gonna get all this information.” If you want to sit and smoke a cigar. So be it. You give people fun facts, and they can do more research on that if they wish.

It’s the same thing with spirits. I like merging the cigar and spirits world. Because they do go together. Whiskeys and cigars. Cocktails and cigars. I try to bring in different elements. I’m actually doing an event with the owners of Greenwood Whiskey later today. They’re gonna be hanging out with me at a cigar lounge, and we’ll be sampling the whiskey with a cigar. Which is great — to have a whiskey you’ve never tried before and maybe a cigar you’ve never tried before. And the experience ties it all together.

The fun of it is in the journey. When people decide they want to be a part of the cigar life. You’re around people who are typically highly educated from all walks of life. A trash collector is sitting next to a CEO; they’re best friends. This is one of the sole environments where that happens daily. But, hey, we’re all here to smoke cigars. I don’t care what kind of watch you have. And I don’t care what type of cigar you smoke.

Fellowship means a lot because people leave their daily grind and want to kick back, spend ten or fifteen dollars on a cigar, and light it up. You want to enjoy that while avoiding talking about work. Be a regular person in a chair enjoying a cigar. You want to be around people you enjoy because if not, you can go home and smoke in your garage.

Endearing Customers to a City

Cigar Life Guy: Over the last few years, there has been an influx of new cigar events with varying degrees of success. What are some of these new entrants or promoters doing well? What are they missing or getting wrong?

Cigar Mike Bennett: They’re really going above and beyond entertaining their customers — anything from comedy shows, concerts, and events taking place during their cigar week for their city. That’s great. I’m not opposed to it but I don’t want to see River Dancing (laughs). I’ve watched it on YouTube occasionally. It’s interesting, but people are doing things and want to do something to endear people to their city.

I was in Houston, and they had a Scarface concert. What better representation of Houston, Texas, than Scarface? I’ve been on boat rides that were part of events from the National Harbor. Different things attach people to their city. And that’s what I like. So I go to New York for a New York state of mind, and I go to Miami for a Miami state of mind. So I want to do what people who live in that city like to do. Because if they’re enjoying themselves, consequently, I’ll enjoy myself.

I really enjoy being part of a lot of events. For some reason, people like me and trust me to entertain their crowds. And I’m really appreciative of that as well.

Signature Event Expectations

Cigar Life Guy: What should people expect at your signature event, the 2023 Atlanta Cigar Experience?

Cigar Mike Bennett: Honestly? Tomfoolery. Foolishness. A great deal of smoking and copious amounts of beverage consumption. We stuff 17 events in seven days, and foolishly, this year, we added a golf tournament — so 18 events in seven days. I want you to have as much fun as possible in my city. Literally, from noon every day till three in the morning, I got you. There’s something to do. No matter what time that plane lands, there is something to do. I want people to have a good time, enjoy themselves, go home, and return next year.

Follow Cigar Mike on Instagram and check the latest on the Atlanta Cigar Experience.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Interview: Drunk Chicken Cigars Desiree Sylver

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Staff

It’s tough to forget a name like Drunk Chicken Cigars. Entrepreneur Desiree Sylver founded the line in 2019 and has been “making every cigar with love” ever since. If there’s one thing a long-time cigar enthusiast like Desiree isn’t, it’s all business all the time. She talks about life in the cigar industry, knowing how to laugh, and building a solid organizational foundation as the key to success. But would she marry a cigar? Maybe.

The First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell us about your first premium cigar experience.

Desiree Sylver: I’ve been smoking cigars for twenty years, but the first time I fell in love with a cigar and recognized “this is perfect” was about seven or eight years ago when I smoked a Padron. I took the band off and put it on my finger and thought, “I could marry you!” (laughs) I was at home at the time. I woke up to cigars at that moment, but I had been smoking them for ten-plus years before that.

The Business of Friends

Cigar Life Guy: You have a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. How has that been an asset in the cigar industry?

Desiree Sylver: The cigar industry is just like any industry in terms of business. I apply my business acumen and leadership to Drunk Chicken Cigars. I don’t look at it like the cigar industry is different. Although there are some differences. The culture is different– the people are friendlier. But the same business principles apply.

Women, Cigars, and Knowing How to Laugh

Cigar Life Guy: The cigar industry has become more welcoming to women. What advice would you offer to women entering the industry and women who smoke cigars?

Desiree Sylver: First, take it slow and ask many questions. In fact, feel free to ask a lot of questions. Pay attention to what you’re smoking and what you like about it. Think about what you are getting from it regarding body and flavor. So the next time you buy a cigar, you can say- it’s too strong, and you need something lighter, or if something is too spicy, you can say, “That’s too spicy. Can I try something else”. You have to be able to ask so you’re able to talk about your next cigar when you go to a lounge. People are really helpful. Reach out to people. Talk to them.

Drunk Chicken Cigars Integrates with Cigar Life

Cigar Life Guy: The Drunk Chicken is an unmistakable name. So is Mother Clucker! How is having a strong sense of humor an asset as an entrepreneur?

Desiree Sylver: When you get stuck, you can laugh and joke about it. You’re not going to feel defeated. A sense of humor helps build that resilience that you need to continue. Business is hard. I can tell you regularly I want to give up, but then I have to laugh about it. I talk to my friends, and we joke about all kinds of things that hit me over the head as a businessperson in the cigar industry. Having a solid sense of humor is helpful because when the bad times hit, it will help you continue moving forward.

Cigar Life Guy: Drunk Chicken came about when sitting around with friends at your free-range chicken farm. What is it about cigar life that brings people together?

Desiree Sylver: The cigar lifestyle started with a celebration. It was always that thing you brought with you to celebrate. The cigar was the “icing on the cake.” It’s what you go to when you can say, “We just won the Super Bowl – let’s have a cigar. We just won the World Series– let’s have a cigar. We just landed that big business merger- let’s have a cigar, let’s celebrate.”

The celebration brings people together in happy times. So I think the people in the cigar industry took that and started with “happy” and “celebrations.” Then it continues into relaxation and enjoyment. And that’s why I believe people in the cigar industry are so friendly.

It would be best to have a lot of disposable income to continuously go to cigar lounges. You’re going there to escape work and the hustle and bustle. You’re going there to relax, have camaraderie with friends, and celebrate the day or week and your experiences.

The Future of Drunk Chicken Cigars

Cigar Life Guy: What’s Next for Drunk Chicken Cigars?

Desiree Sylver: Well, we’re working on another line right now. I hope to get that out by the PCA (Premium Cigar Association Trade Show in July). We’ve had a lot of back and forth with it- to tweak the blend. And we are also looking into opening a lounge by 2024.

I want to continue to ensure that Drunk Chicken is a stable company. In fact, I always think of it as the three little pigs, and I need a brick house so when the big bad wolf comes, he can’t huff, puff, and blow my house down. Therefore, I’m focusing on my organization’s structure and foundation to ensure that Drunk Chicken is around for the next generation.

Cigar Life Guy: Tell us anything else you’d like the cigar world to know.

—: Don’t forget to start your day the Drunk Chicken Cigar way! We have something for everybody. It’s an anytime-of-day cigar. I pride myself on having variety and having something that will fit most people’s palates.

We are 100% premium, hand-rolled, long-leaf filler, and all our cigars are made with love.

Follow Desiree on Instagram and check the latest Drunk Chicken Cigars here.

Photo credit: Drunk Chicken Cigars

Peter Gross Interview: How Gross Builds Bridges One Cigar at a Time

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Staff

Even if you’re new to the cigar lifestyle, you probably already recognize how smoking a premium cigar brings people together. The founders of ATL Cigar Co. set out to embody that spirit. It began with a line of cigars that captures the essence of community in their hometown of Atlanta. Peter Gross, COO of Luciano Cigars and one of the founders of ATL Cigar Co. discusses how he leaped into the cigar industry, Cuban cigars, and the sublime, travel, and how conversation while smoking a fine cigar can create instant and lasting bonds.

The First Premium Smoke

Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.

Peter Gross: On my 18th birthday, I bought myself a subscription to Cigar Aficionado magazine and a pack of Swisher Sweets, which I smoked alone on my parent’s patio.

Soon, I found the local premium cigar retailers, like McCranie’s in Cornelius, NC, and started smoking Griffin’s and Avo Uvezian cigars, which I liked fine then. Still, I knew I had to get to Havana.

In June ’98, I hitched a ride from Nassau on an old Russian airliner and a handful of other lawbreakers. When I landed, I made my way straight to the Hotel Nacional.

I bought a box of Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas and a single Romeo y Julieta Churchill, which I enjoyed on the hotel’s veranda with a Cuba Libre. It remains one of the most sublime experiences of my life.

I smoked Cubans mainly for the next 20 years, including a fair amount of time living abroad — UK, Ghana, and Kenya. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stomach Dominican puros — the bitterness and aftertaste were a different product category — and I still can’t.

Then in 2017, on another trip to Havana, I was shocked to learn about the growth of Nicaraguan cigars, which hadn’t registered to me then.

I returned to the US and went to Puff’ N’ Stuff in Tucker, GA, where Ronnie introduced me to Aganorsa Leaf and AJ Fernandez products; it was like smoking for the first time again.

Nicaraguan tobacco had more flavor than most Cuban cigars by the mid-2010s. However, they finished clean in the classic Cuban way — which most Dominican products still can’t provide.

A Community of Cigar Smokers

Cigar Life Guy: You, Leroy, and Janelle met at a neighborhood hotdog stand. What about cigar culture brings people from all walks of life together?

Peter Gross: Leroy, Janelle, and I were neighbors in SW Atlanta for six years in the mid-2000s, and yeah — we started a hotdog stand together as a way to bring the neighborhood together and to provide an alternative on Sunday nights to the trap house on our street.

Those hotdog stand sessions would always end with a cigar, where we tried to figure out the “un-figure-out-able:” how to fix our neighborhood and improve ourselves.

The cigar gave space for intimacy. If you’re with someone for 90 minutes, it’s amazing how deep you can get and how reflective a cigar helps you to become. We built a bond by smoking those cigars. This bond was stronger than the differences in our backgrounds, perspectives, voting decisions, and even our life philosophies.

We still don’t agree on everything, but our conflict is creative. It’s made us all better people and professionals.

When we launched ATL Cigar Co in 2021, we combined all of our skills — Leroy’s as a community builder and philosopher, Janelle’s as a maker and marketer, and mine as a start-up operator — and we made something that people responded to. We wanted to export our friendship’s complex but genuine bond through a cigar brand, and it’s been amazing to see the response.

Cigars Around the World

Cigar Life Guy: You have lived and traveled all over the world. What is one of your most memorable cigar experiences abroad?

Peter Gross: When Leroy and I visited Luciano Meirelles in Esteli in 2021, only a few months after launching our company, we were blown away by Luciano’s passion for tobacco and the deep connection we felt with him.

All week he blended new cigars for us from scratch. He used whatever tobacco he had on hand at the restaurant, his house, or the factory. And we tasted flavors we’d never experienced. One of those blends became the Wise Blood, a cigar we’re proud to launch through our retail network in April 2023. Still, he produced so many great blends in front of us that week that it’s tough to put the experience into words.

Fast forward eighteen months. This partnership with Luciano has taken us into stores on three continents. It has allowed us to be owners of tobacco farms and factories that make some of the world’s best cigars.

It’s all happened so fast, but we know we are in this for the long haul. And we’re excited to keep rolling out new blends and products over the months and years ahead. When you start with well-fermented tobacco from our farms and combine it with the expertise of someone with Luciano’s talents, the results will always be exceptional.

Making the Leap to Full-Time Cigar Life

Cigar Life Guy: You gave up a good “9 to 5” job at the beginning of 2023. Talk about making that jump into cigars 100% and any advice you’d give someone considering making the same jump.?

Peter Gross: Yeah, I left a job I loved, providing insurance to low and middle-income people in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which I’d done for the past 12 years or so. It was a giant leap. Yet, I knew that the strength of the Luciano brand, network, and production capabilities would be the “Next Big Thing” in the industry. And I wanted to be a part of it.

I waited a year to jump while I built up a cushion to enable me to move. So, I recommend staying the same amount of time or longer for anyone thinking about it. And make sure you have some cash in the bank.

At the same time, I see many people not jumping when they should. It’s a catch-22 to leave something safe and venture into the unknown, and I get it. But you have to take calculated risks, make the numbers work, and make a bet on yourself.

Taking a risk may have downsides for your bank account, but always taking the safe road has downsides for your soul.

Cigar Life Guy: What has been the most pleasant surprise of working in the cigar industry?

Peter Gross: The industry is a family; I’m new in the industry, and I don’t deserve to be where I am when compared to many other people who’ve been working for decades.

As Chief Operating Officer for Luciano Cigars, which makes and distributes ATL Cigar Co as part of its family of brands, I’m so honored with the welcome I have received from longtime stalwarts in the industry. It’s been amazing to look at these men and women whom I have looked up to as my heroes and now call them friends.

Branding Hometown Atlanta

Cigar Life Guy: You are from Atlanta. How does the ATL line embody the city and your brand’s message of bringing people together?

Peter Gross: ATL Cigar Co is trying to bridge gaps that have long existed in our city, between north and south, Black and white, liberal and conservative.

We started by bridging those gaps in our own company to prove that it can be done. We’re working every day, cigar by cigar, to encourage the city to do the same. But, at the same time, we wanted to embody in our brand those things that have made Atlanta what it is — hustle with soul, business, and purpose together.

We are honoring the city’s civil rights leaders, celebrities, and novelists from middle Georgia. Our goal is to find the thread that unites them.

Atlanta makes you feel something, even if you can’t put your finger on it. It’s energy, it’s belief, it’s pride. It’s the history we honor on Auburn Ave and the future created in Tyler Perry Studios.

The city is also agony and ecstasy as an Atlanta sports fan. It’s the vibe on the Beltline on a spring day. It’s Bankhead and Buckhead. Atlanta gives us a fantastic palette from which to choose as we build this company.

Keep up with Peter and ATL Cigar Co. on Instagram and learn more about ATL Cigar Co. here.

Photo credit: ATL Cigar Co.

Mixing Business and Pleasure: Cigars and Work

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Staff

Whether you’re closing a sale, analyzing data, mixing concrete, or writing the next great American novel, you can mix business and pleasure when enjoying premium cigars.

Even before the pandemic forced many people into working from home, smoking a fine cigar and working were a winning combination.

Business and Pleasure at the “Office”

Before indoor smoking bans, the sight of smoke billowing from office doors was common. The Mad Men era may be over, but sneaking a cigar during work hours has never been easier.

The number of people remotely working has doubled in the past few years. It’s no surprise cigar smoking also spiked during that time. The benefit of remote working is you don’t have to rush a fine cigar. The workplace has evolved. Forget about returning to the office after a quick lunch break cigar. You don’t even need to wait until quitting time. Instead, you can savor a premium cigar- or two- during your work day.

If you don’t already have a custom smoking room in your home, taking a break to enjoy a Robusto is as simple as walking downstairs or out to the garage. With WIFI and cell phones readily available, you won’t miss a meeting or a deadline.

You don’t necessarily need a professional-grade ventilation system. So, grab your laptop and favorite cigar and convert your spare room into a hybrid smoking office. But, of course, you’ll want to crack a window, and there are plenty of options for removing smoke smells when the work day ends.

During warmer months, sitting out on the deck or in the yard with a laptop and your favorite cigar is an ideal way to spend a Monday morning. There are plenty of cold weather options for the winter months as well.

These days the office can be anywhere, including your local cigar lounge. Most lounges are the perfect spot for the working smoker. Daytime hours are typically quieter, and since so many others have the same idea, cigar lounges have become de facto offices. Many recent studies have shown increased productivity with the shift to remote work. That may be because of all that cigar smoking.

Productivity and Cigars

Freud insisted smoking was integral to his work. Mark Twain did as well. Old-time stage comedians like George Burns and Groucho Marx puffed their cigars to stall between jokes. Did cigars actually help them think? Many people claim smoking a cigar does just that. Naysayers say these are psychosomatic effects. It may sound like a myth, but every legend has a touch of truth to it.

Cigars have a meditative effect, too. Smoking a fine cigar provides the perfect time to relax, reflect, and relieve stress. These effects are no illusion. Studies have shown the hint of nicotine improves attention span and alertness and boosts energy levels and happiness. The same study showed an increase in memory and concentration as well. It’s no coincidence Mark Twain caught a case of writer’s block when he briefly stopped smoking. The old magic returned as soon as he resumed his daily cigar habit. Who knows? Maybe the quick-witted Burns and Marx owe more of their talents to their cigars than they thought.

We’re not suggesting everyone pick up a cigar to be more productive. Any reason is a good reason to enjoy a fine cigar. However, it’s no wonder some of the greatest minds came upon their best ideas in the company of a premium cigar.

So go ahead and mix business and pleasure — add that cigar to your regular workday routine. Better yet, add a couple. The “new normal” of the working world has created the time for it. Your boss might thank you for it.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Karl “The Mailman” Malone Lives the Cigar Life

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Staff

When the Louisiana State University Tigers won the National Championship in 2020, future NFL star and Cincinnati Bengal Joe Burrow and his teammates were nearly arrested for lighting up victory cigars in the locker room. Burrow, well known for his victory cigars, smokes a variety that includes La Flor Dominicana sticks. However, on that fateful night in 2020, Burrow was smoking a Karl Malone — a small batch, barrel-aged cigar made by La Aurora. The brand named the smoke after NBA legend Karl “The Mailman” Malone.

The former power forward, whom many consider the best the NBA has ever seen, prefers to keep a low profile today. However, he is a family man, an avid outdoorsman, and a jack of all trades. Since retiring from the NBA in 2004 and moving back to his hometown in Louisiana, Malone has had his hand in various businesses. From car dealerships to fast food franchises, “the Mailman” has been active since his playing days. When he isn’t deer hunting or spending time with family, you’ll find him at Legends, the cigar and vape shop he owns and runs with his daughter, Kadee.

Here’s a look at the Utah Jazz Hall of Famer, Olympic Gold medalist, and maker of barrel-aged rum-infused cigars by La Aurora.

Early Career

Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana, in 1963. The youngest of nine children, Malone was raised by a single mother and spent his childhood hunting and fishing. After leading his high school team to several Louisiana titles, he played college ball at Louisiana Tech University. In 1985 he led them to their first NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, the team lost in the Sweet 16 bracket, and Malone was heading to the NBA.

NBA Star and Olympian

The Utah Jazz drafted him as their thirteenth pick that year and began one of the most prolific NBA careers of all time. Malone, nicknamed “the Mailman” because he always delivered, is the third-best all-time in NBA scoring. In addition, he led the Jazz to the playoffs every year during his career.

Malone was a star immediately upon entering the league; he averaged 14.9 points per game and made the 1986 All-Rookie Team. The Jazz were eliminated during the first round of the playoffs that year, but Malone and teammate John Stockton became one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history. By 1988 Malone averaged 27.1 points per game and made his first All-Star appearance. The Jazz then selected him to join the All-Star team for 14 seasons.

Behind Malone and Stockton, the Jazz were consistent contenders in the Western Conference, and Malone was regularly among the top scorers in the league. However, Malone had the misfortune of playing in an era with Michael Jordan and frequently finished just behind the legendary Chicago Bull. However, the two became teammates with other NBA greats, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson, representing the United States in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. Dubbed the “Dream Team,” they easily won the gold medal game in 1992 and again in 1996. Many consider it the greatest sports team ever assembled.

Hall of Famer

Despite playing in 1,476 games, scoring 36,928 points, and winning two MVP awards, Malone never won an NBA championship. He lost to Jordan and the Bulls in two straight Finals in 1997 and 1998. However, he gave it one last shot during the 2004 championship. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Consequently, disappointment arrived when the Pistons stunned the heavily favored Lakers in five games.

Malone retired after 19 seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. The Jazz retired his jersey in 2006. Then, they commemorated him and John Stockton with bronze statues outside Vivint Arena (formerly EnergySolutions Arena).

Life After Basketball

Malone coached at his alma mater and for the Jazz for a while. He also owns several businesses, but he prioritizes his family first. After some controversy and paternity suits, Malone reconciled with his children from two women he knew during the 1980s. He married to Kay Kinsey in 1990 and has four children. Son K.J. played football at Louisiana State University for a while. Later, he transitioned to coaching, which was how those victory cigars ended up in the locker room after the championship.

Deer hunting and fishing also take up plenty of his time. He entered the cigar world after traveling to the Dominican Republic several times. He learned the process of cigar making and worked with Master Blender Manuel Inoa to create his own blend. Malone’s cigars are aged in rum barrels and have spicy aromatic notes. They are as dynamic and complex as the man who made them.

Malone is a long way from the court. Many patrons of his Legends Cigar and Vape in Ralston, Louisiana, know him simply as Karl, a hunter. Malone co-owns the shop and lounge with Kadee, but he’s the first to admit she runs the show. The Mailman prefers to kick back and enjoy friends, family, and a fine cigar.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Ed Reed Hall of Famer and Cigar Lover

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Staff

Most people think of the Baltimore Ravens as a dominant defense, like Ray Lewis. However, Ed Reed is a close second. The all-pro safety is not just a hard-hitting ball hawk. He’s a true brother of the leaf.

Reed’s story begins in small-town Louisiana, where he starred in multiple sports. He has said that Michael Jordan was his first hero and a model for excellence. Seeing Jordan celebrating NBA championships with a cigar in hand also had an influence.

Reed is no stranger to the victory cigar. He led the University of Miami to a National Championship and would win the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. He started smoking in college, where he and roommate Reggie Wayne, another future NFL star, took the edge off with a cheap smoke. Reed would settle with a cigar and review game film during his final year as a Hurricane. Here’s a look at the man, whom many consider the best safety of all time, a man as dedicated to football as he is to cigars.

Ed Reed’s Beginnings

Not everyone from such humble beginnings ends up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Growing up near New Orleans, Reed was the second of five boys. When he saw he had a chance at the NFL, he buckled down, avoided trouble, and dedicated himself to football. While Lewis and his future NFL teammates on the Ravens were winning the Super Bowl, Reed was a two-time consensus All-American at “The U” and helped the Miami Hurricanes win the National Championship in 2001.

Ed Reed and the NFL

The Ravens drafted Reed in the first round in 2002. He quickly became a starter and began building a Hall of Fame career. Reed played eleven seasons with the Ravens collecting 64 interceptions; seven returned for touchdowns. Reed forced 11 fumbles and returned punts, but he still holds the record for the longest interception returns for a touchdown- 107 yards.

Reed was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the year in 2004, recording 62 tackles and nine interceptions. However, playing in the AFC against Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, getting to a Super Bowl proved difficult. After several great playoff runs, Reed and the Ravens finally achieved the ultimate goal, winning Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.

The game, sometimes called the “Har-bowl” (because it pitted coaching brothers Jim and John Harbaugh against each other), is also known as the “Blackout Bowl.” The Ravens held a healthy lead before a partial blackout delayed play for over half an hour. The 49ers mounted a comeback, led by Colin Kaepernick, but the Ravens held on to win. Reed had five tackles and an interception and finally had the chance to hoist the Lombardi trophy.

Reed retired in 2015 and became a Pro Football Hall of Famer in 2019, the first year he was eligible. Before taking the stage at the ceremony, Reed can be seen with a large cigar perched between his lips.

Cigar Life and Life After Football

Although he was named to the NFL 100 Greatest list and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has come right out and said it, Reed shies from the suggestion that he is the greatest safety ever. He insists that football is a team game. That is why he has always appreciated the camaraderie of being a cigar smoker.

Reed has come a long way since smoking economy cigars during his college days. He has cultivated his tastes over the years favoring Plasencias, and Fuentes Opus X. Long intrigued by the process of cigar-making, Reed started exploring the cigar world when planning life after football. He has visited several factories to get an in-depth look -from field to factory- at the cigar-making process. The fascination inspired him to start his line of cigars. The “ER” cigar line has been in the works for some time and will soon hit the market.

Reed is not just a football player. He has given back to the community since the early days of his playing career. He started the Ed Reed Foundation over 20 years ago to provide guidance to underprivileged youth in Baltimore and his hometown New Orleans.

Football is still a massive part of his life. Reed coached defensive backs for the Buffalo Bills in 2016 and served as the University of Miami’s football chief of staff from 2020-22. He made headlines when he was hired to coach Bethune-Cookman University’s football team. When the HBCU did not ratify his contract, Reed criticized the conditions at the school. He later apologized.

If Reed is anything, he is passionate about social justice, football, and cigars.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy