A Passion for Cigars: The Croatian Gangster Todd Pribanic
Todd Pribanic has lived the cigar life across Thailand, Europe, and Central America. Pribanic, the owner and founder of Croatian Mafia Cigars, never intended to start a cigar company. However, one fateful trip to Esteli, Nicaragua, changed all that. Pribanic is a passionate man. Passionate about family. Passionate about the Cleveland Sports teams. And Passionate […]
Jonathan Carney Wants You to Meet Bentley the Cigar
Jonathan Carney has been living the cigar life for over twenty years. He started in a cigar shop, moved into sales, and now leads Bentley Cigars’ US distribution. Carney learned early to never compromise values or vision when trying to create something special. He spoke with Cigar Life Guy about his partnership with Martin Schuster. […]
Nestor Miranda Keeps on Smoking
Life and an amazing cigar journey began for Nestor Miranda in Cuba. What he lacked in formal education, he more than made up for with hard work, perseverance, and business savvy. His work in sales eventually led him to join his wife at Miami Cigar & Company, fulfilling the American Dream and becoming a titan […]
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, […]
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 […]
The Wild Backstory of Wildfire Cigars Founder Jeremy McDonald
From breaking the no-smoking rules in the seminary to playing guitar in a band, Jeremy McDonald has lived the cigar life for nearly thirty years. After working for decades in cigar retail and as a sales rep, McDonald started Wildfire Cigars in the spirit of sitting around a campfire shooting the shit with a premium […]
More Than a Cigar Prop: Meet Kevin Shahan
Cigar life began simply enough for Kevin Shahan — with dinner and a beer. Like many who take up cigar smoking, it evolved into a passion and the desire to know about cigars. As his website states, Shahan’s company, Cigar Prop, was “born out of necessity.” While working as a mechanic, he needed a place […]
Rick Rodriguez from West Tampa Tobacco Company Talks His Wild Ride with Cigars
Rick Rodriguez worked at General Cigar for 25 years. He trained under Benji Menendez before starting West Tampa Tobacco Company in 2022 with Gus Martinez. While Rodriguez has built an extensive and impressive (cigar life) resume, he didn’t smoke his first cigar until he was forty. He talked with Cigar Life Guy about that first-smoke […]
John Bateman: Turning Crisis into Celebration with Mega Legend Cigars
John Bateman — JB to friends — is relatively new to the cigar industry, but the owner of Mega Legend Cigars is poised to make a splash by sticking to his plan. Driven by a family tragedy, Bateman is determined to become legendary in the cigar world. He talked with Cigar Life Guy about sacrifice, […]