José M. Seijas, founder of Matilde Cigars and known for his tenure at Tabacalera de Garcia, where he served as Master Blender and Vice President of Operations, has passed away. He was 74.

A statement by the family on social media announced Seijas’ passing, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our founder, José Seijas, passed away this morning at home, surrounded by his loved ones. Exemplary man, loving father and extraordinary human being. His legacy will live on forever.”

Seijas started working for Consolidated Cigar Corporation in 1974 when he was hired to create an Industrial Engineering department. He quickly supervised the sorting, stripping, and selection of tobacco, which also increased his knowledge of tobacco. Four years later, he transferred to La Compania Insular Tabacalera, located in Las Palmas de Gran Canari, where he became fully immersed in the cigar manufacturing and production process. After three years, he was transferred back to La Romana in the Dominican Republic to run the Tabacalera de Garcia factory. He played a crucial role in Tabacalera de Garcia’s transformation from a tobacco processor to a full-fledged manufacturer. This is where he assumed the title of Vice President of Operations and became the Master Blender.

While at Tabacalera de Garcia, Seijas was behind the blends for brands such as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, VegaFina, H. Upmann, Trinidad, Don Diego, Onyx, and the cigar that carried his name – the Seijas Signature.

After three decades at Tabacalera de Garcia, Seijas retired at the end of 2011. Two years later, he came out of retirement to found Matilde Cigars, a family-run operation. He soon turned the day-to-day operation over to his son Enrique.

Photo Credit: Matilde Cigars

Video Credit: Stogie Geeks