John Drew Brands, the spirits startup venture by Drew Estate President Jonathan Drew has installed a new leadership team. The company was founded in 2016 with the goal of becoming “an authentic lifestyle company”, initially focusing on the development of alcoholic beverage brands. The leadership team includes: Jonathan Drew, CEO Nancy Berkowitz, President Steve Chernoff, National […]
Cigar News: Altadis USA to Distribute Boutique Blends and Brings Rafael Nodal On Board
William Cooper Cigar News 4 Comments Altadis, Boutique Blends Cigars, News, Oliveros, People, Tabacalera USA
Boutique Blends, the partnership owned by Rafael Nodal, his wife Alina, and Hank Bischoff have entered into a strategic alliance agreement where Altadis USA will handle its distribution. Concurrent with the deal, Rafael Nodal who has been the face of Boutique Blends will also become a part of the team Altadis USA. The distribution agreement will […]
Cigar News: Sean Williams Talks About His New Role as Cohiba Ambassador on Smooth Draws Radio Show
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Cohiba, General, News, People, Smooth Draws
At the beginning of this month, Sean Williams the long-time owner of Primer Mundo Cigars was named the new Cohiba brand ambassador for General Cigar Company. This past weekend, Williams stopped by the Smooth Draws Radio Show to discuss his new role. According to Williams, this was a role where General Cigar reached out to […]
Cigar News: Tabacalera USA Names Steve Lochan General Manager of Casa de Montecristo
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments News, People, Tabacalera USA
Tabacalera USA has named Steve Lochan its new General Manager for its Casa de Montecristo retail premium cigar stores. Lohan succeeds Rob Maneson, who was named CEO of Tabacalera USA’s JR Cigar division back in March. In his new role, Lochan will report directly to Javier Estades, head of Tabacalera USA. “Steve, along with the Casa de […]
Cigar News: Dr. Scott Gottlieb Confirmed as FDA Commissioner
William Cooper Cigar News 3 Comments FDA, News, People
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a new Commissioner in Dr. Scott Gottlieb. Today Gottlieb was confirmed by the United States Senate in a vote of 57 -42. Gottlieb, a physician and former Deputy Commissioner at the FDA was nominated by President Donald Trump back in March. Late last month, he was approved […]
Feature Story: General Cigar Company Strengthens Ground Game Through Brand Ambassador Team
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments CAO, Cohiba, Feature Story, Foundry, General, People, Toraño
Last week came word of the hiring of Sean Williams as the Brand Ambassador for one of General Cigar Company’s most prestigious brands, Cohiba. The news came as a big surprise to many in the cigar industry, but to this author, it’s clear it’s part of a bigger story at General – one of change. It is a change that continues to evolve, but […]
Cigar News: General Cigar Names Sean Williams Cohiba Brand Ambassador
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Cohiba, General, News, People
General Cigar Company has named Sean Williams a brand ambassador for Cohiba. Williams is best known as the owner and founder of Primer Mundo Cigar Company. “We have brought Sean on board as part of the continued expansion of our experiential platforms,” said General Cigar President Régis Broersma in a press release. “Our focus is […]
Cigar News: Mombacho Cigars Names Mo Maali National Sales Manager
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Mombacho, News, Pat, People
Mombacho Cigars S.A. has announced today that Mo Maali has been named the company’s National Sales Manager. “I’m thrilled to have Mo on board. His experience in the cigar industry will bring strength to the Mombacho Cigars organization and his extreme passion for our brands is endless. Mo has the knowledge and personality to guide […]
Cigar News: Gottlieb Nomination Clears Senate Committee; Heads to Full Vote
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments FDA, News, People
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the nominee by President Trump for U.S. Food and Drug Administraton (FDA) Commissioner was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee by a vote of 14-9. Gottlieb’s nomination now heads to a full vote in the United States Senate. Gottlieb’s nomination has been hailed by the premium cigar industry. He […]
Cigar News: Miguel Schoedel Departs Duran Cigars for Crowned Heads
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Crowned Heads, Duran Cigars, News, People
Duran Cigars’ National Sales Manager Miguel Schoedel has announced he has left the company. Schoedel is now heading to Crowned Heads where he will also assume the title of National Sales Manager. Schoedel made a name for himself at CAO Cigars. He then moved to Toraño Family Cigars and was named National Sales Manager late in 2012. […]