Mike “Mikey Black” DeRago, owner of Nero’s Cigars in Haddonfield, New Jersey who passed away in March, 2015 was honored with a commemorative edition of the La Jugada Prieto cigar. MoyaRuiz Cigars co-owner Danny Moya along with Rene Castaneda of Orleans Group presented DeRago’s sister Christine a special box of the La Jugada Prieto. The cigars […]
Cigar News: Gran Habano Names Heather Payne National Sales Manager
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Gran Habano, News, People
Gran Habano Cigars has a new National Sales Manager. This morning the company announced that Heather Payne will be assuming that role. Payne comes from the financial services industry with over 20 years of experience in sales marketing and corporate management. She is also a U.S. Army Veteran and mother of two who are currently serving. […]
Feature Story: Cigar Conversation with Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate
William Cooper Cigar News, Feature Story No Comments Cigar Conversation, Drew Estate, Feature Story, IPCPR 2015, People
On the eve of the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show, we caught up with Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate, who joined us as a special guest as a part of the celebration for Episode 150 of Stogie Geeks. In this in-depth cigar conversation, we hit a variety of topics in regards to Drew Estate. Drew provided his insights […]
Feature Story: Cigar Conversation with Christian Eiroa of CLE Cigar Company
William Cooper Cigar News, Feature Story No Comments Cigar Conversation, CLE, Feature Story, IPCPR 2015, News, People
Just after the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show, we caught up with Christian Eiroa of CLE Cigar Company, who joined us as a special guest for Episode 150 of Stogie Geeks. This year Eiroa just celebrated his 20th anniversary in the cigar business. In this in-depth cigar conversation, we take a look at Eiroa’s history in […]
Feature Story: Cigar Conversation with Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard at IPCPR 2015
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Cigar Conversation, Davidoff, Feature Story, IPCPR 2015, People
In 2011, Davidoff of Geneva named Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard its Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Davidoff has grown and this past year the company saw record revenue and production levels. There have been two key strategic initiatives we have seen from Davidoff: innovation and the “crop to shop strategy” – both of which have been […]
Cigar News: Tierra Volcan ArtBox Part of Partnership with Artist Todd White
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments IPCPR 2015, Mombacho, News, People, Tierra Volcan
Granada based Mombaoho Cigars S.A. has announced a partnership with world renowned artist Todd White. As a part of this partnership, White has created ArtBox, a series of two original paintings that will adorn the company’s planned Tierra Volcan 8-Box Gift Set. White will join Mombaoho Cigars at in New Orleans at the 2015 IPCPR […]
Cigar News: Steve Saka’s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to Launch Sobremesa
William Cooper Cigar News 3 Comments 2015 Preview, DTT, Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, IPCPR 2015, News, People
If you watched Episode 146 of Stogie Geeks with former Drew Estate CEO Steve Saka, you heard for the first time of his plans to return to the cigar industry. It was the first interview with Saka since his non-compete with Drew Estate had expired on June 19, 2015. While Saka didn’t drop company names, […]
Cigar News: Hirochi Robaina Leaves Cubanacan, Joins La Palina Cigars
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Cubanacan, HR, IPCPR 2015, La Palina, News, People
As we approach the final week heading into the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show, a name who made a splash at last year’s IPCPR Trade Show is on the move. La Palina Cigars has announced that acclaimed cigar grower / cigar maker Hirochi Robaina is joining its team. In parallel, Robaina has told Cigar Aficionado he […]
Cigar News: Courtney Smith and Spencer Drake Join Cornelius & Anthony
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Cornelius & Anthony, News, People, S & M Brands
Cornelius and Anthony, a premium boutique cigar company based in Virginia have announced that cigar industry veterans Courtney Smith and Spencer Drake have joined the company. Drake joins Cornelius & Anthony as its National Sales Director. Drake is best known to serve in similar capacities at Cubancan Cigars and A.J. Fernandez Cigars. In his new […]
Editor’s Corner Volume 4, Number 8: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
William Cooper Blog, Editor's Corner Cigar Coop, Editor's Corner, People, Stogie Geeks
On June 25, 2015, Steve Saka was a guest on Stogie Geeks Episode 146. After announcing June 19th, that his two year non-compete agreement had ended, Saka was officially allowed to return to the cigar industry. I happened to be the one to interview Saka, and during the conversation I asked him what his next move […]