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 […]
Fratello Cigars Hires Brand Manager
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Fratello Cigars, News, People
Over the past couple of years, Fratello Cigars has been a rapidly growing company. Today the company announced a move to help support that growth as it has hired Mariela Matos as the company’s new brand manager. The move comes as the company is looking. In a press release announcing Matos’ hiring, company founder Omar […]
Cigar News: Foundation Cigar Company Names David Sather Vice President of Sales
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Foundation Cigar Company, News, People
A little over a week after Nicholas Melillo’s Foundation Cigar Company was announced, it has now announced its first significant hire. The company named David Sather as Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Distribution. Sather will be based at the company’s Connecticut headquarters. Sather worked at Drew Estate from 2000 to 2011. He started out […]
Feature Story: Catching Up with Nate McIntyre of Cubanacan Cigars at the Southern Cigar Festival
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Cubanacan, Feature Story, People, Southern Cigar Festival
Nate McIntyre is a true cigar industry veteran. After a stint at House of Emilio where at its peak he served as the National Sales Manager handling distribution for nine different brands, McIntyre made the move to Cubanacan Cigars as the Eastern U.S. Sales Manager. Cubanacan faced the challenge of trying to solidify its footprint of […]
Feature Story: Catching up with Clint Aaron of 262 Cigars at the Southern Cigar Festival
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments 262, Events, Feature Story, People, Southern Cigar Festival
It’s hard to believe that 262 Cigars is now celebrating its fifth anniversary in the cigar business. Owner and founder Clint Aaron continues to grow his line. 2015 has proven to be a busy year. He’s introduced a lancero vitola to the 262 Allegiance line. He’s also launched an all-new line called Peacefield which is a […]
Cigar News: Nicholas Melillo Launches Foundation Cigar Company
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Foundation Cigar Company, IPCPR 2015, Melillo International, News, People
Nicholas Melillo, former vice president and director of tobacco and production at Drew Estate has announced the formation of his own company, Foundation Cigar Company. Melillo were serve as president and CEO of the company. The company will be based in his home state of Connecticut, but production will be done in Nicaragua. While details of […]
Cigar News: Emilio Cigars Names Spencer McGuire Brand Manager
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Emilio, House of Emilio, News, People
Gary Griffith’s replacement as Emilio Cigars Brand Manager has been named. Today it was announced that the role would be filled by Spencer McGuire. The announcement was made today on the brand’s Facebook page. In the announcement owner Scott Zucca commented, “Spencer is a new face to most in this industry, but he has […]
Cigar News: Roberto P. Duran Cigars Hires Cuban Cigar Blender Cristano “Santo” Cardenas as Master Blender
William Cooper Cigar News, Uncategorized No Comments News, People, Roberto Duran Cigars
Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars has announced the hiring of Cristano “Santo” Cardenas as the company’s new Master Blender. Over a career that spanned 55 years, Cardenas built what can only be considered a legendary career as one of Cuba’s key cigar rollers and blenders. Cardenas, who is a Cuban National will have responsibilities […]