News & Notes

Both yesterday and again today, I am visiting with cigar producers in the south Florida area.  And, while the going was rough at first (Alligator Alley from Naples to Fort Lauderdale was closed due to brush fires making a normal two hour drive into 4 hours of torture, it turned out to be a great day.

First stop was at SAG Imports.  They are the company tat distributes Fonseca, Casa Magna, and, Quesada cigars.  I spent about an hour or so with Terrence Reilly who heads up their marketing team.  We had a wonderful chat about the industry particularly dwelling on small family businesses.  The company is owned by his uncle, Manuel Quesada, but these days he and his cousins are playing an ever increasing role.  At their factory in the Dominican, MATASA, they make the Fonseca and Quesada cigars.  I’m sure we’ll be enjoying several of their cigars over the next year or two.  I have enjoyed them in the past and for many years a favorite of mine was the unbanded bundled cigar called Rollers Choice.  I haven’t had one is a few years, but when I did I always enjoyed them.

Next stop was on to visit the factory when Brian Chinnock makes his cigars.  I recently reviewed one of his sticks and rated it highly.

I spent the afternoon shooting video and expect to have something from that shoot up within the next few weeks.  In the meantime, let me tell you that the rollers were awesome.  Watching the way they make cigars, the quality control, the care, and the love that goes into them, you can’t help but be impressed.  I enjoyed the stick when I smoked it but I am going to smoke another soon to appreciate the loving craft that went into its construction with a knowledge that I spent some time with the rollers.  It was a very fun day meeting Sandy, Jose, Orlando and the rest of the crew.