Introducing our brands

A good Premium Cigar is often the result of knowledge passed on from generation to generation. The result of patience. Trial and error. Team effort. Love. It literally takes hundreds of people to create that single premium cigar – from planting a tiny tobacco seed to placing the cigar in its box. We are immensely proud to present our brands and the people behind it. All are considered masters of their craft, and for very good reason. No (cigar) company can exist without a creative & passionate driving force, and these guys prove that every single day.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, has come a long way. Regarded as one of the most knowledgeable guys in the cigar industry, former CEO of Drew Estate (does Liga Privada #9 ring a bell?), Steve now does again what he loves most…. making cigars. Keep in mind though, they may not be for everyone. As Steve explains: “When you make a cigar everyone likes, you have ultimately made a cigar no one loves.” And it is for good reason Steve named the best liga (Spanish for ‘blend’) he ever created ‘Sin Compromiso’, which translates to ‘without compromise’.

El Viejo Continente

After more than twenty years at the tobacco business, knowing cigar factories, tobacco fields and having the best master blenders in the moment, Daniel Guerrero (‘Macanudo Man’ in 2013 and Master Blender in Cuban tobacco), wanted to transmit all his knowledge into his own brand. El Viejo Continente – meaning ‘The Old Continent’ – cigars are names in Latin as a tribute to Europe.

E.P. Carrillo

After fleeing Cuba with his family, Ernesto dreamed of a jazz career. As things didn’t go as planned, he started working along his father, founder of the legendary El Credito cigar factory. After eventually taking the helm, he continued to make cigars and eventually created the perfect blend, La Gloria Cubana. El Credito was eventually sold, but after a while Ernesto’s children implored him to start doing again what he once did best… making outstanding premium cigars.

Hamlet Paredes

For many years, Hamlet Paredes was considered one, if not Cuba’s very best cigar roller. Habanos SA sent him out as their ambassador to various tobacconists worldwide, where he would custom-roll shapes and sizes for event-attending smokers. It was a role that led to his legendary status as a craftsman who could create a cigar ‘free hand’ – the process of hand rolling a ready-to-smoke cigar without molds or presses. After leaving Cuba, Hamlet nowadays proudly presents his own lines. Magnificent cigars, created by one of the very best in the industry.

PDR

Abe Flores is a multi-talented guy, to say the least. Abe started selling cigars he brought from the Dominican Republic to friends, co-workers – even to his boss. After working for various companies in the cigar industry, Abe founded PDR in 2004. His 1878 line was an instant success and to this day, it is still a bestseller. Meticulous in their classic ‘entubado’ rolling style, PDR continues to produce absolute top-quality Premium Cigars.

Rocky Patel

In an industry built on name recognition and reputation, Rocky Patel’s passion has brought his brand to heights unseen by most boutique cigar manufacturers. His hard work and long hours have been paying off in big ways. A survivor of the cigar boom, Patel has outlasted his competition with unrivaled persistence on his quest for perfection. Today, his cigars hold numerous accolades from highly regarded publishers like Cigar Aficionado.

SIG 1 (‘Silence Is Golden’)

The SIG 1 is the brainwave of James Wearing-Smith – actor, producer, entrepreneur and hardcore cigar geek. His ultra-exclusive cigars are produced in the Dominican Republic; then brought to Austria to be gilded with 24 karat gold and fitted in a crystal tube. Also known as ‘the golden cigar’, this is the pinnacle in smoking luxury. And yes, the gold stays on whilst puffing away…

Read more: cigarsandleisure.com/digital/summer18 (page 44-45)

Photo gallery

“I am sure there are many things better than a good cigar, but right now, I can’t think of what they might be.” Richard Carleton