7/7/2008 - Mike Chiusano
Cigar Advocate (CA): How are things at Cusano?

Mike Chiusano (MC): Never better – all my wrapper is ready an... read more

6/19/2008 - Eddie Ortega
Cigar Advocate (CA): Where you born in Cuba or the United States?

Eddie Ortega (EO): I was born in Cuba ... read more

5/13/2008 - Nick Perdomo - Tabacalera Perdomo
Cigar Advocate: How are things at Tabacalera Perdomo?

Nick Perdomo: Fantastic! We have continued steady g... read more

4/2/2008 - George Rico - STC Cigars
Cigar Advocate (CA): How are things at STC Cigars?

George Rico (GR): Things are great! Business is wonde... read more

3/19/2008 - Sam Leccia - The New Nub
Cigar Advocate(CA): How did you get started in the cigar industry?

Sam Leccia(SL): I have smoked cigars sinc... read more

3/5/2008 - Alan Rubin - Alec Bradley Update
Cigar Advocate (CA): How are things at Alec Bradley?

Alan Rubin (AR): Life is good at Alec Bradley. Our comp... read more

2/9/2008 - Rafael Nodal - Oliveros Cigars
Cigar Advocate: How are things at Oliveros?

Rafael Nodal: We are extremely happy with the way cigar enth... read more

1/16/2008 - Joe Cusano of Cusano Cigars
Cigar Advocate (CA): How are things at Cusano Cigars?

Joe Cusano (JC): Things are great at Cusano! Our new C... read more

12/3/2007 - Kaizad Hansotia - Gurkha Cigars
Cigar Advocate: How did you get your start in the cigar industry? 

Kaizad Hansotia:That is a very in... read more

7/31/2007 - Charlie Torano - Casa Torano Maduro

Cigar Advocate - How are things over at Torano? 

Charlie Torano - Things at Torañ... read more

3/16/2007 - Ernesto Padilla
Cigar Advocate - Last time we talked, you were very pleased with the success of the Padilla Miami. That cigar still has a ton of peop... read more

2/7/2007 - Mike Chiusano - Cusano Cigars
During a recent visit to South Florida, we had a chance to sit and talk to Mike Chiusano, the man behind Cusano Cigars. All of Mike’s premium li... read more

1/11/2007 - Kristin Golliher – Otterbox
Otterbox is a staple in most cigar enthusiast arsenal of cigar accessories. They are the perfect tool for traveling and keeping your cigars in perfect... read more

1/9/2007 - George Rico - STC Cigars
George Rico and his father started STC Cigars a few years back. They are a boutique manufacturer who is just starting to get some major recognition. T... read more

12/31/2006 - David Kitchens - Davidoff Madison Store NY
Davidoff of Geneva is one of the world’s most prestigious cigar brands. The name alone has been a mark of excellence for quality, consistency, and th... read more

12/29/2006 - Ralph Montero – Vice President Alec Bradley Cigars
Ralph Montero has been in the industry for over 25 years. He is now the Vice President for Alec Bradley Cigars. Alec Bradley has released the Maxx a... read more

12/23/2006 - Cigar Oasis
Cigar Oasis is a great humidification device for larger humidors. It is an electrical one-way humidification device; meaning that it puts off humidity... read more

12/20/2006 - Everyday Smoker
This interview is different from the usual cigar related interviews. We thought it would be interesting to go to a local shop and ask one of the regul... read more

12/15/2006 - Manuel Quesada - Fonseca
Manuel Quesada produces some of the world’s most recognizable cigar brands, cigars such as Fonseca and Matasa. Cigar Advocate recently had the c... read more

12/10/2006 - Stinky - Stinky Cigar Ashtray
One of the hottest ashtrays in the market today hasn’t been around a long time - in fact, you may have never even heard of it. Stinky Ashtray&rs... read more

12/4/2006 - Bill Makens - Flor de Jardin
Cigar Advocate recently had the chance to speak with flod de Jardins Bill Makens. Bill runs the company with his brother Mike, and they are slowly gai... read more

10/31/2006 - Carlito Fuente - Fuente Fuente
After searching the earth for many months, Cigar Advocate was finally able to sit down with Carlito Fuente for an incredible interview. We discuss Dom... read more

10/25/2006 - Lovo Cigars
Lovo Cigars is a failry new and unheard of cigar in the market. Produced in Nicaragua and based out of California, they hope to make their cigars a ho... read more

10/14/2006 - Nicole Long - Integral Accessories
The cigar enthusiasts’ hobby goes beyond the cigars themselves. We usually like to collect humidors, lighters, and accessories. And as many of u... read more

10/4/2006 - Timothy Swail - Humidipak
Humidipak is a revolutionary humidification device that not only lets moisture out, but also takes it in when the levels are too high. Not a lot of pe... read more

9/30/2006 - Litto Gomez - La Flor Dominicana
There is no doubt you probably already know who Litto Gomez is. He creates incredible cigars that connoisseurs seek out. La Flor Domninicana and the L... read more

9/26/2006 - Kurt Van Kepple - Xikar
After a few years of owning Xikar products and running into the President of the company, Kurt Van Kepple, at various cigar events, I pulled him aside... read more

9/20/2006 - Penny Coral Gadd-Coster - Winemaker
I met Penelope of Coral Mustang Wines at the 2006 Cigar BQ in Sonoma County. After trying her wines I had to ask if she would share some information w... read more

9/15/2006 - Kenneth Volk - Kenneth Volk Winery
On a trip to Santa Maria wine country, I visited and tasted many different wineries. Kenneth Volk was the last stop of the day. Kenneth was at the tas... read more

9/1/2006 - Alan Rubin - Alec Bradley Cigars
Alan Rubin has just celebrated his tenth anniversary in the industry. After many ups and downs, he is comfortable with his stance in the market. He ha... read more

8/30/2006 - Cano Ozgener - CAO Cigars
Cigar Advocate finally had the opportunity to speak with the CAO patriarch, Cano A. Ozgener. It was a pleasure and learning experience speaking with t... read more

8/22/2006 - William Rhodes - Victor Sinclair
I had the chance to speak with Will Rhodes from Victor Sinclair. We spoke about the company, his history with the company and how his passion for ciga... read more

8/1/2006 - Lara Uselding - Public Affairs TSA
Cigar Advocate was able to steal a couple minutes from the busy Lara Uselding of TSA. While needing to be especially careful with the answers she prov... read more

7/30/2006 - Steve Sena – VP Para Mi Tequila
I met Steve Sena and Alex Gomez of Para Mi Tequila at the 2006 RTDA in Las Vegas. While I was staggering along after a couple full days of cigars, din... read more

7/24/2006 - Jose Oliva - Oliva Cigars
The Oliva name is a household favorite in a majority of homes throughout the country. They make truly unique cigars for an unforgettable cigar smoking... read more

7/17/2006 - Fernando Beteta- Advanced Sommelier
Fernando Beteta is a Sommelier and Manager of NoMi at the Park Hyatt in Chicago. At the age of 29 Fernando is already an Advanced Sommelier and is cur... read more

7/10/2006 - Henke Kelner – Davidoff/Tabadom
While on a trip to the Dominican Republic, I met up with Henke Kelner at the Tabadom factory and had a chance to ask him about cigars, consistency, an... read more

7/5/2006 - Scott Almsberger – Xikar VP
If you’re here, at cigaradvocate.org reading this, then chances are you have a xikar cutter of your own, and if not, you’ve at least heard... read more

6/28/2006 - Matthew Wilson - Sky Saddle Wines
Matthew WIlson is Master Wine Maker and founder of Sky Saddle wines. Cigar Advocate had the chance to meet Matthew and try his wines at the Cigar BQ B... read more

6/21/2006 - Kaizad Hansotia - Gurkha Cigars
Gurkha cigars are hailed as some of the best cigars on the market by many cigar enthusiasts. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Kaizad Hanso... read more

6/16/2006 - Michael R. Makens - Flor De Jardin
Flor De Jardin cigars are a sleeping beauty in the cigar industry that are ready to wake up with a bang. They are slowly gaining recognition... read more

6/12/2006 - Erik Espinosa - EO Cigars
I recently sat down with Erik Espinosa of EO cigars and asked him question of his company, EO Cigars. We discussed his beginning in the industry, his ... read more

6/6/2006 - Nimish Desai - Rocky Patel Cigars
While on a trip to Honduras in May of 2006, I was able to pull Nimish, VP of operations for Rocky Patel Cigars aside to ask him a few questions about ... read more

5/30/2006 - Nestor Sr. - Plasencia Tobacco
Nestor Plasencia Sr. is the fourth generation of his family to be in the tobacco business. His son, Nestor Jr., is currently the fifth. When it comes ... read more

5/19/2006 - Jon Huber - Chief Marketing Dir. - CAO
In a recent chat with Jon Huber, Chief Marketing Officer for CAO cigars, I learned that he is just as passionate as any other cigar nut out there. His... read more

5/15/2006 - Eddie Ortega - EO Cigars
Eddie Ortega began his career with Puros Indios and is now part of United Tobacco Inc. and EO cigars. They make the new and well acclaimed, ... read more

5/11/2006 - Nestor Plasencia Jr. - Plasencia Tobacco
The Plasencias are known all over the world as being some of the finest and largest growers of tobacco.  Chances are if you've smoked a cigar, th... read more

5/10/2006 - Jesus Fuego - Plasencia/Rocky Patel
I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Jesus Fuego at the Plasencia’s factory in Honduras. We discuss the cigar industry, his histor... read more

4/30/2006 - Bob Lesnick - Metropolitan Cigar Society
I recently talked with Bob Lesnick of the Metropolitan Cigar Society. Due to recent smoking bans that have passed in New Jersey, Bob and his social cl... read more

4/25/2006 - Mauricio Koks - Tabacalera La Caya
Mauricio Koks is undoubtedly passionate about cigars. Like many other manufacturers, he eats, breathes and sleeps with cigars in his thoughts. I think... read more

4/20/2006 - Jerry Roerty - Swedish Match
Jerry Roerty is Vice President/Legal Council for Swedish Match/General Cigar. He plays an active role on a daily basis dealing with legislative issues... read more

4/15/2006 - Julio Eiroa - Camacho Cigars
Don Julio is a legend in the Cigar industry.  On a recent trip to visit him in Honduras, I was able to grasp the opportunity for an interview.&nb... read more

4/5/2006 - Peter Danneman - Plant Mgr Honduras
Peter Danneman currently works along side of the Plasencias in Honduras operating their factories. He has been working with tobacco for over three dec... read more

3/25/2006 - Joe Imbasciano - Cusano Cigars
Joe Imbasciano is cousin to both Mike and Joe Chiusano. He is another vital part of the company and a lover of the leaf like all the other guys, whic... read more

3/24/2006 - Carlos Diez - Puros Indios Cigars
Carlos Diez is grandson to Rolando Reyes, founder of Puros Indios cigars. He plays a crucial role in the business along with other members of the fami... read more

3/23/2006 - Joe Chiusano - Cusano Cigars
Joe Chiusano is founder Mike Chiusano's brother. I had the chance to interview him to find out a little more about the cigar company that continues t... read more

3/9/2006 - Aylin Ozgener - CAO
Aylin Ozgener is one of the vital gears that make the CAO engine run. She now heads up the CAO Flavours line, and along with other members of the fami... read more

3/2/2006 - Enrico Garzaroli - Graycliff Cigar Co
Enrico Garzaroli is a food, wine and cigar expert for Graycliff hotel and Cigar Company. He opened a cigar factory with the legendary Avelino Lara, i... read more

2/17/2006 - Jose Dominguez - Victor Sinclair
Jose Dominguez is the founder of Victor Sinclair cigars out of the Dominican Republic. Even though he doesn’t have the Cuban heritage, he had made it... read more

2/9/2006 - Philip Wynne - Felipe Gregorio Cigars
Philip Wynne is making some very innovative cigars that are truly unique to the industry, they even allow people to learn certain characteristics from... read more

2/2/2006 - Ernesto Padilla - Padilla Cigars
Ernesto Padilla is a name that the cigar industry has been familiar with his whole life. It wasn't until recently that he decided to make his own ciga... read more

1/11/2006 - Rocky Patel - Indian Tabac
Rocky Patel started in the Industry during the heyday of the boom during the mid 90’s. He is only one of a handful of brands that have survived. In t... read more

12/21/2005 - Nick Perdomo Jr. - Tabacalera Perdomo
The Perdomo name is recognized all over the world for their excellence in cigars. With a family lineage that traces back to Cuba, the Perdomos have t... read more

12/3/2005 - Tim Ozgener - CAO
CAO has quickly become a household name in the industry. Today, they have some of the most unique and one of a kind blends in the industry. I recent... read more

12/2/2005 - Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr - General Cigar
Ernesto Perez Carrillo Jr. is one of the most well respected cigar maker in the industry. He has made countless household names such as La Gloria Cub... read more

11/29/2005 - Christian Eiroa - Camacho Cigars
I finally had the opportunity to sit down and have a smoke and conversation with Christian Eiroa of Caribe Cigars, who makes some of the most unique c... read more

11/23/2005 - Charlie Torano - Torano Cigars
The Torano family has been involved in the tobacco industry since 1916 when Don Sanitiago Torano emigrated from Spain to Cuba. He started as a broker... read more

11/22/2005 - Jose Blanco - La Aurora Cigars
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Jose Blanco of La Aurora cigars and ask him a few questions about cigars, the industry, history, and what ... read more

11/14/2005 - Mike Chiusano – Cusano Cigars
As a huge fan of Cusano Cigars, it was an honor to have the opportunity to talk with the man responsible for every cigar bearing the ‘Cusano’ name. A... read more