Harmony in Smoke

By Michael Herklots

In the world of handmade premium cigars, there exists a culture as unique as the cigars themselves. Having spent 25 years immersed in this industry, I

without hesitation that the culture of hand-made premium cigars is like none other. It is an industry I have fallen in love with over and over, first as a consumer, then as a young retail sales associate, later as an executive, and now perhaps the most rewarding role of all, an owner of a small family business, Ferio Tego.

Premium cigars are a breed apart, often misunderstood by those who haven't delved into the intricacies of this craft. Real premium cigar enthusiasts have an instant kinship and welcome it as a hobby of sorts, a pursuit that demands appreciation and learning. From passionate col- lectors and connoisseurs to those who savor the occasional puff on the golf course or a celebratory smoke at a wedding, the community is as diverse as it is welcoming.

For those who dedicate their lives to crafting these treasures, it's a blend of tradition and innovation. Some are part of multi-generational family dynasties, deeply rooted in the art of cigar-making from field to factory. Others are independent brand owners collaborating with established factories to bring their unique blends to life. From large, globally recognized, and distributed brands to small boutique projects, it is a world where love for the craft is palpable, whether you're cultivating the fields or enjoying the final product, and where fierce competitors are also close friends and customers of one another.

Unlike wine or whisky that are made in batches, tested, and then portioned out, each cigar is meticulously crafted by hand, comprising 100% long filler tobacco, a binder leaf, and a wrapper leaf. The combination of filler tobaccos, surrounded by a binder and finished with a wrapper, creates a harmonious blend of flavors and aromas. Much like a restaurant must replicate each recipe and compose each dish for each person, night after night, consistency is the greatest hallmark and challenge of handmade premium cigars.

Most handmade premium cigars available in the United States are made in four countries: the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and the United States. Handmade cigars are also made in Cuba, which are available in non-American markets, as well as Mexico, Costa Rica and other countries with much smaller productions.

Premium cigars come in many formats (vitolas), ranging in different proportions of length and ring gauge, which offers enthusiasts an array of options to suit their preferences. Length determines the amount of time a cigar may take to enjoy and helps develop the flavor from start to finish. Ring gauge (the diameter of a cigar) can determine strength, and complexity, as well as comfort in the hand and mouth.

To fully enjoy a premium cigar, it's essential to understand the ritual. The smoke is not meant to be inhaled into the lungs; instead, it's an experience meant to be savored on the palate, as the focus of enjoyment is flavor. If you can survive a meal, a glass of wine or a snifter of cognac without aspirating, you have successfully tasted without inhaling. Enjoying cigars utilizes the same discipline.

Handmade premium cigars are not products; they are art. When I am creating a new blend experience for Ferio Tego and maintaining and preserving an older one, I believe in blending to evoke emotion, to create an experience that goes beyond mere flavor. Like a great song, book, or movie, our blends are enjoyed with all of the senses. Ferio Tego blends tell stories that are meaningful and, more importantly, memorable and repeatable.

The premium cigar culture is marked by profound generosity. Those who enjoy them also share them on a consistent basis with others and beyond just sharing pre- mium cigars, with that comes the sharing of knowledge, the sharing of stories, and the sharing of friendships.

As a nineteen-year-old full-time music student (drums) at Berklee College of Music and a part-time retail associate at a small premium cigar kiosk in a mall... I did not dream of one day owning a cigar company. It was probably the furthest thing from my mind. In those days, I dreamed of touring with a band or playing in the legendary jazz clubs of New York, Los Angeles, and Japan. Today, twenty-five years later, I realize that I am doing precisely what I dreamed I would be... just differently than I imagined.

For those of you who love premium cigars as much as I do, your neck might be sore from nodding in agreement, as you know exactly what I'm talking about. And for those of you who haven't found your affection for pre-mium cigars just yet... hopefully, your hearts and minds are intrigued enough to consider it or, at the very least, appreciate what it means to us, lovers of the leaf.