Comments on: Ask the readers: Who impressed you most?

By: Ted Stokes

Ted Stokes — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:54:17 +0000

I have to say that of the number of “cigar icons” I’ve had the opportunity to meet I was most impressed by the team of Mr Sam Leccia (Nub) and Mr Jose Oliva (Oliva) who hosted an event together in Kansas City. Both of these gentlemen took 45 minutes of their time to just hang out and talk with me. The discussion wasn’t necessarily all about cigars and transitioned from the economy to politics to the cigar industry to the Global War on Terrorism. The discussion was informative, entertaining and very personable in nature. Remember that this was during a sales event and time spent not promoting their cigars (while chatting with me) means money out of these gentlemen’s pockets. These were two of the most genuine individuals that I have met in the cigar industry and their personable natures leave a lasting impression on everyone they meet, I’m sure.

By: Rich M

Rich M — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:39:33 +0000

I met Litto Gomez a couple weeks ago, and the man is a PIMP…
Very nice, and seemed very interested in who we all were (there were only 4 of us in the shop, it wasn’t a scheduled visit… just a last minute thing) He gave us all one of his new cigars he is making, that is still in the development phase, and also gave us a couple other sticks. I was very impressed that a man that runs a company as huge as LFD is as down to earth, and genuinely friendly… he treated us measly customers no differently than the owner.

I have also had the pleasure of corresponding with Luis Molina (devils weed) and he is also a SUPER nice guy. He even sent me a few posters and signed one of them.
Damn.. now that I think about it, those would be great ammunition!

When I first got into cigars, I was very intimidated by those in the industry, and those more experienced than me, but the more and more people I meet, the more I have come to realize that they are just chill people, that love cigars… just like me

By: Tom(AKA Ed and Tom)

Tom(AKA Ed and Tom) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:40:22 +0000

Ditto on Mel Gonzalez. Although I’ve never met him face to face, I’ve had several emails with him. He’s class act. He was nice enough to send us some smokes for the beginners guide to smoking vid. as well.

As for people I’ve actually met, #1 would have to be Dana from Dona Flor. He treated everyone the same. It didn’t matter if you bought a box or a single. He really enjoyed seeing people appreciate those great cigars.

Nish Patel – Again, just a cool guy.

Rocky Patel – He made sure to visit every person, shake their hand, and introduce himself (like we didn’t know who he was).

I’m probably forgetting someone, but those stand out to me.

By: Mount Chuck

Mount Chuck — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:10:35 +0000

I haven’t met many, but the one I’ve hung with the most is Nish Patel, the national sales manager of (duh) Rocky Patel. He’s been at my shop the past 2 openings, and he’s a fun guy. When I came to Cigar Fest a month after I met him, he brought me to the front of the line, gave me a Rocky Patel sampler, got Rocky to sign it and pose for a picture later. Later on at the CAO party he hung with us, and then invited us out afterward for more drinking. Fun guy.

By: Vic

Vic — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:29:26 +0000

Not to sound like a total fan boy here but its gotta be SR’s own Jerry Cruz for me. I met up with Jerry at JR Cigars in DC a few months back and it was great just to stand around and enjoy a cigar with him.

As others have noted…he really is kind of on the short side but has the same personality and sense of humor that he displays in his videos.

By: Marcian (zion698)

Marcian (zion698) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:54:59 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana a few weeks back at my local B&M. We talked for what had to be about 45 minutes. I was telling Doc Stogie Fresh I wish I had recorded our conversation. We talked about everything you can imagine life, Cuban cigars, the industry, his daily routine, his family, his relationship with the Padrons … and so much was cover in that time. He was so sincere and giving of his time. I love his cigars and respected him before meeting him … but even more so now after having met him. He is in the top three cigar makers in the world in my opinion. The other two being the Padrons and Pepin. It was a great experience meeting him.

By: Cigar Jack

Cigar Jack — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:40:57 +0000

Mel is a fantastic guy. I also got a cigar rolled for me by his master roller.

It was great to meet Walt, Jerry, the Dogwatch guys, one of the Patricks from Stogie Guys, Doc StogieFresh, and many more.

Some of the manufacturers that really stood out for me that I haven’t met before were David Blanco, Gary from Avalon Cigars, Andy from Xikar and Will from El Titan de Bronze.
Can’t forget Lorren Gomez and Brad Maya and his wife who were all with Luis Sanchez.

I met a few people that I met last year and glad to see them again. Eddie Ortega, Luis Sanchez and his wife.

I also got a chance to sit down with Tommy Z Man who blogs for JR and has a radio show on XM. This guy is a riot.