I’ve always believed in letting things breathe. When we first launched CigarPublic, I took a step back. I hired editors, brought in different voices, and tried my best to stay neutral, hands off, letting the site develop organically. It’s been a journey with multiple editors coming and going for different reasons, each contributing their own flavor to the mix. But now, it’s time for a change.
We don’t have a lead editor anymore—and honestly, that’s how it should’ve been from the start. What we have is a bunch of cigar lovers like myself, Joenose, John Cardenas, Alex Mesrobian, F. Todd, Steven Ramos, Timothy Green, Charles Ruth and so many more. This site isn’t about gatekeeping, about elitism, or catering to an exclusive group of cigar snobs. It’s about cigars, for cigar smokers, by cigar smokers. It’s about passion, the community, and the shared experience that comes with lighting up.
Yeah, I helped build this site. Yes, I own Privada Cigar Club. But at the core of it all, I’m just like you—a cigar lover. The only difference is, I have the privilege of being behind the scenes in one of the largest cigar retail operations out there. I see things, understand dynamics, and have access to insights that no journalist or critic could ever fully grasp. And that perspective matters.
So, here’s where I draw the line. I’m stepping in, contributing more heavily, sharing what I know in a way only I can. Not as a gatekeeper, but as a part of the culture—because that’s what’s good for the cigar world.
CigarPublic isn’t about exclusivity. There are enough cigar platforms out there that make you feel like you’re not ‘in’ unless you’ve spent years memorizing wrapper types or can rattle off obscure boutique brands like a sommelier. That’s not us. That’s not me. This isn’t a club for the chosen few—it’s for everyone who finds joy in the craft. We’re here to celebrate cigars, to include, to connect.
So if you’re looking for raw, unfiltered conversations about cigars—welcome. If you’re a critic at heart or someone with an opinion, join the discussion. But know this: we review blind here, and that’s where our true unbiased nature shines through. Our doors are open. The smoke is thick. And I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to what matters most—making cigars inclusive, not exclusive.