The Real Smoke Podcast with Charles and Mick latest episode!
On this week’s episode of The Real Smoke Podcast, Mick and Charles sit down with Greg Free, founder of Fortaleza Y Libre Cigars. Greg shares his journey from small-town roots to the premium cigar industry, offering insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.
Greg grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where country living was the norm. His father owned a horse ranch, so from an early age, Greg was immersed in the rodeo lifestyle—riding horses and embracing the grit that comes with it. He got his first taste of leadership working at a local market, where he eventually became store manager. That drive later led him to a role as Vice President for a company handling government contracts.
A longtime cigar enthusiast, Greg eventually decided to take the leap from consumer to creator. A fan of full-bodied cigars with bold flavor, he knew exactly the kind of profile he wanted to produce. His original plan was to travel to Nicaragua with his family to visit three factories and choose the best partner for blending and manufacturing. But political unrest in the country at the time led his wife to suggest an alternative—and that’s when fate stepped in.
Instead, Greg headed to the Dominican Republic, which he now calls a “lucky accident.” There, he connected with a small factory that welcomed him into the process, allowing him to learn the art of blending and cigar production firsthand. That partnership has since blossomed, with both his brand and the factory growing side by side.
With the current tariff situation under the Trump administration favoring Dominican imports over Nicaraguan ones, Greg sees even more upside to his decision. He’s optimistic about the future of Fortaleza Y Libre and excited to see how far the brand can go.
To hear the full story and get a deeper look into Greg’s journey, tune in to this week’s episode of The Real Smoke Podcast—you won’t want to miss it.
Take a listen to the episode and drop a comment with your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going.
I’m John Cardenas, also known as Johnny Havana in the cigar industry. What I love about being involved with Cigar Public is that I have the opportunity to learn and share the stories of those in the cigar industry. I’ve formed lifelong relationships over a cigar and conversations. I’m committed to providing honest reviews of cigars and sharing my experiences with you. @JohnnyHavana
