The Real Smoke Podcast with Charles and Mick latest episode!
This week on The Real Smoke Podcast, the guest was none other than Pete Johnson, founder of Tatuaje Cigars. Pete took us back to his early days, sharing stories from the beginning of his music career and the ups and downs of life in Los Angeles. Though his path didn’t lead to global rock stardom, it brought him lifelong friendships—many of whom still get together to jam to this day.
From there, Pete spoke about his journey into the cigar world. Starting out working in cigar shops, he gradually made his way up in the industry. That path eventually led him to none other than Don Pepin Garcia. Together, they began creating what would become some truly remarkable cigars.
When it came time to name his brand, Pete asked a gentleman how to say “tattoo” in Spanish. The man replied, “Tatuaje.” And just like that, the name stuck.
Building a brand in a space dominated by legacy names and long-standing traditions wasn’t easy, but Pete carved out his own place. He spoke about working closely with Pepin’s daughter—both at cigar events and behind the scenes on the business side. She was also his translator, which eventually led to a romantic relationship. At first, Pete tried to keep things quiet, not wanting it to interfere with business. But love has a way of making itself known, and in the end, their relationship helped strengthen both his personal and professional life.
To hear more about Pete Johnson’s journey and the rise of the Tatuaje brand, tune in to The Real Smoke Podcast!
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
