For those that aren’t familiar, please walk us through the many hats you’ve worn in the tobacco industry to date:
I started as a distributor of a single brand back in 2017 and have built its presence over the following few years. Through tireless effort and handling myself with integrity in all of my dealings, over time I've added more brands to the portfolio until I created Somm.
Launching our own cigar brand is a dream that most of us share. What made you want to take these first steps?
The Somm brand was originally meant as a celebration of collaboration, success and friendship developed over the years with the brand owners. Having tailored the story and brand direction for each of the brands distributed, I had a unique insight into what they stood for, as I crafted the narrative. Ultimately as the relationships changed, the Somm brand took on a life of its own; embodying every ounce of how I handle myself - with honesty, integrity and exacting standards. It informs every decision I make as I look to building a brand that will be here 20 years from now.
As a brand, what are the themes that tie your portfolio together?
Quality, consistency, and pushing the boundaries by using rare, unique, or aged tobaccos in new and exciting ways. The BDX, for example, uses Honduran Broadleaf, a tobacco only recently planted in Honduras and used in only three cigars that I know of. I decided to highlight it and make it the star of the show rather than a backup dancer in this blend - especially in the box pressed Gordo size.
Likewise, the Premier Cru used a wrapper from 1997 and The Rioja uses an undisclosed, rare and tasty tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic.
What’s been the hardest part about the creation and execution of Somm to date?
The coordination of the entire supply chain since everything is sourced in multiple countries before ultimately landing at your local shop. If I had any hair left starting this out, it would be gone by now for sure. Luckily I was ahead of the game in that regard and got to use my skull shaver every couple of days!
If you were to describe Premier Cru and BDX (Bordeaux) as a first date, what kind of personalities would they have?
The Premier Cru would be taking your date for dinner and experiencing the tasting menu at Joël Robuchon with the accompanying wine pairing. You two would click right off the bat, the conversation would be engaging, flow easily and be deeply insightful, ultimately strengthening your connection. The restaurant would notice it too, and you'd get two "off the menu" items, paired with a bottle of wine from one of the best vintages of the last century. The two off the menu items are tailored specifically to you and your date's preferences, never to be recreated again, creating a memory to cherish forever and look back fondly on it for years to come. As for how the date progresses after dinner? I'll leave that one to your imagination!
BDX is closer to trying a new restaurant that cooks a cuisine you don't know very well, but you've had before. It is still familiar, but this is a new take that tastes like none of your previous experiences and quickly turns into one of your favorite spots that you go to regularly.
You also have Rioja that just released nationwide! How would you describe this blend compared to the other two?
The Rioja is my interpretation of Dominican Republic's terroir. Everything about it - getting to use a tobacco grown in Dominican Republic that I am very fond of and joining the elite club of brands that had the pleasure of working with Eladio Diaz's factory was an absolute joy.
It combines everything I love in a cigar's profile; sweetness, vanilla, cream, oak, hazelnuts, almonds and a touch of spice that adds an extra layer of complexity, all delivered in a full flavor package, with a medium body and medium strength.
Talk to us about your blending methodologies. How do you do what you do, and what are you searching for in these creative moments?
This is going to require a lengthy answer.
I want to make sure that the blends deliver a complex tasting experience and makes you happy that you chose one of the Somm blends. Ultimately, I will rely on my taste, experience, and the training I've gotten over the years. I also want to evoke a particular type of emotion with each of these blends, the BDX with its warmth and sweetness is like a hug on a cold winters day after you walk through the door. The Rioja is warm, adventurous, and rich.
I will taste all the individual components and whenever I try working with a new factory I'll always ask: "Do you have anything new, unique, rare or old?". That might ultimately become the star of the blend; case in point Honduran Broadleaf. Or it might become one of the main drivers in it - like the 1997 wrapper in the Premier Cru for example. Or the special tobacco in Rioja.
The Somm brand has four blends so far and I have no problem saying that I've blended two of them from the ground up - the BDX and the upcoming BDX Blanc. The Premier Cru was Kelner Jr's interpretation of what I wanted with the unique tobacco he has given me access to. The Rioja blend I had gotten 99% to where I wanted it to be, but ultimately it needed a suggestion and a slight tweak to get all the sweetness that is present throughout the blend.
You’ve now worked with Eladio Diaz, Kelner Jr., and Sebastien DeCoppet. That’s a Christmas Card list that few people can boast about. What was it like working with each of them personally and with their factories?
Very different. Sebastien’s team was completely hands off from the blending process so having a chance to play around was an incredible learning experience that ultimately resulted in the BDX and the upcoming BDX Blanc.
Kelner interpreted what I wanted and having access to amazing and rare tobacco was a phenomenal experience. Eladio's factory was different than the other two, but what they all shared was an incredible commitment to quality. Blending the new Rioja was a great experience because unlike the BDX and Premier Cru where the blend was basically nailed right away, it required a slight tweak to get as much sweetness out of the particular blend, that I couldn't have done without them.
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
- I've lived in six different countries and four different states.
- I'm a huge foodie, I cook a lot!
- And I've been working with cigars in one shape or form since 2009.
If there was just one thing you wanted our audience to know about you or your brand, what would it be?
I want to thank everyone for the continued support. There is a regular production blend coming in April - BDX Blanc and a Limited Edition launching in the second half of the year from one of my favorite factories. I would suggest treating the blends I offer like dishes in a restaurant and trying all of them until you find one that you absolutely love!
Leave your comment