Micallef Herencia Maduro
President: Al Micallef
Senior Master Blender: Edel Gรณmez Sรกnchez
Al, how was it that you became interested in getting involved in the cigar industry?Al, how was it that you became interested in getting involved in the cigar industry?
A: Iโve been smoking cigars for God knows how long โ 20, 30 years, maybe longer. But, weโve only been in the cigar business for about a year and a half now. And that happened when Edel and the Gรณmez Sรกnchez guys had car trouble and they were out selling their cigars in Texas. They wandered into the Silver Leaf Lounge here in Fort Worth, Texas, and I spent some time talking with them and smoking some of their cigars. They spent two or three days there and, in talking to them, I found out they could build a cigar for me.
E: Thatโs right. We chose the name Herencia โ which means Heritage or Inheritance โ as a tribute to my grandfather.
When we met Al, we were making several blends, and now those blends bear both our familiesโ names since we are partners. The names of the lines are also the same, but the important thing is weโre working together and making a great product, which is important (for us to be competitive) because there are a lot of good cigars on the market these days.
How might you describe this cigar to a person who hasnโt had it?
E: Our goal is always for our cigars to be very flavorful and aromatic, and this cigar is no exception.
The Maduro Pennsylvania and the Habano are obviously different wrappers, but the rest of the blend is the same. That makes all the difference. Theyโre different flavors. To me, the Habano is more aromatic, but the maduro brings all those maduro characteristics that smokers are familiar with.
So how has the expectation of being involved in the industry compared to the reality after the first year and a half or so, Al?
A: Well, my expectations were that it appeared to have a reasonable margin and that it was something we could handle. I didnโt realize that, even if you have a great product, to establish yourself as a strong brand is very expensive. Itโs a blessing in disguise. The blessing is that not everyone in the world who has a cigar has the capital to make it a leading brand.
What can you tell me about your own palate and cigar sensibilities?
A: I donโt offer much on the blending side. But, Iโve had some input on the construction side of the cigars. There are a few unique things that I really canโt share because our patents havenโt been issued. [The Gรณmez-Sรกnchez family] give me a hard time; when I introduced the first product, they looked at me and said, โHow long have you been in the cigar business, Al? Two weeks? And youโre already designing a product?โ But, you know, they were being funny about it but itโs a very, very good product. So, weโre having fun doing that kind of stuff.
What would you suggest as a pairing for this cigar?
E: That cigar, for me, is best paired with a Scotch whisky โ especially the box-pressed Habano.
Edel, what would you say have been Alโs biggest contributions to this company and for this new chapter in your career as a cigar maker?
E: Heโs given so much. Heโs got the resources, heโs an extremely hard worker, heโs highly intelligent. We are very happy to be able to work with this man. Heโs the best and he has a special team. God bless him. Weโre incredibly lucky. Weโve all come together to join all our knowledge, and thatโs whatโs going to make us successful. We needed this to show the world what weโre capable of.
