Anyway, David was good enough to answer a few questions for me in a little Q&A session.

Me: The Los Blancos brand has been around now for a little over 10 years, but your family has a long tradition with cigars. What do you think your family brings to the cigar industry that makes Los Blancos special?

David: My family has perfected, to the extent that one can achieve perfection at anything, the art and science of growing premium tobacco and manufacturing premium cigars. Without good tobacco there are no good cigars. My Cousin, Nestor Plasencia Jr., is one of the most knowledgeable in the field and probably the most knowledgeable of my generation. He has been entrusted by his father to carry on the tradition of growing some of the most sought after tobacco in the world.

I focus on blending, marketing and sales. Many others in the family have responsibilities as well. The reason our family has been successful for so long is that we each strive to become as efficient and productive in our areas of expertise. I need Nestor Jr. to continue to do his job as much as he needs me to do mine. It is like that for all the family members involved. Together we can and have accomplished what few other family’s have.

It is definitely the fact that we work as a team that makes us special because the result of that teamwork are many of the best cigars in the world. Los Blancos and Primos, another one of our brands, have been rated extremely well by many sites and publications including Cigar Command. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that my Uncle, Nestor Plasencia Sr., was awarded Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado. The Casa Magna is manufactured at a family factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and is another example of what can happen when the family works as a team and each member is good at what s/he does. I wish my Uncle and Manuel Quesada all the best with that cigar. At Los Blancos we view the family legacy very seriously and continue to strive to bring the best that the industry can offer.

Me: I love being on the sidelines of the cigar industry and wish I could be a bigger part. What is your favorite part of the cigar business?
David: Without hesitation in answering; the blending phase is my favorite. When you have the opportunity to create something special it is always a lot of fun. I view blending cigars as an art, and as in any other artwork, the artist is proud of his creation. In fact, anyone who comes to the factory on the Los Blancos “Roll’n’ Smoke Tour” has the opportunity to try and create their very own cigar. Check out our website for tour dates and all the things you get to experience at www.worthlivingtours.com. Ricky, we would love to see you and your crew come down.

Me: Okay, here’s the easy question. What’s your favorite cigar of all those you make? And, on average, how many cigars total do you smoke a week?
David: I thought you said it was an easy question?! That’s like asking me to choose between children. I say that because I blended all my cigars with something specific in mind and I feel I achieved those objectives.

First thing in the morning with coffee or with a nice aged rum or port later in the day my preference and recommendation is the Sumatra blend. If I’m having a nice single malt scotch or whiskey I prefer the criollo blend. If I feel like something on the lighter side but still with flavor I gravitate towards the Connecticut shade. Finally, the maduro which is H2000 and the only H2000 maduro wrapper being used in the market, is very special to me. It has a wonderful bouquet and flavor but doesn’t overpower the pallet. It’s a medium bodied maduro but unique, in that I can’t think of another that is similar to it – and that’s what I was trying to accomplish. More information about all four blends including the types of tobacco we use in each can be found on our website at www.losblancos.com.

The number of cigars I smoke in a week varies. It all depends on how much time I have. Let’s face it, I can’t smoke a cigar walking the streets of some cities today. So, if I have time it ranges from 3-6 a day. I like to enjoy my cigar so I hate doing other things while I am smoking which limits the opportunities to smoke. However, when I’m traveling and doing business sometimes I only smoke 1-2 a day. I hate those days!

Me: With all of the changes and the additional smoking bans over the past couple years, what do you think the answer is for success in the cigar industry?
David: From a manufacturer’s perspective the key to success is and always will be what my company has used as its motto since its inception: quality, tradition and value. Now more than ever, in the face of the economic upheaval that we all must deal with, smoking a cigar to relax and relieve some of the tension is predicated on your financial situation. In other words, what you can afford to pick up and smoke on a regular basis. As a smoker, the most important is always the last of the three; VALUE! If I as a manufacturer, can continue to bring to market the highest quality tobacco and cigars, made in the time honored Cuban tradition, as the family has been doing for generations, and at the best value – then I believe we will all reap the benefits.

Me: Okay, personal question time: With being in the cigar business as well as currently serving in the Active Army Reserves, what do you do with the little bit of free time you have?
David: I have a few hobbies that include riding my Harley, S.C.U.B.A. diving, and skydiving, but to be honest I donʼt get to enjoy them very often. So, I would have to say that I try to do as little as possible when I have free time with a cigar in my hand!

I’d like to thank David for taking some time out to answer these questions for me and my readers.  Let’s hear what you think about these Q&A sessions.  I’m all ears, folks.

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Me: Tatuaje has been a big name in premium cigars for a couple years now. What do you think is the biggest contributor to your success?
Pete: That’s a three-part answer.  First, I think that I am very fortunate to be working with Jaime and Pepin Garcia. They appreciate what I know about cigars as much as I appreciate them translating my vision every day in to wonderful cigars.  Second, some consumers might see me as an alternative idea in the cigar industry, but I think they like the fact I respect tradition.  Third is the internet.  The online buzz for the brand has been huge and people have been really supportive.

Me: Being in the cigar industry and getting to meet so many people must be cool. What is the best thing about doing what you do?
Pete: I think the best thing really is the creative process, but I love many people in the business. I have been a friend and fan of many of the big guys for close to half my life, and when I started my own brand MOST were very supportive. I also enjoy hanging with the guys who smoke the brand. I really just want to hang out and smoke.

Me: One of the things you say about your cigars is that you make them for yourself and if people happen to like them, then great. Which cigar of yours do you find yourself smoking the most?
Pete: I find myself jumping around from brand to brand, but I have been smoke a lot of La Riqueza lately. I love the sizes I picked for the brand… Classic.

Me: Being in the cigar industry a number of years now, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far that’s helped you along the way?
Pete: Don’t let your ego get in the way.  I have ideas that I love and think are great and maybe sometimes I do it only my way, but I always try to listen to the customer.  I’m happy to have a job thanks to people liking the same cigars I love.

Me: What was the last non-Tatuaje cigar you smoked?
Pete:I smoked a Don Pepin JJ Maduro Robusto; not a mild cigar. And a Cuban Montecristo No.4.

Me: And a slightly personal, get-to-know-Pete-Johnson question: what was the last artist and album uploaded into your iPhone?
Pete: I have tons of music on a hard drive, but to my iPhone from that drive, I loaded a couple of songs from Radiohead, Karma Police, and My Iron Lung. Also the Metallica S&M albums.

So, there it is folks, a little Q&A with Pete Johnson.  Pete says he’s been smoking the La Riquezas a lot lately, and from the latest review I just did, I can see why.

I’m looking forward to doing more Q&A sessions with other people in the industry so keep checking in.

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