News: Jessi Flores to Leave Drew Estate

It’s hard to imagine Subculture Studios without Jessi Flores at the helm, but I suppose we’ll have to get used to the idea. I met Jessi in 2011 at Cigar Safari, briefly, as I missed the tour of his studio while I was with my son at Esteli’s version of the emergency room (search back through the archives for that story), but he made a big impression. I was fortunate enough to acquire one of his Acid canvases from around 2005 last year which proudly hangs in my office. I’m proud to have met him. We wish Jessi the best of luck in his future endeavors, as if he needs it, he’s a talented dude!

My own photo from 2013 at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate

Drew Estate, a global manufacturer and distributor of premium cigars announced today that Jessi Flores, Director of Subculture Studios, is leaving the company to pursue new business ventures.

Jessi is a twenty-year veteran, having joined Drew Estate in 1999 after founder Jonathan Drew discovered his unique style of street art on the walls of Estelí, Nicaragua.  During his tenure, Mr. Flores has been a driving force behind the growth of Subculture Studios, the well-recognized and often-awarded art studio of Drew Estate.“My years at Drew Estate have been incredible, and I am so proud to have played a role with our employees, our customers and our loyal fans to make Drew Estate the best company in the cigar business,” said Flores.  “The most special part of the experience has been working with the many artists of Subculture Studios, and seeing them grow as artists, as people, and as friends.  I know that I leave Subculture in great hands, and that it will continue to create innovative and beautiful art for Drew Estate.  I want to thank everyone at Drew Estate and all fans of Subculture Studios for an unbelievable twenty-year ride together.  I especially want to thank Jonathan Drew for taking a chance on a young street artist.  Now is the right time for me to pursue new opportunities.”

“Beyond building Subculture Studios into a game changing artistic workshop, Jessi’s creative spirit and extraordinary artistic talent have been a centerpiece in the culture of Drew Estate itself,” said Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate.  “After so many years of singular focus, we understand Jessi’s need to expand his scope of creativity and explore new ventures.”

Drew Estate CEO Glenn C. Wolfson added, “It is a testament to Jessi’s many years of focus and hard work that he is able to move forward at this time in his career knowing that his legacy at Subculture Studios will be well protected by the marvelous cadre of artists that he personally recruited and trained over the years.  We are pleased to announce that Richard “Dog” Diaz, will be taking over responsibility for the creative design work of Subculture, and Marvin Montoya, will be taking over responsibility for artwork production and logistics.  Both Dog and Marvin have been key artists and leaders at Subculture for many years, and we have total confidence that their experience and skill sets will keep Subculture producing show stopping art for years to come.”

“The entire team at Drew Estate is thankful for Jessi’s valuable contributions to the growth of the company since its early years,” said Wolfson.  “He will always be a part of the fabric of Drew Estate, and we wish him the very best as he embarks upon his journey into new business ventures.”

ABOUT DREW ESTATE

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

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