Tag Archives: Ventura

by CigarCraig | May 9, 2018 · 8:36 pm

News: Ventura Cigar Company Celebrates Three Essentials with Nationwide Events

Fathers, Friends, & Fire

Ventura Cigar Company Celebrates three essentials with Nationwide events.

Note: they have announced the dates for the events, which can be found here: https://venturacigar.com/fathers-friends-fire/

May 2018 – Celebrating the bond of fatherhood and friendship, Ventura Cigar Company is partnering with key Tobacconists and Smoke Shops across the nation for Fathers, Friends, and Fire, a series of events aimed at sharing stories, experiences, and the love of premium cigars and pipe tobacco.

Held throughout the month of June, the Fathers, Friends, and Fire events are festive affairs, offering attendees the opportunity to meet, take a photo, and smoke with well-known industry personalities, Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigar Company, and 4th Generation Tobacconist, Erik Stokkebye. Guests will receive both a printed and digital copy of the photo with Giannini or Stokkebye, and have access to special offers on Ventura Cigar Company brands, including Archetype, Case Study, PSyKo Seven, 4th Generation Tobacconist, and Comoy’s of London.

“There’s nothing quite like a gathering of good friends and family,” says Giannini. “There’s a satisfying happiness found in sharing experiences and stories of the past and present. Our events are aimed at bringing people together, away from their busy lives, to enjoy- really enjoy– each other’s company. Erik and I are looking forward to traveling about the country, hearing stories and sharing smokes with our tobacconists and their guests.”

To make Fathers, Friends, and Fire truly memorable, Ventura Cigar Company commissioned exclusive mementos to give out at the events, which will not be available for individual sale. Events will feature a special cigar created by the father-daughter team, Omar and Indiana Ortez. Under Omar’s experienced eye, Indiana created the Father-Daughter blend, which balances their tastes for tobaccos, mixing the past with the present, featuring flavors reminiscent of the strength of age with a lightness of youth. The Father-Daughter limited-edition cigars will come pre-packaged in a 2-cigar coffin box, and are only available at Fathers, Friends, and Fire events during the month of June.

The Father-Daughter cigar is crafted at the Agroindustrial Nicaraguense de Tabaco factory, and features a Habano Ecuador wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. “I was really excited to collaborate with Indiana and her father on this project,” says Benjamin Winokur, brand manager for Ventura Cigar. “The Fathers, Friends, and Fire event series means a lot to me personally, as my father was the one who got me into cigars. To have the opportunity to share Indiana’s story, alongside the cigar she created with her father for these events is very special.”

In addition, guests attending pipe exclusive events will receive an exclusive pipe cleaner holder, autographed by the legendary Erik Stokkebye, whose family has been blending pipe tobacco and designing pipes for generations.

“We’re offering fans of Ventura Cigar Company brands a real treat,” says Jason Carignan, CMO of Kretek, parent company of VCC. “Fathers, Friends, and Fire is giving people the opportunity to share a smoke and a story with industry legends, Michael Giannini and Erik Stokkebye, and to also spend time with their loved ones, be they friends or family. We’re pleased to partner with our retailers to pay homage to the bonds of fatherhood and friendship, and the shared enjoyment of premium cigars and pipe tobacco.”

Fathers, Friends, and Fire events will be held around the country in the month of June. Tickets are limited in number and will be available at the participating Tobacconists and Smoke Shops for $10 each.

For the event dates and locations, please visit facebook.com/venturacigar For more information about Ventura Cigar Company and its offerings, please visit venturacigar.com

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About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

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by CigarCraig | May 3, 2018 · 10:46 pm

News: Ventura Cigar Company Brings Brian Massey Aboard the Marketing Team

More Growth at VCC

Ventura cigar company brings Brian Massey aboard the Marketing team

May 2018 – Continuing to fill its marketing team with industry specialists, the Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is pleased to announce Brian Massey’s arrival to the group. Brian will be working under Michael Giannini, who was recently appointed to General Manager of VCC.

The cigar industry is no stranger to Brian Massey, who started at JR Cigar in 2011, first as a graphic designer and email marketing strategist, then became a product merchant and content creator for the company. In 2017, a cross-country move brought Massey to California and to Kretek International, Inc, where he worked as a Global Sourcing Manager for only a few months before Michael Giannini identified his creative streak and knack for marketing.

“Brian Massey caught my eye when I first joined VCC,” says Michael Giannini, General Manager of Ventura Cigar Company. “The depth of his industry knowledge is remarkable, and his penchant for out-of-the-box thinking is pervasive. I knew he’d be a strong asset, once tapped for his marketing talents, and am pleased we were able to bring him over. Plus, it’s nice to have someone else on the team who can relate to east coast winters.”

Ventura Cigar Company is known for its top-performing premium cigar brands, like Archetype, PSyKo Seven, and Case study. Brian will be working with these brands, driving sales and marketing efforts to propel them to the next level.

“I’m really inspired by the potential at Ventura Cigars,” says Massey, enthusiastically. “I’m working with a great team here. A really talented, diverse group of people, who are super creative and passionate about the product and company. It’s an environment that lends itself to creating big things, and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

Born in New Jersey, Brian Massey has had a passion for cigars since an early age. Enterprising and innovative, he took a career detour as a DJ for many years, becoming highly-sought after on the New York scene, playing well over 100 gigs and enjoying residencies at two top nightclubs. Now primarily channeling that energy back into the cigar industry, Massey still pursues the creative outlet of DJ-ing in his off hours.

“I feel like we’re really going to mix it up here at VCC,” says Massey. “This is a company that’s cooking something. And I’m fired up to be in the kitchen.”

For more information about the Ventura Cigar Company and its offerings, please visit venturacigar.com.

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About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4thGeneration and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

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by CigarCraig | April 17, 2018 · 3:56 pm

News: Michael Giannini Promoted to New Position As General Manager at VCC.

Ventura Cigar Company Builds for Success

Industry veteran Michael Giannini Promoted to New Position As General Manager at VCC.

April 2018 – Just months since becoming Creative Director, the Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is pleased to announce Michael Giannini’s promotion to General Manager. A charismatic innovator, Giannini has been leading the brand vision and development for VCC and its proprietary products. He will retain his role as Creative Director, continuing to drive the direction and evolution of Ventura Cigar Company and its exemplary products.

“I am so proud and honored to accept my new responsibilities as Ventura Cigar Company’s General Manager,” says Giannini. “As we continue to receive top ratings for our Archetype, PSyKO, and Case Study brands, we’re also forging bold, straight paths toward new products and steady growth. This move is really a natural progression of my career and will be a seamless transition as the brands evolve.”

As General Manager, Michael Giannini will draw upon his extensive background in the premium cigar industry to establish and pursue business strategies and goals for the Ventura Cigar Company. He will determine objectives, visions, and product development, while maintaining operational missions and overall growth.

“Elevating Michael Giannini to the role of General Manager was a no-brainer,” says Jason Carignan, CMO of Kretek, parent company of VCC. “I’ve been very impressed with his detailed knowledge of the industry, products, channels, and customers. And his passion for pushing boundaries, creating excitement, and guiding the Ventura Cigar Company brand in new directions is limitless. I am confident that Michael will do a remarkable job in his new position and know that the Ventura Cigar Company will benefit greatly from his leadership and ability to successfully drive and champion our sales teams and their continuing success.”

Sales, Marketing, and Operations at Ventura Cigar Company will all report to Michael Giannini as General Manager, effective immediately.

“VCC has assembled a passionate team of talented professionals with skills and capabilities that are second-to-none,” says Giannini. “I am proud to lead this extraordinary group of people and believe that together we’ll truly go far in bringing VCC and its products to new heights.”

For more information about VCC and its offerings, please visit venturacigar.com.

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About Ventura Cigar Company

Congrats to my old buddy Michael!

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by CigarCraig | March 28, 2018 · 9:16 pm

Ventura Cigar Company Archetype Axis Mundi

Saturday while I was at the cigar shop I picked up a few of Ventura Cigar Company’s Archetype cigars, specifically the Axis Mundi in Toro and Robusto. I had smoked this in the corona size last year and really enjoyed it, and commented that I wanted to try it in larger sizes. It takes me a while to get around to things sometimes. The Archetype Axis Mundi has a Habano Ecuador Maduro wrapper, Indonesian Sumatra binder and Nicaraguan Habano filler and it’s made at Gran Fabrica Drew Estate. I really enjoyed the toro, it had similar sweet dried fruit and savory flavors. I smoked the robusto tonight, but I lit it after the first cigar wasn’t satisfying me, and it didn’t do it justice having whatever little flavor the previous cigar left behind. I hate it when that happens. The toro was great though, I really enjoyed it. I also smoked the Archetype Strange Passage in the robusto size and it was very good, although quite different, even though it has an Ecuador Habano wrapper too. I’m a fan of quite a few of the Ventura offerings, and look forward to trying more of the Archetype lines.

Speaking of Drew Estate, they announced dates for their Barnsmoker events, and added a Pennsylvania Barnsmoker in Lancaster County, PA. I believe it sold out already, but I happen to know one person who has an extra ticket for sale. If anyone is interested, drop me a note and I’ll put you in touch with him. They teased a new blend featuring PA Broadleaf that I look forward to trying. If you go, look me up. Also, if you want to find events local to you, check out Cigar Planner. I heard about this site on the Cigar Hacks Podcast.

That’s all for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as Archetype, Axis Mundi, Barnsmoker, cigar, cigars, drew estate, Ventura

by CigarCraig | November 1, 2017 · 9:29 pm

A Monster for Halloween, a Case Study and Ventura News

Last night was Halloween, the night I enjoy sitting on the front porch with a cigar handing out candy. I used to enjoy walking around the neighborhood taking my kids trick-or-treating, but those days are long gone. Last night I chose the Tatuaje Monster Series cigar from last year, the Krueger, a 7¼” x 48 box pressed torpedo with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and fillers. This was a lovely cigar, and it was hard leaving it sit in the humidor for a year. I’ve only smoked a few of the Monsters, so far I think this was the one I enjoyed the most. I started it out in my usual way, taking Macha for a quick walk before all the kids started roaming the streets. I like to keep cigars like this in my New Air humidor, all my humidors work well, and I smoke out of all of them regularly I just like the peace of mind of the temperature control feature for cigars I’m not going to see very often. I also go in that one less than the others. Anyway, the cigar was great, rich, medium bodied and a little dirty, which I like. It’s not without some sweetness, starting with a little pepper, and building in strength, although never getting too much past medium. Good smoke, I don’t normally seek these out, but I’ll pick one up if I have the chance. I’ll have to see if I can get a hold of the latest version (the Michael? I could look it up, but the Flyers are on and I want to finish this up!). The Krueger met my expectations, it was a great two-plus hour smoke great for handing out candy on Halloween.

Today I awoke to the news that Michael Giannini is now the Creative Director and brand ambassador for Ventura Cigars. I’ve known Michael for a long time, he’s one of my favorite people in the cigar business. I was sad when it was announced last year that he was no longer with General Cigars. I loved a lot of the Foundry cigars he worked on, and my affinity for La Gloria Cubana cigars is fairly well-known. As a matter of fact, I asked Ernesto Carillo about Michael when I saw him a couple of weeks ago, as they worked closely together after General purchased La Gloria. Ironically, I’ve been a fan of the Ventura offerings since smoking a Psyko Seven when I was a guest on The Cigar Authority show back in 2013. I have a good deal of Ventura and Psyko Seven swag, including a humidor. I consider myself a fan, even more so now that Michael is involved. I’m very excited to see what he does with the company. Ventura is owned by Kretek International, a very large company, which Michael is used to. Good luck, my friend!

In honor of today’s news, I selected a cigar from Ventura for my evening walk. At the IPCPR show they were showing their Case Study series. This is a series of 26 small batch and limited editions, made by what they term as famous cigar makers. This reminds me of what folks like Robert Caldwell and Tony Bellato did with their Lost and Found line, finding batches of cigars sitting in major manufacturers aging rooms and selling them as one time releases. Whether this is actually the case or not, I don’t know, it’s just the way I see it. Anyway, the one I chose was a 5¾”x54 labeled CS/05 with the black band signifying it’s a limited edition. The only blend info listed is that it has an Oscuro Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. I recommend trying this cigar if you like cigars that I like! This was a winner for me, dark, rich flavor, a perfect burn and draw and a cigar I smoked down to the tiniest of nubs. I would pick up this cigar again, and would love to get some in the 6¾”x52 size in hopes of getting more of a good thing. Really a yummy cigar. I’ve felt like I wanted to smoke from a relatively small selection of cigars lately, probably the time of year, but this one might have gotten me out of my funk a little.