News recently rocked the cigar world that Jose Blanco was stepping down from his position at La Aurora and retiring. Now that the dust has settled we got to catch up with Jose Blanco who is currently enjoying himself on a European vacation. During our brief conversation, one can read between the lines and say he left the door open a bit for a return to the cigar industry and this might not be the end of his career.
1) I guess the big question is, why? What made 2011 the year of your retirement?
After almost 30 years I felt it was time first of all to take a break, to also address some personal matters, and evaluate what the future holds for me. But one thing you can be sure is that tobacco runs through my veins and I will always be supportive of the industry and the rights that people have to smoke, so we will run into each other for sure within the industry. To begin with I will be present at the IPCPR in Las Vegas this Summer and do my blending seminar.
2) What moment of your career would you consider to be the top highlight?
For the celebration of the 100th anniversary of La Aurora Guillermo entrusted me to work with the blends of this important project for the company. For more than a year and after 40 blends we picked the one that we liked the most, and I remember that one afternoon Jose Padron called Guillermo to inform him that the 100 Anos Belicoso had been chosen as the number 2 cigar on Cigar Aficionado’s top 25. That will be a day I will never forget.
3) You were around when Cuban Cigars were still legal in the USA. Yet a lot of people still call the current time, the Golden Age of Tobacco… How has the cigar industry changed in your eyes over the years?
In my years of experience I can say that Cuba has had its ups and downs, and the Cuban cigars of the 70′s and the 80′s were much better than those of the 90′s and part of the 2000′s. However, the industry has changed because today Dominican Republic is the largest of premium cigars in the world; Nicaragua and Honduras have also had great advancements. In the last 5 or 6 years cigars have become more complex, better made, more balanced, just overall better smokes from all the tobacco-producing countries.
4) With a growing movement to ban smoking, and the beginnings of what some people consider to be prohibition 2.0 where do you see cigar industry in the next 10 years?
If at the federal state and city level they continue to impose smoking bans and high taxation definitely there will be a decrease in consumption, but in time the States will realize how much revenue they are losing and might reverse some of the bans even though I believe that taxes will always be an effect. In this order I am a firm believer of the rights of people to smoke so consumers should join and support organizations that are fighting for the rights of people to smoke. I would also like to talk about the consolidation of the big cigar companies, these companies will continue to acquire smaller companies with good brand awareness and quality to increase each of their market share. Also, today and naturally in the future the consumers are more demanding and knowledgeable. So I believe that those who will continue producing quality cigars and innovation will survive.
5) Lastly, what are some of the best cigars you have ever smoked?
100 Anos Corona; R&J Petit Belicoso 1999 Cuban; Padron 45th Anniversary; Opus X Lancero Maduro; Partagas D Reserva 2004 Cuban; Guillermo Leon Corona Gorda; Ashton VSG; Litto Gomez Oscuro Especiales; Pete Johnson La Riqueza Corona Gorda; Pepin Garcia Limited Edition 2010; Benji Menendez Partagas; Davidoff Millenium Robusto; Jose Seijas Original Toro; Drew Estate Liga Privada; Illusione 888; Fonseca Limited Edition 2003 Belicoso (Ed. Thanks to Michael Herklots of Nat Sherman for Year Confirmation); Rocky Patel 92 Original; Avo 22; Camacho 11/18; La Aurora Preferido Cameroon Robusto; Nestor Miranda Collection; Alec Bradley; Joya De Nicaragua. I have so much respect for all the manufactures and to name my favorite cigars is very difficult. Like I tell everyone at my seminars, the best cigar is the one that you enjoy.
Jose, once again, we thank you for all you have done for acigarsmoker.com and myself over the years. We will see you soon, even if not in Las Vegas.
