Meeting a real deal cigar rep in Miami
I was thrilled to have a chance encounter with one of the true cigar people out there recently, Peter Hernandez. To set the tone for perspective, let me back up a tiny bit… I’ve been into cigars since about the time I first met with Marvin Shanken, publisher of Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator. I’d flown to New York from my Chicago home base on a private jet he had an investment in. We had lunch together in his private offices on Park Avenue. Following the Sole Almondine served with Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, he walked us into his private humidor for an after lunch cigar. I forget which stick Marvin selected, but I remember picking an Arturo Fuente Corona. He approved and told me some positive stories about the company. That weekend I also met up again with Rocky Patel at The Big Smoke event. I was still a newbie to cigars, but that weekend with Marvin, Rocky, and hundreds of other cigar enthusiasts helped usher me into a deeper appreciation of the World of the Stogie.
Meeting up with Pete Hernandez
… fast forward to approximately today. I had another wonderful cigar people moment. I visited one of my favorite Miami cigar shops and just happened to be there at the same time as Peter Hernandez, a mover-and-shaker among cigar reps.
Pete is the Florida sales rep for Tatuaje, Dunbarton, and Aladino. He was making the rounds through his territory. This meeting was a distinct high point for me. I met a new friend! Pete’s an engaging guy, full of stories, super knowledgeable, and immersed in cigar culture.
Above: Pete (R) with Pete Johnson (L), owner of Tatuaje; Pete (R) with K.C. Johnson (L) of Tatuaje
Pete grew up in Miami with a half Cuban/half Dominican heritage. He jokes, “I don’t play baseball, but I sell a lot of cigars!” He recounted for me how he got into cigars through his brother, and through a number of turns in life, eventually made the switch to selling cigars. Over the years, Pete has seen the ins and outs of the cigar industry and has many interesting stories to tell.
While we were in the cigar shop, I asked Pete to recommend some Miami rolled cigars for me. Not that easy to find anymore. But his brand Tatuaje does have some. I learned that Tatuaje’s founder Pete Johnson had partnered with a talented, award-winning, Miami roller named José Garcia, familiarly known as Pepin.
This partnership has yielded great robust cigars, many of which are from Central America, but the Miami Reserva Gran Cojonu is indeed a Miami cigar.
Miami Reserva Gran Cojonu is a full-bodied Nicaraguan, rolled in Miami, by Pepin and his team. It sports complex flavors of coffee, with an earthiness accompanied by cedar notes and a long creamy finish. It can be compared to the best Cubans, but it’s better!
Pete and brother Steven’s New Cigar Shop in Miami!
News Flash! – In addition to his role as a cigar rep, Pete and his brother have just opened a new cigar shop, Cigars In The Grove. He and brother Steven Hernandez have partnered together to provide a distinctive cigar shop for enthusiasts. Located at 2890 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL. It’s connected to the restaurant, “Berries In The Grove.” Stop in to check out the expertly curated selection of cigars.
Hours: 3 PM to 10 PM daily
