Smoke Inn Blog
Cigar Culture Interview #2
Michael Herklots is a well-known name in the cigar universe. The current principal managing member of Ferio Tego LLC began his cigar career at Davidoff in 2002. He moved to Nat Sherman in 2011. When Altria decided the retail cigar part of the business wasn’t for them, a opportunity of sorts presented itself. From the ashes of the storied Nat Sherman house arose a new brand, Ferio Tego, with Michael Herklots at the helm. Smoke Inn sat down with Herklots for a brief interview when he generously lent us some of his time. Here is the second part of that interview.
An Interview with Michael Herklots, Principal of Ferio Tego Cigars – Part 2
SMOKE INN: “What misconceptions do many cigar smokers have about the cigar business?”
HERKLOTS: “Let’s start with the misconception that it’s easy. It’s not. The cigar business is an overly and unfairly broad net to cast over what is an incredibly complex industry. I’ve worked in the premium cigar industry since 1999. That’s 24 years. Like so many other traditional disciplines and crafts, those who identify as experts are likely far from it, and those with the deepest and widest knowledge and experience will emphasize how much more there is still to learn.
Like the ‘music business’ the ‘cigar business’ is not just about the ‘stars’. In music, the only way to have a star is to have songwriters, and producers and engineers, and band, and tour managers, and bus drivers, and roadies, and streaming services and performance venues, and on and on and on… the same exists in the cigar business. Besides a brand, you have the entire infrastructure of factories, and all of the industries that support a factory from IT and HR to the individual pre-industry steps related to tobacco and blending and manufacturing, plus printing, box construction, assembly, packing and shipping, importation and clearing.
Then the farm, and not just seed varieties and hybrids, but pre-farming preparations by agronomists, and soil analysis and preparation, fertilization and irrigation, planting and harvesting, curing, fermentation and aging… plus construction and facilities management. And there’s still procurement of other materials and management of materials and inventory. And then how do you go to market? Creative. Marketing. Sales. The cigar business is NOT easy.”
SMOKE INN: “You referenced the music industry; I understand you’re a jazz drummer. What has your experience as a musician taught you that applies to the work you do today in the cigar industry?”
HERKLOTS: “Oh man… well a few things. First, I really believe Jazz is to the Music Industry what Premium Cigars are to the Tobacco Industry. It’s probably the smallest contributor to the industry from a revenue standpoint. It has one of the highest barriers of entry as it relates to proficiency, and it is incredibly misunderstood by the majority, but to those who appreciate jazz OR premium cigars for that matter, there’s just nothing that can compare with the complexity and the nuance and the passion that it takes not only to create and perform but also to enjoy and comprehend it.”
SMOKE INN: “That’s a great analogy. The premium cigar tier is a small part of the tobacco industry as a whole, but it’s the highest, most complex expression of the art form. I love that. So, aside from music, what other hobbies or pastimes do you pursue in your free time?”
HERKLOTS: “That’s a tricky one. I wouldn’t say I necessarily pursue any hobbies, but I do incorporate my other affections into my work. I love the wine and culinary world, and I’ve been able to make a number of good friends in these areas and then find ways to integrate wine and food into my work. I love menswear. I enjoy traveling. Both of those are an obvious part of my work. In my free time, I spend my time with my family. I’m so fortunate that I’ve turned one of my favorite hobbies into a career. So, the downtime is pretty much dedicated to my family.”
SMOKE INN: “Right! It really is a blessing to have the opportunity to do something you’re so passionate about for work. It meets more than one set of needs, in a way. You mention wine and cuisine, two areas that are steeped in tradition. Tradition is also revered in the premium cigar world, especially in manufacturing. There is a lot of respect paid to the time-honored ways of doing things. How do you balance respect for tradition with the desire to innovate and create something new?”
HERKLOTS: “The word respect is an important one. I have an incredible respect, admiration and reverence for the industry and more specifically for the people who worked so hard and helped ware down a path that makes it easier for me to follow. And I’m eternally grateful for those who were generous enough and patient enough to share with me and teach me and answer my questions.”
SMOKE INN: “So there is room for both respect for tradition and breathing room for innovation?”
HERKLOTS: “Right. I’m not being disrespectful by driving down the road in a Cadillac rather than a horse-drawn carriage. Innovation in process and experience are critical for a healthy industry REGARDLESS of what that industry is. One can be respectful and humble and grateful and still be creative and innovative and forward thinking. It is the lack of gratitude and recognition of the contributions of those who preceded that I find insulting and disrespectful.
Fortunately, those types self-centered, self-anointed experts are few and far between and generally disappear eventually without any meaningful legacy.”
SMOKE INN: “We always like to ask cigar luminaries and captains of industry this question. How do you balance your professional life with your personal life, making sure you get enough of both, etc.? Any tips?”
HERKLOTS: “I don’t. I’m not balanced. As an artist, you don’t stop being an artist at 5:00pm. You just are, all the time. I could give tips, but I’d be a hypocrite. Rules for thee and not for me. I’m a work in progress on the professional vs personal balancing act. I try to make meaningful and memorable time with my family. I try to overemphasize as often as possible how much I love them. Life (time) is the most exclusive limited edition there is… because we have no idea how much is left. So, I believe in filling as much of it as possible with things that bring me joy and make life better. I’m fortunate that in addition to my family my work also brings tremendous joy to my life.”
SMOKE INN: “That’s a refreshingly honest take. It makes sense. You give everything you’ve got to the things you love, and you’re lucky enough to have work you love too. One last kind of personal question. What’s your favorite cigar and drink pairing?”
HERKLOTS: “Whatever I happen to be enjoying when you ask me. Look, pairing is a very specific word. To pair something suggests taking two things that are perfectly balanced on their own and combining them to create something that is even better together than they were apart.
So, no different than a marriage in life, two individuals in a relationship… they need to be compatible. Personally, I believe high alcohol spirits served neat are not an ideal “pairing” with a handmade premium cigar, since the high alcohol liquid will inevitably dominate the nuance of smoke on the palate.
The only way it is even possible to combine them is to sip first, and then puff layering the smoke above the initial layer of spirit. For me, wine presents an incredibly diverse array of flavors and characteristics that are equally nuanced as smoke and provide a much more favorable opportunity for real pairing.”
SMOKE INN: “Another great take. You’ve left us with a few things to ponder there. Thanks again for being so generous with your time!”
HERKLOTS: “Sure, thank you for the interest.”
Smoke Inn is Your Cigar Shop
We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Michael Herklots. We’ll be taking a look at some of the other personalities involved with The Great Smoke 2023 next week, with the cigar event of the season fast approaching. There’s still time left to buy your tickets, so jump on that if you haven’t yet. There will only ever be one The Great Smoke 2023 and we’d hate for you to miss out! As always, if you’re local or happen to be visiting South Florida, be sure to reward yourself with a visit to one of the country’s best cigar shops in person. We’d love to see you.
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