Smoke Inn Blog
Cigar Master Blenders Series II
Welcome to the second installment of a new series on the Smoke Inn Blog that we’re calling the Cigar Master Blender Series. In each of these pieces, we will profile a couple of the cigar industry experts known as Master Blenders. If you’re new to the world of cigars or still learning, the Master Blender is the artist behind your favorite premium cigars.
This month we talk about renowned Master Blender Willy Herrera.
Cigar Master Blender: Willy Herrera
Another celebrated Master Blender with a connection to Drew Estate is Mr. Willy Herrera. Mr. Herrera is a legend in his own right and is one of the breed of Master Blenders who has premium cigarmaking in the family. While he began professional life as a bank loan processor, being of Cuban descent and born in Miami, arriving in the cigar world was something like destiny.
Like we said, the Herrera family has Cuban roots and Willy’s family also had history in the cigar industry, starting the El Titan de Bronze cigar factory on Little Havana’s famous Calle Ocho. Maybe there was almost a certain inevitability that Mr. Herrera would take up the family tradition eventually.
The Bronze Titan
If a biographical film were made about Willy Herrera’s life, this legendary Miami cigar factory would certainly be a major character and setting in the story. The El Titan de Bronze was named by Willy’s grandfather, from a character in a Cuban legend. The legend says a man named Antonio was born one of 8 brothers who fought in the Cuban revolution.
Antonio’s mother was a true patriot willing to commit her sons to the cause of liberty. When one of her sons died in battle, she would send the next. Her son Antonio was the one that lasted the longest in battle. In fact, per the legend, he could not be killed. He became known as El Titan de Bronze (The Bronze Titan).
A Force in the Premium Cigar World
It was at El Titan de Bronze that Willy learned the intricacies of premium cigar craftsmanship from the ground up from rolling to blending. Willy is something of a bronze titan in the premium cigar industry, figuratively and literally. It’s hard to miss his hulking 6-foot-5-inch frame in a room and just as tough to miss the impact he’s made in the primo cigar space. Today, Willy Herrera is perhaps best known as Master Blender on the Drew Estate team, which he joined in 2011.
Willy has since helped Drew Estate turn out some truly outstanding cigars over the past decade plus. The cigars in Herrera Estelí portfolio are undoubtedly among the most notable premium cigars created under Herrera’s tenure. From the uniquely “Cubanesque” Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Habano to the delectably dark and rich Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Norteño, this is a range of primo sticks that tantalizes the senses and promises some truly rewarding smoking experiences.
History, Heritage and Reverence for the Cigar Craft
One of the things we love most about the premium cigars Mr. Herrera has designed is that they do a beautiful job of showing respect to the traditions of the past without eschewing innovation or creativity. You can taste the difference in a cigar that came from the hands of a man who truly loves cigars. This isn’t just business for Willy. It’s art.
There is no question that Willy Herrera embodies some rare talent. In fact, when our very own Honest Abe Dababneh decided to commission a very special cigar in honor of his father and Smoke Inn’s 25th anniversary, it was Willy who was entrusted with the work. The Raji by Willy Herrera was the result and if you haven’t had the privilege to partake in one yet, well, it’s a ‘bucket list’ item for sure. It’s also a fantastic example of the unquestionably impressive talents of Willy Herrera.
Some of Smoke Inn’s favorite Willy Herrera creations include:
Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Habano
Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Norteño
And be sure to check out the Smoke Inn interviews with Willy below:
The Raji launch interview with Willy Herrera
KMA Talk Radio Episode 454 with Willy Herrera
Smoke Inn is Your Cigar Shop
We hope you enjoyed learning more about Master Blender Willy Herrera. If you haven’t yet had the privilege of enjoying his work, we can’t recommend it heartily enough. He’s done amazing things over at Drew Estate. You owe it to yourself to partake of some of his masterpieces. Don’t forget to stay tuned here for the next in our Master Blenders series in July.
Before You Go…
While we’ve got your attention—Please be sure to check out our new content features if you haven’t already. You don’t want to miss our new Smoke Inn Customer Reviews section and hear from the Smoke Inn Staff in Smoke Inn Speaks. Finally, there’s the new Cigar of the Month Club section, which offers a snapshot of the month’s selections. 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.
Our South Florida Locations:
- Smoke Inn Palm Beach Gardens
- Smoke Inn West Palm Beach
- Smoke Inn Delray Beach
- Smoke Inn Boynton Beach
- Smoke Inn Pompano Beach
- Smoke Inn Tequesta
- Smoke Inn Port St. Lucie
- Smoke Inn Vero Beach
