Felipe Fusion Cigar

Felipe Gregorio, which only three (3) months ago had cut a deal to have Miami Cigar & Company distribute their cigars, has 'reclaimed' their distribution. (Exclusive to Cigar Review)

Philip G. Wynne, founder and CEO of the almost eighteen (18) year old cigar maker told Gary J. Arzt, "There was absolutely nothing wrong with our relationship. Miami Cigar was performing as I expected. I just had second thoughts about giving up control of our distribution."

Miami Cigar & Company, recently cut a deal with Pepin Garcia to re-blend the Nestor Miranda Signature Collection, and judging by their ubiquitous presence on the shelves of every tobacconist, the company is devoting a great deal of attention to the brand. Likewise, as of 1 November 08, Nestor Miranda and Rene Castaneda, MC&C's Nat’l Sales Manager/Managing Director, had taken over the nationwide distribution of Espinosa y Ortega's 601 and Cubao brands.

Obviously, the motivation for taking on these additional brands was to fill-out the portfolio of Miami's sales reps as they build a devoted, and expensive, in-house sales staff. The equation is simple: the more you have to sell, the easier to cover the overhead of reps all over the country.

At the same time, Wynne had dealt with blending, manufacturing, marketing and sales all these years, and probably missed 'the action.'

Wynne indicated that " ... we agreed mutually to go our separate ways. I am pleased; Nestor is pleased and we remain good friends."

A change in the industry, surely, but nothing earth shaking. These things happen in all 'marriages.'

Read the Felipe Gregorio Cigars Interview (Philip G. Wynne)