Eddie Tarazona, founder of Tarazona Cigars, tells us, “our ultimate goal is for you to enjoy a fine cigar with good friends for all your momentous occasions, or just kick back and enjoy a perfect day.”
That’s a mission statement from someone who knows what cigars are about—what a good cigar brings to an experience. From the big events deserving punctuation to match, to the aloof and blissful hours of the day when we can finally turn the noise down. Cigars can accent any event to bring that little something more out of it.
Founded in Miami, Florida in 2002, Tarazona Cigars bring us a range of great blends through their two impressive brands, Tarazona and Caraballo. Their cigars are expertly crafted in factories in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
Tarazona started the company after finding himself out of a job in the midst of a recession. Knowing the best way to put his business acumen to good use was in a venture he cared deeply for, cigars were the obvious choice. However, this was a time when many boutique brands were coming on the scene. Tarazona needed to distinguish himself. He did so by engaging the social ethos that is still at the heart of Tarazona today, frequenting and making connections with local shops, understanding more than the mechanics of the industry, but the people.
Their Tarazona brand features two impeccable blends in an array of vitolas. The Tarazona 305 and Guerrilla 305 both take their numeric names from Tarazona’s pride in the company’s Miami origins. “I love home,” says Tarazona when asked about this tribute. “Growing up where I grew up taught me a lot.”
Although you can now find these cigars around the world, Tarazona’s nearly two decade long story is a testament to the importance of strong roots to supporting far reaching branches.
For a few years, it seemed Eddie had checked out of the industry, and was even in the process of selling Tarazona. Spurred by the encouragement of the supporters in the industry, Tarazona snapped back on the scene, stronger and more resolved than ever.
Most recently, Caraballo has released the limited edition 828 Silverback. This blend features a Nicaraguan filler and binder and Mexican wrapper. Considering the 305 to be more of a traditional boutique blend, Tarazona claims the 828 is an old-school blend, fulfilling Tarazona’s determination to offer a dynamic range with their cigars. In a way these two different, yet individually delightful blends exemplify that arc of returning with new drive, while bringing what is good about the past along.