2019 November December PCA Magazine

72 PCA The Magazine NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG Five Questions WHAT HAS YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT MAYA SELVA CIGARS RIGHT NOW? Themost exciting part of the cigar world is the cigar itself. Cigars have a unique identity and energy. They bring people together fromdifferent worlds and different cultures. The slow and laborious process of actuallymaking a cigar culminates in a beautiful moment of companionship, sharing andmemory- making. Another aspect that I find exciting is the consistency and quality that are the result of the efforts of a long line of humans working throughout the years. It’s not about amachine that you can adjust; it’s about time and it’s about people. YOUR COMPANY IS COMING UP ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY. LOOKING BACK, WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES STARTING OUT? The biggest challengewas finding a place for a cigar handmade inHonduras in amarket that was primarily accustomed to cigars fromthe beautiful island of Cuba. Aficionados and cigar stores had no idea that Honduras has a long tobacco tradition that goes backmore than 1,500 years. They hadn’t yet realized that Cubawas not the only cigar producer in theworld, or that cigars canhave different flavors and blends. The second challengewas being awoman. Howcan you trust awoman to blend a great cigar?Giving people the opportunity to taste our cigars was the best answer to that question. WHAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND THE PREMIUM TOBACCO INDUSTRY? The people! Also, the location. The cigar is an agricultural product. It depends on the soil, theweather and the people. InHonduras, cigars are primarily produced in the southeast region of the country. This regionhas beautiful scenery and a big, charming valley surrounded by hills andmountains where coffee is grown. IF YOU HAD TO CREATE YOUR IDEAL WEEKEND, WHAT WOULD IT ENTAIL? Awelcoming beach house, with a fireplace, cool weather, good food, goodwine, lovely companionship, great cigars, andwith good books andmusic . WHERE DO YOU SEE MAYA SELVA CIGARS IN FIVE YEARS? Bringing great handmade cigars to aficionados all around theworld ! 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . Maya Selva 5 . MAYA SELVA CIGARS