2019 PCA Magazine

88 PCA The Magazine | JULY-AUGUST 2019 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG Five Questions WHAT’S GOT YOU EXCITED ABOUT TATUAJE CIGARS THIS YEAR?  I think getting back to my roots of why I started the company got me most excited. In the rough times we are facing with the FDA it’s hard to keep your spirits up, but I’ve managed to find a spark working more in the Miami factory where the brand started. HOW DIFFERENT IS THE CIGAR INDUSTRY TODAY COMPARED TO WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED? We never had to worry about an unelected body controlling what we did back when I started in the business in 1993 (I started my company in 2003). I believe there is a lot of creativity and a lot of stories to be written, but the current climate is scaring not only the manufacturers but also the retailers and consumers. I honestly believe there is nothing to worry about and nothing the industry as a group can’t overcome. FAVORITE COMPETITOR CIGAR AND WHY? Favorite competitor has to be Habanos S.A.. Not because I like every cigar that comes fromCuba but I believe they are the company to beat. I continue to smoke everything they make and strive to build better products. THREE APPS ON YOUR SMARTPHONE YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? I can live without all of them but American Airlines, Uber and Instagram. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR COMPANY IN 5 YEARS? Here. It’s never been about large growth. Stable and comfortable equals less stress and a longer life. I just want to make good cigars that people can enjoy as much as I do. 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . TATUAJE CIGARS 5 . Pete Johnson