Tobacco Business

[ 6 ] TOBACCO BUSINESS [ JULY / AUGUST | 21 ] STARTUP TECHNOLOGY 16 | GETTING “SMART” WITH TECHNOLOGY Plasencia Cigars gives its customers more information and education on its business with the use of near- field communication technology. LEGISLATION 18 | MODIFIED-RISK TOBACCO PRODUCTS How can tobacco products be market- ed as lower risk? The National Asso- ciation of Tobacco Products examines the MRTP application process. IN THE NEWS 20 | A PETITION FOR CUBAN TOBACCO J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has filed a petition with the U.S. Department of State to import Cuban tobacco into America for the first time since the embargo. 22 PAGE CONTENT 10 PAGE 38 PAGE 62 PAGE ON THE COVER: ERNESTO PEREZ-CARRILLO PHOTO BY ALVARO MATA PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES 10 | TOGETHER AGAIN The tobacco and alternative indus- tries came together after more than a year apart at this year’s Tobacco Plus Expo. Here’s a look back at this year’s special trade show. 22| THE WINNING FORMULA Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, founder of E.P. Carrillo Cigar Co., talks life, career, cigars and what it takes to lead and build a winning tobacco business. TOBACCO BUSINESS AWARDS 38 | TOP 24 CIGARS OF 2021 You voted and now we have the results! Tobacco Business reveals 24 top-ranked premium cigars, as voted on by tobacco retailers, man- ufacturers and consumers. 60 | BEST PIPE TOBACCO BLEND AND MORE A look at this year’s Pipe Tobacco Blend of the Year, Peterson Nightcap, as well as the winners of Cigarette Brand of the Year and Tobacco Acces- sory of the Year. 62 | BEST IN TOBACCO ENTREPRENEURSHIP Profiles of this year’s Legacy Award recipient, Jonathan Drew, and the To- bacco Businessman of the Year and Businesswoman of the Year, Andrew Desind and Karen Berger. 76 | NOT AFRAID TO FAIL This year’s Tobacconist of the Year, Luxury Cigar Club, on how its found- er built a loyal customer base across the U.S. by focusing on product and building a community. TOBACCONIST 80 | ART OF THE UPSELL Leverage what you already have in stock and learn how to increase profits by encouraging customers to make additional purchases. 86 | ON YOUR SHELF We showcase some of the latest premium cigar releases for your store’s shelves, including releases from Drew Estate, Camacho, Oliva and Fratello.