Season 2, Episode 12: Fred Vandermarliere of J.Cortés

This week’s guest on the Around The World in 80 Cigars podcast is a young man in an old business; one who is taking on the pressure of continuing, and innovating within, a tobacco dynasty. In 2016, the world of the handrolled cigar was open-mouthed to learn that Oliva – one of the oldest and most respected tobacco growing and cigarmaking companies in Nicaragua - had been bought by J Cortés – a European firm best known for its longstanding production of quality machine-made cigars. Since then, Cortés – and the Vandermarliere Cigar Family, of which it is part – has become a pioneering force in the industry. Latest incumbent is Fred Vandermarliere – the latest in a line of Vandermarlieres charged with taken this prestigious old form in a new direction. Fred joins Nick from Estelí in Nicaragua in a wide-ranging discussion which forms the last episode of Season Two. Happy Friday, folks.