A CONVERSATION WITH Rocky Patel

Rocky Patel, 61, has cemented his legacy as a winning cigarmaker. He began selling cigars in the most modest of ways back in 1995, in the middle of the 1990s cigar boom.

- DAVID SAVONA

Now, nearly 27 years later, his company ranks as one of the most successful in the handmade cigar industry. He sells nearly 30 million cigars a year, most in the United States, but also in some 90 countries. He operates five luxurious cigar lounges—Burn by Rocky Patel—and the line to shake his hand at Big Smokes always stretches far around the venue. Cigar smokers clearly love Rocky Patel and the cigars he makes.

Cigar Aficionado executive editor David Savona met with Patel in his Naples, Florida, headquarters over Rocky Patel Disciple cigars for a discussion about the state of the cigar industry and a look at how Patel built his enviable company.

DAVID SAVONA: You’ve been in the cigar business for more than 26 years now, you’ve sold millions and millions of cigars, and you’ve met so many cigar smokers. Compare the cigar smoker of today to the cigar smoker of 1995, when you got into the business.