Meet our cigar makers

Name:  Maria Carmen Hernandez
Born:  Havana, Cuba
Experience:  20 yrs.
Years w/ CFNO: 3
Specialty: Big Easy 60 ring x 7"

Maria often gets more attention than her special 60 ring "BIG EASY". Could it be because she's the only woman in the group of eight maestros, or because she rolls her cigars the traditional Cuban way and looks good doing it?  In either case, you're sure to find her willing to entertain you with a little conversation in between cigars.

She learned her trade in her homeland of Cuba at the Partagas factory in Havana. After their standard nine month training period, she graduated to become a master roller and go on to teach others. She's been with CFNO since 2006.

Name: Leonardo Germosen
Born: Tamboril,  D.R.
Experience: 37 yrs.
Years w/ CFNO: 5
Specialty:  Numero Tres

If there was a  New Orleans "tabaquero" union, Leo would be elected President.  He's never afraid to speak up for the group in times of trouble!! He will right the wrongs of the men on the bench. There's a tall tale of Leo's bravery during Hurricane Katrina. As the cigar makers waded through the flood waters they came upon a small alligator.  Without hesitation, Leonardo grabbed the gator and with his bare hands choked it to death!!  He also demonstrates his expert skill in tae kuan do occasionally in the kitchen at the factory.

Leonardo worked in the preparation of materials for ten years before ever making cigars.
He spent many years as a master cigar maker in Leon Jimenez factory in the Dominican Republic and has been with CFNO since 2005.

Name: Nelson Valentin
Born: Tamboril, D.R.
Experience: 30 yrs.
Years w/ CFNO: 10
Specialty:  tobacco preparation

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound............LOOK ! ......on the bench........It's SUPER NELSON !!!!!
You'll often see him at Decatur St. hoisting 150 pound bales of tobacco on one shoulder or riding the delivery tricycle down Bourbon St. with thousands of cigars piled high.

Nelson takes care of all the tobacco preparation for the cigar makers. He also produces his own special size and blend of cigar. He will usually be the one you see at your special event entertaining your guests while he rolls cigars. By day you might see him on the bench striping wrapper or hand-rolling his signature puritos. By night he's a mild mannered cigar roller at your special event. 

Name: Adalberto Tejada
Born: Tamboril, D.R.
Experience: 37 yrs.
Years w/ CFNO: 10
Specialty: Panatela

The Veteran!! Tejada has been making cigars for over half of his life and not a gray hair on his head. He's happy to pose for a photo, cigar in hand. Tejada keeps his family close. His wife, Petra works across the bench from him and diligently bands over 2000 cigars a day.

Tejada learned his trade from his father when he was 13 in the Dominican Republic and has been in the industry ever since.  Tabadon and Tabacalera Esa were just two of the factories he worked in while in the D.R.

Name: Pedro Rosario
Born: Tamboril, D.R.
Experience: 31 yrs.
Years w/ CFNO: 4
Specialty: Numero Uno

Pedro is the stong, silent type....unless we've made a mistake on his paycheck!!  He will be the first cigar maker you see at Decatur as you enter. Although it may be tough to strike up a conversation, he'll do his best to answer a question or point you in the direction of the "English Speakers".

Pedro has also been making cigars for a very long time. He started at 17 in a small factory in the D.R. called Puros Cebao. 

Name: Juan "Nicolas"  Martinez
Born: Tamboril D.R.
Experience: 30
Years w/ CFNO: 3
Specialty: Torpedo

The BEST LIVE SHOW on Bourbon Street!!
Six days a week, rain or shine from 3pm to 11pm you can catch one of Bourbon's most popular acts. You name it, Nico can make it. His work ethic is as perfect as his cigars. He braves the perils journey from parking lot to his bench, every day ducking beads and dodging drunks on the most famous street in New Orleans.

Nicolas comes from a family of cigar makers.  His one of seven and his two brothers Valentin and Fabio are master cigar makers.  Most of Nico's experience comes from his time spent in the D.R. at La Flor Dominica and Tabacalera de Norte (two large factories in the Domincan Repbulic.

Name: Juan "Felipe" Pichardo
Born: Tamboril, D.R.
Experience: 20 yrs.
Years w/ CFNO: 6
Specialty: Double Wrap Churchill

Felipe comes from a family of cigar makers. His father Juan was one of the best in his field.  Felipe takes both his cigars and his parties serious. He likes his cigars on fire and his Johnny Walker Black on ice! You'll often find him sitting at the front table on his day off, enjoying the good life soaking in all the sights, sounds and local libations of the Big Easy.

Felipe is best known for his very sought after Double Wrap Churchill. With only 100 per week in production, the waiting list for orders fills up fast. Most of Felipe's exp-erience comes from his family and the Matasa factory he worked in which is located in Santiago.

Name: Juan Almazar
Born: Moca, D.R.
Experience: 40
Years w/ CFNO: 4
Specialty: Corona

Like a favorite old worn out t-shirt, we just can't seem to get rid of Juan. He's been with the company and its original owners since the mid 90's.  He's come and gone several times, and may not be as fast as he once was, but Juan rolls his signature corona with expert and ease.

Juan's family has been in the tobacco industry for generations. Two of his brothers and his nephew are cigar makers in the D.R. and one of his brothers owned a small factory where Juan worked called Paraiso del Eden.