New to the Humidor: Micallef Cigars

 

Micaleff, a Texas-based entrepreneur, already helms an impressive roster of other successful businesses, including ranch land in Alpine, Texas, called CF Ranch; a silicone plastic fabrication company, and a number of fine-dining restaurants in the Alpine and Fort Worth areas. In 2017, he started Micallef cigar company in the face of pending FDA regulations.

“Ninety-five percent of my time is spent in the cigar business,” Micallef said. “My other businesses are mature. I’m dedicating my finances and time to growing this business.”

Micallef started his cigar company in 2016 when a chance encounter introduced him to two cigarmakers from the Gómez Sanchez family. According to Al this is how they met, “the Gómez Sanchez brothers, Joel and Edel, were driving through Texas when their car broke down. Stranded, the brothers stopped at the nearby Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge, in Fort Worth, Texas. They offered to roll some cigars for the patrons. Me being an avid cigar smoker—who spends many afternoons at the lounge—happened to be there and tried their cigars that same day.

“They had some car trouble and stopped in the lounge. They said to the manager, ‘Can we roll some cigars for you?’ The cigars were so popular they stuck around for three days.”

I was so impressed with the Gómez Sanchez brothers’ cigars that I asked them if they would create a personal cigar just for me. That’s how it started….basically through a pure accident.

The following is story of the Gómez family, makers of the Micallef Cigar.

Heritage

The Gómez Sanchez tobacco family business was started back in Cuba in 1934 by Mr. Pedro F. Gómez. In 1994, Joel Gómez Sanchez, grandson of Mr. Pedro F. Gómez, followed his grandfather’s steps and continued with the family tradition in The Valles de San Andres factory in Veracruz, Mexico. He was always supported by his grandfather, Mr. Pedro F. Gómez.

Edel Gómez Sanchez, grandson of Mr. Pedro F. Gómez, joined the family factory in 1998. He brought his knowledge and support to the family business. Within the same year, Migdalia Sanchez, mother of Edel and Joel Gómez Sanchez, joined the factory. She is widely known for her awards within the tobacco industry for her knowledge and contribution to the tobacco industry worldwide in countries such as Chile, Spain, Peru, Sweden, among other countries. In 2011, Migdalia went to the Estelí factory where she implemented the same Cuban techniques applied for more than a century in the tobacco industry.

The Gómez Sanchez family, three generations dedicated exclusively to the tobacco industry around the globe, takes pride and honor in the family tradition of nearly a century and brings their heritage and experience to you in every Micallef Cigar.

FIRST GENERATION

Mr. Pedro F. Gómez was born on San Luis Pinar del Rio, Cuba on February 10, 1923. At age 11, he started working as an apprentice at a local factory. The following year, he moved to Havana where he started working at Becquer in Marianao. He later began working at Pita and Brothers Factory until 1947 when he began the fine art of handcrafting tobacco cigars at the H. Upmann Factory. He then continued working at The Corona Factory. In 1972, he moved to Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain and continue working in different factories in Miami, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and finally in Mexico. Mr. Gómez worked as a Plant and Production Manager in some of the most renowned cigars factories in the world and is recognized worldwide as a master of tobacco and as a fine harvester. His work has also been recognized in well-known magazines (Cigar Aficionado, amongst them) in the USA and Europe. 

Mr. Pedro F. Gómez died at 79 years of age in Mexico where he was still working at one of the most prestigious factories in Mexico and the world.

SECOND GENERATION

Migdalia Sanchez, daughter-in-law of Mr. Pedro F. Gómez, was born in 1947 in Guantanamo, Cuba. At 16 years of age, she started her studies at the School of Tobacconists in Havana. When she was 17, she graduated as a tobacconist and started to work at the Partagas Factory where she stood out as one of the best cigar rollers. There she also acquired the knowledge of the industry in manufacturing and planting.

Migdalia was chosen to represent Cuba in different international expositions. Her work in different countries such as Spain, Chile, Peru, Sweden, among others was recognized in many newspapers and magazines around the world.

Awards

Carlos Balinos Medal (more than 25 years in the tobacco industry in Cuba) Awarded several times as one of the best cigar rollers. She was highly recognized in Spain and served world renowned personalities until 1998 when she joined Mr. Pedro F. Gómez and Joel Gómez in Mexico in their family factory. She later went to Miami where she still contributes to the business there with her knowledge and input as well as to the factory in Nicaragua.

THIRD GENERATION

Edel, Joel and Mabel Gómez Sanchez, grandchildren of Mr. Pedro F. Gómez, have also dedicated their lives to the tobacco industry.

Edel Gómez Sanchez was born in 1972 in Havana, Cuba. In 1988, at just age 16, he began working as an apprentice at the Partagas factory in Havana. He later worked at H. Upmann factory as a cigar roller where he was recognized for the high quality handcrafted cigars he produced.

Edel left Cuba in 1998 and went to Miami where he joined the family business. He later went to Mexico and contributed with his knowledge in manufacturing, planting, and product finish. Together with his brother Joel, he went to Esteli, Nicaragua to their family factory where they actively participate and contribute to the development and growth of the factory. The factory currently ranks among the highest with excellent product quality and customer satisfaction. Edel also participated in multiple demonstrations and presentations of handcrafted tobacco cigars being recognized as a master in his craft.

Joel Gómez Sanchez was born in 1974 in Havana, Cuba. In 1990, when he was only 16 years old, he began working as an apprentice at the Partagas factory. In 1992, he worked at the H. Upmann factory as a cigar roller. In 1994, he left Cuba and moved to Miami. The same year he went to Mexico and joined his grandfather Pedro, who passed all his knowledge about tobacco, planting, fermentation, and production on to him. Joel stayed with his grandfather, Pedro, until the day of his death and it can be assured Joel and his brother were the only ones who received all the knowledge acquired by his grandfather over the years. 

We are very excited to launch this brand in our Cigar Lounge at QG’s humidor. We will be featuring the 93 and 92 rated Grand Bold Nicaragua and Sumatra, the 93 rated Leyanda and the 96 rated La Crema.