Wow, wow, wow—what a weekend. I’ve recently returned from Edinburgh, Scotland, still buzzing from one of THE cigar events of the year—and still recovering! Meet the Makers, held Saturday, 26th July 2025, was a rare opportunity: where we got to spend the entire day in a Scottish castle, sipping world-class whisky, smoking some of the finest New World cigars, and meeting the folk who made them.
Let me take you through the weekend!
Arrival in Edinburgh
I arrived in Edinburgh the day before the event, flying in from London City Airport. As I landed, someone sent me a message on WhatsApp saying that U.S. President Donald Trump was also en route to Scotland. Was he planning to attend Meet the Makers? Of course not—he had golf to play at Trump International Scotland!
With time to spare, I met up with my cigar buddy Alistair—who joined me on my recent Cuba trip—and together we explored the local cigar scene. First stop: Robert Graham, one of the event’s hosts, where I smoked an E.P. Carrillo Allegiance.
Later that evening at The Puffin Rooms, we bumped into a few fellow attendees, and the buzz for the weekend truly began.
Meanwhile, the makers themselves were being hosted at The New Club, Scotland’s oldest private members’ club, enjoying their own exclusive pre-party with a view of Edinburgh Castle.
Carlowrie Castle: A grand entrance
At 9:30 AM on event day, we boarded a coach (with pickups in both Edinburgh and Glasgow) and were welcomed by a crowd of sharply dressed guests—kilts, tailored suits, and big grins all around. Some even had a lit cigar in their hand 😄. The 30-minute drive to Carlowrie Castle was filled with anticipation and friendly banter.
Ritual) outside the castle
Upon arrival, we were met by a proper Highland welcome—bagpipes, fire torches, and Scottish dancers.
The Pickled Piper
The setting? A majestic 19th-century castle with roots stretching back to the Jacobean era. Most notably, it was once home to Isobel Wylie Hutchison, a pioneering Arctic explorer, poet, and botanist. The venue, now an award-winning events destination, couldn’t have been more fitting.
Meet the Makers: The icons of the industry
The event—two years in the making—was masterfully organised by Tor Imports and Robert Graham Whisky & Cigar specialists, so far in advance that even the busiest cigar makers couldn’t decline.
Source: Meet The Makers
After check-in, we received our Meet the Makers goody bags—each one packed with a whisky glass on a strap (perfect for tastings later in the day), whisky samples, a premium selection of New World cigars, magazines, and a variety of cigar accessories, including cutters, lighters, and a special edition Les Fines Lames punch bracelet.
I set out with the intention of pacing myself, but with such a generous selection of cigars, it was definitely tempting to indulge! Here are some of the cigars that were included—though I can’t recall all the vitolas, so if you know any, feel free to let me know!
- A.J. Fernandez Dias de Gloria Brazil
- Caldwell Long Live the King
- Casa Magna Colorado Robusto by Quesada
- Casa Turrent 1880 Colorado
- C.L.E. Corojo
- Charatán Claro
- Drew Estate Blackened M8 Maduro
- Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Brûlée
- E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic
- Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas
- La Flor Dominicana Solis
- Oliva V Melanio
- Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro
As we entered the castle gardens, the New World’s top cigar makers greeted us in a literal lineup, shaking hands with every attendee. It was an unforgettable moment—like a royal reception, but with the true royalty of the cigar world.
Although a bit awkward at times haha (what do you say to so many legends in a row?), the warm welcome made it all incredibly special and a pretty genius moment!
Among the legends I spotted were:
Abdel Fernandez, founder of AJ Fernandez Cigars, known for unparalleled premium cigars produced in Esteli, Nicaragua, using proprietary tobacco seeds, Nicaraguan innovations, and traditional Cuban techniques. His brand combines Cuban heritage with Nicaraguan terroir and has earned global recognition, including Cigar Journal’s “No. 1 Cigar of the Year” accolades.
Nick Perdomo, Jr., President & CEO of Perdomo Cigars, a renowned family-owned and operated company based in Miami, Florida, with operations in Nicaragua. Perdomo is a vertically integrated manufacturer, controlling every process from agriculture to distribution, and has won “Cigar of the Year” and “Best Brand Nicaragua” awards from Cigar Journal. Nick Perdomo Jr. was recently inducted into the Cigar Hall of Fame by the Cigar Authority.
Steve Saka, founder and owner of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. He’s revered for his meticulous approach and uncompromising quality, personally overseeing every aspect of production. His brand, founded in 2015, is celebrated for its authenticity and blends like Sobremesa and Mi Querida.
Other notable makers listed for the event included Christian L. Eiroa (C.L.E.), Litto Gómez (La Flor Dominicana) and Joey Reichenbach (Drew Estate) among many others.
Sadly, Juan Martínez of Joya de Nicaragua and Patricia Quesada of Quesada cigars wasn’t able to attend the event, but they did send their apologies via video message.
A marriage of whisky and cigars
Beneath a spacious white canopy, where approximately 150 to 200 guests were seated, the formal program began with Stephen Johnstone (Robert Graham) and Scott Vines (Tor Imports) taking the stage.
The atmosphere felt like a wedding —as Scott described it, “a marriage of whisky and cigars.”
The day was packed with a full agenda, featuring engaging panel discussions, cigars, whisky tastings, and great conversations.
Here are some notes I took from the seminars:
“Tradition vs Innovation”
Caldwell, Casa Carrillo, Dunbarton, Oliva and Quesada.
Moderated by Nick Hammond.
The panel explored the evolution of cigar culture, from heritage and blending philosophy to the future of New World cigars.
“Oak & Smoke”
Annandale, Dalmore, Glencadam, Raasay and Tamdhu.
Moderated by Christopher Coates, Whisky Magazine.
Key themes included:
– Innovation in cask selection (Oloroso Sherry, rare Chinquapin Oak)
– Differences in single-cask vs. blended whisky approach.
– The creative risks distilleries take to craft something new
“Use Voice or Lose Choice“
Tatiana Camacho / ITPAC – Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council
Tatiana delivered a talk on looming government regulations:
- Potential bans on indoor smoking
- Age restrictions for anyone born after 2008
- The possible future of plain packaging
It was a stark reminder of the external pressures the industry faces. If you haven’t done so yet, visit useyourvoice.com for more information.
“The Ultimate Cigar Pairing”
Boveda, Les Fines Lames and Lotus.
Moderated by Joshua Habursky, PCA.
The discussion covered:
- Consumer preferences in cutters and lighters (punch vs. V-cut vs. straight, etc.)
- Aesthetic vs. practicality in accessory design
- The debate between showpiece gear and everyday reliability
“New World Then And Now”
AJ Fernandez, Casa Turrent, CLE, Drew Estate and Joya de Nicaragua.
Moderated by Katja Gnann, Cigar Journal.
Topics ranged from preserving tradition in the modern era to the use of AI in cigar marketing and customer profiling.
Abdel Fernandez doesn’t speak English, so he had Carlos from Tor Imports act as his translator.
“30 Years of Excellence”
La Flor Dominicana and Perdomo.
Moderated by Nick Hammond.
Closing the day was a heartfelt conversation with Nick Perdomo Jr. and Litto Gomez, again moderated by Nick Hammond.
They reflected on what it means to run a family cigar business in today’s market. A key insight: while imperfections might be tolerated in Cuban cigars, New World makers must deliver flawless consistency—especially for the U.S. market. It was a powerful reminder of the pride and pressure behind every stick.
A laid-back BBQ lunch and an evening buffet (featuring a surprisingly delicious haggis Scotch egg) kept everyone well-fed—along with generous pours of whisky to keep spirits high after the seminars.
Meeting so many readers of my blog was a real highlight – thank you for coming up to chat with me! 🙏 I love swapping cigar stories and sharing journeys with fellow enthusiasts and it made the day even more memorable.
I tried to get photos with as many makers as I could, though I unfortunately missed Abdel Fernandez, who had to leave early. A personal standout? Sitting down and enjoying a cigar with Steve Saka. One of the kindest, most grounded people in the cigar world.
Credit: Greg Macvean
The Highland Games
A special Meet the Makers edition of the Highland Games unfolded in dramatic fashion, as Team Whisky and Team Cigar went head-to-head in a spirited battle. Fueled by tradition and camaraderie, both teams competed fiercely, each determined to emerge victorious in this unforgettable showdown.
Giving back: Charities at the heart
All ticket proceeds (£480 per person) went to charity, and a charity cigar auction raised over £25,000 for:
- Fe y Alegría Nicaragua, supporting education and development in Estelí.
- Lothian Children’s Deaf Club, providing community and resources for deaf children and their families.
- The Yard, a Scottish organization creating inclusive play spaces for disabled youth.
Musical extravaganza
As the sun set, a performance from the band— The Rolling Drones—wrapped up the day.
During the evening’s musical extravaganza, I had the pleasure of chatting to Billy and Lewis from the Sip n Smoke podcast, Cally from Tor Imports smashing everything on their socials and Joshua Harbursky from the PCA (Premium Cigar Association – who host the annual US cigar trade show in both Las Vegas and New Orleans).
After party
After a full day’s events, I must say I was knackered haha, climbing back onto the bus back to Edinburgh, Nick Perdomo suddenly jumped aboard, bringing his energy – in no time, he had the whole bus buzzing for more – thanking the hosts for doing a brilliant job – lifting the mood and rallying everyone to attend the after-party.
Before I knew it, we were back in the city at a bar—unfortunately, smoking wasn’t allowed. Still, it was the perfect way to wrap up an incredible day.
Seventeen and half hours after it all began, I climbed into an Uber around 3 a.m. and headed to my place for the night.
This was truly an unforgettable experience. If you missed it, you really did miss out on one of the year’s cigar highlights. Here is a little video montage I made of the day:
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