Terence Reilly
Terence Reilly is the newest of a young generation that is quickly moving up the ranks in the Quesada family cigar business. Headed by Manuel Quesada, the Quesada family is known for products coming out of the MATASA factory, as well as the Fonseca line of cigars. The WBF crew met Terence at the Long Island Herf, and later asked him to answer a few questions for us.
WBF: Looking across the cigar industry, family seems to be really important. This seems to apply to the Quesada family more then most, as a younger generation is stepping in and really impacting the family trade. What kind of an impact have you and your cousins made on the family?
Terence: The 5th Generation of Quesadas (or Q5 as we like to call ourselves) are slowly becoming more and more involved in all aspects of the business. What we bring to the table is a fresh way of looking at things. Of course, we are fairly new at this and still have a lot to learn from our elders, but because we are part of a younger generation of cigar enthusiasts we have insight into what they are looking for in a cigar the various means of attracting their interest.
WBF: The Quesada is really a masterpiece. It’s the first cigar to have your family’s name on it, and for good reason; what was the process behind creating this cigar?
Terence: First and foremost, the idea behind the Quesada 35th was to honor my uncle’s (Manuel Quesada’s) 35 years in the business, and it was decided the best way to do that was with a cigar bearing the family name. The Quesada 35th was also intended to demonstrate that the 5th Generation is now more directly involved in the company and is capable of creating a cigar with the same great consistency and quality of the cigars that have been created in Matasa for the past 35 years, but with a taste that is completely new and different.
WBF: The Casa Magna had great success, and has garnered much acclaim from both cigar publications and everyday cigar enthusiasts; the Casa Magna Oscuro is now due out for release sometime around November; what was the thought process behind that, and what are some of the tasting notes?
Terence: The Casa Magna Oscuro was created to give the smoker another great, full-bodied cigar at a very reasonable price. However, although it is another full-bodied Casa Magna, it has its own unique look and taste profile. The mixture of Nicaraguan filler with a beautiful, dark Honduran wrapper give the Oscuro a personality of its own.
WBF: The Quesada line is going to be brought to the forefront of MATASA’s business; you said you were planning on going into slightly stronger cigars then Fonseca has delivered in the past, any details as to the cigars that are in the works? Will you be using more innovative leaf like the Ecuadorian-grown Aripicara wrapper?
Terence: We plan on releasing a full Quesada line in the first half of 2010. We are currently experimenting with tobaccos never used before at Matasa and are looking to create another innovative blend that garners the same praise that the Quesada 35th has.
WBF: Finally, what is your favorite part of cigar culture? The people, the places, the cigars… you’re a friendly guy, and you really seem to have fun doing what you do.
Terence: I can truly say I enjoy all aspects of this business, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d say that working the events is my favorite part. I think it is a very special thing that I can sit down with a bunch of cigar enthusiasts, talk about the cigars our company makes, have a drink and a few laughs, and call that “work.” I’m pretty lucky.
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