Some brands are born out of strategy — IronClad was born out of struggle, faith, and a relentless passion for the craft. What began as a curious hobby decades ago evolved into a journey of lessons learned the hard way, dreams rebuilt from the ground up, and a vision that refused to die.
IronClad Cigars isn’t just another boutique name tossed into the mix — it’s a brand forged in resilience. From its early days under Black Pearl Cigar Company to its powerful rebirth as IronClad, every decision, every blend, and every ounce of effort carries a story of redemption, honor, and unshakable purpose.
Built on the pillars of Faith. Honor. Resilience., IronClad represents what it means to be battle-tested — a company that doesn’t just sell cigars, but tells a story through every draw. This is the tale of how a lifelong cigar lover turned setbacks into strength, built a brand with soul, and crafted a legacy one cigar at a time.
Let’s start with your story — how did your brand begin? Was there a single moment or spark that pushed you to create your own cigar line?
I’ve been a cigar smoker for decades. Cigars have always been more than smoke to me — they’ve been a way to slow down, celebrate victories, survive hard days, and connect with people. But for most of those years, I was simply a lover of the leaf, not someone who ever imagined creating my own.
About three years ago, that began to change. I went from being just an enthusiast to taking a deep dive into the craft — learning about the art of blending, the culture behind each region, and the work it takes to bring a great cigar to life. By the summer of 2024, the idea of starting my own company started whispering louder and louder. I didn’t have all the answers, but I had the passion. I knew I wanted to build something that felt authentic — a brand that wasn’t just another label on the shelf but something with purpose and soul.
My first step was partnering with someone who shared the dream, and together we launched Black Pearl Cigar Company at the end of that summer. Those first months were exciting, humbling, and eye-opening. We learned fast — especially about the realities of branding, trademarks, and what it takes to stand out in an industry full of history and tradition. After about six months, it became clear that my partner and I had different visions for the future. We decided to part ways, and I was faced with a choice: walk away or double down on the dream.
I chose to build it stronger.
That’s how IronClad Cigar Company was born — not just as a rebrand, but as a rebirth. IronClad stands for strength, resilience, and integrity — values I’ve carried through decades of public service and into this new venture. It’s about being battle-tested and unshakable, yet still crafted with care and precision. For me, the name IronClad isn’t just cool branding — it’s a statement: faith, honor, and resilience are at the heart of everything we do.
What started as a curiosity has turned into a mission. IronClad isn’t just about selling cigars; it’s about building a community and creating experiences worth savoring. Every blend — from the Celebes, Banda, and Sulu — is a piece of that vision. We craft cigars for people who work hard, face life head-on, and know how to pause, reflect, and celebrate the moment with something truly special.
IronClad was built out of passion, lessons learned the hard way, and the belief that great cigars are about more than tobacco — they’re about story, character, and connection. That’s the journey that started with Black Pearl and transformed into what IronClad is today.
What’s the meaning behind your brand name or logo? Is there a deeper story behind it?
When I chose to rebrand from Black Pearl Cigar Company, I didn’t want to erase the path that led me here — I wanted to honor it while building something that truly reflected who I am.
Black Pearl carried a nautical soul; it spoke to adventure and exploration on the open sea. But as my journey evolved, I knew I needed a name that was stronger, more personal, and anchored in my own story.
That’s where the name IronClad was born.
In the age of wooden warships, ironclad ships were the first armored vessels — a revolutionary step forward that changed naval history. They were built to endure storms, withstand battle, and keep moving forward no matter what came their way. That image struck a chord with me because my own path in the cigar world has been just that — learning hard lessons, facing challenges, and coming back stronger each time.
IronClad represents being battle-tested, resilient, and unshakable.
But the meaning doesn’t stop at the name — it’s carried into the logo:
The Shield — Inspired by my decades of law enforcement service, it’s a symbol of protection, duty, and honor.
The Sword — Designed not just as a blade but as a cross, representing my Christian faith, which keeps me grounded and guides every decision I make.
Together, the shield and sword embody the core values I’ve built this company on: Faith. Honor. Resilience.
Rebranding wasn’t just a business move — it was a personal declaration.
IronClad Cigar Company pays homage to my beginnings with Black Pearl while evolving into a brand forged by experience, strengthened by faith, and dedicated to crafting cigars with character and story.
Which factory are your cigars produced in, and how did that relationship begin?
Our cigars are proudly handcrafted in the Dominican Republic at Rodrigues Olivan Cigars Factory (ROCF) — a boutique factory known for its dedication to quality and consistency.
When I first set out to bring my own blends to life, I spent a lot of time researching and reaching out to factories. I didn’t just want any production partner; I wanted a team that understood my vision and would treat each cigar with care. ROCF was actually the seventh factory I spoke to, but the one that felt right from the start.
Over time, I built a relationship with Ismael Olivan, the owner of ROCF. What began as business conversations about blends and construction turned into trust and friendship. Ismael and his team listened, guided, and worked with me to bring my ideas from concept to reality. Their craftsmanship and commitment to detail have been a huge part of why IronClad cigars smoke the way they do.
There are many great cigars coming out of ROCF, and I’m proud to have IronClad among them. Partnering with a factory that values tradition, precision, and passion as much as I do has allowed me to focus on creating blends with character — cigars worthy of the IronClad name.
What’s your approach to blending — do you chase balance, boldness, nostalgia, or something else entirely?
When it comes to blending, I don’t follow trends — I chase discovery. My goal is to create cigars that feel familiar enough to enjoy but bold enough to stand apart. To do that, I’m constantly searching for unique tobaccos — sometimes from regions or varietals that even the biggest brands overlook or shy away from.
As a smaller, independent company, we have the freedom to experiment in ways the giants can’t or won’t. I love digging into exotic leaf from around the world — not just the traditional Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Honduran tobaccos, but also unique hybrids and underutilized regions that add unexpected flavor and character.
Every blend begins with curiosity and a question: What if we combine this rare leaf with a familiar core? What if we give smokers something they haven’t tasted before, but can still fall in love with? From there, it’s about balance — not necessarily mildness or boldness, but harmony. I want each cigar to have a journey of flavor, with transitions that keep you engaged from light-up to final draw.
For me, blending isn’t about chasing hype; it’s about creating something distinct and memorable — cigars that can stand toe-to-toe with the classics while still surprising the palate. IronClad blends are meant for smokers who want to explore, discover, and taste something truly different.
If you could describe your blending philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
IronClad’s blending philosophy is to explore unique and often overlooked tobaccos from around the world, crafting distinctive, balanced cigars that surprise the palate while honoring tradition.
Every boutique brand has a heartbeat — what drives yours?
At its core, IronClad’s heartbeat is fueled by passion, resilience, and community. This brand was born from a personal dream — built through hard lessons, second chances, and the determination to create something meaningful. It’s driven by my belief in faith, honor, and strength: faith to keep going when the path gets hard, honor in how we treat people and run our business, and strength to build a brand that endures.
But beyond me, the heartbeat of IronClad is the people who smoke our cigars — the builders, protectors, dreamers, and doers who light up after a long day and find a moment of peace and pride. IronClad exists for those who appreciate craftsmanship and story, who value authenticity over hype, and who want a cigar that’s more than just smoke — it’s an experience and a statement.
How would you describe the emotion behind your brand — in a single word?
Passion!
What’s the mission behind your brand — beyond just selling cigars?
IronClad Cigar Company’s mission goes far beyond putting cigars on shelves. Our purpose is to create cigars that carry meaning — while building a community of authentic smokers who value craftsmanship, connection, and story. We aim to inspire people to slow down, share conversations, and celebrate life’s victories, big and small.
Where do you see your brand five or ten years from now?
In 5 to 10 years, I see IronClad Cigar Company standing as a respected name in the boutique cigar world — a brand known not just for great cigars but for original blends, fearless use of unique tobaccos, and a loyal community that feels like family. I want IronClad to be a symbol of strength and authenticity — a go-to choice for smokers who want something crafted with passion and personal story, not mass-market hype.
By then, I envision IronClad cigars being on shelves nationwide and recognized internationally, with a strong presence at major events. I hope the brand continues to push boundaries with innovative blends while staying true to its roots — faith, honor, and resilience — and inspiring the next generation of boutique cigar makers to dream big and build boldly.
What does being part of the cigar industry mean to you personally?
Being part of the cigar industry is deeply personal to me — it’s more than business, it’s a calling. Cigars have been a part of my life for decades; they’ve marked celebrations, comforted me in hard times, and created countless friendships. To now stand on the other side as a brand owner is humbling and powerful.
How do you see the relationship between boutique and legacy brands — competition, collaboration, or both?
I see the relationship between boutique and legacy brands as both competition and collaboration — and I think that’s healthy for the industry.
The legacy brands built the foundation we all stand on. They have history, scale, and consistency that helped make premium cigars what they are today. Without their craftsmanship and decades of reputation, the boutique world wouldn’t have space to thrive. I respect that deeply.
But boutique brands bring energy and innovation — we can experiment, take risks with unique tobaccos, create bolder stories, and connect with smokers in a more personal way. We’re nimble, willing to try things the big players might not, and that pushes the whole industry forward.
In many ways, it’s competition because we’re all fighting for shelf space and attention. But it’s also collaboration, because the success of one helps lift the image of premium cigars as a whole. I’ve found that most people in this industry — big or small — are passionate about the craft and genuinely supportive when someone is doing good work.
At the end of the day, I think the future is strongest when legacy brands hold the tradition and boutique brands push the boundaries — together keeping the culture alive, exciting, and welcoming for the next generation of cigar smokers.
What’s one misconception people often have about boutique cigars that you’d love to correct?
One of the biggest misconceptions about boutique cigars is that “small means unproven or lower quality.” People sometimes assume that if a brand isn’t backed by a massive factory or decades of history, the cigars must be inconsistent or not worth the price. The truth is, boutique doesn’t mean cheap or careless — it often means the exact opposite.
Small brands like IronClad obsess over every detail. We’re hands-on with the blending, the factory relationships, the tobacco sourcing — because our name and reputation depend on it. We’re not producing millions of cigars a year; we’re focused on making something distinctive, balanced, and memorable. We have the freedom to experiment with rare tobaccos and creative profiles that the big players might avoid.
In many ways, boutique cigars are where craftsmanship and innovation thrive. If anything, being small forces us to be more intentional, more creative, and more connected to our smokers — because every single cigar matters.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about what it takes to bring a cigar to market?
I wish more people understood just how much work, patience, and risk goes into getting a single cigar into someone’s hand. From the outside, it might look like you just pick some tobacco, slap a band on, and sell it — but the reality is far deeper.
Have you ever had a blend or idea that just didn’t work — and what did you learn from that?
Of course. You just have to keep digging and stay focused on what you’re trying to create. It’s a creative process.
What advice would you give to someone dreaming of starting their own cigar brand? My biggest advice is this: love the craft, respect the process, and prepare for the long game.
What’s your personal daily smoke — the cigar you light when you’re not working, just relaxing? I love my blends, the Celebes is my morning goto. Then there’s the Sulu and Banda!
Visit IronClad on their website or find them on Instagram
