What’s the Aric Bey story? How’d you get into cigars?
I am a retired Chicago Firefighter. I started smoking on a regular basis at the firehouse. My love of the leaf grew exponentially, and I decided I wanted to try to start a cigar biz.
What’s it been like working with both El Titan and Aganorsa Leaf?
Two historic factories and both have taught me a lot about tobacco and the business. Sandy at El Titan took me in as family and got us going in the business. Terence Reilly has been a great mentor and made sure working with Aganorsa is easy and fun.
Image credit: @BlackStarLineCigars on Instagram
For someone that hasn’t experienced Black Star Line yet, how would you describe your portfolio and what would you recommend to pair with each brand?
My cigars range from medium to full body. I love Nicaraguan tobacco, so my cigars have that signature spice and pepper that Aganorsa tobacco produces.
Image credit: @BlackStarLineCigars on Instagram
- El Milagro sun grown the pairing is Bruichladdich Classic Laddie
- El Milagro Corojo is Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10
- Connecticut War Witch is Four Roses Single Barrel
- Dark War Witch is Willet Potstill Bourbon
- Lalibela is Larceny Small Batch
What is your blending methodology when creating a new offering?
I base my blends from other cigars that I liked in the past. When I say that, I mean taking different notes that I liked and combined them with different tobacco to make a blend. Then, I experiment with the different blends and determine if I like the notes and if the blend is strong enough.
What are three things that most people don’t know about you?
- I am a martial artist. Been studying for close to 23 years
- Tore my hip up on the job and that’s why I am retired.
- I used to be able to speak Mandarin Chinese very well. Haven’t been to China in a while though so haven’t used it
Good or bad, has anything shocked you about the cigar industry since you’ve joined the ranks as a brand owner?
I never thought that we would get as much attention and love from consumers in such a short time. We have only been in business a little over two years and the response about the blends has been fantastic!
Image credit: @BlackStarLineCigars on Instagram
Where do the names El Milagro, Lalibela, and War Witch come from?
El Milagro means the miracle in Spanish. We felt it was a miracle when Sandy from El Titan decided she would work with us.
Lalibela are the stone churches built into the ground in Ethiopia.
War Witch is a movie based on a young lady who has spiritual powers to see her ancestors.
Outside of cigars, what other hobbies do you have?
I work out and watch a lot of tv. My favorite shows are Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, and Ozark.
Image credit: @BlackStarLineCigars on Instagram
If our Small Batch family could only know one thing about you and your brand, what would it be?
I have never been to Nicaragua and currently I do all the blends remotely from Chicago. I let the factory know what leaves to use and what body I’m looking for. But I do plan on going to Nicaragua sometime this year.
What can fans of Black Star Line look forward to in the next 12-18 months?
I’m working on a new blend through El Titan and Aganorsa. I’m also looking forward to working with a new factory. I will name the factory once we start working on the blend.
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