Drew Estate has announced the Willy Herrera has been appointed to the position of master blender of Drew Estate. The news comes less than a week after Nicholas Melillo, the man in command of the company’s tobacco operations, announced he had left the company.

“This is an incredible opportunity, and it’s a dream come true for me to become “Master Blender” of a global company as well respected as Drew Estate,” said Herrera in a press release. “There are many people who have believed in me along this journey, especially my family.”

Herrera joined the company less than three years ago after spending eight years at El Titan de Bronze in Miami. His blending talents at Drew Estate have so far fruitioned in the form of Herrera Esteli and the soon-to-be-released Norteño.

“It is important for me to clarify that Willy is not in charge of running La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate,” said Jonathan Drew, the company’s co-founder. “His position is a newly created, specific role – built around his greatest talent, Master Blender.”

While he will not be taking over the tobacco operations, Drew indicated his role would extend beyond simply the Herrera Esteli brand.

“We intend to challenge Willy in expanding his blending universe, from Liga Privada to Kentucky Fire Cured. This will not be easy for him. Willy will report directly to me, and I am not an easy person to work for. I am very demanding and require absolute excellence when it comes to creativity.”

In addition, the company confirmed that Herrera Esteli Norteño would be produced at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, not Joya de Nicaragua as originally announced. 

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.