Makers & Masters
Inside the Mind of a Modern Cigar Maker: An Interview with Michael Herklots of Ferio Tego
Nov
From left to right: Brendon Scott, Ferio Tego; Joe Holtman, Davidoff of Geneva (Distributor of Ferio Tego); Teresa Wessling, Georgetown Tobacco; Michael Herklots, Ferio Tego – enjoying a cigar at the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show.
Few names in the premium cigar world carry the weight, artistry, and trust that Michael Herklots has earned throughout his career. Now four years since the launch of Ferio Tego, Michael and his partner, Brendon Scott, continue to combine tradition, craftsmanship, and personal style into blends that resonate with enthusiasts around the world.
I have the good fortune of serving with Michael on the Board of Directors of the Premium Cigar Association, so I often benefit from his perspective and wisdom. I am excited to share some of that insight here.
I had the pleasure of asking Michael a series of deeper questions about blending, aging, the evolution of Ferio Tego, and the legacy of brands like Timeless and Metropolitan. His answers—thoughtful, candid, and unmistakably “him”—offer a unique look into what makes Ferio Tego so special.
I also think it’s notable that in addition to his perspective as a brand owner, Michael brings his background as a jazz drummer into everything he does… you’ll hear how that resonates in his answers— and yes, pun totally intended!
1. How has being a brand owner influenced your blending process?
Michael Herklots:
“I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to blend cigars for many years. But blending as an owner carries a bit more pressure to get it right, and more focus and intentionality to keep it ‘true’ to the brand, which is also what is true to me as an artist.”
Michael’s answer underscores a theme consistent throughout Ferio Tego’s rise: craftsmanship driven by identity, not trends. As both creator and curator of his blends, “getting it right” carries new meaning.
2. What does aging mean for Ferio Tego cigars?
I can’t get a quote I heard from Michael out of my head: “Make the cigar the occasion.” With a humidor full of ‘special cigars’ I’ve set aside for years, his simple statement has me now enjoying those special cigars on random Tuesdays— why wait?
Well, there is a case for aging cigars so I asked Michael to expand on aging potential—especially as many enthusiasts begin cellaring earlier vintages of Elegancia, Generoso, and Summa.
Michael Herklots:
“People, wine and cigars all share the same inconvenient truth that we may stick around beyond our valuable years. The key to long term ageability is body first. Then the intensity of flavor etc. But if the body is ‘full,’ even if the cigar is milder, there is aging potential.”
“I have tasted original prototypes of Elegancia, which are now approaching six years, and they’re as current as ever. Generoso and Summa the same. But if a cigar is light in body, there is nowhere for it to go. Aging is mellowing. If the cigar was already light and silky to begin with, it turns into nothing quickly.”
He also shared an interesting tip for storage:
“The warmer and more humid you store cigars the faster and more obviously they change. The cooler and less humid you store your cigars, the slower and more subtly they change over time.”
For enthusiasts exploring long-term aging, this insight is gold.
3. Which blends are driving Ferio Tego’s growth?
Our customers have really embraced the Ferio Tego’s “new hits”— in particular, the annual releases of Elegancia and Generoso— so I asked Michael what he sees as what is driving the brand’s momentum.
Michael Herklots:
“Summa has been a remarkable hit for us. Certainly the fact that it is ‘core’ (made throughout the year in multiple sizes) helps. The Top 25 rating in Cigar Aficionado, and the recent recognition in Robb Report have helped reinforce that momentum.”
“But the blend is SO different and exciting to folks when they first light it up. To have a cigar feel so dense, with flavors so rich, yet a body that is velvety… it just resonates across so many cigar enthusiasts’ preferences.”
Summa’s elegance-meets-power profile is clearly striking a chord—something I hope more of our customers will discover.
4. What does it mean to see Timeless and Metropolitan thrive under Ferio Tego?
These legacy blends have become humidor staples for our customers in a way they never were back when they were made and sold for Nat Sherman. I asked Michael what this resurgence means to him.
Michael Herklots:
“That’s a particular point of pride for me because there was and is a large community of fans for those blends, some dating back 30 years. And the reason is because of their unwavering consistency in quality, flavor, construction and value. That’s a great deal of pressure to get right AGAIN.”
“But, we were also very conscious that those blends were being restored under FERIO TEGO, not to somehow try and continue a legacy of a brand that no longer exists, but rather to help build a new legacy for a brand that will endure, which is Ferio Tego.”
“So, a few minor tweaks and adjustments allowed the flavors to remain familiar to those who already loved them, but added body and nuance to really shine in a way that feels new world and relevant to those who are experiencing the blends for the first time.”
What’s old is new again—by design. There’s a good reason why you’ll find the Timeless Panamericana make our Team’s Top Ten list for three years in a row…
Final Thoughts
Michael Herklots’ passion for tobacco, blending, and the culture of premium cigars is evident in every word. Whether discussing aging potential, artistic intention, or the evolution of iconic blends, one thing is clear: Ferio Tego isn’t just making cigars—they’re shaping a legacy.
His commitment to supporting not just Ferio Tego, but the entire premium cigar industry, is exactly why Ferio Tego is the type of brand we like to support at Georgetown Tobacco– well that, and the cigars are simply exceptional.
If you haven’t yet explored Elegancia, Generoso, or Summa—or revisited Timeless and Metropolitan under their new stewardship—there has never been a better time.
And if you liked this interview, make sure you don’t miss the last one we did with Michael in person on our YouTube channel— while enjoying a Ferio Tego, of course!
