The Truth About the Cigar Business — Dave Lafferty Tells All [EXTENDED VERSION]

There’s the cigar world people see from the outside… and then there’s the reality of what it takes to survive in it. Today I’m sitting down with Dave Lafferty, VP of Sales at Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, and a guy who has spent years in the trenches of this industry.

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Dave and I talk about the stuff people never see — from the long hours and nonstop grind, to the unique personalities you meet along the way, to the pressure that comes with working for a brand built on being “Sin Compromiso.” It’s not just Steve Saka blending elite cigars; it’s Lafferty’s relentless focus on retailers, customers, and execution that keeps Dunbarton operating at the highest level.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to work in cigars, or why we say “this industry isn’t for everyone,” this conversation lays it bare. This is the truth behind the passion, the pain points, and the pursuit of excellence.