Be careful when you visit the islands. You might not ever come back!
Of course, that’s a good thing in many cases. It certainly was for Canadian cop Dean Parsons, who turned his lifelong love of stogies into a new venture while he was there.
The story of how Epic cigars was founded is a dream that perhaps a few of you could see unfolding in your own lives. Parsons was in Turks and Caicos on vacation when he became a part of a real estate development project. The Blue Haven Resort project was a success, and he stayed in the Caribbean to tackle a follow-up project in the Dominican Republic. Shuttling back and forth from the DR to T&C, he found that he had to load up on Fuentes and Davidoffs due to the lack of good smoke in Turks and Caicos.
You already know what’s coming.
He first created his cigar with his new DR tobacco contacts, but it wasn’t long for this world. The market crashed in 2008, and the idea was put on pause. He kept the embers burning, though, and founded Epic cigars in 2010. The brand was inspired by the name of a friend’s kiteboarding company. Epic came to life with a Maduro and a Corojo as the first blends. The business really picked up in 2014, however, and soon Parsons was adding a flavorful Habano to the mix.
Eventually, Zander-Greg (who also owns Nat Cicco) took over many of the business administration and logistics for the brand, allowing Parsons to focus on supporting retailers. Epic now has more inventory and a better aging setup than it did in the early days. Freed up from some of the minutiae, Parsons said he was “just getting started.”
He’s known to spend hours interacting with fans on Instagram (yeah, that’s him commenting. We wonder if he’s a laptop on the beach type of guy…)
Most production for Epic cigars is handled by Tabacalera Von Eicken in the Dominican Republic, which also produces Kristoffs. Parson’s favorite vitola they produce is the lancero, even though it’s more expensive to make. That’s his primary smoke for pleasure. On a sunny day, you can also find him on the golf course with an excellent fat 6 x 60, happily puffing away.
It’s easier to succeed when you love what you do. As Parsons explained, “There’s a lot of other businesses where you make more money with less effort, less time, and less trouble. What drove me to get into this business is the relationships, the camaraderie, and the enjoyment. It is personal for sure.”
With a foundation like that, it’s hard to miss.
Please browse our selection of Epic cigars at your leisure.
