New Horizons - John Atherton

It takes a brave person to meet the challenge of competing against, or alongside, the big players. Rob Allanson chats to John Atherton about being the new kid on the block in the close-knit cigar world

When General Cigar closed its office in London a few years ago, John Atherton and his now business partner Richard Laing found themselves taking on the role of entrepreneurs and setting themselves up in business.

Cut loose from the behemoth company which handled the international development of brands such as Macanudo, the pair aimed to fill a gap in the market by founding the Horizon Cigar Company.

Small, but punching above their weight, they have created a flexible and yet international enterprise dedicated to the philosophy of excellent price and top notch quality.

The company’s cigars have scored highly in Cigar Buyer’s tastings, showing off good taste, balance and draw characteristics.

Like all brilliant business ideas, it came from the ashes of bad news during a couple of pints in the pub.

“We wanted to be a counter point to the big boys,” explains John. “More a syndicate or a co-op, and work with smaller producers and identify new markets for them.

“A good example of this is the La Rica range. We created this from scratch working with the producer.

“This was our first product, closely followed by the Chinchaleros range.” All the Horizon Cigar Company lines are made in Nicaragua, in the skillful torcedor hands of Carlos Toraño’s factories.

The basic decision to produce Horizon’s first products in Nicaragua was quickly made as production costs are very low and there is access to select fine tobaccos in sufficient quantity.

“What we try to do is analyse markets a.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Rob Allanson

Section : Cigar Interviews

Page number : 13

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 9 on 18/09/2006.

This article is 70 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



	Home Magazine News Store Tastings Brands Legislation Glossary Links Contact
	New Horizons - John Atherton It takes a brave person to meet the challenge of competing against, or alongside, the big players. Rob Allanson chats to John Atherton about being the new kid on the block in the close-knit cigar world When General Cigar closed its office in London a few years ago, John Atherton and his now business partner Richard Laing found themselves taking on the role of entrepreneurs and setting themselves up in business. Cut loose from the behemoth company which handled the international development of brands such as Macanudo, the pair aimed to fill a gap in the market by founding the Horizon Cigar Company. Small, but punching above their weight, they have created a flexible and yet international enterprise dedicated to the philosophy of excellent price and top notch quality. The company’s cigars have scored highly in Cigar Buyer’s tastings, showing off good taste, balance and draw characteristics. Like all brilliant business ideas, it came from the ashes of bad news during a couple of pints in the pub. “We wanted to be a counter point to the big boys,” explains John. “More a syndicate or a co-op, and work with smaller producers and identify new markets for them. “A good example of this is the La Rica range. We created this from scratch working with the producer. “This was our first product, closely followed by the Chinchaleros range.” All the Horizon Cigar Company lines are made in Nicaragua, in the skillful torcedor hands of Carlos Toraño’s factories. The basic decision to produce Horizon’s first products in Nicaragua was quickly made as production costs are very low and there is access to select fine tobaccos in sufficient quantity. “What we try to do is analyse markets a..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Rob Allanson Section : Cigar Interviews Page number : 13 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 9 on 18/09/2006. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 70 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.