About Us
Cigar Tours to Cuba is a division of Smooth Draws, LLC. Other entities under the Smooth Draws umbrella include our own cigar lifestyle radio show, called the Smooth Draws Radio Show, as well as Smooth Draws Cigar Tours, specializing in tours to Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. Smooth Draws, LLC is owned and operated by Gary "Doc" Laden and Nick Syris (you can read about the pair below)
Nick Syris
Nick Syris is truly a cigar "rennaisance man" possessing a cigar knowledge that is beyond compare. He has learned the art of tobacco growing and cigarmaking throughout the globe. He has traveled to Cuba on more than 60 occasions. He became one of the founding members of the first private social cigar club in Havana since the revolution. With more than 100 members from throughout the globe, the club boasts members ranging from ambassadors from various embassies (including the US embassy) to key Cuban figures - basically a "who’s who" of the cigar industry in Havana. Nick achieved the designation of "Master” and is a graduate of the Habanos Academia. He is also a Certified Retail Tobacconist. Nick is one of the most knowledgeable people in the cigar industry and his experience in the cigar industry - from seed to finished cigar - is without equal. We are happy to have him providing his expertise as a host on the Smooth Draws Radio Show. With his knowledge and passion for cigars and his wealth of contacts throughout the cigar industry, Nick adds greatly to the show and is simply a fantastic Cuba Cigar Tour host.
Contact Nick:
Gary "Doc" Laden
Doc (he is actually a physician), as he is known to friends in and out of the cigar industry, is a throwback to a time when politeness was fashionable, political correctness had not yet been invented and men had style. He states he would have been quite at home during an era where men dressed as a matter of self respect when dining out or going to events and smoked cigars in boardrooms and in their studies (think Nucky Thompson from Boardwalk Empire). He has been an avid cigar smoker for 25 years. He believes that cigar smokers have a unique kinship and tend to be gregarious and generous (where else in life would you give something [a cigar] worth $10 to a stranger he says). Doc loves people and has never met a stranger. His humor and wit are enjoyed by our Smooth Draws Radio Show listeners and clients on our tours to Cuba. He has spent time at cigar plantations in Cuba and Central America, learning the art of cigar making. Doc enjoys his cigars complex with full flavor, with a glass of single malt scotch. He also was granted "Certifed Cigar Master" status by Altadis.
Contact Doc:
Testimonials
