Justin Andrews on Diesel Cigars, STG & the Evolution of Cigar Collaborations | Deep Cuts Live, Episode #165

Deep Curts Live host Antoine Reid sits down with Scandinavian Tobacco Group's Justin Andrews to explore his journey from eastern North Carolina tobacco country to helping shape some of the cigar industry’s biggest brands and collaborations. From contract manufacturing and blending to Diesel Cigars and industry partnerships, this episode offers an inside look at how modern premium cigar brands are built behind the scenes. In this episode, Justin discusses: Growing up in a tobacco farming family in North Carolina Learning cigar production firsthand in Nicaragua The evolution of cigar marketing and social media restrictions How collaborations changed the premium cigar landscape Building and evolving the Diesel Cigars brand Why construction, consistency, and balance matter in blending The realities of working across factories in Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic Justin also reflects on some of STG’s most impactful projects, including collaborations with brands like Espinosa, Room101, Caldwell, and Illusione, while sharing how Diesel evolved from an online catalog brand into one of the industry’s most respected Nicaraguan-focused portfolios. Whether you’re interested in cigar blending, brand development, factory operations, or the business side of premium cigars, this episode delivers an honest look at the work happening behind the curtain of the modern cigar industry.