Cigar hall-of-famer Frank Llaneza always put family first

Wednesday, March 24 2010

By Andrew Meacham, Times Staff Writer
TampaBay.com

TAMPA — Cigar manufacturer Frank Llaneza measured his work by a simple standard. When you finish a good cigar, he said, you are ready for another one.

For 60 years, the former owner of Villazon and Co. made cigars for all tastes and budgets. He survived the Cuban embargo by blending Havana leaf with tobacco from other countries, eventually creating a comparable cigar all his own.

Eventually, he created cigars that resembled the aromas and flavors of Cuban cigars. In 1996, he sold Villazon for millions. A year later, Cigar Aficionado magazine inducted Mr. Llaneza (ya-NESS-a) into its hall of fame, which has just six members. Four of the members have ties to Tampa...story continues here