CA Master Blenders Video Podcast: Klaas Pieter Kelner, Davidoff Brand Ambassador

“A good cigar should be positive of taste, balance, and consistency,” says Klaas Pieter Kelner. He ought’a know. Blessed with rakish good looks and a lively personality, the 27-year-old son of renown master blender, Hendrik Kelner, is also a Brand Ambassador for Davidoff Cigars. While visiting Famous Smoke Shop for an in-store event, Klaas took some time-out to talk with Cigar Advisor about his life, his role as a Brand Ambassador, and his passion for cigars.

This isn’t a typical Master Blenders podcast, and not because Klaas isn’t a master blender—at least not yet. Klaas was fortunate enough to grow up in the Dominican Republic amid some of the industry’s most talented tobacco growers and cigar makers, and he had plenty to say about that. He also brought some Davidoff 2018 Chef’s Edition cigars to smoke during our conversation, and so, we had all the ingredients for an interesting program.

“You grow up to love the tobacco business. When you’re family is that deeply involved, you have no choice. Of course, my father did give me a choice, but in my mind, I was dead-set on it.”  – Klaas Pieter Kelner 

Working on the marketing side of the company, one of Klaas’s duties includes hosting tours of the Davidoff facilities in Santiago de los Caballeros. About his job, Klaas says, “I’m a teacher for something that I love.” And about our discussion he said, “Interviews like this help educate the cigar smoker about what really goes into a cigar, and there needs to be more of this.”

Watch our conversation with Klaas now: