July has to be one of my favorite times of the year. I am but a week away from my journey to Las Vegas for the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Convention. From July 13 through the 17th "Sin City" will be the center of the cigar world and I will have the good fortune to be a part of it. Of course this weekend is the time that we extend our Fourth of July celebrations.

As we commemorate that wonderful 1328 word document that inspired a ragged and loose confederation of common people to break away from the security of foreign rule to the uncharted path of liberty, I can't help but be thankful for all the freedom I have today. It wasn't the Declaration of Independence for that took the blood of patriots, but it did inspire them toward the cause.

 I marvel at the level of courage it took for our forefathers to risk everything, for a concept and form of self rule that had never been employed throughout recorded history. It's this same spirit that encourages entrepreneurs today to gamble their financial security for the chance at realizing a business dream.

The cigar industry is filled with these mavericks. Consider that tobacco must be paid purchased, cured, processed, aged, made into cigars, aged again, then shipped for sale. That's a lot of checks for a cigar maker to write before the first stick is ever sold in a tobacco shop. And that doesn't factor in poor weather, mold and bugs, and of course political unrest. We have to remember that many of these factories are situated in countries where things can be "politically unstable" to say the least. And let's not forget about our government, which consistently looks for ways to raise taxes and enforce strict environmental standards. Why would anyone want to take a chance with cigars?

 Well, just like the Cuban exiles who left behind everything except their love and knowledge of tobacco along with a few seeds, there is a new generation of those taking a leap for the leaf.

Jonathon Drew is a shining sign that the entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well in the cigar world. In 1995, Jon began a partnership with fraternity brother Marvin Samel. They started with a kiosk in the World Trade Center Mall and today they operate one of the largest, and visually stunning, cigar factories in the world. Drew Estate, located in Esteli, Nicaragua, is an estate in every meaning of the word.  They also, in my opinion, manufacture one of the greatest cigar lines in the world, Liga Privada. Not bad for a couple of college guys who were once known more for their flavored cigars and also experienced many financial pitfalls over the years.

 I look forward to not only getting a chance to see Jonathon in a few weeks, but also all of other cigar  industry mavericks. There will be a lot of rich tobacco history on display in Las Vegas, some old and some recent. I can't think of a month more befitting than July to celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit. And of course I will write all about it.  - Chris Gwaltney, @chrisgnole

PS: From Saturday, July 13 until the end of the show mid-week, I'll be filing extra blog reports to keep you up to date--BOLO for dual blogs each of those days!