Cigar World WCW: Nicole Knobel of ADVentura Cigars

Meet this bi-coastal, actually bi-continental, badass, Nicole Knobel from ADVentura Cigars. There is so much going on with this brand, and Nicole has a huge part in making it happen. Check out our latest interview with her below!

Jean: So excited to chat with you today about ADVentura Cigars and your role within the company. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us.

Nicole: Thank you for having me! I’m always excited to talk about ADVentura and share our story.

Jean: Let’s start off with your story about how you got into the cigar business, and what you do with ADVentura.

Nicole: My journey into cigars wasn’t traditional, but it was definitely organic. Coming from the beauty industry as Artistic and Creative Director, I was on vacation in Monaco, met and fell in love with the Founder of ADVentura Cigars. In 2018, packed my bags, and moved to Switzerland. With a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and storytelling, cigars quickly became a passion. When we expanded ADVentura from Europe to the U.S., I brought my expertise as an American, blending entrepreneurial and corporate insights from the beauty world. Today, I wear many hats—overseeing operations, branding, marketing, and community engagement—all to ensure our cigars aren’t just smoked but truly experienced.

Jean: ADVentura is a fun brand. What is the reasoning behind the pirate branding?

Nicole: Marcel created a brand that could evolve and grow with us, and this theme has infinite possibilities. It is also quite authentic as it retells the origin of tobacco and the reflects his journey with coming from the old world (Switzerland)  to the new world (Dominican Republic). We wanted to create more than just cigars—we wanted to take smokers on an adventure. The pirate and explorer theme speaks to discovery, craftsmanship, and the thrill of the unknown. Every blend tells a story, chronicles a journey that allows the smoker to stay involved in the brand. 

Jean: And the cigars’ names go hand in hand with this, right?

Nicole: Exactly. Each cigar represents a chapter in our explorers’(ADV & McKay) journey, from setting sail to discovering new lands. They first “Explore (The Explorer), Navigate, (The Navigator) and Conquer (The Conqueror)” the land, then return the goods (cigars) to the royal family (The Royal Return); a gift for the queen (Queen’s Pearls) and a gift for the king (King’s Gold). We then introduced the pirates, (Barbarroja, Blue Eyed Jack, and in 2026 will be Blackfin’s Parlay) It’s a progression of flavor and experience, and if you follow along with our releases, you’ll notice how they all tie into this grand adventure.

Jean: You even have a Pirates group on Facebook for your zealots. What type of engagement are you seeing in this group?

Nicole: Our Facebook group, the ADVentura Pirates, is the reason I started the podcast, Puffery. They take the time to post and comment, and I felt I wanted them to get to know us and what makes us who we are, as we are worldwide and that’s the beauty of social media and connecting authentically. The group is full of passionate smokers who love our cigars and the lifestyle we’ve built around them. It’s more than just sharing cigar pictures; it’s about conversations, exclusive content, and a real sense of camaraderie.

Jean: This brand is also rich in history and heritage. Could you get into more detail for us?

Nicole: ADVentura isn’t just about a theme—it’s built on deep tobacco heritage. Our cigars are crafted in the Dominican Republic with the expertise of Henderson Ventura, whose family has been in the industry for generations. We respect tradition while also pushing boundaries with unique blends and innovation. He is the youngest Master Blender in the industry and the 3 of us make up a pretty strong team that covers the dynamics of this industry.

Jean: For those that do not know, ADV had their factory burn down in 2022. Can you share with us how you have overcome this terrible hurdle for your business?

Nicole: That was one of the toughest moments for us. Losing the factory meant more than just physical damage—it was an emotional and operational setback that seemed impossible to recover from at the time. But we didn’t stop. We leaned on our community, our team, and our passion for what we do. We found the silver lining and proof timing is everything so we rebuilt, adapted, and came back stronger, proving that ADVentura is here for the long haul. Our informal tag line is “we here to stay.” 

Jean: I also see that you started a new podcast, Puffery. This is exciting! When do your latest episodes release and on what platforms?

Nicole: Yes! Puffery is something I’m really passionate about. It’s all about bringing fresh perspectives to the cigar world and celebrating the culture in a focused, engaging and somewhat philosophical way. We release episodes bi-weekly, and you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube—wherever you listen to podcasts.

Jean: With PCA around the corner, does ADV have any new launches that we can discuss, or are we still in hush-hush mode?

Nicole: I can’t give away too much just yet, but let’s just say we have something that people have been asking for a while now, with a brand experience box set, and a special edition of the Blue Eyed Jacks Revenge. 

Jean: So getting into your personal cigar taste, what is your favorite cigar right now?

Nicole: That’s always a tough question! Right now, I’m really enjoying King’s Golden Tooth, petit corona, but it depends on the moment. Each blend speaks to a different mood, time of day, or experience.

Jean: What do you like to pair your cigars with? And when is your favorite time of the day to smoke?

Nicole: Champagne and Queen’s Pearls is my absolute favorite. There is something about the bubbles and brioch-ee essence of the champagne that compliment the creaminess and hazelnut of the Queen’s Pearls it’s literally heaven. I also really love The Navigator Francis D. with Tawny Port. The ageing and fortification of the wine in wood offers such a rich compliment to the complexity of The Navigator blend. As for the time of day, most of the time in the afternoon. I really like to focus on the cigar and what I’m tasting. Marcel is a sommelier so he is always training his palate. We love discussing nuances and how what we ate alters or enhances the cigar in the evening.

If you want to learn more about Nicole and ADVentura Cigars make sure to check out all of their blends that are now on Cigar World and make sure to follow them on their social channels @adventuracigars and make sure to follow Nicole at @nicole_knobel_creative.