Steve Amari - Founder of The Crafted Stick
After more than 30 years in the broadcast industry, Steve Amari, founder of The Crafted Stick, traded microphones for matches and scripts for cigars. What began as a lifelong appreciation for premium cigars eventually evolved into a mission to help cigar smokers discover the world of boutique cigars, craft cigars, and small-batch cigar brands.
Before launching The Crafted Stick, Steve owned and operated two mobile cigar companies in Florida and North Carolina, bringing premium cigars and boutique cigar experiences directly to events, lounges, and cigar enthusiasts who wanted something more personal than a traditional humidor shelf. Those years on the road helped him connect with cigar lovers, lounge owners, and brand founders across the premium cigar industry.
A few years ago, Steve discovered the rapidly growing world of craft and boutique cigars—small-batch blends created by passionate cigar makers who focus on quality, creativity, and limited production. Unlike large legacy brands, boutique cigar brands often work with smaller factories, unique tobacco crops, and carefully crafted blends that deliver distinctive smoking experiences. That discovery changed everything.
What began as a mission to represent boutique cigar brands as a cigar broker quickly evolved into something bigger: The Crafted Stick, a platform dedicated to boutique cigar education, cigar reviews, and discovering small-batch cigar makers from around the world.
Through articles, cigar reviews, brand spotlights, and educational guides, The Crafted Stick helps cigar smokers:
- Discover boutique cigar brands
- Learn the difference between boutique cigars and legacy cigars
- Explore small-batch cigar blends
- Find unique cigars they won’t see in every humidor
Steve’s life’s work is simple: introduce boutique cigars and craft cigar brands to anyone willing to listen… and light one up. Through storytelling, cigar education, and conversations with the artisans behind the blends, The Crafted Stick shines a light on the people, passion, and craftsmanship behind today’s most exciting boutique cigars.
Because cigars aren’t just smoked…
They’re crafted.
What Are Boutique Cigars?
Boutique cigars—often called craft cigars or small-batch cigars—are premium cigars produced in limited quantities by smaller, independent cigar companies. Unlike large legacy cigar brands that produce millions of cigars each year, boutique cigar makers focus on small production runs, unique tobacco blends, and hands-on craftsmanship.
Most boutique cigar brands work closely with small factories and master blenders to create distinctive flavor profiles using carefully selected wrapper, binder, and filler tobaccos. Because production is smaller, these cigars often feature experimental blends, rare tobaccos, and more creative approaches to cigar making.
For many cigar enthusiasts, boutique cigars offer something different from the traditional humidor staples—a chance to discover new brands, new flavors, and the passion of the people behind the blends.
That spirit of discovery is exactly what The Crafted Stick is all about.