Epic – Cigars
Epic Cigars: Dean Parsons and His Vision of Enjoyment
Dean Parsons' life path is as multifaceted as the aromas of his characterful cigars, which have been released under the name Epic since 2010. The native Canadian from the province of Labrador previously worked as a real estate agent and once pursued careers as a hockey player or police officer – but his true passion always belonged to the world of fine cigars. By founding his own brand, he finally fulfilled this dream. Even years before that, Parsons had been active in the industry and gradually built a name for himself among connoisseurs of exquisite tobacco.
From Luxury Real Estate to Luxurious Pleasure
For many years, Dean Parsons brokered exclusive real estate to a discerning clientele in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This island group, located northeast of the Dominican Republic in the Atlantic, was both his home base and personal retreat – always accompanied by the enjoyment of high-quality cigars. He quickly realized that many of his clients were not only looking for a new home, but also had a desire for excellent cigars – a need that was hardly met locally.
Entrepreneurial in spirit, Parsons began regularly traveling to the Dominican Republic and bringing fine cigars back to the islands, where he sold them. These years shaped his understanding of tobacco craftsmanship, cigar factories, and the subtle differences between good and outstanding cigars. Among the renowned houses that inspired him were Davidoff and Aurora.
A key moment in his career was his encounter with Rolando Villamil, a seasoned tobacco expert with decades of experience. Their shared passion for cigars led to the founding of “Turks Select” in 2006 – an exclusive line for a select audience on the islands.
New Beginning in the Dominican Republic
The global financial crisis of 2007/2008 also marked a turning point for Dean Parsons: the real estate market collapsed, and the “Turks Select” business stagnated. The once thriving market shrank, affecting Parsons both professionally and financially. An offer from a U.S. real estate company eventually brought him directly to the Dominican Republic.
There, in the heart of the Caribbean, the idea of fully dedicating himself to the world of fine tobacco matured during a beach walk with a fine cigar in hand. In 2010, Parsons and Villamil founded the Epic brand – ambitious, authentic, and focused on sustainable growth. The first target market was clear: the USA, the world's largest market for premium cigars.
Epic Cigars: Variety With Origin and Signature
Since 2015, Epic’s creations have also been available in Germany. They are produced in the renowned Charles Fairmorn Manufactory in the Dominican Republic, where brands like Kristoff and Belmore are also made.
For the Epic Maduro Reserva, Parsons chose an Arapiraca wrapper from Brazil, combined with a binder from Cameroon. The filler is a refined blend of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
The Epic Corojo features a wrapper from Ecuador and a Dominican Olor binder. Its filler unites Dominican tobaccos like Piloto Cubano, Viso, and Ligero for a balanced flavor experience.
Another series, originally planned under a different name, was introduced in Germany as Epic Gold due to trademark reasons. It combines a sun grown wrapper from Ecuador with selected tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
The La Rubia series is particularly mild. Its Connecticut wrapper also comes from Ecuador, while the binder comes from San Andres, Mexico. Once again, the filler includes tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
The grand finale is the Edicion Limitada – a limited series for true lovers of exclusive rarities.
“You Deserve It” – Excellence Meets Craftsmanship
What makes Epic cigars so special is summed up by Dean Parsons: “Our cigars are characterized by medium to full-bodied aromas while always offering a harmonious, complex character.” His philosophy is reflected in the brand’s motto: You deserve a cigar worthy of your achievements!
