We’re proud to announce that our founder, Lisardo Vivas, has been featured in the latest issue of HLG Magazine (Aug 2025), telling the story of how a single cigar lit the spark for what would become Toro Puro and the growing community behind it.
Titled “Lit a Cigar… and Found a Path”, the two-page feature offers a deep look into Lisardo’s personal journey: from Caracas to London, from his first puff to building a platform that now serves cigar lovers across the UK and beyond.
A Journey That Mirrors Every Great Cigar
“Halfway through the cigar, I realized that my body and mind had slowed down. I was present, just enjoying it. It was the beginning of everything.” — Lisardo Vivas
The article dives into his early experiences with tobacco, how he overcame skepticism, and the launch of his personal channel Cigar Ritual, where he began reviewing premium cigars, interviewing industry legends, and building a loyal following.
From that ritual came something even bigger: Toro Puro.
From Ritual to Retail; The Birth of Toro Puro
As featured in the magazine, Lisardo launched Toro Puro in late 2024 with a simple vision: to match the quality of the cigar with the quality of the shopping experience.
Frustrated by poorly designed cigar websites, impersonal customer service, and mass-market offerings, he decided to do things differently; By building a store that:
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Focuses exclusively on premium, hand-selected cigars
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Offers rare blends from Dominican, Nicaraguan, and boutique brands
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Curates a lifestyle around the cigar experience, from accessories to journal-worthy content
“I didn’t like the online experience other stores offered: bad interfaces, careless packaging, and zero customer service.”
— HLG Magazine, August 2025
What’s Next for Toro Puro?
The HLG feature closes with a look into the future, and it’s exciting. Plans are already underway to expand Toro Puro into Europe and Asia, while continuing to grow the loyal UK customer base built this past year.
Every cigar in our store is still personally selected by Lisardo; A testament to the care, passion, and commitment to the Cigar World that fuels everything we do.
Read the Full Story
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Thank you to HLG Global for the recognition, and to our growing Toro Puro family. This story is yours too.
