“AI Tobacconist tailors each recommendation to your unique taste, ensuring an unparalleled cigar experience.”

AI Tobacconist, co-founded by Kyle Saucier and Luis Rodriguez have introduced an AI experience to retail shops and mobile devices that can guide retail shop customers, whether experienced or new to the hobby, to new cigars they may not have thought to try, or to discovering cigars based off taste profiles they are familiar with even if they have never had a cigar before.  Good help is hard to find, especially when there are hundreds of different blends and brands inside retail humidors.  The AI Tobacconist is an instant expert who can guide virtually anyone to find cigars that they are sure to love.  We played around with one of their terminals at the 2026 PCA convention in New Orleans and were so impressed with what we saw, we had to follow up with this interview for our readers.  After reading about what AI Tobacconist is and can do – make sure to check out AITobacconist for a free demo and more information.

The Aha Moment

Cigar Press – Every great idea starts somewhere. Was there a specific night at Mickey Blake’s—looking at a packed lounge or a frustrated customer—where you suddenly thought, “There must be a digital way to solve this?”

Luis Rodriguez – First and foremost, we’re retailers, and we deal with the typical frustrations that retailers face daily. At the top of that list for us is staffing. Hiring today is difficult. Finding dependable people who are willing to go the extra mile to provide great customer service has become increasingly challenging and expensive.

Hiring inexperienced candidates is costly due to training time and turnover. On the other hand, hiring experienced tobacconists can also be very expensive, with higher salaries and sometimes dated sales practices. That was what originally inspired the AI Tobacconist.

We wanted to create something AI-powered for in-store use at Mickey Blake’s. The goal was to expand our hiring pool beyond the traditional cigar world. One of my best hires came from cellular phone sales, he liked cigars but had no deep product knowledge. With the AI Tobacconist, we can now focus new hires on operations, POS systems, merchandising, and customer experience, while they lean on the AI for accurate recommendations. This creates a greater hiring pool, reduces training time, and delivers better customer service.

CP – When you first told your closest friends or regulars at Mickey Blake’s that you wanted to build an “AI Tobacconist,” what was their honest reaction? Did they think you were crazy, or did they immediately get it?

LR – We started this journey in March of 2024, when AI was just beginning to gain mainstream attention, primarily through ChatGPT. In an industry built on tradition, where meaningful innovation over the last hundred years can be counted on one hand, reactions were mixed.

The younger demographic (21-45) immediately understood its value and appreciated the accuracy and speed AI could bring. Most of the industry was supportive, especially regarding the objectivity of recommendations, every cigar on an even playing field with no favoritism. Retailers were initially more skeptical due to tradition. Over time, as we clearly communicated the real benefits, more retailers came around.

CP – Looking back at the very first rough draft of the concept compared to the platform you have today, what is the biggest thing that changed from your original vision?

Originally, this was going to be a proprietary tool used only at Mickey Blake’s. Once we realized the broader potential, we decided to make it available to other retailers. So, when you ask what changed the most, the answer is everything.

We evolved from a simple desktop program into a full stand-alone kiosk terminal. We added back-office access, built-in promotions, home screen advertising, and a suite of analytics to help retailers better understand their customers. This summer we’ll launch the consumer mobile app. The final product is nothing like the original vision, and that’s a good thing.

AI Tobacconist Co-Founders Kyle Saucier (left) and Luis Rodriguez (right)

Leaf to Code (The Tech)

CP – Cigars are incredibly subjective. What tastes like cocoa and cedar to one person might taste totally different to another. In those early brainstorming sessions, how did you figure out how to code something as complex and romantic as a human palate?

LR – We use a proprietary AI engine trained on detailed manufacturer specifications, tobacco varietal data, and ongoing industry feedback. As the consumer app grows, voluntary Journal entries from users will help refine recommendations over time while respecting user privacy.

CP – How exactly does AI Tobacconist analyze data like strength, body, region, and flavor profiles to give a truly personalized recommendation rather than just a generic list?

LR – The AI Tobacconist uses detailed manufacturer data to build each cigar’s profile. We track over a dozen specific data points far beyond basic strength, body, and region. This includes wrapper and filler varietals, specific growing regions (e.g., Connecticut Broadleaf vs. Pennsylvania Broadleaf, or Estelí vs. Jalapa Nicaraguan), aging, and many more attributes. These detailed inputs allow the AI to make highly accurate, personalized matches.

CP – As a master tobacconist yourself, did you ever find yourself actively disagreeing with the AI’s early recommendations? How did you train?

LR – Early on, I was skeptical like many in the industry because nothing seemed capable of replacing deep personal product knowledge. Once we started developing and testing the platform in our own store, I quickly saw its real potential. Using Mickey Blake’s as our test bed helped us refine both the tool and our training methods. What we learned is that with enough quality data, AI can consistently deliver excellent cigar recommendations.

The Human Element & The Lounge Vibe

CP – Finding good employees who know every single cigar in a massive humidor isn’t an easy feat; it takes immense time and training. Some people might look at AI as a way to replace labor. Do you view AI Tobacconist as a learning tool to train and help staff on the floor, or is it strictly a consumer guide?

LR – t’s both. We designed it as a complement to our staff, not a replacement. It allows us to hire talented people who may lack deep cigar knowledge and still deliver strong recommendations from day one. Customers also enjoy using it independently, but they still turn to staff afterward for personal opinions. That human interaction remains essential.

CP – The premium cigar community relies heavily on the palate and expertise of a human tobacconist. How does the platform mimic or enhance that human interaction without losing the personal touch?

LR – Many traditional recommendations can lean subjective. Our platform removes bias entirely. It has no favorite brand or cigar. It simply matches what the customer is looking for based on objective blend characteristics.

For example, I have a great staff member who loves a particular brand and tends to recommend it to everyone. While he’s selling cigars, he may not always be making the best match for that specific customer. The AI Tobacconist ensures even inventory movement and builds customer trust by focusing purely on the blend and their preferences.

CP – Cigar smoking is a slow, meditative, offline (for the most part) hobby. Do you ever worry that adding technology to the ritual changes the classic lounge vibe, or do you see it strictly as a tool to get people to the right stick faster?

LR – The shopping experience has changed in recent years. Customers often have less time and want to get in and out of the humidor quickly so they can focus more on enjoying their cigars. The AI Tobacconist helps them do exactly that.

The Shop Owner’s Perspective

CP – As a shop owner yourself, you know the day-to-day challenges of running a lounge—managing massive inventory, training staff, and keeping customers engaged. How can other brick-and-mortar retailers leverage your platform to grow their bottom line?

LR – The AI Tobacconist directly addresses these challenges. It dramatically cuts training time, allowing retailers to focus on operations and customer experience. Its objective recommendations help move inventory evenly across the humidor, reducing cold spots. The mobile app enables direct geolocation notifications and marketing to customers, driving foot traffic and sales. Overall, it saves time, improves the customer experience, and increases sales of cigars that might otherwise be overlooked.

Luis Rodriguez and Kyle Saucier at PCA 2026, New Orleans

CP – For a beginner walking into a sprawling humidor, the choices are completely overwhelming. How does putting this platform in a shop lower the barrier to entry for new smokers without alienating your seasoned aficionados?

LR – A large humidor can feel overwhelming for beginners, like seeing Times Square for the first time. The AI Tobacconist helps them cut through the noise. They can search by characteristics or brand and quickly find suitable cigars with confidence.

For experienced smokers, it’s equally valuable. They can input cigars they already love and receive close matches, or instantly see what’s new in the humidor. It saves time and reduces the risk of disappointing purchases.

The AI Tobacconist App

CP – What was the driving force behind launching a dedicated mobile app alongside the retail floor units? Was it about putting a digital sommelier directly into the consumer’s pocket right when they are standing in front of a humidor wall?

LR – We wanted to give consumers the full power of the AI Tobacconist wherever they are. The app lets users favorite their local retailer and search that specific humidor, or browse the larger library for more options. It brings the in-store experience into their pocket.

CP – What are the main features of the mobile app that make it different or more beneficial for a consumer compared to using a store’s physical retail unit? Is there a feature, for instance, where a user can scan a barcode or shelf tag to get an instant AI breakdown?

LR – The in-store terminal gives you the full app experience but is limited to that retailer’s inventory. The mobile app allows you to search any participating humidor from anywhere, at home, while traveling, etc. Additional consumer tools include the Journal, My Favorites, Humidor monitoring, and more. Features like barcode scanning and an enhanced in-humidor Cigar Locator are in active development or planned for upcoming updates.

CP – A lot of cigar apps focus purely on digital journaling or crowd-sourced reviews. How does the AI Tobacconist app shift the focus from just tracking what you’ve already smoked to discovering what you should smoke next?

LR – We’re working toward even more intuitive experiences, including smarter proactive recommendations based on user history and preferences. The goal is to make discovery faster and more personalized and accurate than ever.

CP – Some traditional retailers view mobile apps as competition or a distraction on the lounge floor. How does your mobile app actively drive foot traffic and sales back to local brick-and-mortar shops?

LR – By acting as a true retail partner, the app allows retailers to communicate directly with their customers. Retailers can send notifications about events, sales, and new arrivals driving traffic without expensive traditional advertising.

CP – What is a killer feature currently exclusive to the app that web users are missing out on?

The geolocation functionality stands out. When you enter the geofence of a participating AI Tobacconist retailer, you’ll receive a notification with their location, contact info, and the ability to instantly search their inventory. It’s a powerful tool for travelers and local customers alike.