--- title: "Employee Spotlight: Matt freerks" description: Meet Matt Freerks, a seasoned cigar enthusiast with over 20 years in the industry, sharing his passion for cigars, food, and favorite La Palina moments. image: https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-10-01%20at%2011.42.40%20AM%20copy.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks#main-content) ![logo](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=250&height=47&name=logo.png) - [Home](https://lapalinacigars.com/) - [About](https://lapalinacigars.com/about) - [Products](https://lapalinacigars.com/product) - [Retailers](https://lapalinacigars.com/retailer-inner) - [Social Media](https://lapalinacigars.com/social-media) - [Contact us](https://lapalinacigars.com/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://lapalinacigars.com/) - [About](https://lapalinacigars.com/about) - [Products](https://lapalinacigars.com/product) - [Retailers](https://lapalinacigars.com/retailer-inner) - [Social Media](https://lapalinacigars.com/social-media) - [Contact us](https://lapalinacigars.com/contact) Oct 1, 2024, 11:43:59 AM # Employee Spotlight: Matt freerks [La Palina Cigars](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/author/la-palina-cigars) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks) 1. How long have you been working in the Premium Cigar Business? *In various positions, for over 20 years. My first job in the premium cigar space was managing a private cigar club in Seattle, WA in the early 2000s. During that time, I also worked with a cigar manufacturer banding custom label cigars. When I began my career in Beverage-Alcohol I still smoked cigars regularly and they were always a big part of my events and pairings around the country. I have been with La Palina for the last 3.5 wonderful years.* 2. What do you enjoy most about the Cigar Industry? *The people. Some of the most wonderful, down-to-earth people I have ever met have come out of the cigar industry. Some have become very dear friends.* 3. What is your favorite thing to do in your time away from La Palina? *Cook. Food is my number one passion in life (outside my family and friends, of course). I love to cook, eat and enjoy the time that cooking for people brings.* 4. What is your favorite La Palina Cigar and why? *My favorite La Palina cigar is the [125th Anniversary](https://lapalinacigars.com/product-list#cbp=ajax-work/project21.html). It’s rich, robust, and perfectly showcases the best qualities of Nicaraguan tobacco.* 5. What is your favorite Beverage to enjoy while smoking a La Palina? *While it depends entirely on the cigar, generally, I love nothing more than a perfectly chilled Martini. Up with a twist in the warmer months, Up with Bleu Cheese Olives when its cooler. A great glass of Scotch Whisky, Rum and certainly coffee are all close to the top of the list as well. Cheers everyone!* ![Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 11.42.40 AM](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-10-01%20at%2011.42.40%20AM.png?width=290&height=289&name=Screenshot%202024-10-01%20at%2011.42.40%20AM.png)   [Employee Spotlight](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/employee-spotlight) ## Related posts [![](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-10-01%20at%2010.53.18%20AM.png?height=200&name=Screenshot%202024-10-01%20at%2010.53.18%20AM.png)](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/exploring-la-palina-nicaragua-connecticut-and-oscuro-cigars) [Nicaragua Oscuro](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/nicaragua-oscuro), [Nicaragua Connecticut](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/nicaragua-connecticut) ## [Exploring La Palina Nicaragua Connecticut and Oscuro Cigars](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/exploring-la-palina-nicaragua-connecticut-and-oscuro-cigars) [La Palina Cigars](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/author/la-palina-cigars) Oct 1, 2024, 11:15:22 AM The La Palina Nicaragua Connecticut cigar is a new-school reboot of an old-fashioned tradition.... [Read more](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/exploring-la-palina-nicaragua-connecticut-and-oscuro-cigars) [![](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jose%20Fuego%20at%20Kill%20Bill%20Rolling%20Table.png?height=200&name=Jose%20Fuego%20at%20Kill%20Bill%20Rolling%20Table.png)](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-jose-fuego-master-tobacconist) [Employee Spotlight](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/employee-spotlight) ## [Employee Spotlight: Jose Fuego, master tobacconist](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-jose-fuego-master-tobacconist) [La Palina Cigars](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/author/la-palina-cigars) Oct 30, 2024, 1:03:26 PM 1\) How long have you been working in the Premium Cigar Business? 16 years. 2) What do you enjoy... [Read more](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-jose-fuego-master-tobacconist) [![](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-10-29%20at%203.26.48%20PM.png?height=200&name=Screenshot%202024-10-29%20at%203.26.48%20PM.png)](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/cooler-weather-richer-cigars-and-wine) [Lifestyle](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/lifestyle), [Pairings](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/pairings), [125th Anniversary](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/tag/125th-anniversary) ## [Cooler Weather, Richer Cigars and Wine](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/cooler-weather-richer-cigars-and-wine) [Matt Freerks](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/author/matt-freerks) Oct 30, 2024, 12:17:29 PM With cooler weather settling in around the country, fireplaces are being lit, indoor dinner... [Read more](https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/cooler-weather-richer-cigars-and-wine) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/LaPalinaCigar/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/LaPalinaCigar/) [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkT_8-omUG03hvIoFARliGw) --- ©2024 La Palina Cigar Company, All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "La Palina Cigars", "url" : "https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/author/la-palina-cigars" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-01T16:09:08.635Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-01T15:43:59.000Z", "headline" : "Employee Spotlight: Matt freerks", "image" : [ "https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-10-01%20at%2011.42.40%20AM%20copy.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://smoke.lapalinacigars.com/blog/employee-spotlight-matt-freerks", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" } } } ```