Most people born between the 50s and 90s recognize the name Corleone and associate it with Italy thanks to the classic film The Godfather. A film that has been passed down from generation to generation almost like a legacy.
Instead of talking about movies, let’s get into the real reason you’re here. The story of Alex Elami and Corleone Cigars.
What is the story behind Corleone Cigars how did it all begin?
“At home, cigars were almost a family ritual. Grandfather, grandmother, uncles, and aunts… everyone gathered around this tradition. Meals always ended in a haze of smoke, with tendrils slowly dancing in the soft light. We rarely saw each other, but when we did, the atmosphere was warm, almost magical. Mario, my grandfather, always lit his cigar first, and like a silent signal, everyone else — uncles, cousins, aunts — followed, each finding their place in this circle of smoke and camaraderie.”
What first inspired you to enter the world of cigars?
“My passion was born from my fascination with those who, with patience and artistry, transform a plant into a luxury object. It is a world that has always inspired me.”
The name “Corleone” is iconic. What does it represent to you and your brand?
“Corleone’ symbolizes my Sicilian roots, my family heritage, and celebrates the unique bond with my grandfather, who passed on his love of cigars to me.”
Looking back at the early days, what were the challenges you had to overcome in building the company?
“At the launch of the company, one of the main challenges was building a solid ecosystem around our business. I had to identify strategic partners, establish a network of reliable importers and distributors, and create a high-performing sales team to ensure our market presence. This phase was crucial to securing the company’s viability and future growth.”
What defines a Corleone cigar compared to others on the market?
“Corleone cigars stand out for their boldness and uniqueness. My range of cigars offers distinctive sizes, shapes, and flavors, carefully crafted to both surprise and delight. By incorporating rare tobaccos from Peru into my blends—an uncommon approach in the market—Corleone cigars provide an unprecedented and memorable tasting experience.”
In your opinion, what detail in the cigars makes the greatest difference in flavor and character?
“The assembly of the filler, without a doubt. It is a meticulous task that takes time. A good Liga takes time to be crafted. It is the very DNA of a cigar.”
Do you have a cigar that best embodies the spirit of Corleone cigars – a signature blend?
“My entire range is built around the same signature blend. However, the cigar that best embodies the spirit of Corleone cigars is the IL CAPO. This large 64×6 figurado with a bi-color wrapper, also known as the “Barber Pole” wrapper, perfectly captures the brand’s elegance and commands respect, both from those who savor it and those who admire it.”
When someone lights one of your cigars, what kind of moment or feeling do you hope they experience?
“When someone lights one of my cigars, I wish for them to enter a suspended moment, where the world and time fade away. Everyone savors this pleasure in their own way, but my desire is for them to feel the same intensity one experiences with a fine wine or a dish crafted with passion: a moment of pure delight, calm, and wonder.”
What has been your biggest challenge in the cigar industry so far?
“Obviously, finding importing partners.”
How do you see the future of cigar culture?
- The future of cigar culture will likely be shaped by a dual trend: the contraction of the mass market and the growing emphasis on the premium segment.
- On one hand, increasingly strict tobacco regulations, a declining number of smokers, and health concerns are limiting everyday consumption. Younger generations are less inclined to smoke regularly, which reduces the traditional customer base.
- On the other hand, cigars remain a niche product, associated with a lifestyle, tradition, and artisanal quality. In this context, demand is focusing on discerning enthusiasts seeking premium, traceable, and sustainably produced products. The cultural aspects—tasting, terroir, craftsmanship—are becoming increasingly important.
In summary: Less volume, but greater value, Cigar culture is evolving toward refinement, sustainability, and experience rather than mere consumption, The market will likely become smaller, but more passionate and demanding.
What is your long-term vision for Corleone Cigars?
“Our vision is to position Corleone cigars as a benchmark brand in the premium segment, combining artisanal tradition with modernity. In the long term, we aim to strengthen our presence in the domestic market and gradually expand our distribution internationally, targeting discerning aficionados and high-end establishments”
“Our goal is not to become a mass-market brand, but rather to build a strong image centered on quality, authenticity, and a refined customer experience. This involves rigorous production control, consistent communication, and a strategic selection of our points of sale.”
Can we expect new releases, collaborations, or special projects in the near future?
“Yes, absolutely, and this is an aspect I hold particularly dear. I design exclusive series, such as the “Cig’art” collection, a limited edition unveiled only once a year. Each collection is presented in an exceptional humidor, conceived and created by a different artist every year, and contains ten cigars of rare excellence. More than a product, it is a true work of art, combining craftsmanship, creativity, and emotion.”
“I also offer cigars aged in champagne barrels, meticulously emptied of their wine to allow for subtle fermentation in casks that previously held Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This unique process imparts delicate aromas and unparalleled complexity to the cigars, delivering a tasting experience of rare elegance.”
Do you remember your very first cigar? What impression did it leave on you?
“To be honest, not really. My story with cigars goes back to my youth — it’s a long-standing relationship, built on passion and habit.”
If you were to choose one cigar for a truly special occasion, which one would it be – and why?
“If I had to choose a cigar for a truly special occasion, without hesitation, it would be the Corleone “Onore,” my Grand Salomon. It’s a cigar that commands respect at first sight: its elegant shape and generous size promise a tasting experience worthy of grand celebrations. The Onore stands out for its refined balance between strength and aromatic complexity — woody and spicy notes that unfold slowly, offering a rich and evolving experience. This is the cigar you choose when you want to mark a moment, turning it into an unforgettable memory. I also have excellent ratings for it in various cigar magazines.”
Outside of cigars, what passions or interests drive you?
“Apart from my passion for cigars, I devote a significant portion of my time to charitable work that is very close to my heart. I am actively involved with organizations that support children at risk who are under judicial protection, helping them navigate their life journeys and fostering their personal development.”
“I am also deeply engaged with associations dedicated to people with disabilities, where I serve as a board member. These commitments allow me to make a tangible contribution to a more inclusive and supportive society and are a tremendous source of personal enrichment. I also enjoy playing golf frequently.”
I would like to define Alex’s work in helping young people and those with disabilities as the work of a community hero. In today’s world, there are far too many people who could be better off than they are. If the whole of society acted in this way, we could give more young people and the disabled a better future than they have today. I wish more people would follow his commitment. The benefits of helping others are that many who might not otherwise have had it get a second chance, and society would also become a safer place by guiding young people in the right direction in the most influential years of their lives.
What is your advice for those who want to follow their dreams?
Don’t wait for the right moment — create it.
“If you have a dream, it already belongs to you in some way. Now it’s up to you to do everything to make it real. Believe in yourself, even when no one else does. Work hard, stay curious, learn from every failure, and keep moving forward, again and again. Great dreams require perseverance, not perfection. It’s not speed that matters, but direction. And above all, remember: you are capable of far more than you can imagine.”
“Move forward, fall, get back up — your dreams are waiting for you.” (Corleone Cigars)
If you want to know more about Corleone cigars, click on the images below
I want to thank you for taking the time for the interview and especially for helping young people and the disabled when they need it. Today you don’t see that too often and the world would need more people to act the way you do. It was an honor to do the article and I hope more people start acting the way you do.
Subscribe to our newsletter and find out about all new posts
Check out our latest posts
- The Leaf That Changes Everything: Why La Flor de Zaida and Medio Tiempo Belong in the Same Sentence
You buy a watch. A good one. You expect a reliable movement. But when you open the case, sitting inside is a hand-finished Swiss caliber. Every gear, every spring, every component touched by human hands. The same one that drives a Rolex Daytona. In every piece. As standard. That is what Antonio Piredda built with […]
- La Flor de Zaida Brings the Diamond Collection and Ralf Moeller to InterTabac 2026
Some brands go to Dortmund to take orders. La Flor de Zaida goes to make a statement. InterTabac opens at Messe Dortmund on Tuesday, September 15. Three days, more than 800 exhibitors, around 14,500 trade visitors. In Hall 4, something unique is about to happen. Antonino Piredda and La Flor de Zaida are at booth […]
- Casa Magna Colorado Torito Review: A Rich, Approachable Everyday Full-Bodied
The Casa Magna Colorado Torito packs a lot of cigar into a short, thick format. Over an impressive 105 minutes this Nicaraguan puro works through… Read more: Casa Magna Colorado Torito Review: A Rich, Approachable Everyday Full-Bodied - Aroma de Nicaragua Connecticut Toro Review: A Long, Gentle Nicaraguan With Unusual flavors
The Aroma de Nicaragua Connecticut Toro is a mild-to-medium cigar that quietly overachieves. Over an extraordinary 100 minutes it works through cedar, nutmeg, vanilla bean,… Read more: Aroma de Nicaragua Connecticut Toro Review: A Long, Gentle Nicaraguan With Unusual flavors - Aroma de Nicaragua Ecuador Robusto Review: A Long-Burning Nicaraguan Value
The Aroma de Nicaragua Ecuador Robusto is a medium-bodied Nicaraguan that delivers far more smoke time than its size suggests. Over an impressive 85 minutes it works through sweet almond, cedar, vanilla bean, and dark coffee, developing steadily from a nutty, peppery opening to a dark, grounded finish. For a Robusto, that length is remarkable, […]
- Valentino Siesto at InterTabac 2026: Orange Black Arrives and Velero Sets Sail
The Black Series has been growing one cigar at a time, and in September it gets its fourth member. Orange Black joins Nero Black, Nero Black N.2 and Yellow Black in Dortmund, turning what began as a single line into a family with a face of its own. Next to it on the same booth […]
- El Septimo at InterTabac 2026: Mi Familia and Queen Sheba Series II Come to Europe
There are a thousand boxes of Mi Familia in existence. There will never be another one made. Zaya Younan named every cigar in it after someone he loves. His wife of 35 years. His children. Five different blends, five different vitolas, one box that celebrates the people who made the man. Both of El Septimo’s […]
- Top 20 Best Robusto Cigars 2026: Reviewed by Flavor, Body and Smoke Time
The best robusto cigars are the ones that fit a whole blend into a format you can finish in a single sitting. Twenty of them here, every one smoked and reviewed in full on vdg-cigars.com. Mild shade wrappers and full bodied broadleaf. Forty five minute sessions and, in four cases, robustos that ran ninety. No […]
