I had been looking forward to my interview with Danay and Dorin for a long time. There was a story behind every cigar that I longed to hear, stories of emotions and dreams wrap around the cigars like a passionate blanket. In addition to holding a cigar, you also get wisdom and advice if you read about their meaning. Meanings that I strongly feel can help many to follow their dreams and have a better everyday life.
The feeling I got when we spoke was warming and homely, a feeling that you usually only get from family. Their passion behind the stories and the desire to convey more than cigars offer, also a strong passion for making life better for others was a passion that lit up our conversation.
I had asked a week before our scheduled appointment about the cigar line The Life Journey and its meaning.
4 hours left before our booked appointment The phone rang and a message came in. There was the explanation I had been longing to hear. The explanation you will hear and I hope you take the wisdom behind the words with you into your life. Everyone who knows me knows that I have a passion for following dreams and that all people deserve to follow theirs and achieve their goals. The life journey shows wisdom that can help you start, continue and fight for your goals and dreams. We will get to the explanation a little later in the article.
How it all began
Dorin
You could say that Sperlinga is a fairly young brand on the cigar market that started in 2022 with a noble name. Getting the title of Duke can only be obtained in two ways, one is through inheritance and the other is to get it by being dubbed. Being dubbed requires something extra ordinary and nothing that is easily obtained. Something that should be seen as a great honor. Over 20 years ago, Dorin had the honor of being dubbed a Duke by Sperlinga in Italy. In 2017, the journey to what we know today as Sperlinga cigars began. Dorin, who had a passion for cigars but didn’t know much about cigars at the time except that he liked to smoke them, chose to follow a passion and moved to the Dominican Republic to deepen his knowledge. He registered the brand and everything ended up on ice for a while and it would take a year or so before everything took off. It would later turn out that the love for the then unknown Danays and their shared passion would make the brand lift Sperlinga.
Danays
While Dorin was living in the Dominican Republic, Danays lived in Cuba. Danays, driven by a deep passion for cigars and gourmet experiences, studied at the Cuban government’s prestigious School of Tourism, where standards were exceptionally high and excellence was non-negotiable. She graduated as both a Sommelier and a Habano Sommelier, and later became a professor at the institution. Her professional path is nothing short of impressive.
Beyond teaching, Danays delivered lectures at the Higher Institute of Tourism Studies, conducted cigar tastings and pairings, and curated sensory experiences with products such as rum, chocolate and coffee for VIP groups. Her expertise and refined palate also led her to contribute articles on Habanos, cigars, and wines.
In 2019, Danays signed a contract to train the staff of Cohiba Atmosphere Sofia and La Casa del Habano in Bulgaria, focusing on the culture, service, and expertise of the Habano Sommelier. She also designed curated cigar pairings for the distinguished clientele of the Cohiba Atmosphere, elevating the lounge’s sensory offerings and reinforcing its status as a world-class destination for cigar lovers.
Love through Facebook gave Sperlinga a start
“Both Dorin and I have a passion for cigars and were in different Facebook groups about cigars. We started talking from our respective sides more and more. He was sitting in Dominican Republic and I in Cuba. We found each other. Unfortunately, we were miles apart and had no opportunity to meet. Dorin chose one day to take a chance and traveled to Cuba so that we would have the opportunity to meet. We spent a lot of time together, Dorin lived in Dominican Republic for about 1 year and the rest is history. It didn’t take long and we chose to get married. The idea was that we would move to Dominican Republic but I had signed a contract with Kaliman Caribe a little earlier and had to travel to train sommeliers, including Bulgaria. I traveled around for about 1 year and when my contract expired we only chose to move to Dominican Republic then. We had talked before and our goal was to follow our dream. We wanted to start our own production and brand. The only thing we really had decided was the name Sperlinga”
You can say a lot about life. But daring to invest in love and dreams is something everyone deserves. You never know where it will lead and what will happen. You can say that their love for each other and passion for cigars made it possible for us to follow their journey and enjoy Sperlinga’s craftsmanship.
Sperlinga starts production
“From the beginning, we were committed to establishing a serious company in full compliance with the laws of the Dominican Republic. We made it clear that we were here not just to create a cigar line, but to invest, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the industry. As a boutique operation, we were warmly welcomed and received significant support from both the local community and government entities.
Our first year was dedicated to careful planning, design, and the development of our own unique blends. It was an intense and demanding period, but our clear vision and strong goals helped us stay focused. The result was the successful foundation of a brand rooted in authenticity, quality, and respect for the craft”
In this moment, the creation of the cigars I longed to hear the story behind began and was one of the biggest reasons why I just felt like an interview was almost a must. Everyone who knows me knows that I believe that all dreams are possible to achieve if you dare to fight for them. The meaning is as inspiring as their blends themselves. Here is a short explanation of the meaning for each cigar in The Life Journey Line.
The Resilience 60×6
“Resilience is an embodiment of strength and fortitude. This cigar mirrors the unwavering spirit that allows us to overcome adversity. From the first draw, it exudes bold flavors with subtle representing the resilience found within us. As the cigar progresses, its steady, confident burn reflects the perseverance needed to face life’s trials and emerge stronger. The Resilience is a tribute to the inner strength that drives us forward, no matter the obstacles in our path”
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano – Binder: Dominican – Filler: Dominican
The Crossroads 56×6 1/4
“Crafted in the distinctive perfecto shape, The Crossroads symbolizes those moments in life when decisions define the path ahead. The narrowing ends of the perfecto, expanding in the middle, mirror the intricate transitions we face at life’s crossroads—moments of choice, growth, and reflection. The cigar’s complex flavors, starting smooth and developing into rich undertones, reflect the fullness and depth that come with navigating life’s turning points. Each puff of The Crossroads serves as a reminder of the wisdom gained from each step along our journey”
Wrapper: Habano 2000 Ecuador – Binder: Dominican – Filler: Dominican
The Longing 50×7
“The Longing is an elegant representation of life’s desires and unattainable dreams. This long, sleek cigar, wrapped in a Habano Ecuador wrapper, offers a deeply complex smoking experience. It evokes the yearning for something more—a desire that is both a driving force and a source of reflection. The slow, even burn invites you to pause and contemplate, much like the process of chasing dreams that seem just beyond reach”
Wrapper: Habano 2000 Ecuador – Binder: Ecuador – Filler: Dominican
The Dream 58×6
“With its unique trumpet box-pressed shape, The Dream invites you to journey into the surreal. Wrapped in a rich Negro San Andrés leaf, this cigar’s bold design and deep tones reflect the unpredictability and beauty of dreams. The complexity of its flavors—mirrors the multifaceted nature of our aspirations and unconscious thoughts. The Dream is for those who embrace the mystery and imagination that life’s dreams offer”
Wrapper: San Andres Maduro – Binder: Dominican – Filler: Dominican and USA
The Choice 54×6
“The Choice captures the pivotal moments where decisions shape our lives. This Toro box-pressed cigar, wrapped in a dark Habano leaf, offers a smooth yet complex experience. It conveys the clarity and consequence of each decision we face. The box-pressed shape, with its defined edges, symbolizes the structure and weight that decisions bring. The Choice serves as a reminder that even the smallest decisions can lead to profound changes in our journey”
Wrapper: San Andres – Binder: Dominican – Filler: Dominican and USA
The Story 54×6
“A symbol of life’s unfolding narrative, The Story invites reflection on the journey we each undertake. Its torpedo shape, narrowing as the cigar progresses, reflects how our stories develop—becoming more defined and complex as they unfold. The rich Maduro San Andrés wrapper enhances the depth and intensity of the experience. Every puff reveals a new chapter, and The Story encourages us to appreciate the layers and nuances that make up our personal sagas”
Wrapper: Ecoadorian Habano – Binder: Dominican – Filler: Dominican and USA
The Beginning 54×5 1/2
“TheBeginning is a striking representation of life’s fresh starts and new possibilities. With its pyramid shape, this cigar symbolizes the early stages of any journey—wide with potential and narrowing with experience. Wrapped in a rich Corojo leaf, it offers a balanced notes, evoking the excitement and uncertainty that accompany new beginnings. The Beginning invites smokers to reflect on where they’ve come from and where they’re headed, embracing the promise of growth and discovery”
Wrapper: Corojo Ecuador – Binder: Dominican – Dominican
The Decision 60×4 1/2
“The Decision embodies those brief, yet profound, moments when we make choices that alter our path. Wrapped in an Ecuadorian Corojo leaf, this compact cigar delivers a rich and full experience, symbolizing the weight of each decision. Its thick ring gauge reflects the depth and impact of the choices we make, and its powerful flavors remind us that even the briefest moments can leave lasting impressions. The Decision is for those who appreciate the clarity and strength that come with decisive moments”
Wrapper: Corojo Ecuador – Binder: Dominican – Dominican and USA
The Passion 54×4 1/2
“The intensity of passion is perfectly captured in The Passion. Wrapped in a smooth Habano leaf, this short pyramid-shaped cigar symbolizes the focused pursuit of our deepest desires. The tapered end concentrates the bold, vibrant flavors, delivering a robust and sweet smoking experience that mirrors the intensity of human passion. Whether it’s love, ambition, or a fervent pursuit of purpose, The Passion embodies the emotion that drives us, offering a brief yet unforgettable journey into the heart of what matters most”
Wrapper: Habano 2000 Ecuador – Binder: Dominican – Filler: Dominican
In addition to the Life journey line, they also chose to create a limited edition line. A line that is a tribute to Dorin’s journey in geology. Dorian, who was a professor of geology, has a passion for volcanoes. The Volcanoes Line comprises 5 boxes named after each continent: Europe, Australia & Oceania, Asia, The Americas and Africa. In each box there are 4 cigars named after a volcano of the continent. Each cigar has its own unique blend and vitola. The cigars will be sold in a total of 5000 boxes in two batches. One batch is already sold and the second one we are waiting for the launch date for. If you are quick enough, you will get the chance to try the cigars from the Volcano line.
To read about each cigar click on the image
Sperlinga lifestyle – the podcast a way of helping others to a better everyday life
At the beginning of the article I wrote that Danays and Dorin had a passion for helping others. It is something that was in my thoughts throughout our conversation and that remains in my thoughts long after. We will jump from the cigars to Danays’ project, a life style pod with the goal of helping others to a better everyday life.
During our conversation, Danays talked about her project with the Life style pod. Today there are an incredible number of life style pods that show the life everyone wants to have, everything is like in a dream world. No problems and challenges in life is usually shown and everyone wants to show an unrealistically good everyday life. Let’s be honest, how many days don’t bring with them some kind of challenge, it can be everything from small to large. Danay’s goal is of course to highlight gourmet experiences and the good things in life, but above all to highlight the challenges that you face. By highlighting the challenges, you can also find ways around them and build a better life. She doesn’t want to give a false picture of life like everyone else. She wants to give a realistic one and give advice on how to put a bright side to your everyday life. A way to give that little extra, a way to give you and me the everyday life we want in a realistic way.
“I don’t tell you what to do in the podcast, I tell about my experiences and then maybe someone will feel a connection to what I say and get inspiration and help that way”
We got on to a conversation about social media, at that moment a slightly more determined voice was heard from Danays. You could really hear the importance of what she wanted to convey. She feels that being a person on social media gives her a sense of responsibility.
“Those who follow me, send messages on social media and like the pictures often live through what I convey. Then it’s important to give a realistic picture of everything and you also have the opportunity to help and inspire others. When you can inspire others, you have to make sure to do it in the right way, a way that can help them to a better everyday life and not to a dream world”
How do you follow your dreams?
When I asked them the question about how to follow your dreams, I almost burst into tears once and I was filled with an incredibly positive energy. It was almost like Dorin and Danays started talking through each other’s mouths at times and wanted to convey their thoughts. Thoughts and advice about following dreams were
“Get out of your head, I’ll do it tomorrow. You have to do things right away otherwise nothing gets done. You keep putting everything off. When you’re old and look back on life, it’s too late. There is no straight question. First you have to know yourself, we don’t move forward because we don’t know ourselves. We have a life. You have to take the first step and not be afraid of what others think and of failing. If I’m going to be remembered when I pass away, I want to be remembered as a person who lived without fear. You shouldn’t go a day without learning something new”
You can say an incredible amount about Danays, Dorin and Sperlinga but what I feel really sets them apart from so many others is that every thing they do has an incredible meaning. Each cigar has a story made to lift emotions, inspire and help one to a better everyday life with its meanings. A realistic life style pod that lifts real life. Just having talked to them both gave me an incredibly warm and joyful feeling.
The next time you lift the humidor lid, if you have a Sperlinga cigar, don’t forget to read about the name and enjoy the meaning while your smoking. Enjoy an inspiring cigar with a inspiring meaning.
Danays, Dorin I have seen many stories, read many articles but rarely if ever have I heard such inspiring stories behind each cigar. Even if you smoke one I feel there should always be one in the humidor that reminds people to follow their dreams. There are many brands in the world, but few that inspire in the same way that you do. It was an incredible honor to speak with you both and share your story. I look forward to the day we sit down together, light a cigar and I get to hear more of your journey and inspiration.
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