Remembering Joel Sherman: A Legacy in Cigars and Beyond

Joel Sherman, the longtime owner of Nat Sherman, passed away yesterday at the age of 85 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. His passing marks the end of an era in the world of premium cigars, where Sherman was not only a key figure but a visionary who left a profound legacy in both the tobacco industry and the lives of those who knew him.

A Life Steeped in Tradition

Born on August 2, 1939, Joel Sherman grew up immersed in the family tobacco business. The story of his career began at the young age of 10, cleaning the original Nat Sherman store located at 1400 Broadway in New York City. The business had been founded by his father, Nat Sherman, in 1930 and was already an established name in the industry.

While some children might shy away from the rigors of the family business, Joel embraced it fully. In high school, he crafted a bold business plan, envisioning a higher-end location for the Nat Sherman store on Fifth Avenue. His foresight and ambition helped shape the future of the company, guiding its evolution into a true landmark in the heart of Manhattan. Over the years, the store was moved to several locations, with its final stop at 42nd Street, near Grand Central Terminal.

A Brief Departure and a Strong Return

In 1978, Joel Sherman took a hiatus from Nat Sherman, exploring new ventures in a business called Concord Shear. However, his departure was only temporary. After the passing of his father in 1990, Joel returned to the family fold, resuming leadership of the company and bringing his children—Bill, Larry, and Michele—into the business.

Joel’s return marked the continuation of Nat Sherman’s transformation from a retailer to a creator of premium cigars. Nat Sherman cigars became synonymous with quality, and for a time, the brand was the exclusive supplier of Cuba’s renowned Bolivar cigars in the U.S., prior to the Cuban embargo.

The End of an Era and a New Beginning

In 2017, Sherman Holdings Inc. and the entire portfolio of Nat Sherman products, including its premium cigars and high-end cigarettes, caught the attention of Altria Group Inc., a tobacco giant, which acquired the brand. Despite this acquisition, the legendary Nat Sherman store, affectionately known as “The Townhouse,” closed its doors on September 16, 2020, marking the end of an iconic era in New York’s cigar scene.

Though the Nat Sherman name is no longer found on cigar labels today, its spirit lives on. Michael Herklots, who worked alongside Joel Sherman for many years, is now one of the owners of Ferio Tego, the brand that carries the legacy of Nat Sherman’s blends. “Few people have the opportunity to make such a lasting impact on so many people’s lives,” Herklots said of Sherman, reflecting the deep reverence the industry holds for the man and his contributions.

A Lasting Legacy

Joel Sherman’s legacy is one of passion, vision, and commitment. His efforts helped elevate Nat Sherman from a single store to an internationally respected brand, beloved by cigar aficionados across the globe. Even though the iconic Townhouse no longer stands, and the Nat Sherman name is no longer attached to cigars, Sherman’s influence will be felt for generations to come.

The cigar industry has lost a titan, but Joel Sherman’s life and work will be remembered by those who savor the cigars crafted under his leadership and the memories made in the store that became a second home to so many. His story is a reminder that the heart of the cigar world is not just in the tobacco, but in the people who dedicate their lives to perfecting it.