January 8, 2017

Meet Henry Stokes of Tailored Ash in Downtown Atlanta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Stokes.

Henry, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My father introduced me to cigars, he actually gave me my first cigar for my 16th birthday, it was a Montecristo No. 2. From that point on I was in love with cigars and the overall lifestyle of cigars. After leaving college, I worked in music managing artist, songwriters and producers working with artists such as Usher, Justin Bieber, and The Backstreet Boys to name a few. During my transition out of music, I began to get more and more interested in the overall process of cigar production, it was no longer just enough to smoke a cigar, I wanted to know everything about them. During the summer of 2014, I decided that I wanted to start my own cigar brand, I searched for months and months to find a manufacturer that would work with me. Once I finally found one my new struggle was distribution and marketing, how would I get these cigars into shops and how would I tell people about them. That’s when the lightbulb went off, and April 2015 I started an online magazine, Tailored Ash. The plan was to use this magazine to teach people about the lifestyle of cigars and in the process I could spread the word about my own cigar brand.

Once I made the decision to focus on the overall lifestyle of cigars everything started to come together for me. The same cigars companies that I couldn’t get to take my calls were now contacting me to advertise and do campaigns on my social media platform. September 2015 while traveling to Dubai a guy who followed me on Instagram invited me to have a cigar. While enjoying the cigars and talking we decided to launch a cigar subscription service “The Stash” focusing on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi market. I launched The Stash November 2015. After a few months in the middle east market, I was then ready to bring The Stash to the US market.

Living here in Atlanta my mission has always been to elevate the cigar experience in the city. The next step for me was to open a cigar lounge. In February 2016 I was given that opportunity. I originally came to Suite Food Lounge with the idea of hosting a cigar pairing dinner party and US launch for The Stash, on the rooftop of the restaurant. After touring the venue we walked inside of what was then their Hookah Loft. I saw the space and instantly knew it would be a perfect fit for a cigar lounge. I took over the space February 28th and opened March 25th naming it Trilogy Cigar Lounge. The mission was to develop a space that could provide the full lifestyle of cigars.

For me, cigars were always more that just something to smoke, it was the fashion, the spirits, food, travel. All of those things made up the lifestyle and I wanted to be able to connect those dots.

Has it been a smooth road?
No serious struggles, the biggest issue has been the learning curve.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company is a lifestyle guide for the modern gentleman. We provide education and experiential events to make that lifestyle a reality. We provide everything from cigars to custom suits and shoes. What makes us different and sets us apart from others is our ability to connect all of the pieces of the gentleman’s lifestyle under one roof. In most cases, men would have to go to multiple places to achieve their desired lifestyle, with my company he could get everything he is looking for in one place.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Any city. Over the next 5-10 years, I see a big change in the industry, men’s fashion continues to grow with there now being a men’s fashion week in New York. The cigar industry continues to grow every year and several new exciting brands are hitting the market every day.

Contact Info: