Colin Ganley studied the remarkable rise of mid-17th century Bombay and the East India Company on those islands during his time at the LSE. The following year he continued on to Saint Antony’s College, Oxford where he extended and deepened his research. But under the surface there was a private passion and unrevealed talent which would ultimately shape the direction of his career.
LSE
The class of 2005/6, like many classes, was a remarkable one. As Colin describes: “The friendships forged that year have remained among the strongest bonds from my student life. The camaraderie with Professors Colin Lewis, Nick Crafts, and Tim Leunig in my case, was very special. They were clearly brilliant but also accessible, funny, and encouraging.”
That year was one which saw Colin, and other scholars, at the local pubs and clubs with professors and staff. From the South Bank’s Founder’s Arms to the Boisdale of Belgravia. Alan Rappeport, Ali Mazanderani, Andrew Thuss, Marc Bridge, Tom Claerhout, and Anna Stasinou held regular sessions - as did nearly everyone.
Colin’s Supervisor, Professor Colin Lewis’ expertise lay in Latin America, while his own was emerging in the Indian Subcontinent. Therefore the main influence of the supervisor was of improving methods and suggesting approaches; something Ganley remains grateful for until this day. At this time there was no suggestion that Colin Ganley would end up living for more than a decade in Latin America!
When the end of the year approached, Professor Lewis encouraged Colin to continue his research at either the LSE or Oxford as a Doctoral candidate.
There was an undercurrent in Colin’s time at the LSE. The pressure of the exchange rate of all currencies against the Great British Pound made 2005/6 one of the most expensive years for foreign students to attend the LSE. So, in order to raise money to support his studies, he began freelance writing for several cigar magazines.
Why cigars? London, as it turns out, is a global center of Cuban cigar connoisseurship. It was the home of Simon Chase, the world’s pre-eminent Cuban cigar expert. Simon would become a dear friend and collaborator of Colin until Simon passed away in 2019. Edward Sahakian is the most notable enthusiast-purveyor of fine cigars in St. James and a Gentleman by any measure. With the knowledge and collections of these two gentlemen, their friendship allowed Colin to amass proficiency and experience sufficient to write quarterly articles for the leading cigar magazines of the time.
Oxford
While at Oxford, Colin continued his research under David Washbrook in the Department of Modern History while attending Economics seminars at Nuffield College. Oxford does not have a programme specifically for Economic History so it is necessary to choose either Economics or History. Since Colin’s research goal was to explain a phenomenon and story of a place in time using the toolbox of Economics, the Department of Modern History was the best fit.
During this period of dissertation writing and research, his star was growing brighter in the world of cigars. Colin was invited to become a Chief Editor for the magazine then called the European Cigar Cult Journal, headquartered in Vienna, Austria. This led to extensive travel in the countries of Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. “I found a fascinating connection between my research into the pre-colonial period of India and the post-colonial feeling of these Latin American countries. For the Economic Historian, the palpable connections to the past are electric.”
In his third year at Oxford, Colin was writing prolifically for both academic journals in Oxford and the popular cigar press. He was commissioned to write a book called “Cigars” as part of a series entitled Le Snob. The book was published by Hardie Grant and Süddeutsche Zeitung in several countries. He was also invited to judge a sommelier competition in Havana, Cuba called the International HabanoSommelier Competition. This is a test of the knowledge and skill of sommelier in the selection and serving of Cuban cigars. He would continue judging this event until it was put on pause in 2019.
Marriage, Family, and Nicaragua
Upon leaving Oxford, love had struck. At an Economics conference in Reykjavik Colin met Andrea Woolverton (PhD). “I don’t know if it was the everlasting daylight of the Reykjavik summer or some other magic, but we fell in love quickly and married within a couple years.”
In attendance, and as members of the bridal party, were a substantial contingent of friends from the LSE Economic History class of 2005-6.
As a couple, Colin and Andrea decided to move to Nicaragua in 2012. Colin describes Nicaragua at the time as being one of the places on earth where tremendous opportunities were available. One can live at the Pacific Ocean, as he does, and be at a coffee farm, cigar factory, mountain, rainforest, international airport, or Caribbean beach within a few hours.
Professionally, Colin was evaluating cigars, spirits, wines, food, and coffee. It turns out that tasting and blending was a skill that slowly developed in him during these nearly 9 years of practice. This led naturally, in hindsight, to Colin and Andrea founding a coffee company called Twin Engine Coffee.
The company grows, roasts, packages, and exports roasted coffee to a handful of countries around the world. But the work mostly takes place in Nicaragua. “We wanted to have access to the best coffees in the country and make a big impact in the local community. That’s why we decided to work and live in Nicaragua.” - Colin Ganley Twin Engine Coffee is one of the first “made at origin” coffees in the developing world.
Since the company’s founding they have evidently achieved both of these goals. Colin explained that before Twin Engine, there were no companies roasting high quality coffees for domestic consumption. So one of the first achievements of Twin Engine was to make Specialty Grade coffees available for purchase within Nicaragua. They have since obtained Organic and Fair Trade certifications. “I’m not fully in agreement with some of these certifications. But when you have a researcher’s training, it is hard to not see the flaws in any organization.” says Colin.
Today
Colin and Andrea still work in the coffee company every day and are raising their 7 year-old daughter Lucille in Nicaragua. Colin says, “I’m fortunate to have the constant challenges of fatherhood and the search for great coffees every day. I think it is important to surround yourself with beauty, and essential to keep your mind challenged.” At 42, Colin shows no sign of slowing down and says that he still has a few books he wants to write.
“The journey from London to Nicaragua was not a direct path, but it has been a fulfilling one. My time at the LSE was a highlight and I am tremendously pleased by the influence it has had on my life.”