Hey jack ass
Monday, February 1, 2010 at 4:55AM 1 FEBRUARY COLUMN
Along with my old friend, Gary Pesh, President of the IPCPR and owner of Old Virginia Tobacco Company (formerly, Tobacco Barn), I was privileged to be asked to address the National Sales Meeting of Miami Cigar & Company, in Santiago, DR. The meeting was held Sunday, 17 September through Tuesday, 19 September.
Business aside, it was nice to be back at Camp David, the mountain top hotel with the spectacular view of the city of Santiago. It was also a pleasure to see people I don't get to see very often, save at the Trade Show. To name them would take too much of my limited space here, but, certainly, Jose Blanco and Jose Manuel Victoria, of La Aurora and, of course, Guillermo Leon...who is La Aurora! Guillermo and his charming wife, Michelle, hosted a dinner at their home Tuesday evening, which was spectacular.
Both Gary and I addressed the group Monday morning. The Tuesday session was about 'numbers' and our attendance was not required. So, we took advantage of the opportunity to visit the new E. P. Carrillo factory. Ernesto Perez-Carrillo was in Miami on Jury Duty, but he had arranged for his manager, Yunior Torres to show us the facility.
Upon leaving E. P. Carrillo, our driver took us to Tamboril and the La Flor Dominicana factory. There Litto Gomez was conducting his Annual Sales Meeting. Another round of greeting old friends and new and a short tour of Litto's amazing facility ensued.
I had not been to Litto's factory in several years, and what I saw and entered was all but unrecognizable to me!
It had more than tripled in size, with amazing facilities for tobacco sorting and storage, manufacturing, etc. Even Litto's office, now on the ground floor immediately inside the front door, was much more ample and attractive.
That's what can happen when you make some of the best cigars in the world!
Litto gave me a few of his new - to be released this month - Air Benders. Look for them; smoke them, but smoke them with this caveat:
Eat something before you smoke an Air Bender. Sit down when you smoke them. If you choose to smoke them in your car - have your seat belt on. Perhaps it would be best to let someone else drive!
Fantastically full bodied (this has become Litto's signature), smooth smoking, exquisitely made smokes.
In my last column I said I would not keep repeating myself about CRA. Well, shortly after sending the column to Cigar Media, I came upon the following, and could not resist making the comments I have made regarding the writer, and showing you what we are up against from our own ranks:
This piece comes from Cigar Law Unplugged
The writer, who can't spell worth a damn and that is a small indication of his intellectual level, is, ostensibly, a tobacconist, who doesn't have the courage to use his own name.
This is clear evidence that this country is awash in a sea of ignorance, a phrase my friends have heard often, from me, for the past few years.
In justifying why he has not joined CRA and will not help enroll people in CRA, this cretin tells us it is a "fraud."
Who he is assaulting when he said the organization was run by a "moron" I do not know. I will say that Glynn Loope, the Executive Director is an individual of the highest caliber that has had a long career in the field of Government Relations and Business Development.
In addition to his attack on CRA and, I suppose, Glynn, he takes swipes at Frank Herrera, an upstanding, intelligent, reputable attorney (that's unusual enough) who is an avid supporter of CRA.
He speaks of 'donations' as opposed to 'paying to join a club,' indicating his inability to discern the difference between a charity, i.e., American Cancer Society, the Heart Association; and a `membership' organization such as PBS and the NRA.
Were it not for the effect on the rest of us, I would wish that the anti-tobacco forces would succeed, so this moron would lose his livelihood!
The yellow highlighting has been inserted by me.
John smith Says:
November 24, 2009 at 7:35 pm EST
Hey jack ass,
There is a reason why no one will support CRA, it's a fraud based organization run by a moron. I'm sorry I've been in the cigar business for years, I warn my customers not to sign up for a political organization that requires you to PAY for membership. It's one thing to ask for donations as a non-for-profit to help fight for a cause near and dear to our hearts, but paying to be part of a "club" that honestly does nothing for our rights is idiotic. Get a clue or maybe some ethics (I'm asumong your getting a kick back) and stop promoting this fraud for anything more then it is. If you want to help promote our rights to smoke tell people to donate to their local efforts (for example chicago's tobacconists have a non for profit organization that employees lobbyists and lawyers to fight for our rights) or donate via the rtda to pay for our own lobbyists. Your bullhit of shutting your pathtic little blog down to make your friend some cash is disguesting, you should be ashamed of yourself.
I INVITE THIS CRETIN TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF, AND HIS SHOP, AND ENGAGE IN A DIALOGUE WITH GLYNN LOOPE AND ME REGARDING CRA.
While we are on the subject, after a fashion, of the constant assaults on the rights of smokers, in general, and cigar smokers in particular, the first meeting of New York Tobacconist Association in New York City took place on Wednesday, 26 January.
The formation of this group was instigated by Ron Melendi, De La Concha, Vinny Nastri, Barclay Rex and Michael Herklots, Davidoff of Geneva, in response to the draconian and totally abusive acts of the City of New York (credit the bizarre convictions of Mayor Michael Bloomberg) as regards smoking.
Aside from the tobacconists present, Jorge Armentiros of Tobacconist University; Peter Baenninger, President of Davidoff USA and Marvin Samel of Drew Estate were in attendance Gurkha and CAO sales people were present.
Glynn Loope, Executive Director of Cigar Rights of America, accurately referred to halting the "...Prohibition Era style of policies flowing from New York City to Albany (the New York State capitol)."
I spoke briefly with Rene Castaneda, Vice President of Miami Cigar & Company (famed for their, Nestor Miranda Collection and Tatiana), who flew to NYC to attend the meeting. Miami Cigar's particular interest is the ban on flavoured cigars.
Rene told me, "The New York market is extremely important to the industry. I was speaking for our company, as well, I am sure, as reflecting the views and intentions of all the manufacturers, when I told the NYTA meeting that we could be counted on for financial support."
New York City, under the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg - who a docile public allowed to alter the law so he could serve beyond the stated term limitations (Think Hugo Chavez, XXX Putin, and the pudgy little North Korean dictator with the pompadour), has staged a continuous and escalating assault on individual rights, as regards smokers.
No smoking in front of a building; no smoking less than 15 feet from the entrance to a building; no smoking in parks; at the beaches - strikes me as police state regulations!
By rights, I should be heading to Nicaragua this morning (Sunday, 31 January) to join a small group as guests of My Father Cigar Company. I was looking forward to seeing Ron Melendi and Israel Markovitz, as well as being with other friends, including the charming Janny Garcia.
Apparently, I've been shunted aside to accommodate another guest, as I was informed that my visit would be postponed until 23 February.
The postponement was one thing; the fact that I was apprised of it by John Gonzalez, Sales Vice President, certainly added insult to injury. Now I know how Sam Dribben felt!
I did have a back-up plan, as I had again been invited to join Jose Bermudez of Cuban Crafters at their suite at Gulfstream Park. Sadly, that was scraped due to iinclement weather.
I had been at Gulfstream's Opening Day with Jose. It was a beautiful day; the races were exciting at times and the conversation, sparked by Frank Herrera, my good friends Luis A. Quintero, Jaime Ortega and others.
I am assured by Jose that there shall be many other occasions during the racing season.
I had no idea the comment in my last column about all the Top Ten lists from bloggers would elicit the comments, in the twittersphere, that they did. Of course, I don't know of them first hand, as I don't go there. I leave the twittering to the...well, you know.
There was only one that struck me as needing a response. That was a comment made by Jerry Cruz of StogieReview that I was "...out of touch."
Out of touch with what, Mr. Cruz?
Out of touch with a palate honed over fifty plus years on pre-Castro Havanas and early Nicaraguan and Dominican cigars that you have never tasted? My palate possesses an Historical lexicon of flavours, regarding cigars, as well as a critical facility that allows me to put today's cigars (and the market) in perspective -a perspective that could never come from someone like you.
To dumb it down for you, Mr. Cruz, I know new world vs. old world cigars. Do you? I've smoked them, both casually AND analytically for five decades. Have you? Would you even have the analytical facility to evaluate them if you did? Doubtful. You've been smoking since, when, 1996? Another cigar-boomer weaned on fake Cubans who thinks himself a connoisseur because he reads the Robb Report and has a blog.
There ís an old saying, "If the shoe fits; wear it." As I mentioned not one name in the comment...you must have thought it applied to you and your Top Ten List as well as your absolutely banal Bottom Ten List!
I forget where I was when I bumped into Jesus Fuego, of the eponymous J. Fuego brand, but I took the opportunity to enquire how the sales of his Origen cigars were going. Jesus' eyes literally shined as he told me how well the cigars had been received and enjoyed by smokers.
Remembering his original marketing plan for these beautifully made, excellent smoking, well priced sticks; I confirmed that at the 2010 IPCPR Show, the line will be available to all retailers; as opposed to Fuego's top one hundred stores that have been carrying them now.
If you have never smoked a J. Fuego Origen, look for them and try them.
Saturday, 30 January, saw the celebration of Stogie's of London Square's (12305 S.W. 137th Avenue, West Kendall, FL 33186 - 305.233.8585) first anniversary. Although the shop, with its very comfortable lounge and small (full service) bar is an ideal location to enjoy a good smoke, I don't get there all that often. Nonetheless, I decided to go to congratulate Mario Sirulnik on the success of his second shop.
The event reminded me of Jorge Valdes' (Sabor Havana) Holiday Bash format & several manufactuers offering special deals, with the shop providing a gift bag of cigars with each purchase of a box. The gift bag was filled with cigars you'd want to smoke & no close out garbage!
It was a pleasure to see Erik Espinosa of EO Brands (601, Cubao, Mi Barrio, Murcielago); Billy Perdomo of Perdomo; David Levy and Morgan Jones of Mederos; the lovely sisters of La Giralda, Joaquin Saladrigas of My Family Cigar Company, showing John Gonzalez how to sell cigars; Carlos Escalone of Camacho, who is a good friend. Knowing Camacho would be there I really had hoped to see the CEO of cigars with Matt Booth! Miami Cigar & Company's Rene Castaneda and Hector Paz were there, and you could feel the electricity when Nestor Miranda entered - it was like someone being on the red carpet at the Academy Awards!
I know I have left out many friends and luminaries, but the place was crowded with customers who I know and these industry people and sales were very, very brisk.
A couple of Saturday's ago, there was a party at Cuban Crafters (3604 N.W. 7th Street, Miami, FL 33125 - www.cubancrafters.com - 305.573.0222) staged by Colin Ganley, of European Cigar Cult Journal, Bob McDuffee and Dale Roush, both of Dog Watch Cigar Radio, who had organized a trip to Nicaragua for a group of about seventeen people. As these people came from all over the country and were leaving for Esteli on Sunday, this was something of a `meet and greet' for the travelers to get acquainted.
The group included several tobacconists making their first trip to any cigar making country. They were in very good hands with their three hosts; staying at Drew Estate and doing the Drew Estate Cigar Safari.
Everyone who professes a serious interest in cigars, should see tobacco grown and processed; cigars made in any one of the cigar making countries. Rocky Patel has a nice trip to visit Honduras and his facilities. Drew Estate's Cigar Safari is excellent and the accommodations at the Drew Gran Fabrica remind one of a four star hotel, granted...in a third world country.
And for those interested in the Dominican Republic, everyone there is very hospitable to visitors, although there are no organized programmes. But...you're in luck! ProCigar Festival 2010 is taking place this month and if you go on their web site (www.procigar.org), they may still have tickets available.
This is a great event and a terrific education.
At one point in the evening, Bob and Dale called for silence and we all expected a few welcoming remarks. Imagine my surprise when they called me up to join them, and went on to present me with a certificate from Tobacconist University (www.tobacconistuniversity.org) naming me a Certified Honorary Tobacconist. The framed certificate and the TU lapel pin were accompanied by a very warm personal letter from Jorge Armentiros.
The beautifully framed certificate hangs above my desk and I wear the lapel pin proudly!
"Given the choice between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar." Groucho Marx
Reader Comments (9)
Gary - the fact that you have to point out your 50 years of experience and your relentless name dropping shows just how out of touch you are with today's smoker. Nobody cares how much experience you have or who you know? All because you've been doing something longer doesn't make you better at it.
Lets put down the thesaurus shall we? Using big words doesn't show how smart you are, it shows what a smug elitist you are.
I also find it humorous that you rag on Cigar Law's spelling. I've received your emails and let me say, you're one to talk...
Gary- Im going to have to agree with jerry on every thing stated above. Jerry, and all of the crew from the stogir review and numerous other sites are the new age representatives of the cigar world. Your name droping only tells me how bias you are in your cigar reviews, we all know you dont want to piss off your buddy ol' palls right gary? at least jerry has no bias, and will review it as in unbiased. you sir are so far out of touch your in denail about it, but whatever go have your little partys and get in tight with your BIG name buddys, well be just fine representing the average joe smoker, they seem to like jerry and the gang just fine.
While I don't condone personal jabs for ridiculous reasons I understand why Gary went there. His last article expressed an opinion; an opinion that he expanded upon and backed up. Jerry took it to a personal level by having an illicit reaction to said opinion. Who cares if Gary is 'out of touch' in someone's eyes. He is IN touch in mine. Is one opinion worth more than another? Nope. Just goes to show that before we start stating things as fact, we should think a bit clearer about them.
Jerry, I respect the Stogie Review crew. Justin, You & Walt have really seen a solid following because of your objectiveness. Don't taint that by being subjective elsewhere in the cigar world. I like the website. I know a lot of manufacturers really respect you guys. Don't be one of those guys who people respect for your work but disrespect for your actions outside of work. I'm sure others who read Gary's columns would certainly agree with this.
Craig, I agree that it is folly to take this to an unwarranted level of personal attack against a man who has seen this industry grow over the ages, and is willing to take the time to share his considerable experience for the benefit of others. I have enjoyed cigars with Mr. Arzt from Hong Kong to Havana, Kuala Lumpur to London, and just about everyplace else in between. His opinions are well respected by the very men and women in this business who have been making the cigars for generations! Now these two come along trumpeting the common man with these callous comments of torridity; perhaps they would learn some actual history of the cigar business if they read something other than video game directions.
You are the Cindy Adams of cigar bloggers. Chapeau.
First understand that Gary does not review cigars, does not pretend to nor does he offer to.
Secondly, calling someone a name dropper because they tell you who they spoke with and who they enjoyed cigars with is ridiculous, it is reporting. Would you rather read about smoking cigars with Mr. X and some unnamed source? I think you are simply jealous, and remember Gary does NOT review cigars so how can he be biased? I also sense that you do not have such acquaintances, pity too because I have found them to be (for the most), interesting and enjoyable company. It must have really depressed you to hear us talk of our trip to Nicaragua where we met so many wonderful cigar people. And my trip earlier this year must have been a stinging reminder of your isolation and sadness.
Third, Gary has as much right to his opinion as any of you, no one has been banned and no comments have been deleted or edited. But you, Boyd, want to boycott my site? You want to keep others from reading an opinion you disagree with. How narrow minded and fearful you must really be that you cannot tolerate the expression of an opinion different than your own. And as for this new age crap, cigars are still made the same way they have been for over 100 years and the characteristics that define a good cigar and elevate the exceptional cigar have not changed. Flavor and construction are what we experience when we smoke a cigar. We do not, nor would I want to experience any sort of new age mystical experience, I will leave that to the dope smokers.
I see nowhere that Gary insulted JCruz in the original article. I am working to get the two of them together for a debate on the merits of their disagreement.
I have known Jerry for several years, sometimes we agree and sometimes we disagree but we always discuss our differences civilly over a cigar. Next time Mr. Boyd, take deep breath and light a good cigar before getting yourself all worked up over some perceived slight of someone you probably have never met in person.
ummmm bob, i never called for a boycot, your above post is incorect, and slanderous. i expect an apology and a retract on the part pretaning to what i did not do. Maybe you should take some of your own advice and, take deep breath and light a good cigar before getting yourself all worked up, and accusing people of something they did not do. for the record, no i could care less if you or any reviewer met or smoked a cigar with said person. It just doesnt do anything for me except make me think the reviewer is an elitist who likes to gloat about who they know, but then again maybe its the jealously talking.
My apologies, I accidentally deleted the following comments in this section:
Aaron Boyd <elmofir@gmail.com> commented on Hey jack ass:
slan⋅der–noun
1. defamation; calumny: rumors full of slander.
2. a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report: a slander against his good name.
3. Law. defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing, pictures, etc.
Bob i used it correctly your comments were malicious, false, and defamed my good name on the internet.
I am not narrow minded, and i am not one to call for a boycott.
Lee B <sirpantsornot@gmail.com> commented on Hey jack ass:
I would like to speak out against this boycott. I find the ramblings of you and your simple associate the perfect sleep aide on my train ride home. Please, don't change a thing.
So Mr. Boyd, I am curious about your statement concerning the " new age representatives of the cigar world". Would you please explain this to me? I am trying to understand what the term means, as used by you. Oh, and I do apologize for misidentifying you as the source of the boycott request. Written while breathing deeply and smoking a Joya Cubana from Miami. Thank you