15 JULY COLUMN
Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 8:03AM In my column of 1 July when I threw down the gauntlet and claimed I would do a trip to Nicaragua and Drew Estate better than Bob McDuffee and Colin Ganley; I neglected to mention Dale Roush of Dog Watch Social Club and CigarMedia.tv. Sadly, my omission had to be pointed out to me by Dale himself. Dale did it as a joke, of course, placing a comment on the site. That made it all the worse. I don’t much like making errors – especially in print. My apologies to Dale and to my readers.
While I am rectifying things and making apologies, I should point out that I was badly misinformed, by several sources, regarding the anti-OTP effort in New York State.
IPCPR made a serious effort to assist the New York State Tobacconists Association; providing direction and advice, as well as $10,000.
While I stand by my statement that both IPCPR and CAA do not commit enough energy to this state-by-state effort; I do apologize to IPCPR and my friend Gary Pesh, IPCPR President, for being misinformed.
I have always been taken by the directness and simplicity of a poem attributed to Rev. Martin Niemoller, a German priest, that appeared in the August 28, 1989 issue of Time magazine. Several variations appeared subsequent to the publication, but they all make the same point:
First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.
Why put this here? Because we smokers are fighting a battle for survival and we have to support and garner support from other ‘put upon’ groups.
Our battle is to maintain our constitutionally granted civil rights! Not a battle for survival, which Niemoller’s poem speaks of; but one that speaks to the issue of individual rights just as significantly.
I was going to lunch with Eddie Ortega, EO Brands, and we agreed to meet at Sabor Havana in Doral, FL. While Eddie was straightening out the position of his cigars (601, Cubao, Mi Barrio, Cubao Maduro and Murcielago), as every brand owner does when he is in a shop; I grabbed a box of two of my favourite 601 vitolas: Rabito, from the Habano red label line and Coronas from the Habano Oscuro green label line.
What a surprise when I noticed the fact that the prices were lower! Yes, EO brands which are, now, distributed by Rocky Patel, have lowered their prices significantly. Check the Murcielago prices! That excellently selling cigar’s new price will delight its smokers.
I don’t know what happened with the EO Brands deal with Miami Cigar & Company, but I do know that the parting was amicable and that the parties are friends. While Eddie and I were discussing who was going to by lunch; Nestor Miranda (Miami Cigar & Company) came in and Eddie and I, simultaneously, said, “Nestor’s buying.” Unfortunately, Nestor had eaten his daily ration of Protein bar – he’s on a diet – and when I suggested he could still give us the cash, he demurred.
As a matter of fact, I am smoking one of the Rabitos now, and having just opened the box, I noticed the old Tabacalera Cubana seal and realized I have some pretty old – and well aged – 601s.
Nick Perdomo has twice lowered prices on Perdomo brands, in deference to the economic situation. Now, 601, etc, are available at a much lower price level than before. The quality is the same; excellent, as you would expect.
Call it the passing of an era, but, Oscar Boruchin of Mike’s Cigars (1030 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154 – 305.866.2277 - www.mikescigars.com) will be retiring in December of this year. Boruchin told me so himself.
Mike’s is a 60 year old company that Oscar has owned for something in excess of 25 years. Mike’s has an elaborate retail shop on the ground floor of their building in Bay Harbor, with some of the finest accessories (Ducas, Elie Bleu, Davidoff, S.T. Dupont) and a broad range of cigars. The other component of the operation is a Wholesale Division that sells many popular brands to other retailers; and then there is their huge catalogue and internet operation.
Oscar has built the internet operation with input from his son-in-law, and associate, Oded ben-Ari, who will succeed him as CEO.
While Boruchin calls it “retiring,” he said he will come in to the office a couple of days a week; a few hours a day. I suggested, perhaps, he would do a lot of traveling.
I suggested a serious retirement party, but, as I was leaving the office, Oscar said “Things can change.”
So, we’ll just wait and see what December brings.
In either event, Oscar Boruchin has been a pillar of the industry and he and his wife Rosita – who was always at his side – built a remarkably successful business. He deserves the respect given to him.
Here’s a poem, from a chap that obviously, got more than just smoke from his cigars…
In Wreathes of Smoke
Frank Newton Holman
In wreathes of smoke, blown waywardwise,
Faces of olden days uprise,
And in his dreamer's reverie
They haunt the smoker's brain, and he
Breathes for the past regretful sighs.
Mem'ries of maids with azure eyes,
In dewy dells 'neath June's soft skies,
Faces that more he'll only see
In wreaths of smoke.
Ebeu, eheu! How fast time flies--
How youth-time passion droops and dies,
And all the countless visions flee!
How worn would all those faces be,
Were they not swaithed in soft disguise
In wreaths of smoke!
Entubar from Berger & Argenti is finally here! Michael Argenti chose to bring back a time honoured method of producing cigars; one that he will not go into a great deal of detail about, that is called ‘entubar.’ You really have to see these sticks to comprehend how they are made; and then you won’t know it all.
Argenti teamed up with extraordinary cigar maker, Henry “Kiki” Berger, who is producing the B & A Entubars in Berger’s new factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Berger’s company, in Esteli, makes cigars under the Cuban Crafters label as well as many other private labels. Miami based Cuban Crafters retail them in one of the largest cigar shops in Florida – Cuban Crafters (3604 N.W. 7th Street, Miami, FL – 305.573.0222 – www.cubancrafters.com). In addition, they have a huge internet presence and are a very large importer/distributor of humidors and accessories.
A visit to Cuban Crafters is always enjoyable, with a large wine room & lounge; excellent food and drink in the café and a huge selection of cigars – from bundles to the finest premium hand made cigars, not only by Cuban Crafters, but by the major boutique brands.
Add to that experience, a little time talking about cigars and life, with Henry Berger, and, before you know it, you’ll have passed a very satisfying and edifying few hours.
In spite of the economy; in spite of the bans on smoking and the new taxes, I know we are going to see some extraordinary new smokes at the IPCPR this August.
Ashton is coming out with something exceptional in a, sort of, line extension. Made, of course, by Pepin Garcia – blender extraordinaire.
Pepin’s My Father Cigar Company will be releasing 2,000 boxes – 12 cigars each – each cigar in an individual coffin; each master box numbered – of the simply named LIMITADA. Each cigar lovingly handmade by Jaime Garcia – serving as bunchero while Pepin completes the exquisite sticks as torcedor.
Retail tobacconists should start getting their orders in now! And, we lovers of the leaf should start getting on lists at our regular tobacconist, if we want a box. Supplies will be extremely limited; and I know they will be accounted for on the first day of the IPCPR.
This is the very first limited edition from Pepin and family; and I can imagine it will be very much like getting an ipad or iphone when they first come out. Or, perhaps a Drac or Boris! Unlike the aforementioned electronic devices, there will be no further shipments and availability.
The price is very reasonable; as Pepin wants to provide real value along with the usual great flavour and construction.
I’ve had several offers to have my name put on a locker at several cigar shops and lounges that have lockers or have added lockers. In all cases, I have said, “Thank you; but, no thanks.”
Why have a locker in a cigar shop, when the shop itself is the biggest, best stocked ‘locker’ you could have. A good cigar shop offers 400 to 1100 facings.Take your pick of brand; of vitola; of blend. They are all there.
Of course, you could purchase two or three boxes and lock them away in your personal locker – what an advantage – particularly; if you want one of the cigars after the shop has closed!
I understand the benefit of the locker to the shops. Rental income; and a way of ‘tying’ the patron to the shops.
The benefit to the smoker – a brass plate with your name on it; a sense of importance and something to compensate for a small penis.
I’ll stick to my cabinet at home and the case I carry, at all times, with my daily allotment of eight cigars.
I had lunch Tuesday, the 13th, in Coral Springs, FL, with Howard Goldsmith, founder of the soon to be launched CigarChannel.com…a unique, informative, entertaining web video channel, Jason Volpe who handles most of the shooting, editing, etc, and the charming, Courtney Smith, Vice President of Sales of Bill Paley’s La Palina cigar company.
After a delightful luncheon we were confronted with an enormous rain storm, and we were totally unprepared to get to the car! Having waited as long as we could; as Courtney had an appointment to talk about the exciting revival of the 114 year old cigar with a south Florida retailer, I asked the waiter to assist me.
Below, you’ll see Courtney and me in our matching black Prada 30 gallon garbage bags, getting ready to head outside.
The only thing I couldn’t do was get my cigar back into my mouth!
GJA and Courtney Smith
Isaias Santana Diaz, the owner of the D’Crossier brand of cigar, had an event at Kirian Vega’s new El Clique Cigar Lounge & Club (1252 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145 – 305.859.7918 - www.elcliquecigarclub.com), on Friday evening, 9 July. The event was nicely attended and the array of D’Crossier cigars looked phenomenal and smoked as well. The cigars and the venue were well suited to each other – both elegant and a superb example of what each should be.
Isaias, who I call Santi for convenience sake, is a deliberate, methodical man who does not rush about helter skelter flogging his cigars. He knows these things: establishing a brand takes time; and he has the time. It takes a serious concentrated effort and he is making that effort.
In point of fact, he has plans for an extraordinary sales effort that will also be a lot of fun. I have been invited to join him at that time…and I will. It will make interesting reading with good visuals. He is working out the final details now.
If you wish to see both for yourself, go to www.purearomaciagrs.com and www.elcliquecigarclub.com
D'CROSSIER CIGARS
THIS AND THAT…
Israel Markevitz has arrived in South Florida and is in residence in West Palm Beach. Israel ran Uptown Cigar in Kingston, NY before they decided to close due to the OTP. He will continue operating their internet business from Florida, and I am sure they will, shortly, find a location for a shop.
Nestor Miranda is so ubiquitous in south Florida that when you don’t see him, playing dominos at one of several local cigar lounges and shops, you instantly notice his absence. Jason Wood told me today, that the “most interesting man in the cigar industry,” has been traveling for two weeks.
Alberto Noguera has chosen to leave his friend Henry Berger’s Cuban Crafters, where he was Vice President of Wholesale Sales. The parting is amicable and both are appreciative of the former association. As I said to Alberto; everything has its season.
Looks like both Cuban Crafters and Puros Indios/Reyes Family Cigars are in the market for heads of their Sales Departments (Jose Ortega having joined My Father Cigars on 1 July). Hmmmm…an opportunity for David Levy?
Pepin Garcia’s good friend Luis A. Quintero would love to have Pepin make a cigar for him. Luis, one of the world’s great marketeers and salesmen, remarked that he couldn’t do it because he could never do the in store events and all the traveling required.
“Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle.” George Burns
Reader Comments (2)
Even in bags you and Courtney looked like you were having a great time!
Thanks for the little heads up over the EO price reduction. Its funny how something like that could have evaded me.
Much Obliged,
Craig