This really bugged me...

[vivalanation734]

Was watching the IPCPR coverage from stogie review and came across their video with Lou Rodriguez. I was recently given a couple of his cigars so I was interested to learn about him and his blends..

Well.... he says he'll only smoke his own cigars and doesn't smoke anything else. That really bugs me. There is so much brotherhood out there between blenders and he won't even smoke their stuff. It's a slap in the face to all of the other cigar manufacturers and he is loosing the opportunity to taste new things and get new ideas. He really came off as arrogant and douchey.

(flame suit disclaimer: everyone is entitled to their opinion and can do what they want, etc. etc. etc....)

LINK to vid - the 3:20ish mark is where he talks about only smoking his stuff...

http://www.stogiereview.com/2012/08/08/lou-rodriguez-ipcpr-2012/

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett]

Well, if he really feels that way then he is missing out on many great smokes...my $.02

 

[DarrelMorris]

Well, if he really feels that way then he is missing out on many great smokes...my $.02

It's his loss.

 

[bdc30]

Yeah leave the good smokes for the rest of us

However, I agree with you - makes me somewhat less likely to look for one of his sticks to try.

 

[SDShark]

It's his loss.

+1 My thoughts exactly.

 

[Shaunylw]

How can you really make a top shelf product without knowing what your competitors are making? Seems like a bad business decision to me.

 

[Fourtotheflush]

I think that him being seen smoking other product could be bad for his business.

But to not smoke other stuff just to test the market is a little bit odd.

 

[GoingPostal]

Hey to each his own, but if it's true he'll find that less and less people will be buying his cigars because in order to have longevity you need to inject new products to keep it fresh and see where the market wants. Thats why wine makers drink other wines, chefs go to other restaurants, etc. helps give inspiration for new things.

 

[icehog3]

Never even heard of him...definitely won't ever buy one when I hit the B&Ms now.

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

hey to each his own, but if it's true he'll find that less and less people will be buying his cigars because in order to have longevity you need to inject new products to keep it fresh and see where the market wants. Thats why wine makers drink other wines, chefs go to other restaurants, etc. Helps give inspiration for new things.

+1 well said

 

[njstone]

His statement was probably hyperbolic. I'm sure he smokes other cigar from time to time, he just focuses his palate on what he's making. I'm not sure how he could say that he makes a $30 cigar for 1/3 the price if he doesn't know what a $30 cigar tastes like, lol.

But even if he literally never smokes anything else, so what? That's just his process. Some comedians watch other comedians all the time, some don't because they don't want to steal others material (consciously or subconsciously). Same with actors--some never even watch their own movies as a finished product! I can't imagine doing things this way myself, but for some people it seems to work.

 

[sneak_a_cigar]

Seems like a bad idea to me not to at least try the competition.

I think he was just trying to say how much he likes his own cigars rather than disrespect anyone.

 

[Pooh Bore]

Not a great thing to do when you are in a competitive market place.

Even car makers buy each others cars to strip down and see how the competition are doing.

 

[ciggy]

Personally I think he's full of shit!

 

[RaschNuts]

It almost seems like he is making these cigars as a hobby and for himself and if people buy it great if not he doesnt care he likes him. Doesnt seem like he is in this to make money. Just my .02 based on his comments.

 

[Dave]

I think that him being seen smoking other product could be bad for his business.

4-2, I am not so sure. I suppose there are people that might react that way. However, whenever I hear JD or Nick Perdomo or George Sosa or others talking admiringly about other cigars, I'm usually quite impressed.

 

[Cigary43]

Some use this as a sales gimmick ...bravado and all that. There are just too many cigars out there for me to try and only stay with one cigar ....that's just not reality. Imagine only having steak every day of your life and see how soon you get tired of it!

 

[njstone]

I personally LOVE it when cigar makers pimp other brands. You know, when they tell you how another cigar (that they DO NOT MAKE or distribute) is really awesome. JD, Pete, Dion, and Jon Huber all come to mind as guys I've seen do this recently. To me that shows integrity and camaraderie.

 

[mdwest]

meh... makes no difference to me what he does or doesnt do personally..

either he makes a good product.. or he doesnt..

if its good, and the price point is right.. cool...

if it sucks... or is overpriced for what you get.. then not so cool.. (and I wont buy it)...

how he runs his business and/or his personal life is of no concern to me at all.. unless his actions are illegal, immoral, or unethical.. if he is one of those three things.. then I will not support him, regardless of product quality/lack of it.. (refusing to smoke someone elses product is none of the above..)..

 

[ghe]

Not sure why this would offend you so much. LR is a true boutique brand, making only 5,000 boxes a year. Rodriguez is a doctor who began making cigars for himself -- he initially made only maduros because that's what he likes to smoke -- and expanded into a couple of other lines. There are tens of thousands of cigar smokers who smoke the same cigar all the time. Are you offended by them? He's just fortunate enough to make what he likes himself.