I would like to add another story about JD that goes on to show the genuine compassion he has for his customers.
My dad and I had a rough relationship growing up. 99% of it was because of his alcohol addiction. Long story short he quit drinking when I was 17 and we barely spoke for a few yrs after that. I took up cigar smoking as a hobby and he decided to try it as well. It was his attempt to find something for us to do together...or at least something for us to talk about. Now my dad has become one of my best friends and we routinely bond over DE cigars. We make it an effort to go to most DE events in the Chicago area when JD is in town. The first time my dad met JD he told him how he smoked LP No.9s while mowing the grass. Ever since then, whenever I see JD and my dad isnt along, the first thing he asks me is, "hey, hows your Pop's?"
Fast forward to this past summer. 3 weeks before my wedding in the Dom. Rep my dad had an emergency bypass surgery and wasn't able to go to our wedding. He was very upset because not only have we become close, but he absolutely adores my wife.
At the BOTL Herf at Casa de Montecristo they raffled off a trip to Cigar Safari for this February. I was lucky enough to win it. When I went up to JD he says, "I hear your dad had heart surgery, how is he doing?" My dad actually came to the event so I told JD he was there. JD found my dad, went up to him and said, "Pops! How are you doing? I heard you had an operation and couldnt go to your son's wedding? Well...ya know what, you need to spend some time with your kid...I'm sending you on Cigar Safari with him."
I think I posted this story once before but it needs to be told again. He didnt have to do that. Needless to say my dad, myself and our family are extrememly greatful for JD and DE. That act of generosity literally made my Dad's year and its all he can talk about when I see him. We're super jacked and excited to hang with the BOTL guys and DE crew in Nica in a month. Thanks JD. Words cant express how appreciative we are.