All,
This is informal discussion of our consumer perception of the brands whose PRODUCT QUALITY and BLENDS have improved and digressed. I realize this is a matter of personal opinion, but I am genuinely interested in the perception of my fellow BOTL-ers. If you could include why you feel as you do that would be great.
IMPROVED:
Quesada: The brands made by this venerable maker were at their peak prior to and during the 90's boom era, but imo they seemed to stagnate through next decade, while still solid, they did not really draw my interest. However today I feel there has been a tremendous revival in their blending, branding and overall portfolio. It began with Casa Magna and while I did not think it was the #1 Cigar of the Year flavorwise, it was definitely a benchmark blend that marked the beginning of the release of many new, interesting cigars that has put this maker back solidly on my radar and in my humidor.
Perdomo: This is another maker who had a lull portfolio-wise and suffered a few years of upheaval between the death of their patriarch and staff changes. However it refocused on its core strengths and as a result has released a very solid portfolio of solid blends at a very consumer friendly price point. The overall quality of cigars has improved tremendously over the last few years making them a brand that well deserves attention and dollar.
AJ Fernandez: Primarily beginning their career has a manufacturer of economy priced sticks for a major big-box cigar retailer many of their early offerings were of suspect quality and flavor imo. Through hard work and serious investment, this factory has really stepped up their game in the last few years and is now offering some very palatable smokes and is on the verge of creating their own benchmark brand. They are one to watch.
Joya de Nicaragua: Another vaunted factory, arguably the one with the richest history in Nicaragua, languished for a stretch. Their core blends remained solid, but their attention to detail faltered imo. A few years ago they began to refocus and invest both in infrastructure and expanding the diversity of their vast tobacco holdings. Everything from this factory has improved and they are on the cusp of creating some new products that I believe with become landmark cigar blends. If you haven't smoked the classic JDN Antano 1970 recently, do yourself a favor and do so.
SOME WHO HAVE DIGRESSED:
I do have a list of those too, but it would be inappropriate for -me- to comment on those given my personal position in the industry and circumstances. Given that I have the option of someday returning to the business my being critical of other companies' products might be interpreted as be unfair and at the very least, rude. Heck, some of the comments I made in my "improved" list may not be welcomed even though I am genuinely praising these four companies. Anyhow, most of you folks don't have this to be concerned about.
BR,
STS
This is informal discussion of our consumer perception of the brands whose PRODUCT QUALITY and BLENDS have improved and digressed. I realize this is a matter of personal opinion, but I am genuinely interested in the perception of my fellow BOTL-ers. If you could include why you feel as you do that would be great.
IMPROVED:
Quesada: The brands made by this venerable maker were at their peak prior to and during the 90's boom era, but imo they seemed to stagnate through next decade, while still solid, they did not really draw my interest. However today I feel there has been a tremendous revival in their blending, branding and overall portfolio. It began with Casa Magna and while I did not think it was the #1 Cigar of the Year flavorwise, it was definitely a benchmark blend that marked the beginning of the release of many new, interesting cigars that has put this maker back solidly on my radar and in my humidor.
Perdomo: This is another maker who had a lull portfolio-wise and suffered a few years of upheaval between the death of their patriarch and staff changes. However it refocused on its core strengths and as a result has released a very solid portfolio of solid blends at a very consumer friendly price point. The overall quality of cigars has improved tremendously over the last few years making them a brand that well deserves attention and dollar.
AJ Fernandez: Primarily beginning their career has a manufacturer of economy priced sticks for a major big-box cigar retailer many of their early offerings were of suspect quality and flavor imo. Through hard work and serious investment, this factory has really stepped up their game in the last few years and is now offering some very palatable smokes and is on the verge of creating their own benchmark brand. They are one to watch.
Joya de Nicaragua: Another vaunted factory, arguably the one with the richest history in Nicaragua, languished for a stretch. Their core blends remained solid, but their attention to detail faltered imo. A few years ago they began to refocus and invest both in infrastructure and expanding the diversity of their vast tobacco holdings. Everything from this factory has improved and they are on the cusp of creating some new products that I believe with become landmark cigar blends. If you haven't smoked the classic JDN Antano 1970 recently, do yourself a favor and do so.
SOME WHO HAVE DIGRESSED:
I do have a list of those too, but it would be inappropriate for -me- to comment on those given my personal position in the industry and circumstances. Given that I have the option of someday returning to the business my being critical of other companies' products might be interpreted as be unfair and at the very least, rude. Heck, some of the comments I made in my "improved" list may not be welcomed even though I am genuinely praising these four companies. Anyhow, most of you folks don't have this to be concerned about.
BR,
STS
).
