Fwiw, I am going to be guilty of being in around the same price points on Sobremesa and make no apologies for it...
I know I wanted to create a top shelf liga from truly the best leaf and with exact attention to detail in its construction... and $10-$15 is what it costs once it ends up at the retailer's shelf... no way around that regardless of who you are, case in point: Padron Anni, Opus X, Davidoff, Liga Privada, HR, etc etc...
Now whether you can afford it, that is a different story. Or whether you think it is worth the money even if you have it, only you can decide that. Whether you even like the blend, well that is just a matter of personal taste. But IF someone is being honest and providing you truly an ultra-premium cigar, then the price is the price.
I really don't understand the consumer mentality of those that bitch about overpriced cigars. I mean there are hundreds of choices of cigars that range all the way from $3 to $25 each. And plenty of really tasty ones in the $8 range. IMO there are so many great bang for the buck choices from JDN, Perdomo, Aj Fernandez, etc it isn't like consumers don't have great options or cigars to choose from.
I have smoked Nick's pre-release sticks while in Nica and was impressed by it and feel his price point is more than fair, actually a little low given current costs. Yes, I said it is a little low and being someone who has bought millions of dollars of leaf and responsible for the manufacture of millions of cigars I know exactly what it costs as does he.
So is it expensive? Yes, but it is not overpriced.
One more thing, lets say Nick set out to make an $8 retail price point cigar and did so. I have no doubt it would be a solid smoke, but honestly is that what people are expecting from him as his first release? Imagine the pressure he is under to perform given everyone's expectations... do you really think first releasing a mid-point stick where he isn't able to use the cream of the cream is a good choice? People are going to be hypercritical of this first blend, so not only do I not blame him for utilizing the choicest of leaf, I would regard him as an idiot if he did differently.
I think Nick and I are in the same boat in this regard: everyone's expectations are through the roof and we are both doing everything possible to try to meet these truly almost unattainable expectations. IMO neither him, nor I would feel comfortable releasing a "good" cigar, we want it in our own opinions to be FUCKING GREAT, to know we did everything possible to make it as exceptional as possible.
And then if consumers decide they don't like it, we will at least know we did our very best.
BR,
STS
ps: A big part of the problem is so many people keep buying into the bullshit of so many Don Nobodies and are spending $12+ on cigars that should be $7-$8 at most in the first place. Nicholas is not a Don Nobody, he is as legit as they come.
Very exciting! Those wrappers look amazing! If you want to get a little taste of what to expect, check out Casa Fernandez cigars. The fact that Foundation is blending with Aganorsa leaf just has me reeling with expectation and anticipation. 
