Absolutely amazing, this thread is. If you don't like the idea of the papas fritas, then move on. It'll leave more for the rest of us. As far as i know, Drew Estate is very active in Esteli with the locals. They genuinely care for their employees and wants what is best for Esteli. They also do a TON of charity events, which I really don't see many other cigar manufacturers doing (Fuente is the only other that comes to mind). One thing I love about Drew Estate, and JD, is that they are unique, different, ORIGINAL. I've not had the pleasure yet to meet JD or any of the DE crew, but I have mad respect for them. I mean, come on, just look at the photos, videos, and posts of/from JD! The guy is awesome. And the fact that Steve Saka AND JD posted on this forum shows how great they really are. How many other cigar manufacturers take time out of their busy day to be involved with BOTL?
Yeah, Acids aren't liked by many of the guys on here (including me), but I can't tell you how many people I see buying them. Do I talk them out of it? NO! I honestly think the Acid line, along with all the rest of the infused premium cigars that DE makes, are quite remarkable in the cigar industry. There are many things I don't agree with with Pete Johnson and I feel that all of his smokes nowadays are released too soon and need at least a year of rest, but I don't make a big deal about it. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy tats, but my love for them is diminishing.
Price of tobacco leaves. I know there has been quite a shortage for the tobacco used in ligas. Not to mention, they are some of the thickest, juiciest, high quality tobacco I've seen in/on a cigar. I was very fortunate enough to get a few BHKs when I was living in Canada, and I must say that I think ligas have better construction (yes, the BHK's were REAL)! In my humidor, the ligas look the nicest, besides when the oils stain my spanish cedar. I do know that DE uses the very best tobaccos for their liga lines, and this means that there is a lot of rejected pieces of tobacco. I've only had one problem with a liga and it was a heavily cracked FFP. So I posted on BOTL, and guess what, JD took care of it and sent me a new one. This drives costs up. And lastly, Drew Estate, with all other companies, need to make PROFIT! JD is always traveling, leaving his wife, dogs (and kids?) at home. This must be very hard. I mean, he was just at IPCPR and next week, he'll be in Colorado doing 9-10 events (almost everyday, and some days, two events). I don't care how much you love your job, money is what pushes you to do things like this. So, I rather pay a little extra to see my money going to someone who will take the time out of their day to post on BOTL, be active with all his/her fans, and give up a lot of their time with family and loved ones to be involved with customers and fans.
bottom lines: 1. Just like Padron's slogan, I know that when the words "liga privada" are on the packaging, that it'll be superb quality, even if trimmings. 2. If you don't agree with what DE is doing, then move on. Leave more for the rest of us. Don't judge a cigar by it's composition. Smoke it and then decide upon what you think.
Just my 2 cents.
Edit: sorry guys for the long post.... geez!