If I'm paying upwards of $30 for a SINGLE cigar there is a level of expectation that comes with that. Waiting 3-4 years to smoke it is absurd.
I must confess I think this point is eminently reasonable (as are your others).
I think I've just got used to thinking this is a norm for full-bodied cigars. Padron and LP both make sure they put out stuff ready to smoke so it can be done.