Quote Originally Posted by Cardinal View Post
Timing is a little odd, or maybe it's all part of the plan. Any of you guys read the Rubin interview in the latest Cigar Aficionado? You remember a few years back when the CEO of Domino's went on a bunch of commercials and basically admitted that their pizza sucked really bad, but they were working to improve it?

The owner of Alec Bradley basically did the same thing. He said that demand outstripped their ability to produce a quality product in 2012 after Prensado was named CA's #1 cigar, and was pretty frank about how awful their cigars were for a year or two. I remember buying a 5er of Prensados in 2013 and none of them burned right, and I have mostly given up on the brand ever since.

I know it seems a little off-topic, but maybe he did this for a little publicity and to try to wash the bad taste out of people's mouths as part of the acquisition deal. On the other hand, he also talked about his sons working for the company and how important that was to him.
This is exactly what I was going to post about! I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Honestly, for me, I know it was supposed to be an outlet for a giant mea culpa but I got done reading it and was glad I gave up on AB after a series of Tempus that were horrid construction. I wouldn't exactly say the interview won me back over.

I worry that FDA regulation will kill the market by generating a lot of acquisitions like this. Can the big boys make great cigars? Yes then can. Do they do so as frequently as the little guys do? IMO, not even close. I'm not even talking about LEs and shop exclusives and all that jazz. Just smaller brands like Illusione, Tat, Crowned Heads, etc. FDA regulation is more leverage for the big dogs to squeeze out the competition because they have the capital. I don't really like the idea of less competition in any arena and it kills innovation.

For example, look at Tesla Motors. To me, what I like best about them isn't necessarily the cars it's the innovation they are driving. Before the initial Tesla Roadsters and the Model S several years later electric cars were a joke. GM built some prior and couldn't even make them popular in California of all places. So they literally crushed the whole fleet. Hybrids were ok but all electric was "too far off" technology wise. Now all the major car companies are scrambling to catch up or pass Tesla. I highly doubt any of that happens without the ability of a small time player with a big idea and the kahones to go for it. I'll get off my soapbox now...