Dunbarton

[Dave]

Congrats, Steve! I, for one, am stoked.


http://halfwheel.com/steve-saka-returning-with-dunbarton-tobacco-trust-at-ipcpr-2015/88617


Note: This is likely a dupe topic, but I don't see it elsewhere...admittedly, this old FOG hasn't adequately navigaed BOTL since the last major format change.....mods delete if a dupe.

 

[Craig Mac]

It got deleted earlier for some strange reason......

 

[Jfire]

I know half wheel and JD, Steve have always had a good relationship. (From what I've read.....) But maybe a phone call to Steve would of been in order first.

 

[Dave]

IDK, JF....... Halfwheel is as much about getting a scoop as it is about reviews or anything else. Seems they got the jump and got it right. If they don't put it out there, someone else does...maybe with some 'inaccuracies'. Steve may not have been ready for a 'formal' announcement, but buzz is good and nobody will actually surprised by the 'news'.

 

[Agentskull]

He confirmed it on his Facebook

 

[SailorAg]

In Steve (@ssaka) we Trust!

 

[sofc]

IDK, JF....... Halfwheel is as much about getting a scoop as it is about reviews or anything else. Seems they got the jump and got it right. If they don't put it out there, someone else does...maybe with some 'inaccuracies'. Steve may not have been ready for a 'formal' announcement, but buzz is good and nobody will actually surprised by the 'news'.

I'm not saying this info is wrong but there have been times when indeed halfwheel has had its share of inaccuracies (and has been publicly corrected by the cigar company/rep.) They are not infallible.

 

[StogieNinja]

Well, I'm pretty excited. Wasn't sure anything would beat my excitement for @NicaNick's corojo wrapped stuff, but @ssaka's return might do it. Looking forward to seeing what he has up his sleeves!

 

[ssaka]

Fwiw, they did contact me... and asked for a press release or quote, to which I replied: “I appreciate the opportunity to comment, but I am just not ready yet." They published this in their article.

I told them I would prefer for them to hold off for a variety of reasons, but that ultimately I would understand if it was their desire as a leading industry media resource to publish what they knew from public records. They contacted me again yesterday and told me of their intent and I thanked them for the "heads up." IMO, the Halfwheel guys are good folk and do a great job of keeping us in the cigar industry and consumers alike informed.

Long ago I decided it is much better to take a hands off approach when it comes to things like this.

IMO trying to control media releases or their comments results in more turmoil than it is worth. Plus again, I go back to the concept that publishing news and opinions to serve their readership is their job, so I can't fault them for doing it even when it may not serve my best interest.

The only times I intervene is to correct a factual mistake or to offer a counterpoint if my own opinion differs, but other than that I let the media be the media.

I know a lot of folks have a totally different opinion when it comes to "managing" the media, maybe it is because I myself was a cigar "blogger" in the mid-nineties... that word wasn't even't invented yet when I was typing away online about cigars, tobacco and the industry.

BR,

STS

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

I told them I would prefer for them to hold off for a variety of reasons, but that ultimately I would understand if it was their desire as a leading industry media resource to publish what they knew from public records

Lol! As a former sports reporter, I must say that is some old-fashioned, nose-to-the-ground reporting. Not the kind of thing politicians are big fans of. Good luck with the new company. I am now offcialy overwhelmed with anticipation.

 

[ssaka]

Yeah they were reviewing the IPCPR exhibitor list, notice a new company with a bigger than normal booth for a new cigar company, cross referenced that with the USPTO trademark database for the brand names which also lists my IP attorney's name and local in NH as the record holder and then realized that they knew someone who actually lived in a town called Dunbarton, NH... hard to fault them, they deserve an "A" for attention to detail.

 

[HIM*]

Congrats @ssaka even though this wasn't how you planned for things to be unveiled. Im really looking forward to trying the fruit of your work.

 

[atllogix]

I just might speak for the majority and say the anticipation is on.

 

[Jfire]

Ok I stand corrected. Phone call was made. Maybe you wait a little longer for a dear friend that's treated you well still IMO.

 

[sofc]

Ok I stand corrected. Phone call was made. Maybe you wait a little longer for a dear friend that's treated you well still IMO.

I'm with you on this. Especially if that person can say that after he drops the news and gives you credit for knowing before everyone else.

 

[JGIORD]

Best of luck Steve, I look forward to trying your smokes. But PLEASE make a decent non-maduro, non short fill honest cigar for under $3 a stick for the cheapo's like me. I can't afford to smoke Liga's all day. We need a working man's cigar

Thanks

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Congratulations @ssaka! Very anxious to see what you have come up with and I wish you much success and happiness in your new endeavor.

 

[Undercrown509]

Congratulations!! @ssaka

 

[ssaka]

Best of luck Steve, I look forward to trying your smokes. But PLEASE make a decent non-maduro, non short fill honest cigar for under $3 a stick for the cheapo's like me. I can't afford to smoke Liga's all day. We need a working man's cigar

Thanks

Jgiord,

Two of the three blends I am working on are non-maduro, however I am the wrong guy to create the $3 and under market.

Given my leaf selection and standards, under $10 is tough. It is not that I intend to be exclusionary, but rather it is just simply a byproduct of the caliber of sticks that I myself smoke these days plus I am just uber picky when it comes to everything...

While I appreciate the desire and understand the reason why folks want such a economy priced handmade having been an enlisted squid who earned about $780 a month and was a Topper fanatic, I simply can't make a cigar at that price point... Your best bet is to try all the house blends by internet retailers that have a vested interests in a cigar factory and even then $3 is tough.

Maybe the best option is to zero in on closeout deals, that is often where you get the most cigar for your money, but of course this is hit and miss at best. Almost always cigars are closed out because they weren't all that great in the first place...

Fwiw, imo Perdomo and AJ Fernandez have the best value-priced portfolios in today's market. In the case of both, I think consumers are getting excellent cigars for their money. Still you are looking at $5+...

Wish I could be more helpful,

STS

 

[sofc]

Best of luck Steve, I look forward to trying your smokes. But PLEASE make a decent non-maduro, non short fill honest cigar for under $3 a stick for the cheapo's like me. I can't afford to smoke Liga's all day. We need a working man's cigar

Thanks

http://www.newhavanacigars.com/Trocadero_Cambon_Bundle_of_20_p/lat-tro-trocadero-cambon-20.htm

Think that qualifies. I would smoke those if I had to and I don't smoke many things.