I guess popularity is a big part of influential. Popularity helps define trends so is a great part of influence. I know you are stuck on the Oliva thing and I think the main reason no one is agreeing with you is you never did give a name. Company name or family name that is in the back ground is not going to be most peoples choice. I had never thought of Sam Leccia but have to agree that the Nub size has been a great influence on the cigar market in General. Still not one that works for me. I do think that Pepin is a great influence as he is in my mind the main person responsible for the resurgence of the Lancero size in the US market. I go back to the Carlito again as he is still the main person behind the LE cigar marketing. They may not have truly been labeled as LE but the limited production Fuente products will still be a great seller for most retailers and has influenced how others market their cigars.Well, we certainly have established the Popularity contest, now, haven't we?
As I pointed out on page 2, this is a Popularity poll. The numbers say it all.Influence is built on trust, reputation and consistency. Popularity is built on an X factor; it is, by nature, inherently perilous. Popularity requires no loyalty, no trust, and the audience can easily abandon you to go on to the next fascinating new thing.
"He is really the master. There is no better man on this island for making cigars. No one knows more about tobacco and no one makes them any better."
Well than, I like music and smoke cigars so what else is there....is Rocky making his own beer and liquor now?I don't know about you, but Henke Kelner's name is by far the most intriguing in my opinion. Watching people butcher that is fun. I suppose Avo would be a close second as well. Which goes back to the point, this is a popularity contest, not influence.
The reality is that Pete Johnson is influential on the boards, but as a B&M - General, Altadis, Fuente, Oliva and Rocky are still going to be the core. Sure, some don't carry the giants, but for the vast majority - it's an unfortunate part of being a cigar shop.
Why Rocky Patel's name isn't on this list is also concerning. Quite frankly he's going to win every competition with Avo outside of musical talent and good cigars.
I agree - Does a great Chef have to grow his own veggies, raise his own livestock and hunt his own game? I don't think so. The great Chef does respect the farmer and wants to use the best ingredients. That is what Don Pepin does, whether he grow it or someone else does.The last 5 years it's a no-brainer, the Dog Pound Gangster the one and only Pepin!!!
so what if he uses Oliva leaf.... he's the one creating the blends and I'm sure most of the leaf is his own farm. Correct me if Im wrong. :tiphat:
I don't know about you, but Henke Kelner's name is by far the most intriguing in my opinion. Watching people butcher that is fun. I suppose Avo would be a close second as well. Which goes back to the point, this is a popularity contest, not influence.
The reality is that Pete Johnson is influential on the boards, but as a B&M - General, Altadis, Fuente, Oliva and Rocky are still going to be the core. Sure, some don't carry the giants, but for the vast majority - it's an unfortunate part of being a cigar shop.
Why Rocky Patel's name isn't on this list is also concerning. Quite frankly he's going to win every competition with Avo outside of musical talent and good cigars.
I will say this about General and Altadis, they both put some new things on the market this year to advance their brands beyond the same old they normally do. Stuff like the H. Upmann Sun Grown, the A. Turrent triple maduro, the Warlock, HdM Reposado en Cedros etc. Not to say they are in the ballpark of Pete, Dion, Booth, Leccia etc., but they have recognized that market and are trying new things. La Gloria started the double wrap this year which, imo, is a good cigar and something different for sure. I applaud them trying, that's for sure.I think General and Altadis loose clout every year and companies like Oliva, Illusione, Tatuajue, Viaje, DPG, Alec Bradley are picking up status that they once had. I think Ashton/Fuente and Padron are holding ground and maybe even picking up ground also.
Yeah... but how much of that new stuff is going to be good. So far none of it for me.I will say this about General and Altadis, they both put some new things on the market this year to advance their brands beyond the same old they normally do. Stuff like the H. Upmann Sun Grown, the A. Turrent triple maduro, the Warlock, HdM Reposado en Cedros etc.
Agree 100%Yeah... but how much of that new stuff is going to be good. So far none of it for me.
I really like the new H. Upmann Sun Grown, the HdM Reposado en Cedros, and A Turrent Triple Play. All were good to great cigars. And the JdN Cabineta and LGC double wrap are a lot different. The LGC is two different cigars blended together to make one, while the JDN is just a darker wrapper at the top for a different lip taste. Tough to compare the two IMHO.Yeah... but how much of that new stuff is going to be good. So far none of it for me.
I wasn't a huge fan of the H. Upmann, the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Obelisco was decent, not for the price though. Joyo de Nicaragua is DE, not part of Altadis or General.I really like the new H. Upmann Sun Grown, the HdM Reposado en Cedros, and A Turrent Triple Play. All were good to great cigars. And the JdN Cabineta and LGC double wrap are a lot different. The LGC is two different cigars blended together to make one, while the JDN is just a darker wrapper at the top for a different lip taste. Tough to compare the two IMHO.