Today seems like a good day for another Puff Profile, where we take in-depth looks at cigar brands, their history, and what they have to offer. Up next is a look at Alec Bradley Cigars.

Alec Bradley: Company History

The story of Alec Bradley Cigars is one that can best be summed up in one word: perseverance. The company was started in 1997 by Alan Rubin. For a little background on Rubin himself, he made his living prior by importing parts from the Far East such as nuts and bolts. Rubin had success in the importing business and eventually sold his company for a considerable amount of money. Rather than retiring altogether, Rubin decided to get into something he had a passion for: cigars. He had no prior experience in the cigar industry, and the growing pains he incurred were considerable.

The first problem was that Rubin entered the industry right after the cigar boom, and sales were slowing down across the board. The second problem was his initial business plan. Rubin first began by targeting golfers as his main audience with his first release of Bogie Stogies. That did not work out so he moved onto flavored smokes called Gourmet Dessert Cigars, which also failed. Rather than simply quitting, Rubin continued on.

As luck would have it, Rubin was fortunate to team up with cigar legend Hendrik Kelner in 1999. Kelner produced a line for Rubin called the Occidental Reserve. With Kelner's name behind the product, and Rubin offering it to retailers at low prices, Rubin was able to attain his first success in the smoking industry.

Time passed, Rubin was able to get his head above water, and he continued to release new lines from the Alec Bradley brand, which uses the first names of his two sons as its moniker. Despite its humble beginnings, Alec Bradley Cigars has been successful in producing various cigar lines, some of which earned high critical praise, and it is all thanks to the perseverance of Rubin himself.

Speaking of the company's cigar lines, let's take a look at them in detail.