Did Pepin sell his soul?

[Slow Triathlete]

I can see both sides of the coin here. If I was Pepin I would want to ensure the financial stability of my family and business for when I was gone. On the other hand, it's kind of the MC Hammer rule as I call it. Let me explain.

Back in the day when his first album came out MC Hammer was the shit! Then after numerous horrible later albums, endorsements, and even a cartoon no one could stomach to hear or see him again.

Weird comparison, I know, but I feel that Pepin is kind of doing the same thing in the cigar world. You can't read any article or smoke any cigar without seeing his name attached it seems. With that said, the Pepin Black Cuban Classic will remain one of my favorite cigars of all time.

[Cigar Jockey-cl]

I believe he is also re blending La Aroma de Cuba.
Unfortunately it will probably mean more $$$, as I love the Corona Minor.

[happy1]

Originally Posted by Slow Triathlete

I can see both sides of the coin here. If I was Pepin I would want to ensure the financial stability of my family and business for when I was gone. On the other hand, it's kind of the MC Hammer rule as I call it. Let me explain.

Back in the day when his first album came out MC Hammer was the shit! Then after numerous horrible later albums, endorsements, and even a cartoon no one could stomach to hear or see him again.

Weird comparison, I know, but I feel that Pepin is kind of doing the same thing in the cigar world. You can't read any article or smoke any cigar without seeing his name attached it seems. With that said, the Pepin Black Cuban Classic will remain one of my favorite cigars of all time.

Damn man that was deep!! But I can remember when he started.cant touch this went to dont want too!

[jitzy]

I would like to add one more thing he broke ties with black cat and its not so bad if he broke ties with pete would feelings be different. Now with that said he is a bussiness man and if he wants to make money great just don't let quality suffer and I will say to this point I cant say it has. I do still stand behind my statement of he's putting out alot of different brands though.

Oh and stogie yes the old henry IMHO is a really good smoke

[Slow Triathlete]

Just trying to keep it real dog!!

[jitzy]

I just want to say great thread by the way Hayward

[Wiseash-cl]

Originally Posted by Slow Triathlete

I can see both sides of the coin here. If I was Pepin I would want to ensure the financial stability of my family and business for when I was gone. On the other hand, it's kind of the MC Hammer rule as I call it. Let me explain.

Back in the day when his first album came out MC Hammer was the shit! Then after numerous horrible later albums, endorsements, and even a cartoon no one could stomach to hear or see him again.

Weird comparison, I know, but I feel that Pepin is kind of doing the same thing in the cigar world. You can't read any article or smoke any cigar without seeing his name attached it seems. With that said, the Pepin Black Cuban Classic will remain one of my favorite cigars of all time.

Someone please tell Pepin to stay away from the parachute pants and gold chains!

[mrgatorman]

I think its been very well said...make your money but dont step on the essence of the Cigar Industry...its gentlemenly manner. The Cigar Industry is the ongoing artist giving hand crafted works of art to the appreciative community that indulges in its effects for a price. But most of all...its about the people. Dont step on the toes of the people, they have a bad temper sometimes. Just ask the Dixie Chicks.

[JO4WVU]

He did it to Ernesto Padilla also.....

And IMO his sticks have gone downhill lately. They seemed rushed to delivery and ive talked to a few store owners who feel exactly the same way.

Other than Tat's ive stopped purchasing most Pepin sticks.....

[ezmoney5150]

This whole topic is a double edged sword. If he only made cigars for Ashton and maybe a limited amount of his own brand people would be screaming for him to turn up the production.

I like his blending skills and like how he works his skill in with other cigar makers.

I hear he is a great roller also.

[MMarsden]

Well, my opinions pretty well recorded on the comments of the rebuttal, but I thought that what Black Cat did (informing everyone about what Pepin did on the pages of all Pepin's products) was completely unprofessional. He should have posted news that Rey Miguel's would be no longer sold at this time and left it at that as he tried to contact Pepin and get the reason for dropping the product. He has now burned any bridge with Pepin, and if I were a cigar producer, I would be wary if Black Cat wanted a blend made for their store.

Now Pepin's company could have handled it better by giving a reason for the product drop. My belief is that with the expanded interest in Pepin Garcia from the industry, he's now producing more and more cigars and has reached the point where he has to, for quality assurance purposes, drop production of some lines to keep the more popular brands (The DPG series, Tatuajes, and Cristobals) in supply.

Of course, that's optimistic, and it could just be him being a jerk for the hell of it, but why the heck would he do that?

[hayward_tenney]

Originally Posted by jitzy

I just want to say great thread by the way Hayward

Thanks for that.

And thanks to everybody for weighing in so far - some really great responses!

[alanf]

I don't know what the real story is but taking it at face value, I have a slightly different take. As someone who has been "screwed" by a business partner, this simply wrong. What is important here are people and relationships, not some "stupid" cigars or more money. If you can't meet your obligations, for whatever reason (and I've been in that situation), you sit down and discuss options and come to a equitable solution. You just don't "blow someone off", especially a friend. I really hope this is all one big misunderstanding and that the two parties restore their friendship. True friends are rare and precious.

[tx_tuff]

I can also see both sides of the story, and yet we have not heard from Pepin himself. But it does seem the Black Cat is saying, hey man we helped you out and now your dumping us. But who helped who. I'm sure it helped Black Cat more than it did Pepin. Just like with Padilla, they made some great cigars together and the team helped both to the top of the cigar world. I don't think Pepin is hurting Padilla by leaving him now. I think Padilla learned a great deal from Pepin and is a smart cigar man, I can't wait for the new Padilla stuff to come out! His company grew because of having Pepin made cigars and will be growing more with Pepin leaving. Just think there will still be great Pepin smokes out there and some new Padilla smokes to enjoy. 2 is better than 1.

[Rocky Rulz]

If the way his staff treats visitors to his Miami operation is an indicator; Then the answer is Yes. I am reminded of the quote by Voltaire" No matter how high the throne, there sits but an ASS"