Our Host has chalked up thirty years in the Cigar Business. Yes, that's Tres Décadas!

[JohnS]

While I was reading over today's happenings in the cigar world this morning I happened to noticed an article promoting Gurkha's upcoming release being an homage to their Vice president of Sales, Jan Lopez (yes, that really is his name!) and his thirty years in the cigar business. Well, it got me thinking. You see, if my memory serves me correctly, our host @El Presidente, started his foray into the cigar industry in 1996 in the little corner of a much larger coffee business owned by Dean Merlo. From these humble beginnings, thirty years later we have a very successful lines of niche cigars (i.e. Fabrica5) that have satisfied a number of our members in this community. My, how far we've come!

Now, I need to state on the record, that I have no affiliation with our host in regard to what I'm about to post below. Genuinely, this is just a suggestion that came to me thirty minutes ago as an interesting idea that would be fun to discuss. I have no financial interest in it. That being said, who knows...it does sound intriguing!

I'd like to advocate that Fabrica5 contemplate bring out a Limited Edition-type cigar to honour Rob's thirty years in the industry. Perhaps we could incorporate some elements into the release below:

• It could be called Tres décadas, but if the name 'sails too close to the wind' with the upcoming, aforementioned Gurkha release then why not opt for a French name like Tabacuba and Zino Davidoff used to prior to the 1959 Cuban Revolution? That is, when we think of Habanos cigars from the 1940s and 50s that were meant to exude 'class', they all had French names. For example, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux, du Prince and du Roi and the El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme. So call it, 'Trois Décennies'.
• In homage to all fine Habanos S.A. special releases in the last ten to fifteen years, it could be released twelve to eighteen months late. You know, some time in late 2027/early 2028.
• In contrast to the same Habanos S.A. releases in the last ten to fifteen years, it could be marketed at a price that was more in line with prices when the Limited Edition program debuted in the early-2000s and it was very close to regular production prices. This would no doubt please Ken! (Because he often cites this fact when discussing special release Habanos cigars.)

I think this would be fun to discuss below, dear friends. At the very least...congratulations on thirty years Rob!

[Chibearsv]

8 hours ago, JohnS said:

While I was reading over today's happenings in the cigar world this morning I happened to noticed an article promoting Gurkha's upcoming release being an homage to their Vice president of Sales, Jan Lopez (yes, that really is his name!) and his thirty years in the cigar business. Well, it got me thinking. You see, if my memory serves me correctly, our host @El Presidente, started his foray into the cigar industry in 1996 in the little corner of a much larger coffee business owned by Dean Merlo. From these humble beginnings, thirty years later we have a very successful lines of niche cigars (i.e. Fabrica5) that have satisfied a number of our members in this community. My, how far we've come!

Now, I need to state on the record, that I have no affiliation with our host in regard to what I'm about to post below. Genuinely, this is just a suggestion that came to me thirty minutes ago as an interesting idea that would be fun to discuss. I have no financial interest in it. That being said, who knows...it does sound intriguing!

I'd like to advocate that Fabrica5 contemplate bring out a Limited Edition-type cigar to honour Rob's thirty years in the industry. Perhaps we could incorporate some elements into the release below:

• It could be called Tres décadas, but if the name 'sails too close to the wind' with the upcoming, aforementioned Gurkha release then why not opt for a French name like Tabacuba and Zino Davidoff used to prior to the 1959 Cuban Revolution? That is, when we think of Habanos cigars from the 1940s and 50s that were meant to exude 'class', they all had French names. For example, the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux, du Prince and du Roi and the El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme. So call it, 'Trois Décennies'.
• In homage to all fine Habanos S.A. special releases in the last ten to fifteen years, it could be released twelve to eighteen months late. You know, some time in late 2027/early 2028.
• In contrast to the same Habanos S.A. releases in the last ten to fifteen years, it could be marketed at a price that was more in line with prices when the Limited Edition program debuted in the early-2000s and it was very close to regular production prices. This would no doubt please Ken! (Because he often cites this fact when discussing special release Habanos cigars.)

I think this would be fun to discuss below, dear friends. At the very least...congratulations on thirty years Rob!

Good idea John. I think it’s worth 10-15% of the net at least. 😎

[riderpride]

Wow - 30 years is a long time, and yet it can feel like it's only been a blink or two.

Surely we can add a few extra bands to celebrate. 🥳 

Cheers!

[loose_axle]

I like it, and congrats Rob, that's a long time to survive in this cut throat world, well done! 

[Lucas Buck]

A truly major milestone. Bravo Rob. Here’s to thirty more! 

[chasy]

No term limits for our Pres!

30 more years!

[El Presidente]

Time flies when you are having fun! 

I started in the cigar business with a small store, 32 square feet (3m x 3m) at the Merlo Coffee “Torrefazione” roastery in Mclachlan St Brisbane in 1996. Dean Merlo (Merls) is a great mate of mine and back then he had just opened up a coffee roasting house to the public (and wholesale) in a dodgy part of town. He loved cigars, I said I wanted to get into cigars having left corporate banking, and so he let me some space to set up an on premise walk in humidor. Great days! I was 100% parallel importing CC in small quantities. We opened up the doors to the roasting house and humidor on the same day. The first person who walked through the door was a hooker who asked where the bathroom was and shot up. I took $236 that first week. Merls took just under $800 in coffee bean sales. We shared a couple of cigars and a bottle of wine  on that Friday afternoon next to the rubbish bins on the footpath and dreamt of better times.  

Merls (Merlo Coffee) has gone on to being one of Australia's great boutique coffee brands pumping out in excess of 4 tonnes of coffee beans a day. I realised how impactful the internet would become and pivoted from being a local cigar store to a global seller. Cigar Czars was our first online venture transitioning to FOH. 

Merls and I still catch up and laugh about the journey we have both undertaken.  

The cigar industry/business/hobby has given me everything both in terms of financial security and lifelong friendships. 

I am blessed. 

[pohlmad]

7 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Time flies when you are having fun! 

I started in the cigar business with a small store, 32 square feet (3m x 3m) at the Merlo Coffee “Torrefazione” roastery in Mclachlan St Brisbane in 1996. Dean Merlo (Merls) is a great mate of mine and back then he had just opened up a coffee roasting house to the public (and wholesale) in a dodgy part of town. He loved cigars, I said I wanted to get into cigars having left corporate banking, and so he let me some space to set up an on premise walk in humidor. Great days! I was 100% parallel importing CC in small quantities. We opened up the doors to the roasting house and humidor on the same day. The first person who walked through the door was a hooker who asked where the bathroom was and shot up. I took $236 that first week. Merls took just under $800 in coffee bean sales. We shared a couple of cigars and a bottle of wine  on that Friday afternoon next to the rubbish bins on the footpath and dreamt of better times.  

Merls (Merlo Coffee) has gone on to being one of Australia's great boutique coffee brands pumping out in excess of 4 tonnes of coffee beans a day. I realised how impactful the internet would become and pivoted from being a local cigar store to a global seller. Cigar Czars was our first online venture transitioning to FOH. 

Merls and I still catch up and laugh about the journey we have both undertaken.  

The cigar industry/business/hobby has given me everything both in terms of financial security and lifelong friendships. 

I am blessed. 

Love the story! How do you feel about the suggestion of a limited release cigar celebrating your success??!!!

[El Presidente]

2 minutes ago, pohlmad said:

Love the story!  How do you feel about the suggestion of a limited release cigar celebrating your success??!!!

It has honestly never crossed my mind. I will discuss it with Hamlet when we catch up at AmiCigar Vietnam in two weeks time. 

If I were to do it. It could/would be a box comprising a unique blend (mine) of Dalia/Robusto/Canonazo. 10 of each. 30 cigars. The cigar vitolas I reach for the most. 

[chasy]

7 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Time flies when you are having fun! 

I started in the cigar business with a small store, 32 square feet (3m x 3m) at the Merlo Coffee “Torrefazione” roastery in Mclachlan St Brisbane in 1996. Dean Merlo (Merls) is a great mate of mine and back then he had just opened up a coffee roasting house to the public (and wholesale) in a dodgy part of town. He loved cigars, I said I wanted to get into cigars having left corporate banking, and so he let me some space to set up an on premise walk in humidor. Great days! I was 100% parallel importing CC in small quantities. We opened up the doors to the roasting house and humidor on the same day. The first person who walked through the door was a hooker who asked where the bathroom was and shot up. I took $236 that first week. Merls took just under $800 in coffee bean sales. We shared a couple of cigars and a bottle of wine  on that Friday afternoon next to the rubbish bins on the footpath and dreamt of better times.  

Merls (Merlo Coffee) has gone on to being one of Australia's great boutique coffee brands pumping out in excess of 4 tonnes of coffee beans a day. I realised how impactful the internet would become and pivoted from being a local cigar store to a global seller. Cigar Czars was our first online venture transitioning to FOH. 

Merls and I still catch up and laugh about the journey we have both undertaken.  

The cigar industry/business/hobby has given me everything both in terms of financial security and lifelong friendships. 

I am blessed. 

Is this story well documented anywhere? I love this stuff. Hearing people reminisce about the journey. The good and the bad. If not, let’s gather our popcorn and settle in for story time soon!

[El Presidente]

6 hours ago, chasy said:

Is this story well documented anywhere? I love this stuff. Hearing people reminisce about the journey. The good and the bad. If not, let’s gather our popcorn and settle in for story time soon!

Happy to have Nicole and Liam from our media team document a 30 year episode once I get back from Vietnam. A tell all, "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" style. 

In my mind, if you don't celebrate the bad, you can't appreciate the good. I can tell you there was plenty of "bad". 

[Marco_011t556]

Would love to see some good old days photos, LOL!

[Gubbins]

 

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Happy to have Nicole and Liam from our media team document a 30 year episode once I get back from Vietnam. A tell all, "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" style. 

In my mind, if you don't celebrate the bad, you can't appreciate the good. I can tell you there was plenty of "bad". 

Congrats on 30 years in the business Rob, it’s a great story and this would be a great watch.

[ha_banos]

Happy 30th anniversary! Great achievement and especially for I guess a lifestyle business.

When in the journey did the Cigar Underground Network International arrive? 😆

Found my first order 2017

SAMPLER 8 Cuban Petit Corona Sampler: See Forum For Details.

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, ha_banos said:

When in the journey did the Cigar Underground Network International arrive? 😆

Circa 2013 from memory. Gov brought in massive restrictions. Naturally we took it in a mature fashion. 

 

[laficion]

Hi Rob,

Just a few words to say congratulations on your 30 years of fun & delights. I wish you the best for the next 30 years to come, and that's from the heart.

Amicalement HERMANO,

Guy

[laficion]

Hi all,

Just to say that i'm with John for an L.E. to celebrate your 30 years in the cigar industry.I think that it's a good start for the next 30 years.

Guy

[Li Bai]

Really much agreed, it's a terrific idea 👍

[Li Bai]

"Trois décennies", I like it!

I'll throw one more to get it going, "Les Trente Glorieuses", this is how we call the 30 years after WW2, when everything was like a simple breath of fresh air.

[BrightonCorgi]

A Diadema 10 count box would be a fitting offer to mark 30 years in business. Each cigar gold foil wrapped. Each box signed by Rob.

[LaoFan]

19 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Circa 2013 from memory. Gov brought in massive restrictions. Naturally we took it in a mature fashion. 

This had me LOL'ing. More content like this please @El Presidente 🤣

[SirVantes]

13 hours ago, El Presidente said:

If I were to do it. It could/would be a box comprising a unique blend (mine) of Dalia/Robusto/Canonazo. 10 of each. 30 cigars. The cigar vitolas I reach for the most. 

Call the release the 30:30, in homage to the reason a lot of us came to FOH in the first place.

[joeypots]

Thanks Rob. You've created a great community here bringing people from around the world together through the appreciation of great cigars. Well done, let's hope for 30 more years. If you get a commemorative box together I'd love to have one.

 

[Havanaaddict]

Congrats Rob &nbsp time flies, it seems just like yesterday when we were sitting in a garage in Manhattan beach!

How about a Cab of 30 Ninfas? 

[Fugu]

Massive congratulations, Rob! That’s a huge achievement!