Sam Leccia Cigar Company

[T.G]

[forgop]

It'll be interesting to see how someone stands on their own when they think they're bigger than Oliva. He seemed to forget about everyone else in the hobby as it become more and more about him. It seems Oliva made it clear that Nub/Cain/Sam weren't bigger than they were and now has to start all over for something he spent the past 3 years of his life building.

[OLS]

Originally Posted by forgop

It'll be interesting to see how someone stands on their own when they think they're bigger than Oliva. He seemed to forget about everyone else in the hobby as it become more and more about him. It seems Oliva made it clear that Nub/Cain/Sam weren't bigger than they were and now has to start all over for something he spent the past 3 years of his life building.

I don't know, Duane, I think that's likely inaccurate. Granted, you can be sure there was some
friction there, Sam certainly believes that without Nub and Cain, Oliva would not be anywhere near
where they are today. Anyone that knows anything at all about the last 40+ years of the industry
knows that the Oliva's are close to being the smartest leaf people in the business, but even from
my position far outside the NC circle, I know that it's not how much you know about raw materials, it's
how much people know about your product. Their cigars were good, but not a HUGE name in the market
necessarily. I think that any negative feelings they may both have are FAR outweighed by what they
BOTH learned from the OTHER. I would be willing to bet they were both glad to be rid of each other.
Just like all of the characters I create for my boss' commercials become his property when I leave,
Sam really couldn't take his lines with him. but I am sure he feels like he has everything he needs to be
just as successfull in his new venture. Let's hope he has the LEAF, though. Great ideas, great names and
great reputations don't go INSIDE the wrapper. You need tobacco for that.

[nofeardiver]

I have met and talked with Sam a few times, i found him to be a stand up guy... He never tried to sell me anything or talk me into any cigars, simply handed me a few cigars and said thanks for coming out to the events... I have nothing for respect for the guy... I hope he does very well... Good Luck Sam!!!

[Sam Leccia]

Yo,

Just wanted to pass a note and let you in on a few things. I don't feel I have to, but I want to because quite frankly I think some of you have the wrong perception. Like I said before, I don't care if you don't like me, my cigars, or both, but I'd rather you like/not like me for who I am rather than what I am not.

"down to Earth"? I don't know man, I cut my grass and take out the trash just like I would imagine most of you do. I am certainly not made of money or consider myself any sort of celebrity. There has never been paparazzi on my lawn, and I certainly don't get bothered at the grocery store or the mall. I also doubt anyone tells Kid Rock that he looks like Sam Leccia. I'm just being real, guys.

The photo-shoot/Press-release/ads they are just that. The photo shoot was an absolute blast. I wish it was video-taped because you would have enjoyed it. We did this on Sunday, 3 days ago. it was unplanned, unorganized and unprofessional. It was 4 guys, a camera and a mission. The shoot looks like a $10,000 shoot and all it cost was the beers we drank afterwards. They were taken in my home town of Elizabeth, Pa. I have been fishing under that bridge in one of the shots for over 30 years. The car was a buddy's 53 chevy and the 2 engine prop plane (not a private jet) we basically "borrowed" without permission. One of the guys at the mini airport really hooked us up. We probably broke all kinds of TSA and FAA laws, but we got it done. I really wanted a classic car in the shoot because I am a classic car freak. My dad used to take me to cars shows all the time as a kid, and I have been fortunate to have owned some classics over the years. The plane? Well besides looking totally badass, I live half my life on a plane, so it was only fitting.

I have sacrificed and struggled through this industry. I have missed so many of my 3 kids birthdays, school plays, soccer games, and sadly some hospital visits. Why? To provide brother. My passion runs deeper than the leaf. I have a team at home counting on me, and I am not about to let them down.

I get to do what I love for a living. I make cigars. How cool is that? I do not profess to be "bigger" or "better" than anybody. I'm still a rookie compared to most of the guys in this business, and I respect every single one of them. I still get star struck around some of them. They are my idols. Sure I am different and do things different. That's who I am. I am a nonconformist by nature. I like to do things with my approach to them. I turned my hobby into my life and there is no turning back. I just launched my first company in any format, and I couldn't be more excited. There will be more struggles, more sacrifices and hopefully more reward. I want my 3 kids to be taken care of. I hope that someday my work will help their kids to be taken care of. That's my ultimate goal anyway. My family is the most important thing to me and having the past 6 months to spend with them has been awesome and really helped me realize that even more.

I don't mind dropping my guard and "letting you in" that's who I am. I am not petitioning for your dollar or your friendship, just showing you what I am about. I'm as real as it gets.

I am not going to come on here every time someone makes a post that's not in my favor either. I do listen though. I have been playing with some smaller ring sizes as well. I actually enjoy the smack-talking, and trust me I can dish it out with the best of them.

As smokers we have so many things against us, I would much rather focus on what unites us, rather than what tears us down.

But it's time to get back to work.

Smoke On.


Sam

[maninblack]

Amen brother. Amen.

Originally Posted by Sam Leccia

Yo,

Just wanted to pass a note and let you in on a few things. I don't feel I have to, but I want to because quite frankly I think some of you have the wrong perception. Like I said before, I don't care if you don't like me, my cigars, or both, but I'd rather you like/not like me for who I am rather than what I am not.

"down to Earth"? I don't know man, I cut my grass and take out the trash just like I would imagine most of you do. I am certainly not made of money or consider myself any sort of celebrity. There has never been paparazzi on my lawn, and I certainly don't get bothered at the grocery store or the mall. I also doubt anyone tells Kid Rock that he looks like Sam Leccia. I'm just being real, guys.

The photo-shoot/Press-release/ads they are just that. The photo shoot was an absolute blast. I wish it was video-taped because you would have enjoyed it. We did this on Sunday, 3 days ago. it was unplanned, unorganized and unprofessional. It was 4 guys, a camera and a mission. The shoot looks like a $10,000 shoot and all it cost was the beers we drank afterwards. They were taken in my home town of Elizabeth, Pa. I have been fishing under that bridge in one of the shots for over 30 years. The car was a buddy's 53 chevy and the 2 engine prop plane (not a private jet) we basically "borrowed" without permission. One of the guys at the mini airport really hooked us up. We probably broke all kinds of TSA and FAA laws, but we got it done. I really wanted a classic car in the shoot because I am a classic car freak. My dad used to take me to cars shows all the time as a kid, and I have been fortunate to have owned some classics over the years. The plane? Well besides looking totally badass, I live half my life on a plane, so it was only fitting.

I have sacrificed and struggled through this industry. I have missed so many of my 3 kids birthdays, school plays, soccer games, and sadly some hospital visits. Why? To provide brother. My passion runs deeper than the leaf. I have a team at home counting on me, and I am not about to let them down.

I get to do what I love for a living. I make cigars. How cool is that? I do not profess to be "bigger" or "better" than anybody. I'm still a rookie compared to most of the guys in this business, and I respect every single one of them. I still get star struck around some of them. They are my idols. Sure I am different and do things different. That's who I am. I am a nonconformist by nature. I like to do things with my approach to them. I turned my hobby into my life and there is no turning back. I just launched my first company in any format, and I couldn't be more excited. There will be more struggles, more sacrifices and hopefully more reward. I want my 3 kids to be taken care of. I hope that someday my work will help their kids to be taken care of. That's my ultimate goal anyway. My family is the most important thing to me and having the past 6 months to spend with them has been awesome and really helped me realize that even more.

I don't mind dropping my guard and "letting you in" that's who I am. I am not petitioning for your dollar or your friendship, just showing you what I am about. I'm as real as it gets.

I am not going to come on here every time someone makes a post that's not in my favor either. I do listen though. I have been playing with some smaller ring sizes as well. I actually enjoy the smack-talking, and trust me I can dish it out with the best of them.

As smokers we have so many things against us, I would much rather focus on what unites us, rather than what tears us down.

But it's time to get back to work.

Smoke On.


Sam

[muhren]

Originally Posted by Sam Leccia

Yo,

Just wanted to pass a note and let you in on a few things. I don't feel I have to, but I want to because quite frankly I think some of you have the wrong perception. Like I said before, I don't care if you don't like me, my cigars, or both, but I'd rather you like/not like me for who I am rather than what I am not.

"down to Earth"? I don't know man, I cut my grass and take out the trash just like I would imagine most of you do. I am certainly not made of money or consider myself any sort of celebrity. There has never been paparazzi on my lawn, and I certainly don't get bothered at the grocery store or the mall. I also doubt anyone tells Kid Rock that he looks like Sam Leccia. I'm just being real, guys.

The photo-shoot/Press-release/ads they are just that. The photo shoot was an absolute blast. I wish it was video-taped because you would have enjoyed it. We did this on Sunday, 3 days ago. it was unplanned, unorganized and unprofessional. It was 4 guys, a camera and a mission. The shoot looks like a $10,000 shoot and all it cost was the beers we drank afterwards. They were taken in my home town of Elizabeth, Pa. I have been fishing under that bridge in one of the shots for over 30 years. The car was a buddy's 53 chevy and the 2 engine prop plane (not a private jet) we basically "borrowed" without permission. One of the guys at the mini airport really hooked us up. We probably broke all kinds of TSA and FAA laws, but we got it done. I really wanted a classic car in the shoot because I am a classic car freak. My dad used to take me to cars shows all the time as a kid, and I have been fortunate to have owned some classics over the years. The plane? Well besides looking totally badass, I live half my life on a plane, so it was only fitting.

I have sacrificed and struggled through this industry. I have missed so many of my 3 kids birthdays, school plays, soccer games, and sadly some hospital visits. Why? To provide brother. My passion runs deeper than the leaf. I have a team at home counting on me, and I am not about to let them down.

I get to do what I love for a living. I make cigars. How cool is that? I do not profess to be "bigger" or "better" than anybody. I'm still a rookie compared to most of the guys in this business, and I respect every single one of them. I still get star struck around some of them. They are my idols. Sure I am different and do things different. That's who I am. I am a nonconformist by nature. I like to do things with my approach to them. I turned my hobby into my life and there is no turning back. I just launched my first company in any format, and I couldn't be more excited. There will be more struggles, more sacrifices and hopefully more reward. I want my 3 kids to be taken care of. I hope that someday my work will help their kids to be taken care of. That's my ultimate goal anyway. My family is the most important thing to me and having the past 6 months to spend with them has been awesome and really helped me realize that even more.

I don't mind dropping my guard and "letting you in" that's who I am. I am not petitioning for your dollar or your friendship, just showing you what I am about. I'm as real as it gets.

I am not going to come on here every time someone makes a post that's not in my favor either. I do listen though. I have been playing with some smaller ring sizes as well. I actually enjoy the smack-talking, and trust me I can dish it out with the best of them.

As smokers we have so many things against us, I would much rather focus on what unites us, rather than what tears us down.

But it's time to get back to work.

Smoke On.


Sam

Well played!

M

[hotreds]

Best of luck to you, Sam!

Originally Posted by Sam Leccia

"down to Earth"? I don't know man, I cut my grass and take out the trash just like I would imagine most of you do. I am certainly not made of money or consider myself any sort of celebrity. There has never been paparazzi on my lawn, and I certainly don't get bothered at the grocery store or the mall. I also doubt anyone tells Kid Rock that he looks like Sam Leccia. I'm just being real, guys.

Suzy the doily maker bro..

[808]

Originally Posted by Sam Leccia

Yo,

(Sam says a lot of down to earth stuff on page 3)

Smoke On.


Sam

Rock on Sam. Good on ya.

It's all about the love of the leaf and sharing that love.

[OLS]

I have to say too that my first response in this thread was directed at the odd statement about the industry regarding you as
a rock star. I found that a hell of a statement, especially given that you almost certainly had a part in it's wording. But because
I am an inteLLECTUAL blowhard, I thought, "you had better look into this person you are in the process of tearing down with
mockery". The more I read and poked around, the less I could point to as potential rocks to throw. The only thing I could
put my finger on was that you had basically jumped into the cigar business 5 years ago and were now a 'legend". And while
I wanted to have something smart-a$$ to say about it, I continued to find evidence that you had spent that time busting
your a$$ in promoting a product or products you had to apply maximum pressure on to overcome the reactions to their "oddity".
Certainly a max ligero cigar was not "new", but the Nub was different, and it has to be hard to overcome the thinking that this
cigar is over before it's barely moved an inch or two.

Then I see all these pub shots of you taking your rolling table to places and rolling and preaching. If you read my posts in this
thread, it is clear that I was trying to back out of most of the sarcasm i had taken time to write into the record. A lot of effort
for a person who doesn't even smoke NC cigars. What stock do I have in the game? Nothing. So here's to you, I was not
entirely surprised to see you post in this thread; this board is hands down the best web forum dedicated to cigars that can
be found, in my opinion. I am also not surprised to see you have only 7 posts. I think cigar makers and vendors can get
themselves in trouble by being too active or chummy in web forums. Drew in Mexicco comes to mind. But of course, you
are not a known scumbag. But it seems like they can never say the right thing in just the right way, which is fine for a
person like me. But for you, it can have long term and haunting consequences. I'll say that your statement above was
certainly welcome and had what I think was your desired effect. People who tear down your new venture and even your
marketing efforts are usually idiots who have an axe to grind or just like to make fun of everything. I am the latter.
But they were lining up to hack on Domino's new (then) marketing plan of basically saying their pizza sucked and was
going to be better, was a bad idea. It seemed I was the only one that predicted it would work, and very well. Point
being, what the hell do THEY know. My only disclaimer is that I have never had any of your products or any Oliva product.
I won't be buying your NEW product either, but I think you will have no trouble selling all you can roll. Good luck with your
plans, and if you could add my name to the list of people you will be supporting in 20-30 years through this new venture,
I would appreciate it. I will be needing it. And if you ever plan a trip to Memphis, let me know.

[NCRadioMan]

I guess Sam forgets where we came from. He was reliable over there to answer questions for about 2 seconds and then the Nub took off, for some unGodly reason, then he never came back.

This sums up my interest:

[gbum]

good luck sam,
love nub cameroon,now eagerly waiting cain to arrive...
now you are up to something new...will try once its in market...

from the other part of the world,i wish you all the best... love the photos ..

[replicant_argent]

I would love less hype, smaller RG, and more flavor.

[Mattso3000]

Met Sam at a Cain F Nub event at Burn in MN, after setting up the first thing he did was make the owner take all of the memorabilia off of the pool table so we could shoot a few games. Great guy and I wish him well and will be trying the Debut when it comes out even though I also am not a huge fan of the big RG.

[Subvet642]

I just finished reading Mr. Leccia's gentle, good-natured response to the drubbing he's gotten here, and I gotta say that I think it was a classy move.

[OLS]

I agree on that. It is clear he HAS nuts, but to register and parry a bit with the folks here, that is not without
some risk. The more I read about the guy, the more I like him. If I knew more about the supposed 'abandonment'
of some group of cigar enthusiasts, I might have an opinion, lol. But I just know what I know, next to nothing, and
he seems OK to me. One thing I KNOW he never did, sent someone back a half-smoked cigar in a box of other
cigars. THAT guy is an ahole.

[OLS]

And by that I mean I am not surprised that he did not spend too much if any time on the boards after the
launch of his product. Not so much THIS board, but on many of em, you CAN'T log in and get into shizzle
with some of these people, it's a lose-lose sitcho. You can't say the right thing without someone twisting it
all around to suit their schtick. Look at Drew, now we KNOW he is a douche, but he would get into it with
one or another person trying to refute what they said and it always ends up with him having to skulk away
knowing he should have lurked and said nothing. The net is a freaking Battledrome of Death. It takes nuts and
CAREFUL choices of words to survive, and sometimes no one wins.

Again.. read it carefully. He does not say HE considers himself a rock star. I know a lot of people that refer to Sam as "the rock star"... whether it be his style, the fact that he would sing with the bands on the NUb Live tours, who knows.. but people do see him that way.

[replicant_argent]

And the press release is on his site, with which I am sure he has some small control over the content.

Now, give me a small RG tasty cigar that doesn't taste like nothing, or burnt toast, or ass, and I will support whatever alternative/rock lifestyle you choose. Oh yeah, don't try to get rich off me, make them affordable. I might buy a box or two if they don't suck.

edit: oh... and I might not want to wrap my jaw around a bratwurst sized stick to sample your line.

Wait, has anyone done that before?

edit: oh... and I might not want to wrap my jaw around a bratwurst sized stick to sample your line.