Paul Garmirian talks trash about younger cigar makers

[mosesbotbol]

I actually enjoyed the article and respect his perspective. He makes cigars that appeal to a different cigar smoker and my hunch is many reacting to the article weren’t smoking cigars back then. A lot has changed in the cigar industry, and not all for the good. I don’t think its envy; he could’ve sold out long ago. He has his “shtick” and they have theirs.

It’s got to be about 20 years since I have had a PG cigar, but I consider then a premium long term brand like Davidoff, Dunhill, and for better or worse Oscar. How many under 50’s are smoking Tempe Hall? The same ones smoking PG’s.

The article stated, “I associate cigars within my frame of reference,” he said, “with what they ought to be. And I fancy everybody has a role model. I fancy myself as a cigar merchant in the latter part of the 19th century in London: You have quality products and you don’t go nuts.”

That really sums it up. If you like that kind of aesthetic theme to cigar smoking, you are on the kind of smoker who may fancy a PG.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I actually enjoyed the article and respect his perspective. He makes cigars that appeal to a different cigar smoker and my hunch is many reacting to the article weren’t smoking cigars back then. A lot has changed in the cigar industry, and not all for the good. I don’t think its envy; he could’ve sold out long ago. He has his “shtick” and they have theirs.

It’s got to be about 20 years since I have had a PG cigar, but I consider then a premium long term brand like Davidoff, Dunhill, and for better or worse Oscar. How many under 50’s are smoking Tempe Hall? The same ones smoking PG’s.

The article stated, “I associate cigars within my frame of reference,” he said, “with what they ought to be. And I fancy everybody has a role model. I fancy myself as a cigar merchant in the latter part of the 19th century in London: You have quality products and you don’t go nuts.”
That really sums it up. If you like that kind of aesthetic theme to cigar smoking, you are on the kind of smoker who may fancy a PG.

I respectfully disagree, Moses.
I'd submit that if you appreciate that sort of aesthetic theme to cigar smoking, you are the kind of smoker who may fancy a cigar. Period.
Just because this gentleman expresses this odd projection into his brand doesn't remotely mean that anyone picks up on it, or wishes to wear a wig, monocle and bloomers while they smoke.
Certainly no more than one should want to get a tattoo were they to smoke a Tatuaje.
If a brand of cigar defines an individual, the first thing I'd think is that they very much undervalue themselves as a human being.
Maybe even so much so that they need to tear down others to prop themselves up, as Paul has exhibited in this case.

[lenguamor]

The grumpy old man in me gets what he's saying, although I don't agree. Not with his characterization of younger cigar makers.

I've been smoking for almost 40 years. From my first cigar—handmade, luckily—I knew exactly what I wanted from a cigar.

I get impatient with young smokers; it does frustrate me sometimes that I have an encyclopedia of knowledge about smoking and keeping cigars, but they don't ask! Or they ask all the wrong questions (IMO).

And if you'd asked me 10 years ago about Drew Estates and some of the others that Garmirian refers to, I might've held a similar opinion to the old man's. Because I was coming at it from a firmly, sadly uninformed viewpoint.

And, truth be told, some of the marketing does put me off, and some of it makes me determined not to try their cigars. For instance, JdN's advertising 100% turns me off; I never wanted to be the Marlborough man nor in a motorcycle gang, and less so now, in my mid-fifties. And some brands' use of ersatz military imagery and accoutrements downright pisses me off.

But what puzzles me about PG's vitriol is that he's met these guys, and presumably he's tried their products. Not all of their cigars are great, and I'd even venture to say that a lot of them are not very good at all; but some of them are superlative, and a select few are among the jewels of modern offerings.

The fact that he's met J. Drew and isn't totally infected by his enthusiasm, his drive and the joy and pride he puts into his cigars, not to mention the undeniable quality and flavor of lines like LP, tells me that the old man has succumbed to no small amount of bitterness.

And that's a shame.

[JPjr]

Originally Posted by lenguamor

And if you'd asked me 10 years ago about Drew Estates and some of the others that Garmirian refers to, I might've held a similar opinion to the old man's. Because I was coming at it from a firmly, sadly uninformed viewpoint.

And, truth be told, some of the marketing does put me off, and some of it makes me determined not to try their cigars. For instance, JdN's advertising 100% turns me off; I never wanted to be the Marlborough man nor in a motorcycle gang, and less so now, in my mid-fifties. And some brands' use of ersatz military imagery and accoutrements downright pisses me off.

But what puzzles me about PG's vitriol is that he's met these guys, and presumably he's tried their products. Not all of their cigars are great, and I'd even venture to say that a lot of them are not very good at all; but some of them are superlative, and a select few are among the jewels of modern offerings.

The fact that he's met J. Drew and isn't totally infected by his enthusiasm, his drive and the joy and pride he puts into his cigars, not to mention the undeniable quality and flavor of lines like LP, tells me that the old man has succumbed to no small amount of bitterness.

And that's a shame.

BRILLIANT post. I don't recall that I've tried anything from PG, and the "live and let live" in me says everyone is entitled to their own opinion - and tht wouldn't sway me from trying in the future. But I agree, the passion these guys put into their smokes and their businesses can hardly be bad at all. Maybe "not elegantly stated" could be the phrase of the day...

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by lenguamor

The grumpy old man in me gets what he's saying, although I don't agree. Not with his characterization of younger cigar makers.

I've been smoking for almost 40 years. From my first cigar—handmade, luckily—I knew exactly what I wanted from a cigar.

I get impatient with young smokers; it does frustrate me sometimes that I have an encyclopedia of knowledge about smoking and keeping cigars, but they don't ask! Or they ask all the wrong questions (IMO).

And if you'd asked me 10 years ago about Drew Estates and some of the others that Garmirian refers to, I might've held a similar opinion to the old man's. Because I was coming at it from a firmly, sadly uninformed viewpoint.

And, truth be told, some of the marketing does put me off, and some of it makes me determined not to try their cigars. For instance, JdN's advertising 100% turns me off; I never wanted to be the Marlborough man nor in a motorcycle gang, and less so now, in my mid-fifties. And some brands' use of ersatz military imagery and accoutrements downright pisses me off.

But what puzzles me about PG's vitriol is that he's met these guys, and presumably he's tried their products. Not all of their cigars are great, and I'd even venture to say that a lot of them are not very good at all; but some of them are superlative, and a select few are among the jewels of modern offerings.

The fact that he's met J. Drew and isn't totally infected by his enthusiasm, his drive and the joy and pride he puts into his cigars, not to mention the undeniable quality and flavor of lines like LP, tells me that the old man has succumbed to no small amount of bitterness.

And that's a shame.

Amen.

Yes, the lack of respect that he idicated toward these guys trying to make a go in the industry is disappointing.

Different tastes in cigars is what draws me to them, and in regard to cigars, variety is the spice of life.

Peace of the Lord be with you.