Guest Commentary: One Should Be Wary of Black Cats
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008[Editors' Note: The following is a guest commentary by Gary J. Arzt. Mr. Arzt is a Florida-based investor and a contributor to a number of cigar publications. In the interests of transparency, the author wants it to be known that he was first a devotee to Pepin Garcia’s cigars and has since become a good friend of Don Pepin and the Garcia family.]
Sam Driban of Black Cat Cigar Company was an early friend and fan of Don Pepin. Three years ago, Pepin started to make a cigar called Rey Miguel for him.
Last month, according to the screed on his website, Driban received a call from John Gonzales, “a man I’ve never met,” who is, nonetheless, the National Sales Manager for Don Pepin brands. Gonzales advised him that Pepin’s company could no longer make Rey Miguel for Black Cat.
Driban was “…upset, as I considered him a friend.” He felt he had been “blown off.”
But he had a plan to get even. He ordered a large quantity of Pepin’s cigars – JJs, Black labels, Blue labels, Vegas Cubans – and listed them on the Black Cat website at absurdly low prices, prefaced with this story of “betrayal.” Sending a mixed message, Driban says, “Enjoy these cigars at rock bottom prices as I no longer wish to help my former friend.” He follows this with, “I hope that one day soon our relationship can be reconciled.”
I am sure Pepin is elated at the prospect of reconciliation. Just as I am sure Pepin didn’t do what he did to damage the relationship and upset Driban. The dynamics of companies, especially companies growing at the rate of Pepin’s, change constantly and, unfortunately, Rey Miguel no longer was a good fit. Small production cigars will only cause dislocation in a Tabacalera producing Don Pepins, 601s, San Cristobals, and Tatuajes.
In an industry that I always saw as peopled by gentlemen, there has been too much acrimony of late. One has no choice, I suppose, but to yap at the heels of the top dog.
-Gary J. Arzt
[UPDATE: Mr. Driban's response can be found here.]
photo credit: El Rey de los Habanos
Always a shame to see this stuff in the cigar community.
But I guess it happens to every industry where the bottom line is profit.
Interesting post today, Stogie Guys. I look forward to the Black Cat response tomorrow.
P.S. Really enjoyed your interview on Chicago radio on Sunday. Great work!
[...] Note: The following guest commentary by Sam Driban is a response to yesterday’s guest commentary by Gary J. Arzt . Mr. Driban is the owner of the Black Cat Cigar [...]
I am sorry, but Black Cat prices for Don Pepin cigars are not rock bottom. There are a couple of reputable cigar websites who always had them cheaper than current black cat prices.
hey alex please please tell me where to get the box of 20 1979 cuban classic for less than $82 please
alex sorry i am getting a little excited could you also tell me where you get your blue invictos for less than $114
I don’t like to advertise for any online retailer but first one is cigarbiz. Here is the link: http://www.cigarplace.biz/index.cfm/a/catalog.cigarbrand/brandid/1395
and second one is cheaper cigars:
http://www.cheapercigars.com/don-pepin-black-edition-cigars.html
Thank you alex
I would call cigarplace.biz and Black Cat Cigar’s prices “rock bottom”. They are barely above wholesale. Interestingly, abnersworld.com (also Sam’s) has the Pepin Blue and Pepin Black listed at closer to B&M prices.
[...] Padilla cigars. Then there was a public airing of grievances at Stogieguys.com regarding Pepin dropping Black Cat as a client. And at some point during all this, the prices on Pepin blends at Cigar King went [...]