I too have major wrapper issues with the Special S line. The cigars have aged well and are so tasty I have tolerated the issues and smoked thru a box and a half. When smoking the 7 x 48 diademas I use a very sharp punch on a moistened end and have had much better luck.

It could just be a c ase of supply and demand. Or sometimes when a manufacturer field tests a product and it’s well accepted, the buzz starts. The ante goes up just to capitalize on a hot trend.

When consumers stop buying hot trendy items, or when there is a competative trend the price usually comes down.
Take electronic gadgets for instance.

I’m not really sure why the price is so much higher for these. Perhaps it’s the “aging in cedar crates” they mention on the website? (That doesn’t sound too expensive, but…) Or perhaps it is as you say, they have to buy some of the leaves at a premium. I did a little looking around, and could not find any specifics on the age of the filler. I guess it will remain a mystery until someone from Oliva leaves a comment! LOL