This video is roughly twice as long as most of our other IPCPR videos. We have to make up for lost time as things didn’t work out last year and this year we get two Rubins. For those who may not have known, the name Alec Bradley comes from Alan Rubin’s two sons, Alec and Bradley. Alec Rubin makes his debut at IPCPR, here on Stogie Review and as I understand it, this is his first official on camera interview. After Alec gives us a run through of the entire Alec Bradley portfolio, dad Alan Rubin sits down and joins us to see how Alec did and to answer our ‘blogger’ question that by now you have noticed we were asking almost everyone.
A few things caught my eye. If you watch my Sneak Peek video of the Alec Bradley booth you will know I commented how much I liked the new look of the Tempus Maduro. I also find it interesting the Alec Bradley New York is being released nationally instead of remaining a NY exclusive. Two Connecticut shade cigars one being the American Classic (has a Honduran Connecticut wrapper) and the new Alec Bradley Connecticut. Will be interesting to see how they compare/contrast and/or compete on the shelf and at the register.
Thanks for coming by the booth Jerry and Charlie. You guys are absolute professionals and we were thrilled to have you guys interview both Alec and Alan. Keep up the great work.
After watching the full video, I’ll give the kid a pass. I think he did a good job for his age and the short amount of time he has in the industry. If I was Mr. Rubin I would have had a rep with a bit more knowledge do this video. For some reason Mr. Rubin still rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it was what happened last year with Stogie Review. He really does seem like he could care less about bloggers still. Him getting the #1 cigar by CA just made his ego worse. I think he really knows that he no longer has a choice and must give Stogie Review the respect that it deserves.
YRG – you couldn’t be further from the truth. Alec did a great job! Better than most seasoned professionals we’ve interviewed where it can be uncomfortable. The best thing about Alan is he doesn’t back down. I called him out last year, and he called me out…end of story. Alan is one of the best and understands what we are trying to do.
YRG, we love the bloggers. Keep up the good work Jerry and StogieReview.com.
It was great to see a real answer to the blogger question, as opposed to BS that they think you want to hear. Kudos to Alan.
Gavin – I totally agree. Alan and Alec’s response was probably the most honest answer we received. Having an open dialoge between manufacturers and bloggers is important to me. Problems can’t be solved unless we can openly and honestly talk about them.
Good overview by Alec and honest opinion from Alan. Couldn’t agree more. Everyone has an opinion. If everyone paid attention to every single thing every Joe The Mechanic said, people would be tweaking the perfection until cows come home.
Jerry and SR – great job !
What an incredible interview!! I completely agree with Alan and I enjoyed the passion of his son Alec.
I think serious bloggers are a credit to the industry but fly by night moocher bloggers are a discredit. There is a reason SR is still around and its because of hard work period. Discipline, hard work and passion are what makes the site survive these many years but moocher and wanna-bes are a pain in the ass.
Alec Bradley deserved number one last year due to his great innovative blends but bleh to 60 ring gauge cigars LOL! Ok, can’t be too much of a kiss ass but smoke what you like I guess.
Couldn’t agree more with the positive comments about the Rubins. I opened a cigar lounge this year and opened an AB account a few months ago. We are still small potatoes, but we were given maximum time not only with Alec but Mr. Rubin came over to check on us and kick it a little bit. This was our first IPCPR and I was disappointed with the caliber of some of the cigar heads, but that was not the case for these guys! Berger&Argenti, J Fuego, Ezra Zion, Ernesto Padilla, Kristoff cigars, Alec Bradley: THESE COMPANIES MAKE YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THEM. Its a lot easier to sell a product if you are kind to people and they like you… It helps that they make great sticks too!