One of the many benefits of the modernities we get to enjoy is our ability to connect directly with the people behind the products we love. Before social media, cigar fans would have to wait for a magazine to hit the newstand or their mailboxes if they wanted to learn even a little about the latest innovations being made at their favorite companies. Outside of the pages of early cigar publications, to be let in on even the simplest step in the blending process meant one would essentially have to physically be in the fields and factories where new combinations of blended tobacco were being created.
Today, we have a direct line to the best and brightest the industry has to offer. A perfect example? Skip Martin, of boutique favorite RoMa Craft Tobac, frequently lets followers in on projects that are still in progress. HIs most recent dispatch is exactly the kind of thing I get excited about on cigar social media. The thoughts and insights and honesty that go into creating something worthy of attaching your name and reputation to. Skip writes “I’ve been working on this Dark Sumatra blend for months and months. Still not there. Much like the BA XXI blend, there are characteristics in the wrapper that need to be attenuated by the blend. Not an easy task. Intemperance Volstead 1920 (when it’s right).”
The Intemperance Volstead 1920 is named after The National Prohibition Act, better known as the Volstead Act, and is set to be released in 2023. It’s a legitimate treat to be able to see get let in on the progress of this blend along the way. I really hope we see more of this throughout the industry because whether brands realize it or not – we’re desperately clamoring for opportunities to see as much of the process as possible. Put another way that brands may respond better to, we’ll all spend more money with your company if we are given more opportunities to connect with your products and your processes. If we get to follow along, we become more invested in a project’s success – and bottom line, it costs companies nothing to simply share things they are already up to anyway.
Do you like peeking behind the scenes of your favorite artist’s work, or would you rather just see the finished thing when it’s done? I’d love to hear both perspectives in the comments below!