As of early November, there were rumors that CAO International would be closing up shop and its distribution taken over by General Cigar. This would be the result of the merger of CAO's parent company, Scandinavian Tobacco, with Swedish Match. The Internet was abuzz, with many (including me) wondering what this might mean for the availability and continued high quality of CAO cigars.
Regardless of what eventually happens, whether any change in distribution affects the end product or whether the same systems and processes remain in place, things like this mark a good time to take a step back and think about what these mergers, acquisitions, and trends mean to you as a cigar smoker. And to me, they mean "buy another humidor."
That's because if you like a particular cigar, there's always a chance that its situation could change with any new ownership or corporate restructuring. The new bosses could discontinue a brand with low sales even if it has a vocal cult following, or it could encourage changes in the recipe that make it a different smoking experience. It all depends on whether the balance between tradition, quality and the bottom line remains the same.
In general, I always take my cue from the company turnover following a takeover. Which prominent figures stay, and which ones depart, give me a sense of what the state of the company will be going forward, and I plan my buys accordingly.
This time, even the rumor was enough for me to pick up an extra box of the CAO Brazilia Gordos, just in case the smoke led to fire. That's one of my favorite cigars, and I wanted to make sure I had some on hand just in case I might not have the opportunity later.
Regardless of what eventually happens, whether any change in distribution affects the end product or whether the same systems and processes remain in place, things like this mark a good time to take a step back and think about what these mergers, acquisitions, and trends mean to you as a cigar smoker. And to me, they mean "buy another humidor."
That's because if you like a particular cigar, there's always a chance that its situation could change with any new ownership or corporate restructuring. The new bosses could discontinue a brand with low sales even if it has a vocal cult following, or it could encourage changes in the recipe that make it a different smoking experience. It all depends on whether the balance between tradition, quality and the bottom line remains the same.
In general, I always take my cue from the company turnover following a takeover. Which prominent figures stay, and which ones depart, give me a sense of what the state of the company will be going forward, and I plan my buys accordingly.
This time, even the rumor was enough for me to pick up an extra box of the CAO Brazilia Gordos, just in case the smoke led to fire. That's one of my favorite cigars, and I wanted to make sure I had some on hand just in case I might not have the opportunity later.
Comments for Changes at CAO?