sorry, but I don't agree with B. Pepin should not be brought into this. All any of us know is that Pepin is no longer making cigars for Padilla. The true reasons are not known to anyone other than Pepin and Padilla.
For all you know, Padilla wanted to leave Pepin, so the comment that doing buisness with Pepin is risky, is misleading.
There are 3 sides to every story.
As for Holts, I think they are trying to become more like JR, but it didn't work well. This catalog was not a smart move on their part IMHO
Pepin and Ernesto released statements long ago concerning their amicable split. Erneso mentioned that it was simply a thing where he wanted more control over his cigars. Not that he was not at all unhappy with Don's work, just that he wanted to take a more hands on responsibility for his product.
In other words, he's getting serious.
I think that's great.
Don said he's happy for Ernesto, and wishes him great success.
How anything negative can be derived from either release is beyond me.
It's simply two guys who are heading their own directions.
There's another Holt's catalog comment floating around out there that's just as tasteless as the Padilla comments.
I'm certain that Holt's does not support the sentiment in either of the comments.
Some knucklehead in their employ will likely be looking for a new job.
If they aren't, they must be family. I'm sure someone who is supposed to okay the type was being lazy. They need their ass kicked, too.
It's all a series of unfortunate events.
The concern to me is that it reflects poorly on the company, and makes me wary. I've never heard or seen something like this of Holt's, but I'll be watching.
I did see their comment concerning the type and it was insulting to my intelligence.
The whole smear reminds me of the Cuban Crafter's fiasco I was involved in recently.
