The IPCPR 80th Annual Convention and International Trade Show is a wrap. We arrived back in Nashville this past Tuesday night and I’m composing this post-show blog from the glorious (insert tongue in cheek) Crowned Heads HQ conference room.
This was our first IPCPR show as Crowned Heads. Last year at this time, we were in the midst of finalizing the blend for what would become our first brand release, “Four Kicks.” Fast forward to today, and we’ve had Four Kicks on the shelves for 9 months, and just introduced a sneak preview to our 2013 brand release, “Headley Grange.” We sold out Headley’s 2012 production (1,000 24-count boxes of the ‘Estupendos’ vitola) in a matter of less than 3 days at the show. We’ll have all 5 vitolas of Headley Grange out in Spring 2013.
As opposed to all the “numbers” (attendees, stores opened, boxes sold, etc.) of the IPCPR, what I’d rather write about here is more of how I’m feeling and the general ‘vibe’ post-show. Even though we were only away from the show for one year, it really felt longer. I suppose you can chalk that up to being ‘in exile’ for the better part of 2011 and really just keeping our blinders on in order to forge our way back to where we are now.
I came back to Nashville truly humbled and grateful for all the ‘welcome backs,’ ‘great to have you backs,’ and all the congrats and well wishes from retailers, brand owners, and press, alike. And I know I speak for all of us here at Crowned Heads when I say ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone–old friends and new–who have shown their support for what we’re doing. It really does ‘take a village.’ Everyone here at ‘Team CH’ had a hand in what proved to be a very successful IPCPR debut. Beyond that, we’re fortunate to have the best retail tobacconist partners, and of course, a true cigar icon in Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Jr., overseeing the production of Four Kicks and Headley Grange. On a personal note, I was very fortunate to have my wife/best friend/#1 supporter, Laura, attend the show with me. It meant so much to me to be able to introduce her to some of the names I constantly speak about in our business; and having her there made a hotel a real ‘home’ for a week. Being able to be with my bride after each day allowed me to decompress each evening and then get my focus and energy back up each day for the show. In the event she reads this, I just want to say, “Thank you–I can’t do it without you, Darlin!”
Last night, Laura and I were home surfing the channels on TV, and we happened upon a showing of “It Might Get Loud.” If you haven’t seen this documentary–and you’re a fan of that genre–by all means, seek it out. The movie features Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge. If you’ve seen this film, then you know that there is a scene in which Jimmy Page goes back to visit Headley Grange and goes into detail about the acoustics of the room there where ‘When The Levee Breaks’ was recorded in (ring any bells?).
At any rate, towards the end of the film Jack White has a quote that goes something to the effect of, “…we’re (musicians) all telling the same story…we’re just each telling it in our own unique and individual way.” I took that to mean that there are only so many musical notes, only so many chord progressions, and that there is a finite amount of ways in which you can structure a song. Yet, songwriters and musicians continue to reinvent the already invented and continue to create.
In my opinion, so it is with the cigar industry. Don’t let anyone fool you in this industry when they say they’re doing something that’s “never been done before,” or that they just happened to “find this amazing stash of tobacco in the corner of some warehouse that nobody knew about–until NOW!” True, harvests change from year to year, but when you get down to it, there is a finite amount of tobaccos, farms, primings, blends, vitolas, etc. Yet the IPCPR demonstrates that cigar makers continue to reinvent the already invented and continue to create new offerings each year. Our industry has a range of ‘musicians’–ranging from symphonic orchestras to rock stars to cover bands–and we all are basically telling the same ‘story‘ of a cigar and defining what that story means to each of us.
So, as I proceed to light up this ‘Cuenca y Blanco’ (one of my favorite new offerings from this year’s IPCPR), I salute the true ‘musicians’ of our industry–may you all continue to create, blend, and produce, and may you do so in a manner with passion, honesty, and integrity. And I thank all of you–those that enjoy the ‘songs’ (cigars)–because without your support, none of us would be doing what we do, and there would be no annual IPCPR to showcase our efforts.
Cheers to all–and smoke somethin’ GOOD!
Jon Huber
Crowned Heads
I became aware of your cigars purely by accident;simply saw a video on one of the blogger websites.I was impressed with both you guys and your laid back,humorous style. Upon “securing” some of your Four Kicks cigars via my son(who lives in Philly and frequents Holts) I became a fan.I look forward to getting my hands on Headley Grange.I’m certain it is a terrific cigar.I only wish you had a retailer here in the Naples,Florida area.I am trying to convince a couple local shops to carry your cigars,most recently The Smoke Shop(I hope you hear from Albert). Consider me a “Crowned Heads Ambassador” here in Naples. Gary A. Tincu
Gary – Thanks for the kind words…hope we can get Four Kicks & Headley Grange in/around your neck of the woods soon.
Best,
Jon Huber
Hey CH. Nice write up, I am new to the cigar world, less than a year, and the “Four Kicks” and “Headley Grange” names pop up all over the web. First heard about you guys from a review over at Stogiesontherocks.com. Sounds like some great cigars, and I hope to be able to get my hands on some soon. No one carries them anywhere near my area in Corpus Christi, TX that I can find. But I know they are out there somewhere. 😉 Good luck and I hope continued success for you all.
I cannot wait to try the Headley Grange cigar! I have heard greatness about its mystique and can only hope to land one soon! I love the fact that we are all in a sense telling a story many the same ones, but in many different voices, as life grinds away the songs that come alive are all unique, yet similar in nature! keep rollin great sticks!
Jon – Congrats and continued success. Couldn’t be happier to see things go well for you all. You all make a great product. Can’t wait for the Headley Grange!
Looking forward to la Grange!
Very profound JH! The BIG picture: It is amazing how certain people can think outside the box and be very successful @ it. It starts w/ imagination/dream and the intuitiveness to see it thru. My only hope is we never stop dreaming “what if?” PS. Glad to meet you @ the convention & enjoy very much all your imagination and hard work. Keep it up!
Enjoyed all the tweets and posting during the IPCPR and of course following the new releases. Had a Four Kicks about 6 months ago and went back for more. Of course I’ll be on the look out for a Headley Grange and be posting or tweeting when I get some. Stay the course! – Big Smoke Dan
Jon,
Great to see you back in the ring punching away. Congrats on the sell-tru of the HG.
Glad you got to see so many old friends. Wish I could say the same.
Best,
Philip
Wished I could have made it to IPCPR this year Jon. And really glad I’ll be able to find Headley Grange alongside Four Kicks at George’s Smoke Shop in Holland, MI real soon!
Love Four Kicks and can’t wait to try Headley Grange! (awesome review here: Stogies On The Rocks)
Jon, I can honestly say I have not been able to track down your cigars until today, I located them and going to grab some(stoked to say the least). In regards to your blog, your spot on, the wheel has been invented, but can always be tweaked to get better traction and so on. I have been smoking for over ten years now and still get excited when new brands pop, especially with a story and background as Crowned Heads. It is a blessing when people can over come adversity and flourish and bring a fresh new aspect to the world, especially the cigar world. Not only am I a consumer but I run a cigar shop/lounge in the western burbs of Chicago and would love to speak with you about bringing you and your company into our shop, I have no doubt that we would kill it with a facing! As far as music goes your spot on, Headley Grange stood for many bands as a staging for some of the greatest music to be recorded(in my opinion) as have many countries for the leaf we all come to love. Sometimes a chord gets bent and becomes something of mystique and beauty(gimme shelter,When the Levee Breaks, and Mannish Boy), and sometimes a field produces a leaf that is a “bent chord” of an already produced legend with it’s own tweak. The story behind a song is what grabs many us when it comes to music, and the story about many cigar companies and how they have created their “opus” is what catches our interest, and the product is what keeps us coming back just as that one slide of the finger along the fretboard. Many people lose their way and become complacent with their current situations and then there are people who get out from under and create their own thing and run with it, hence the acoustics in Headley Grange. It is amazing to see new cigar companies such as Crowned Heads surface and be successful in an age when certain people are trying their hardest to hinder smoking across our country! I tend to ramble so I will stop here, I look forward to trying your cigar this evening and cannot wait for future releases from you and your company. Cheers brother and thank you for keeping it real.
The same way different flavors of music can make you happy, so too can cigars. Sometimes you’re in the mood for Zep, and sometimes Mozart. Both are great. So is the 4 Kicks. I look forward to your HG. The Zep song I dedicate to you is Thank You!
Greetings Jon:
I will hope that any of your cigar line will make it up north to Canada. If not, then at least to New Havana Cigars, where I order from.
Jon & Co., I have yet to try a Four Kicks, but look forward to the day when I can find some in St. Louis. I enjoy your videos, where your enthusiasm and passion clearly show through while at the same time not taking yourselves too seriously. You seem to do what you love and love what you do; and that is ALL any of us can really ask for.
Jon,
Another great bit of writing. I continue to enjoy watching the Crowned Heads story being written, and with that the ability to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
I wish you and the crew continued success, and await the release of Headley Grange!
Ian
Thanks for your dedication to putting out a great stick. It was a pleasure to meet you in Orlando, the Headley Grange was truely a great smoke, my only issue was that it was gone to soon. Now the wait ! Again thanks for the opportunity to meet you, and chance to try the Headley Grange what a fitting tribute.
Very nice Blog. I’m a still on the hunt for some of you cigars. SO far i have come up empy in southern IN. Keep up the good work.
Hey Jon,
Another great write up. I watched that same doc. And instantly thought of you. I was hoping you would catch it. Glad you made it back to the “show” this year. Can not wait for the HG release! Good luck as always!
I haven’t tried the Four Kicks yet. As soon as I find a place to order Headley Grange I’m going to try both.
Jon Huber is a great dude and I’m proud to support him and everyone at Crowned Heads. Great article keep it up
Love the cigar. Really is my favorite stick in the game right now. Even better that you guys are local and cool as a fan.
Jon,
Great to hear of the success at the IPCPR. Thanks to you and Laura for turning me onto great cigar. I have no doubt of continued success. What I like about your approach is each of your cigar brands have a story behind their creativity, So many details goes into your cigars and it comes thru in each one. Pure pleasure. Thanks again and continued success.
Loves the movie ‘it might get loud’.
Hoping to try Four Kicks and Headley Grange if they make it to Canada eventually or I manage to get down to the states for a trip.
All the best
Tim
Just when I think I’ve gotten to a point where I’ve heard every possible analogy when it comes to cigars, along comes JH to spin things a different way, thus getting me to look at them with a different eye – or ear, as it were. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, since it’s your passion & creativity that have made me a CH supporter since day one. As long as we have “musicians” like you out there doing what you do, my friend, we’ll be here taking it all in. Cheers!
PS Is it September yet? 😉
Congratulations Jon. It is no surprise the success of Crowned Heads with the amazing team ya’ll put together and the fantastic product. Wishing you all the best as you move forward growing the company.
Back in June, I traveled over 400 miles in search of the infamous “Four Kicks”. Finally my journey came to a closure when I located them at Churchill’s Fine Cigars in Scottsdale, AZ. After picking up a handful for myself and some buddies, I lit one up that night. One of the most elegant, balanced, flavorful cigars I have ever enjoyed. Fast forward to today, now I only have to travel 4 miles to Tobacco Tin to satisfy my Four Kicks craving. Congrats on the great work and looking forward to the Headley Grange.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words and support!
Special thanks to Jeremy Hensley–anyone who “traveled over 400 miles in search of the infamous Four Kicks” deserves a special nod.
There’ll be a package of gratitude on its way to you tomorrow, Jeremy.
Grazie Mille.
Jon Huber
Crowned Heads