Cigar Coop is celebrating its 16th year of operation. I sit here and cannot believe that Cigar Coop is now at its sweet sixteen.
It’s been a long, hard road to get here. I still can’t believe this started out as a written article to discuss getting Cafe du Monde’s iced coffee. At the time, the photography sucked and so did the articles. Cigar Coop has evolved since then, and so has cigar media. The cigar media landscape is not the same as it was 16 years ago. In some ways, the past year has put me personally at a crossroads.
First, let’s talk about cigar news. Cigar Coop has been and will continue to be a place for cigar news. However, I won’t lie, it’s not at the same level of importance as it used to be. The rise of #choice5 has pretty much increased other avenues where people can get cigar news. This is a natural evolution, and it’s not unique to the cigar media landscape. While we will never abandon news, what we have realized is we need to do other things to differentiate ourselves. We have increased our feature stories, covering significant events, lifestyle content, and accessories content. This is very consistent with what the Coalition’s Prime Time Jukebox, El Oso Fumar, The Smoking Syndicate, and Let’s Get Pairing brands already do.
Second, as the curator of cigar news for Cigar Coop, I’ve grown weary of covering topics related to wrapper/binder/filler. Instead, I find much more enjoyment in exploring news stories that delve deeper into the industry. This is why I am eager to focus more on feature stories, events, lifestyle topics such as music and food, and accessories. Covering wrapper/binder/filler for 16 years is a long time. At the same time, I realize there is some expectation to keep wrapper/binder/filler going, but I can tell you it’s not fun.
We were one of the first to tie written content with a podcast when we merged with Stogie Geeks in 2013. While we are no longer partners with Stogie Geeks, we are, and have always remained, one of the few that continue to deliver a strong written/podcast tandem. So much has changed in the media landscape. No doubt there has been a rise in video content, especially short video content. This is an area we adapted.
Our podcasts are thriving and continuing to grow. Next year marks an exciting milestone, as three of our shows will celebrate their tenth anniversary: Prime Time, Prime Time Special Edition, and El Oso Fumar Takes. We understand there’s a sea of great podcasts out there, and it’s refreshing to see that most of them foster a positive vibe. However, it’s disheartening to note that some are resorting to shock tactics and promoting destructive behavior. While we strive to maintain high standards, we know we’re not perfect, and we sometimes have to deliver hard-hitting content. That said, we will never compromise our integrity or the well-being of others in the process. Each morning, I wake up with confidence, knowing we’re on the right path.
Today marks our 5,158th consecutive day of posting content on Cigar Coop—a remarkable ironman streak that began on July 3, 2012. While I take pride in this achievement, what truly matters to me is that the content we produce is AUTHENTIC. While AI tools can be useful for certain tasks, they will never replace the value of original, genuine content. That’s how it’s been, and that’s how it always will be.
I also want to thank our great team who supports us in what we do. We have the best one in the industry. Thank you to our sponsors and strategic partners. And most of all, thank you for audience!
