Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Payne.
Bob, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Holding strictly to the cultural ways of our roller’s Cuban heritage, who for decades have perfected their art of hand-made cigars, PAYNE-MASON continues dedication to tradition and authenticity, utilizing age-old family recipes, while being unaffected by today’s use of modern mass-production methods. The authenticity of our 100% hand rolled cigars is further enhanced by the select use of rare, aged leaf from the richest tobacco-growing regions of the world. The “no compromise” manufacturing standards, including growing methods, combined with extensive aging processes, have long since been ignored in today’s mass-produced cigar industry.
Not available to the general retail trade, PAYNE-MASON’S limited production of luxury cigars is available to our direct customs, cigar club members and found at fine resorts, casinos, prestigious golf and wine facilities, along with other high-end destination properties. Our authentic Cuban Master Rollers are available for live rolling performances that will enhance any event, from corporate affairs, celebrity galas, golf tournaments and National events. Also included in our luxury services, is our C0-Branding, customized cigar banding for select clients; Porsche, Pebble Beach, Lexus, Corona.
PAYNE-MASON Proud Affiliations
• MGM RESORT
• BELLIAGO
• CAESARS
• MANDALAY BAY
• MASERATI
• LEXUS
• TROON NORTH
• PEBBLE BEACH
• THE BRIDGES
• CONCUR D’ ELEGANCE
• MASTERS
• EMMY’S and more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
PAYNE-MASON, Yesterday’s Cigar. The cigar industry at times closely parallels that of the wine industry where large high profiled brands saturate the market with low cost, mass-produced products. While the family-owned and operated boutique wineries still produce high quality, limited production, fine wines.
Where in years past, cigar manufacturing was a family art form. Family pride was dependent upon a no compromised, labor and time intensive commitment. From growing their own tobaccos, drying, aging and hand rolling, was both the industry and family tradition. Those days are long since past.
Mass production is the standard in today’s cigar industry. A very small percentage of today’s retail cigars are hand made. Some are still called, Hand Rolled; where the outer wrapper is still applied by hand, but on a machine made body.
The tobacco varietals used in today’s cigar industry are generally not at the quality standards of the past. Mass production and high volume require the use of inexpensive, young tobaccos. Much like wine making, it is as much about the process, as it is about the grape. Select tobaccos found in PAYNE-MASON Cigars are far different than those found at retail shops. Higher grade, more expensive varietals are selected. The aging process is years longer.
The full leaf blending of aged tobaccos deliver richer, more complex varietal characteristics, along with 100% Cuban Master Roller’s, hand made pride, utilizing traditional wood presses, delivers the ultimate smoking experience.
Please tell us about your business.
The PAYNE-MASON Difference represents a significant dedication to both quality standards and market focus. Early on, decades past, PAYNE-MASON faced a dilemma. To enter the cigar industry, you choose your direction by selecting one of two standards; mass production, large market competitiveness, primarily bases on price points and branding or a much smaller market whose clients interest and discerning palates show greater emphasis towards quality, tradition and select market availability.
PAYNE-MASON chose the later. The long-standing goals have always been to produce the world’s finest cigar. For Cuban traditions, master hand rolling, no compromise approach to tobacco selections and aging was the only means to achieve such a lofty goal.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently
As we reflect on the early days, we will found that we were a bit naive in thinking a higher quality product would overcome to a lower price point, familiar brand. The awakening and reconsideration of consumer purchasing criteria of brand identity and lower cost was a more difficult task than initially considered. Our initial market consideration, the local cigar shop, was redirected from the machine-made, store brand product lines, to the more discerning direct client and the destination properties, golf, casinos, wineries, and National events they frequented.
Contact Info:
- Address: PAYNE-MASON
5835 Avenida Encinas, #124
Carlsbad, California 92008 - Website: www.paynemason.com
- Phone: 760 744 9007
- Email: bob@paynemason.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/paynemason
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PayneMason/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/payne-mason-cigars-carlsbad
- Other: https://Pinterest.com/Payne-Mason Cigars
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