This is the wave of the future for cigars. As additional regulatory hurdles are looming, viable companies with perceived value are ripe for acquisition as they look to combine resources or as a way to still capitalize while they can.

It sounds as though the Oliva family plans to remain involved in the operations. Time will tell how much influence they will continue to have or how independent the Oliva side remains. Oliva and the Studio Tobac Nub line were some of the first "premium" cigars I had that got me started down this path. I still enjoy several of their cigars, but I have to wonder at some of the new lines in recent years that seem a bit gimmicky, like the infused NUb Cafe (now Nuance). And a pumpkin spice cigar? c'mon! I can't even do that in a latte.