Alan Rubin, founder of Alec Bradley, entered the cigar industry in 1997, right at the end of the cigar-boom of the 90s. Rubin had previously been an importer of screws and bolts from China, which is not something one would expect from a future player in the cigar world. The success of his business allowed him to make a comfortable amount of money to do something that he enjoyed with his life. The name Alec Bradley comes from the combination of Alan Rubin’s two sons. His family had no previous experience in the cigar world, and his success is a testament to Rubin and his relentless devotion to the industry.

Alec Bradley’s first few products, Bogie Stogies and Gourmet Dessert Cigars, didn’t make the impact that Rubin had hoped for. After meeting with Hendrik Kelner of Davidoff in 1999, they decided to make a brand named after one of Kelner’s factories, Occidental Reserve. Rubin sent out 500 sample bundles to retailers, telling them they could have the bundle for only a dollar. This move allowed for Alec Bradley to show it’s first profit around the end of 2000.

Alan Rubin has seen Alec Bradley’s success rise in the industry since 2000, coming out with such lines as Trilogy, Havana Sungrown, Pryme Gold and Maxx. To go from being a complete newcomer to cigars, to receiving a 90 rating for Maxx The Ego in the April 2008 issue of Cigar Aficionado, is a tribute to Alan Rubin himself.