This past week there has been some uproar in the cigar community caused by Jon Caputo. Mr. Caputo was behind Developer Shed that was popular with a lot of computer geeks. Well, Developer Shed was sold to Ziff Davis and he needed to focus on a new product or project.

Jon Caputo has yet to make his plans known for his acquisitions of 5 major independent cigar sites on the web. The cigar sites in question are Club Stogie, Top25 Cigar, Cigar Live, Cigar Review and Cigar Smokers (no this is not me).

In speaking to a well respected cigar industry insider, he expressed concern that the independent cigar smoker resources were beginning to fade. He urged me to keep up the reviews like so many bloggers have as he felt in due time the once prestigious boards would be advertisement driven.

Is this industry insider right? Only time will tell, but I will say my brief email interaction with Jon Caputo was friendly and while he would not disclose his plans for his acquisitions he did state that there would not be many changes in store…

Let’s face it though, business is business and the money dropped on these sites were not chump change and buying them gives him the right to do with them whatever it is he wants. But it will be sad if these sites become what the industry insider expects them to become…

My personal opinion is that Jon Caputo seems genuine, accessible and if he can help the community grow then I am all for it. With rising tobacco taxes we need to stand as 1, not as individuals.