fu*king fed up with viaje (nothing more than a rant on my part)

[randomhero1090]

[quote author=tksamtec link=topic=12450.msg65705#msg65705 date=1326898741]
Well, I guess when he is forced to get his tobacco from Backwoods... he is officially in big trouble.
[/quote]

I've smoked some Backwoods that taste better than some Viajes.  And that is the fucking truth.

Look at what Sam Leccia did with Oliva for a very long time.  Andre should just do the same thing with Dion, or an EP Carrillo.  Someone who has access to a lot of plant.

[jayro75]

[quote author=tksamtec link=topic=12450.msg65697#msg65697 date=1326889693]
When you don't have a farm or own the fields, I am sure it must be difficult to obtain good/consistent tobacco, from other manufacturers who you are in competition with... sounds like an uphill battle.

Someone mentioned that Andre he gets alot of his tobacco from Dion, I have no idea, but I bet he has to do some serious ass-kissing or pay big bucks to get the better leaves he grows and its still not going to be as good as what Dion keeps for himself and his own lines.
[/quote]

Neither Andre or Dion own a farm.  They both source their tobacco from and have their cigars made at the Raices Cubanas factory.  Both are at the mercy of others on availability of leaf, production schedule etc.  Which is probably why Andre has moved to this new approach.  

[PeteRI]

[quote author=jayro75 link=topic=12450.msg65708#msg65708 date=1326900762]
Neither Andre or Dion own a farm.  They both source their tobacco from and have their cigars made at the Raices Cubanas factory.  Both are at the mercy of others on availability of leaf, production schedule etc.  Which is probably why Andre has moved to this new approach.  
[/quote]

Great point. And to the earlier poster, imagine what Andre could do if Pepin brought him on to create his own blends.

[PeteRI]

[quote author=tksamtec link=topic=12450.msg65621#msg65621 date=1326749071]
Smoked an OR S&B WMD (red label) on my way home from work today...great smoke.  A little too short and a couple minor burn problems but really nice flavors--leather, cedar, and some nice bittersweet chocolate undertones...I enjoyed it alot, and these have gotten better with time.  Wish that I had more of these...

Obviously, Viaje's latest S&B (and other) releases strive to be this good, but are not and may never be again...
[/quote]

Glad you like the WMD. I think the newest S&B "?" release has the potential to be as tasty. And one characteristic of Andre's cigars that never fails to amaze me is how slow-burning his sticks can be. Even the shortest ones last almost an hour for me, and I'm a pretty fast smoker.

[parshooter]

Feunte taught them well  :gotcha:

[randomhero1090]

[quote author=PeteRI link=topic=12450.msg65769#msg65769 date=1326982016]
Glad you like the WMD. I think the newest S&B "?" release has the potential to be as tasty. And one characteristic of Andre's cigars that never fails to amaze me is how slow-burning his sticks can be. Even the shortest ones last almost an hour for me, and I'm a pretty fast smoker.
[/quote]

I will agree with the slow burning part for sure.  The Fat Man S&B did take quite a while to burn.

[tksamtec]

[quote author=PeteRI link=topic=12450.msg65768#msg65768 date=1326981870]
Great point. And to the earlier poster, imagine what Andre could do if Pepin brought him on to create his own blends.
[/quote]
Well, I suppose that could end up happening, especially if Viaje can't make a go of it with their small batch business plan.  I think its a tough time for some cigar companies now, and alot of them have just raised prices again (General, Altadis, Oliva).  I have heard that alot of people are pissed at Viaje now, and some of their retailers are upset as well.  Andre is a smart guy, and with the proper access to tobacco, he could make some great sticks (and make them consistently too).  I honestly think his latest releases are just not up to par--both for his expectations and for the people who bought them.  I have to respect the guy for trying to change their current trend, and switching things up by going small batch, especially at the price point of his sticks.  The jury will be out, and I will wait for the public to decide if his newer releases are worthy before I sample anymore of the Viaje Kool-aid though.

:beer:

[PeteRI]

TK, I think the Atlantic lancero and 2011 Holiday Blend are both fine smokes. And the Mystery S&B is good too.

[themoneycollector]

[quote author=PeteRI link=topic=12450.msg65768#msg65768 date=1326981870]
Great point. And to the earlier poster, imagine what Andre could do if Pepin brought him on to create his own blends.
[/quote]

Then it would taste like the 3 trillion other pepin blends for shops that taste nearly identical.

[tksamtec]

[quote author=PeteRI link=topic=12450.msg65807#msg65807 date=1327030511]
TK, I think the Atlantic lancero and 2011 Holiday Blend are both fine smokes. And the Mystery S&B is good too.
[/quote]
Pete, sorry I should have added more clarification.  The Viaje Exclusivo Lanceros suck (just my opinion), in comparison to Viaje's previous Exclusivo releases. The Exclusivo DES and Exclusivo Jar Robo are really good.  Maybe the Lances just need some time to age and develop, but I am considering getting rid of my box (and I have seen ALOT of others getting rid of their Viaje Lanceros too).  The latest S&B are strong (as strong as the OR releases) and just not as flavorful as previous releases, but maybe some time will help them out too. Time will tell, but I have a feeling that the newer stuff will not develop into the quality that the OR and older Viaje stuff has become.