Have you tried Vegas Robaina?

[Webbo]

Reading Robs comment on today's 24:24 about his fears for the continuation of the VR line got me wondering. Of course its only a numbers game so I assume that VR simply don't sell enough and here is my question, why? They produce (or did now the DA has sadly gone)  the right sizes that are popular with consumers these days (not the stupid jaw breakers though) and the flavour profile is wonderful (and in my opinion somewhat unique), I couldn't comment  on the consistency of the construction or wrappers across the range but it seems to me the marque has all it needs to be a real winner and yet its not. I can only put forward the theory that the lack of sales is simply because VR are not fashionable and therefore overlooked by many smokers of CC in favour of the more "well known" brands. I wonder what the sales of Monte 2's are compared to VR Unicos? Whist I enjoy a MC2 a VR Unicos is for me (when on) more than a match. The same for the Famosos if I compare against a R&J 4 or perhaps a MC 4.

So in summary, have you tried Vegas Robaina, if you haven't why (I'm genuinely interested )? If not then do so while you can I don't think you will be disappointed.

[nKostyan]

There is an opinion and suspicion that the government will not allow the cult of personality to anyone except Fidel and Guevara. Therefore, the wonderful Vegas Robaina Cigars will slowly destroy. Began to do this after the death of Don Alejandro: first closed the factory, then discounted DA... And the popularity and sales volumes can not affect this decision

[JohnS]

I think the reason that Vegas Robaina doesn't sell like the popular Habanos marcas such as H.Upmann, Montecristo, Cohiba, Partagas etc is because its profile doesn't lend itself to consistent rotation. In other words, they don't tend to be 'go-to' cigars for us. The proof for this can be seen, for instance, in the images in the Daily Smoke thread. Vegas Robaina just doesn't come up that often. This doesn't mean that the profile is so different or unique that it's an acquired taste, on the contrary, they're quite good but the best way to describe them is to say they're like what Coke Vanilla is compared to Coke, and maybe, just maybe, they're not everyone's 'cup of tea', so-to-speak.

So maybe they're one of your favourite Cuban cigars, what do you do? Well, perhaps offer some to your friends when you have a get together to allow them to challenge their own 'sensibilities'. You see, you've got to have people make their mind up for themselves on these things, and if they see differently to you, well you tried. But often you'll probably find that you'd garner respect and people we'll see what you see in them and from that you can begin to change things around, even if it's just a little bit, even if it's just a small step.

So, for example, do you not think I've had this done to me? Many a time we've had get togethers in Sydney and El Pres has joined us and brought something exotic or something that's smoking 'hot' right now. I can attest that practically every time he's spot on and we've been grateful for having the opportunity to sample a Bolivar Tubos No.1 or a Juan Lopez Seleccion No.2 from 2014, or something similar that you don't reach for everyday. And so, we carry on this example and delight in sharing something like a 2014 Partagas Serie D No.6, a 2015 Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas or a 2011 Sancho Panza Non Plus the next time we catch up because that's one of the delights of this wonderful hobby of ours, the sharing of this knowledge that can only be gleaned from experiencing it for yourself.

If you're a Vegas Robaina Unicos or Famosos fan, share them around and let's find out how great they are for ourselves!

[Stump89]

Tried them(unicos, famosos, couple various REs) and have definitely enjoyed them.  But they aren't in my rotation really.  Just don't prefer them over anything else.

[Jimmy_jack]

 I absolutely love VR.  With very little time down it has become one of the best cigars out of my selection. The Unicos and Famosos are fantastic. I’m one of the people that have a poor pallet and cannot pick up the nuances of certain cigars. This line of cigars is all baking spices and wonderful flavors to me. I strongly urge anyone to try them or just buy a box and put it away for a little while and then find out for yourself.

[PabloJr]

I really enjoyed the DA. Have a few left in my stash box. I wouldn't mind a box of those. Issue is they seem to be harder and harder to come by

[BrightonCorgi]

Unicos are a staple cigar for me.  None of the new brands have fared well.  One can debate whether Trinidad is a new brand or not, but VR and SCDH never captured the consumer's hearts.  Most Habanos brands go back many decades and have allure that VR does not.  It's like a new wine that is good as Lafite comes out at a similar price.  Everyone is going to spend on Lafite instead of this new vineyard.  If you look at the Habanos pyramid; VR is one the fanciest brands.  They are generally priced more than Upmann, Monecristo, or Partagas.

There is nostalgia when smoking a Habanos and VR doesn't capture it.  The casual smoker has no affinity towards VR so they'll just go for what they know.  Similar can be said for Sancho Panza, SLR, QdO, Fonseca; just not on the consumer's mind when thinking about buying a Habanos.

We are different breed that the typical cigar smoker. 

[nKostyan]

DA is my favorite of VR. Surprisingly, with such a long format, the cigar does not need to be heated and gain taste, it is included in a powerful sauce from the first puffs. As Smoke is already excellent taste and aroma only increases, the last third is very juicy and tasty, a sort of thick cappuccino with salted caramel. The perfect cigar!!!

[David88]

I do enjoy a good famosos but just like John alludes to, they haven’t made their way into my regular rotation for whatever reason. They’re definitely worth sampling though and as we have found out it is a use it or lose it with Habanos. If people aren’t buying them, they’ll be for the chop! 

[TBird55]

44 minutes ago, nKostyan said:

DA is my favorite of VR. Surprisingly, with such a long format, the cigar does not need to be heated and gain taste, it is included in a powerful sauce from the first puffs. As Smoke is already excellent taste and aroma only increases, the last third is very juicy and tasty, a sort of thick cappuccino with salted caramel. The perfect cigar!!!

I concur, the sad thing about this,  I only have 4 boxes left. Then only memories of a great cigar.

[SCgarman]

Mixed feelings about this marca. First box ever, Famosos they were stunning. Flawless Colorado wrappers, beautiful aroma and flavor. Loved them so much, ordered another box quickly hoping for the same. Ugh, total crap. Ugly wrappers, cigars were not uniform in size, a beetle hole in one of them. Perhaps the worst box of garbage I ever bought. Really turned me off to the brand. I still have some from that ugly box, but don't reach for them often. If HSA axes the marca, I won't miss it. 

[SCgarman]

1 minute ago, mtapia3 said:

VR is one of my favorite marcas with the Unicos being in my top 3 all time favorite smokes. I can go on and on about why I love this marca, but as to why it’s not popular I assume it has to do with it’s youth and small market status.  It’s difficult to compare something that’s only been around for 20 years with the big boys that have been established for over 100 years. For you MLB fans, it’s like comparing the Tampa Bay Rays with the New York Yankees. No matter how good of a season the Rays may have, the Yankees will always have more fans and popularity.

Besides I don’t think Habanos ever intended for this marca to compete with the big brands. Along with San Cristobal and Cuaba, this was more of a commemorative release. I fear all 3 of these marcas will eventually be scratched.  I need to start hoarding boxes of Unicos. 

VR was mainly created as a tribute to Don Alejandro Robaina himself, as he was the premier tobacco grower of his time on the island. But apparently he himself didn't think very highly of the marca and his prized wrappers weren't used on any of the cigars. 

[SCgarman]

1 minute ago, mtapia3 said:

This is most likely true, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying the marca and appreciating everything Don Alejandro did for the industry. 

Absolutely! If you like them, smoke them!?

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, NYgarman said:

VR was mainly created as a tribute to Don Alejandro Robaina himself, as he was the premier tobacco grower of his time on the island. But apparently he himself didn't think very highly of the marca and his prized wrappers weren't used on any of the cigars. 

Habanos is missing out on terroir derived cigar ranges.  No one else has access to these fincas, so what's the harm in naming them or promoting them in the blend?

[Derboesekoenig]

1 hour ago, NYgarman said:

VR was mainly created as a tribute to Don Alejandro Robaina himself, as he was the premier tobacco grower of his time on the island. But apparently he himself didn't think very highly of the marca and his prized wrappers weren't used on any of the cigars. 

May I ask where this information comes from? Hard to believe the guy didn't like his own brand.

[SCgarman]

22 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

May I ask where this information comes from? Hard to believe the guy didn't like his own brand.

I believe it was a James Suckling article as he visited Don Robaina many times. Robaina himself likely was partial to his own custom rolls as favorite cigars.

[ErikB72]

I loved them when they were first released in the nineties. Somehow the quality hasn’t been the same for me recently.

Also wondering if the brandname would be a problem if the embargo would be lifted , since Robaina family members are active in the US ?

[SCgarman]

2 hours ago, ErikB72 said:

I loved them when they were first released in the nineties. Somehow the quality hasn’t been the same for me recently.

Also wondering if the brandname would be a problem if the embargo would be lifted , since Robaina family members are active in the US ?

Unsure of your age, but I am 52 and 99.9% sure the embargo will never be lifted in my lifetime. 

[Derboesekoenig]

8 minutes ago, NYgarman said:

Unsure of your age, but I am 52 and 99.9% sure the embargo will never be lifted in my lifetime. 

I feel this way and I am only 27. I don't see it happening. We're coming up on 60 years since the revolution. I think they'll need at least another 60 years before they even begin any kind of change. 

[LLC]

4 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I feel this way and I am only 27. I don't see it happening. We're coming up on 60 years since the revolution. I think they'll need at least another 60 years before they even begin any kind of change. 

What ... you don’t plan to make it to 90 ?

[Piligrim]

as a seller I can say only DA is good selling vitola among the marca in my shop. but among other Promenente vitolas I can't say DA is very good selling cigar. I even still have some from 2007, which almost impossible with Lusi for example. 

[ErikB72]

7 hours ago, NYgarman said:

Unsure of your age, but I am 52 and 99.9% sure the embargo will never be lifted in my lifetime. 

46 here.... and I also believed the Berlin Wall wouldn’t fall in my lifetime

[Bram Smoker]

17 hours ago, Piligrim said:

as a seller I can say only DA is good selling vitola among the marca in my shop. but among other Promenente vitolas I can't say DA is very good selling cigar. I even still have some from 2007, which almost impossible with Lusi for example. 

You have some DA’s sitting around from ‘07? Please send me a note as I would love to take some off your hands. VRs will always have a place in my heart and humidor. DA is my all time favorite and I have always wondered why the brand wasn’t more popular. It is in my regular rotation but I know I’m more an outlier than the norm. great thread and great answers. I like reading everyone’s views and the conversation this forum provides. 

[cybermadhatter]

The VR Jubilaum were some of the best cigars in the last 20 years.   This cigar was commisioned by the 5th Avenue LCDH in Germany to commemorate their 15th anniversary. Boxes of 15. Vitola: Canonazo : a little longer than a Siglo 6
Size: 52RGx 6inches   They go for ~ $1300 these days. 

I love the Unicos.  It was my first box ever in 2003. 

1997 OR Famosos were fantastic. 

The DA I find too mild.   The familiar is ok.  The Clasico has been hit or miss over the years. 

I surmise there are better lonsdales, well, there Were. 

And, better hermoso 4’s, (than famosos) and better Coronas (familiar) than the VR counterparts.  

 

[Derboesekoenig]

7 hours ago, cybermadhatter said:

The VR Jubilaum were some of the best cigars in the last 20 years.   This cigar was commisioned by the 5th Avenue LCDH in Germany to commemorate their 15th anniversary. Boxes of 15. Vitola: Canonazo : a little longer than a Siglo 6
Size: 52RGx 6inches   They go for ~ $1300 these days. 

I love the Unicos.  It was my first box ever in 2003. 

1997 OR Famosos were fantastic. 

The DA I find too mild.   The familiar is ok.  The Clasico has been hit or miss over the years. 

I surmise there are better lonsdales, well, there Were. 

And, better hermoso 4’s, (than famosos) and better Coronas (familiar) than the VR counterparts.  

 

Wow. Never heard of or seen these ever. Can you even still find these for sale?