Ode to Fabrica5

[Li Bai]

Hi everyone, I hope this post finds you well !

I've listened to @LizardGizmo's podcast featuring @El Presidente and Hamlet a few days ago and wanted to share something with y'all, it needs a bit of context so please, indulge me.

First things first, I fell in love with CCs around 2000 when a good friend came back from Cuba with some RyJs for us to enjoy together. At the time I begun smoking regularly but I didn't really go down the rabbit hole until 2018.

Nobody else smoked around me so I've searched the internet and I found "Pour une Poignée de Cigares" ("A fistful of cigars"), the biggest cigar forum in French language. I've spent countless hours educating myself there, in fact I was told recently by their chief moderator that nobody has spent more time logged in than me since its creation in 2000 😅

I've learned so much and made so many good friends doing so, I'll forever be grateful but unfortunately it would never recover from Cigarmageddon. I still log in daily but one could do it 3, 4 or 5 days in a row without finding a fresh post, c'est la vie !

That's how I ended up here on FOH, I'd been missing the community a lot. I was a long time lurker when I started to participate early 2024. Since then I come here daily and I love this place ! I've learned a lot thanks to you all and not just about cigars ! What a wonderful community, well done Prez 👍

I live in France and, as some of you may know the CC supplies here are appalling, plus we can't purchase any tobacco product online... Naturally I've tried to find my way through New World cigars over the last years but, let's face it, it was never my jam, never will be. 

Hundreds of references in each brand's portfolio, big shiny bands you can't even see the wrappers, plus they're not cheap here and the names, OMG the names... To be fair I've found very good NCs and some are now in my rotation but there's too much marketing sh*t going on for a simple man like me who happens to enjoy simple things, I'm just not their target and that's ok, no hard feelings.

On the other hand, I don't feel much love from HSA either lately so..... What's left for someone like me ??

What's left is Fabrica 5 cigars, plain and simple. When I was feeling let down by cigar makers and accepted that when my CC stash would be over I'd be doomed to only smoke second-choice cigars I discovered Fabrica 5.

What a revelation ! I never thought it could be done but you did it @El Presidente and Hamlet, you've blended cigars that can challenge CCs in the hearts of smokers who were born and raised with the best tobacco in the World. And you did all that with a "No box, no bands, no BS" philosophy ? You're legends, there's no other word and I deeply mean it.

Sorry guys for the long post but after hearing Hamlet getting emotional about his job on the Lizards' pod I was so moved I had to get it off my chest. I don't know if he ever comes here but if he doesn't please make sure he knows his work is highly appreciated and even more, it is a game changer to me and many more I assume.

Long story short, Rob, Hamlet, I love you compadres, you can ask me (almost) anything whenever you come to Paris 🙏

[Li Bai]

I forgot, a big shout-out to you@LizardGizmo and the other lizards, your podcast is the only one I found I can relate to, love it👍

[LizardGizmo]

29 minutes ago, Li Bai said:

I forgot, a big shout-out to you@LizardGizmo and the other lizards, your podcast is the only one I found I can relate to, love it👍

I’m glad to hear this! Many thanks for listening 

[Marco_011t556]

7 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Hi everyone, I hope this post finds you well !

I've listened to @LizardGizmo's podcast featuring @El Presidente and Hamlet a few days ago and wanted to share something with y'all, it needs a bit of context so please, indulge me.

First things first, I fell in love with CCs around 2000 when a good friend came back from Cuba with some RyJs for us to enjoy together. At the time I begun smoking regularly but I didn't really go down the rabbit hole until 2018.

Nobody else smoked around me so I've searched the internet and I found "Pour une Poignée de Cigares" ("A fistful of cigars"), the biggest cigar forum in French language. I've spent countless hours educating myself there, in fact I was told recently by their chief moderator that nobody has spent more time logged in than me since its creation in 2000 😅

I've learned so much and made so many good friends doing so, I'll forever be grateful but unfortunately it would never recover from Cigarmageddon. I still log in daily but one could do it 3, 4 or 5 days in a row without finding a fresh post, c'est la vie !

That's how I ended up here on FOH, I'd been missing the community a lot. I was a long time lurker when I started to participate early 2024. Since then I come here daily and I love this place ! I've learned a lot thanks to you all and not just about cigars ! What a wonderful community, well done Prez 👍

I live in France and, as some of you may know the CC supplies here are appalling, plus we can't purchase any tobacco product online... Naturally I've tried to find my way through New World cigars over the last years but, let's face it, it was never my jam, never will be. 

Hundreds of references in each brand's portfolio, big shiny bands you can't even see the wrappers, plus they're not cheap here and the names, OMG the names... To be fair I've found very good NCs and some are now in my rotation but there's too much marketing sh*t going on for a simple man like me who happens to enjoy simple things, I'm just not their target and that's ok, no hard feelings.

On the other hand, I don't feel much love from HSA either lately so..... What's left for someone like me ??

What's left is Fabrica 5 cigars, plain and simple. When I was feeling let down by cigar makers and accepted that when my CC stash would be over I'd be doomed to only smoke second-choice cigars I discovered Fabrica 5.

What a revelation ! I never thought it could be done but you did it @El Presidente and Hamlet, you've blended cigars that can challenge CCs in the hearts of smokers who were born and raised with the best tobacco in the World. And you did all that with a "No box, no bands, no BS" philosophy ? You're legends, there's no other word and I deeply mean it.

Sorry guys for the long post but after hearing Hamlet getting emotional about his job on the Lizards' pod I was so moved I had to get it off my chest. I don't know if he ever comes here but if he doesn't please make sure he knows his work is highly appreciated and even more, it is a game changer to me and many more I assume.

Long story short, Rob, Hamlet, I love you compadres, you can ask me (almost) anything whenever you come to Paris 🙏

I'm move also . Almost the same here...I browsed a lot Chinese cigar forums, and come here (actually browsed at least 6-8 times per day). For Fabrica5, I love Churchill, Cano, Ninfas!

[Lucas Buck]

Love this post! That pod was a real treat for a smoker of Hamlet’s custom rolls for 25 years now. Thanks for sharing!

[SUP8333]

Many people would skip a lengthy post, but everytime I see one from @Li Bai I stop and take time to read it as it is always an enjoyable story. 

[Li Bai]

22 minutes ago, SUP8333 said:

Many people would skip a lengthy post, but everytime I see one from @Li Bai I stop and take time to read it as it is always an enjoyable story. 

Thanks a lot brother, I really appreciate it 🙏

[El Niño]

17 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Hundreds of references in each brand's portfolio, big shiny bands you can't even see the wrappers, plus they're not cheap here and the names, OMG the names...

The inelegance of some of these idiotic new world cigars is appalling. I feel like they're marketed towards the no nonsense, average-Joe American man – which is great! I love cigar accessibility for everyone (adults that is). But the fake fancy marketing just pains me; particularly Perdomo hahaha.

But the customer is always right, and brands will keep making cigars that sell. They don't need to mind my desire for elegance. Fab5 and Aladino can take my market share!

I'm smoking the Sovereign Suns right now. Freaking phenomenal. I can't believe this little thing. 

Glad you've found some sticks and community that you can continue to love! Cheers brother!

[CaptainQuintero]

I think FoH has always had the appeal to the 'normal' cigar smoker, whether it was the guys lucky enough to make it to the deck, participate in the forum-hosted buys in the early days, welcome new guys or learn from the old guys, it's always been a special place for me. The latest iteration of having cigar made that exemplify the spirit of FoH is just fantastic, long may it continue in however it evolves 💪

[RSG]

My cigar journey very much matches yours, Li Bai. I can't wait to try them. My first F5 order should be coming today or tomorrow.

[josie67]

On 6/25/2025 at 7:37 AM, El Niño said:

The inelegance of some of these idiotic new world cigars is appalling. I feel like they're marketed towards the no nonsense, average-Joe American man – which is great! I love cigar accessibility for everyone (adults that is). But the fake fancy marketing just pains me; particularly Perdomo hahaha.

But the customer is always right, and brands will keep making cigars that sell. They don't need to mind my desire for elegance. Fab5 and Aladino can take my market share!

I'm smoking the Sovereign Suns right now. Freaking phenomenal. I can't believe this little thing. 

Glad you've found some sticks and community that you can continue to love! Cheers brother!

I just got the sovereign suns this morning, and I’m really looking forward to trying one tonight!  Thank goodness for Fabrica05, I think around 90% of the cigars I’ve smoked over the last 2 years are the Nudies and MOFOH. 

[laficion]

Hi Gill,

Who could've said it better then you my friend ,Thank you Gill .

Guy

[Li Bai]

46 minutes ago, laficion said:

Hi Gill,

Who could've said it better then you my friend ,Thank you Gill .

Guy

Thank you so much Guy !!

Those words coming from a legend like yourself...You're too kind 🙏

[El Niño]

15 hours ago, josie67 said:

I just got the sovereign suns this morning, and I’m really looking forward to trying one tonight!  Thank goodness for Fabrica05, I think around 90% of the cigars I’ve smoked over the last 2 years are the Nudies and MOFOH. 

Let us know how you like it!!

[mikejh]

The cigars are good.