Brand 180°s - have you ever experienced it?

[LizardGizmo]

The brand/marca 180° has been on my mind the last week or so - it could be positive or negative - but I’m defining it as a total whiplash from what my experience (or perception) has been at some point in the past - vs. - the reality of what I’m smoking in the moment.

I recently tried a Perdomo Legacy Nicaraguan Sun Grown in Epicure for review. Perdomo was always a lesser brand to me - call it bias, arrogance or just not for my palate - but this Legacy is the complete opposite of what I’ve experienced in their other cigars over the years. Now, in 2026, it’s feeling like a Perdomo might crack my weekly rotation! Completely blown away, shocked, awe, all of it…

On the contrary, Fuente fatigue has truly set in for me. Marketing and unfounded FFOX hype aside, I can’t seem to enjoy a recent production cigar of theirs that I pick up. I’ve tried three in the last month and all have been underwhelming.

I certainly enjoy the Don Carlos line that I have in my collection when I reach for them, but I haven’t considered Fuente a premium tasting brand in quite some time. 5 years ago? Absolutely untouchable.

Have you had any brand experiences like this?

[NYGuido]

I’m experiencing this, myself, with a few brands. I’m a known Davidoff guy, but their blends lately aren’t tasting the same to me as they once did. Leaving aside the “combined age” BS and the hype sticks, the Millennium boxes I’ve bought recently haven’t tasted like those from even 18 months ago, and it’s making me pretty sad. 

On the other hand, I’ve never been a Tatuaje guy at all, but the Cabaiguan line is cracking my rotation pretty regularly these days. Same with my general dislike of My Father and my recent love affair (admittedly after the Lizard review) with the Blue and the Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo. 

I’ve also never been a Perdomo guy, but it sounds like I should give that one a try!

[TheCigarSoldier]

7 hours ago, NYGuido said:

I’m experiencing this, myself, with a few brands. I’m a known Davidoff guy, but their blends lately aren’t tasting the same to me as they once did. Leaving aside the “combined age” BS and the hype sticks, the Millennium boxes I’ve bought recently haven’t tasted like those from even 18 months ago, and it’s making me pretty sad. 

On the other hand, I’ve never been a Tatuaje guy at all, but the Cabaiguan line is cracking my rotation pretty regularly these days. Same with my general dislike of My Father and my recent love affair (admittedly after the Lizard review) with the Blue and the Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo. 

’ve also never been a Perdomo guy, but it sounds like I should give that one a try!

Definitely concur with Davidoff. Had a Millennium Robusto the other week I about snapped in half out of frustration. Just so bad and the brand seems to have taken a fall from grace for those who have been paying attention. I've fallen out of love with Tatuaje as well but ordered some of those cabaiguans to try. I used to smoke the Tatuaje Black a lot in the Dr. Joeshow days, haven't in a long time. 

Positively for me was Padron. For years I never quite understood the hype around them, and routinely tried different facings to try and will myself to get there. Took me about 10 years of smoking cigars but one day I just lit one up and all of a sudden it finally clicked.

With Warped every other cigar I'm about to write them off and then I try something different and it's a new staple. Hills and valleys with that brand unlike anything I've ever experienced. 

[NYGuido]

7 hours ago, TheCigarSoldier said:

Had a Millenium Robusto the other week I about snapped in half out of frustration. Just so bad and the brand seems to have taken a fall from grace for those who have been paying attention.

Millennium robusto is a daily for me, and my last box has been lacking the creamy cappuccino deliciousness I associate with them. Now they’re too corojo forward and almost bitter in some respects. 

I picked up a box of Millennium 2023 LE Lanceros and about 10 of the discontinued Churchills and THOSE taste like Millennium should taste. It’s such a shame. They were my absolute favorites but not anymore. 

The Fabrica 005 Trinity Robusto and Spada Gorda kick its butt these days. 

[zeedubbya]

Love ya Giz, but I think this would be a brand 180 maybe…

Pedantry aside, I would say this applies to New Worlds in general lately, and CCs as well. While I still hold to the belief Cuban tobacco is the best in the world, we’ve ALL been placed in the angering position of being forced to turn around and look the other way while they sort out this mess they’ve created. Rediscovering Padrón Anniversary Series, Don Carlos, and even Rocky Patel, while dabbling in Aladino, Fabrica5 and Aging Room has been a lot of fun. I recognize it’s something I likely would have never done had Habanos not forced me to seek out replacements for my standard bearer Lusis, D4s and PLPC, which have become cost (replacement/procurement) prohibitive. So yeah, positive brand 180 😉 has set in for a lot of New World (esp. Honduran) cigars, and negatively for Cubans. Something I wasn’t initially thrilled about, but now am taking some joy in reaching around the CCs and grabbing for cigars which can be picked up for 1/3 (or less) the price.

[Li Bai]

I can imagine Carlito Fuente reading your post @LizardGizmo:

I guess it would be more of a 180 like @zeedubbya said 😉 

Jokes aside, I very much agree about Fuente, I smoked my fair share of their cigars in the past and can't seem to enjoy them anymore.

[LizardGizmo]

15 hours ago, zeedubbya said:

Love ya Giz, but I think this would be a brand 180 maybe…

Wow, yes it’s definitely 180°

I wasn’t a geometry guy  

 

[TheCigarSoldier]

16 hours ago, NYGuido said:

Millennium robusto is a daily for me, and my last box has been lacking the creamy cappuccino deliciousness I associate with them. Now they’re too corojo forward and almost bitter in some respects. 

I picked up a box of Millennium 2023 LE Lanceros and about 10 of the discontinued Churchills and THOSE taste like Millennium should taste. It’s such a shame. They were my absolute favorites but not anymore. 

The Fabrica 005 Trinity Robusto and Spada Gorda kick its butt these days. 

The one I had the other week was all okay, never evolved, got bitter if anything down the stretch. Just a terrible experience, no coffee and cream from it that I was accustomed to. If they managed to screw that blend up what a shame!

Had a Hoyo last night with 4 years age on it. It was fine but nothing remarkable, Trinity Robusto beat the brakes off of it right after. That truly is such a remarkable little cigar.

[Hoosh]

After reading this thread, I’m ever so thankful my palate loves Mexican tobacco. 🙂