Is Mi Barrio Now A Famous Owned Label?

[Argus17]

I haven't seen these around for some time now, and was thrilled to see them up for bid on CA. Over the past few months I've won maybe a dozen for cheap. After letting them sit for a while, I smoked several, which caused me to do a little investigation. I'm suspecting that Famous now owns this label due to the following.

1) They don't taste like what I remember. Not a bad cigar for what I paid, but not as I remember.
2) I've had burn issues (canoeing) with most of them, requiring multiple touch ups.
3) Seems that Famous is the only place where these are available.
4) They are no longer listed on the Garcia's website.
5) Famous' description does not state these are a Pepin blend, nor do they refer to the cigar's previous ratings.

If this is now a Famous owned label, I give them much credit for not creating a CI style fairy tale about how they found some forgotten boxes in an underground warehouse on the Island of Misfit Toys.

Since Famous is not claiming these are Pepin made, and not toting their previous ratings (like CI would have done), it really doesn't bother me if they do own the label. I'm just curious if anyone knows for sure.

David

 

[hdroadglide]

pepin dropped them a couple of years ago. can't imagine that there would be anyone else making them. are the bands still the same?
strange. had to go look at them. band is totally different. names are the same. can't imagine something coming out of my father with that type of construction issues. just doesn't happen with them. plus, one of the problems with the original release was they were relatively expensive. they were actually pretty good, and still are when you can find them.

 

[hdroadglide]

and according to the google machine.....Every 601 Mi Barrio cigar, from EO Brands, features a Habano wrapper with the filler and binder being from Nicaragua. Since the stick is released quarterly, each release offers a different blend from Pepin. These blends come from Esteli. These cigars feature tobaccos grown in the Esteli region as well as the Jalapa region. They are available in several different sizes, but the one that receives the most reviews is the El Puro at the 7.5 inch x 52 ring gauge. - See more at: http://www.seriouscigars.com/barrio-cigars-review-a-483.html#sthash.UgjR1dVB.dpuf

 

[Craig Mac]

I thought EO Brands split like two years ago with Ortega and Espinosa going their own way.

 

[sofc]

Paid ridiculous money for these back in the day. Good enough cigars

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Argus17]

Thanks for the info, Bob, my bad. I thought these where originally made at My Father. I didn't realize that these where EO.

Now that I know what to search for, I found this Half Wheel article on the split up of EO Brands. http://halfwheel.com/news-espinosa-ortega-split-eo-brands

According to the article, Mi Barrio is now a Famous exclusive, manufactured by Espinosa Premium Cigars. I knew these weren't up to My Father's standards, so this now makes perfect sense.

I guess being burned multiple times by CI's lies, has made me a little paranoid.

 

[Argus17]

Sheesh, some more investigation, and now I'm stumped again.

Mi Barrio is not listed as a current production cigar on Espinosa Premium Cigars.

What I do know is that it's not listed as current production by My Father, Espinosa Premium Cigars or Ortega Premium Cigars. So I'm back to my original question. Who is making this, and who owns the label? I wonder if Famous bought the label from Espinosa?

 

[Craig Mac]

Call Famous

 

[Jfire]

OR Mi barrio was made by Pepin. I seen full boxes and empties sitting in his wharehouse in 2010...... Food for thought. Heck I even owned a couple boxes. My guess is EO commissioned him to make them. But my memory is not that good. Too many cigars on the market now days.

 

[StocktonJohn]

I believe these originally were Pepin made for EO....they were excellent. It's been my experience when a great, high priced stick ends production and then later reappears at a very low price its not a good thing. My two cents. ..

 

[Cigahs]

Mi Barrio has been a Famous staple for the last 4 years but is not owned by Famous. It was originally an EO brand blended by Amilcar Perez Castro at the My Father facility in Esteli but has since gone through some changes.

A few years ago, Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega parted ways. As part of the separation, Erik took ownership of the MI Barrio brand and offered it to us as an exclusive. The blend is still the same but is now being produced at Amilcar's factory, also in Esteli.

 

[Argus17]

Mi Barrio has been a Famous staple for the last 4 years but is not owned by Famous. It was originally an EO brand blended by Amilcar Perez Castro at the My Father facility in Esteli but has since gone through some changes.

A few years ago, Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega parted ways. As part of the separation, Erik took ownership of the MI Barrio brand and offered it to us as an exclusive. The blend is still the same but is now being produced at Amilcar's factory, also in Esteli.

Thank you. Your answer is very much appreciated. I'm very relieved to know that you haven't stooped to the games CI plays. Because of your honesty and integrity, I now buy 90% of my cigars from you. Not too long ago, I used to purchase 90% of my cigars from CI, but due to their dishonesty, they have lost me as a customer for life.

With that said, I have noticed a greater then average problem with construction on the 601s, Cubaos and Mi Barrios I've gotten from you. Flavor seems to be there, but many tend to canoe and require multiple touchups. Just thought I'd pass that on.

David

 

[Cigahs]

Mi Barrio has been a Famous staple for the last 4 years but is not owned by Famous. It was originally an EO brand blended by Amilcar Perez Castro at the My Father facility in Esteli but has since gone through some changes.

A few years ago, Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega parted ways. As part of the separation, Erik took ownership of the MI Barrio brand and offered it to us as an exclusive. The blend is still the same but is now being produced at Amilcar's factory, also in Esteli.

Mi Barrio has been a Famous staple for the last 4 years but is not owned by Famous. It was originally an EO brand blended by Amilcar Perez Castro at the My Father facility in Esteli but has since gone through some changes.

A few years ago, Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega parted ways. As part of the separation, Erik took ownership of the MI Barrio brand and offered it to us as an exclusive. The blend is still the same but is now being produced at Amilcar's factory, also in Esteli.

Thank you. Your answer is very much appreciated. I'm very relieved to know that you haven't stooped to the games CI plays. Because of your honesty and integrity, I now buy 90% of my cigars from you. Not too long ago, I used to purchase 90% of my cigars from CI, but due to their dishonesty, they have lost me as a customer for life.

With that said, I have noticed a greater then average problem with construction on the 601s, Cubaos and Mi Barrios I've gotten from you. Flavor seems to be there, but many tend to canoe and require multiple touchups. Just thought I'd pass that on.

David

Thanks for the accolades and your newfound loyalty. I don't disparage the competition but I am thankful for every customer they send our way.

I also appreciate the concern about the brands your smoking. This is the first I've heard of any quality issues with these cigars but I'll ask around to see if we're getting any other feedback.

It's only fair to let you know, however, that the 601 Green, Red, and White inventory we have in stock is all original Pepin product. As part of a mutually beneficial deal we made with Erik Espinosa back in 2012, we bought everything he had. Needless to say, we're almost out.
It's also only fair to say that we made a similar deal with Eddie Ortega last year over all the 20 count boxes of Cubao we have in stock (minus the #4, which comes in boxes of 10). I estimate we have only a few months inventory at current sell-thru rates. After which, boxes of 20 will also be no more.
Just throwing it out there.

As for Mi Barrio, we're expecting a fresh new shipment any day. Perhaps this batch might be more to your liking?

Humberto

 

[problemsolverjc]

Mi Barrio has been a Famous staple for the last 4 years but is not owned by Famous. It was originally an EO brand blended by Amilcar Perez Castro at the My Father facility in Esteli but has since gone through some changes.

A few years ago, Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega parted ways. As part of the separation, Erik took ownership of the MI Barrio brand and offered it to us as an exclusive. The blend is still the same but is now being produced at Amilcar's factory, also in Esteli.

Mi Barrio has been a Famous staple for the last 4 years but is not owned by Famous. It was originally an EO brand blended by Amilcar Perez Castro at the My Father facility in Esteli but has since gone through some changes.

A few years ago, Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega parted ways. As part of the separation, Erik took ownership of the MI Barrio brand and offered it to us as an exclusive. The blend is still the same but is now being produced at Amilcar's factory, also in Esteli.

Thank you. Your answer is very much appreciated. I'm very relieved to know that you haven't stooped to the games CI plays. Because of your honesty and integrity, I now buy 90% of my cigars from you. Not too long ago, I used to purchase 90% of my cigars from CI, but due to their dishonesty, they have lost me as a customer for life.

With that said, I have noticed a greater then average problem with construction on the 601s, Cubaos and Mi Barrios I've gotten from you. Flavor seems to be there, but many tend to canoe and require multiple touchups. Just thought I'd pass that on.

David

Thanks for the accolades and your newfound loyalty. I don't disparage the competition but I am thankful for every customer they send our way.

I also appreciate the concern about the brands your smoking. This is the first I've heard of any quality issues with these cigars but I'll ask around to see if we're getting any other feedback.

It's only fair to let you know, however, that the 601 Green, Red, and White inventory we have in stock is all original Pepin product. As part of a mutually beneficial deal we made with Erik Espinosa back in 2012, we bought everything he had. Needless to say, we're almost out.
It's also only fair to say that we made a similar deal with Eddie Ortega last year over all the 20 count boxes of Cubao we have in stock (minus the #4, which comes in boxes of 10). I estimate we have only a few months inventory at current sell-thru rates. After which, boxes of 20 will also be no more.
Just throwing it out there.

As for Mi Barrio, we're expecting a fresh new shipment any day. Perhaps this batch might be more to your liking?

Humberto

I bought one of the boxes of the Cubao maduro when Eddie was there. He guessed they had about 4 years of age on them. They are FANTASTIC if anyone is looking to try them!! Also, some on this board got some in recent bombs

Jim

 

[AlohaStyle]

I loved the Mi Barrio cigars, think I still have a couple laying around. I also loved the original 601 Blue's... I have a handful left and can't get myself to get rid of them. I don't smoke'em, but just see them every now and then and reminisce... lol

 

[Argus17]

Here's a photo of the first Mi Barrio I tried to smoke since starting this thread.



This is one of 4 splits in the last 10 I attempted to smoke. I'm done buying these for now, but the good news is the last 3 boxes of Cubaos have been perfect.

 

[dharbolt]

Dave. They are definitely cbided up. I have some new and old. The new suck. The old are very good. Famous is the only place to get the new ones

 

[Argus17]

Dave. They are definitely cbided up. I have some new and old. The new suck. The old are very good. Famous is the only place to get the new ones

Ha, ha, I like that one, bud. Cbided up. That should be a new cigar word. Anytime a cigar is now someone's exclusive, and no where near as good as it used to be, it's been Cbided.

 

[Happy Idiot]

Got a famous 5er for $20 in June n I love em. I'D SAY even @ $5 or 6 a stick they pretty good. Never tried the older ones.

 

[HillbillyPyro]

Smoked an OR from 2009 today. Absolutely great smoke