Rocky Patel partnership with EO brands

[weskimad]

From a Press release on May 5,

"I am pleased to announce today that Rocky Patel Premium Cigars and EO Brands will begin operating in full partnership. Eddie Ortega and Erik Espinosa will continue to operate EO Brands, with Rocky Patel Premium Cigars assuming all sales and distribution of EO Brands."

So Rocky has purchased half of United Tobacco (owners of EO). I'm most curious what this will mean to 601. Will manufacture of 601 remain with Pepin? The press release mentions only sales and distribution.

Will it be Padilla 1932 all over again, meaning will we be asking if the 601 Greens (my fav) are Pepin rolled or Rocky rolled?

*****Added 5-8-10
Since this thread was posted, Eddie Ortega, the "O" in EO cigars has posted several times in this thread, and clarified how the partnership will benefit the end consumer, and that he is committed to retain the quality of cigars that bear his name. Please give his posts a read prior to determining your thoughts. Thanks, Ken

 

[podman28]

All 601 production will be moved to Honduras. Not sure if they are going to adjust the blend or not but Pepin will not be rolling them. I got this from my RP rep.

 

[SmokeProper]

Crazy

 

[Alwayslit]

Shame

 

[pfm721]

Wow, hope this doesn't kill the brand.

 

[weskimad]

Bummer, but thanks for the info. I mentioned Padilla when I started this thread, when the 1932 production was moved to the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras, I was lucky enough to pic up a box on sale, and have found them to be top notch.

I fear we won't be as fortunate with 601.

 

[VillageIdiot]

Guess I'd better start buying up what I can now.

 

[tmoney2007]

All 601 production will be moved to Honduras. Not sure if they are going to adjust the blend or not but Pepin will not be rolling them. I got this from my RP rep.

I don't think we'll ever see Pepin working with rocky in any capacity.

 

[Soundwave13]

I gotta wonder what logic was used to make this descision. I'm sure they had reasons... but why would you go to Rocky after Pepin 'made' you unless they were forced?

It'd be a terrible shame to watch EO change - I really like all of their cigars.

 

[terrantheman]

Well 601 just became a shitstick! No more greens they are now off the radar.

 

[tmoney2007]

I gotta wonder what logic was used to make this descision. I'm sure they had reasons... but why would you go to Rocky after Pepin 'made' you unless they were forced?

It'd be a terrible shame to watch EO change - I really like all of their cigars.

Big piles of money... Rocky is probably trying to fortify his portfolio of companies and partnerships so he can get someone to buy his company from him...

 

[Ed Monton]

Farewell. I'll miss you 601 Green... sob :sadcry::sadcry:

 

[pfm721]

Eddie O said that United Tobacco did it so that they could lower their prices. I bet Tmoney is right on for why Rocky did it.

 

[eddieortega]

Hey guys, just registered when I saw this post. Even though I just registered and haven't posted before, this is one of the boards I check often to keep tabs on what you guys are chatting about..

This is definetely a communication error, you can tell the rep who started the rumor, Eddie says he is seriously mistaken.

All EOBrands currently in the market, will continue to be manufactured by Pepin and his family at their Nicaraguan factory in Esteli. The only 2 major changes, will be;

1. The repackaging of the 601 lines, the changes are mainly attributed to requests by retailers in order to better accomodate shelf space. Even though the packaging will change, all blends will remain intact....repeat, the blends will not change.

2. The greatest change will occur at the retail level. We have signifacantly reduced all the prices on the EOBrands (601,Cubao and Murcielago) by a substantial amount of $2 to $3 dollars per stick.

That's it for now, but now that I've registered will try and keep you guys up to date on anything else going on.

-Eddie Ortega / EOBrands

 

[LiLo]

Lame lame lame lame. The last thing we need is rocky's stamp on more stuff. Come next year there will be 601 spring blends and winter blends, each season for each color. And they will taste like garbage. can't wait :hanghead:

 

[VillageIdiot]

Thanks for clearing that up Eddie. Had me scared for a moment.

 

[mthhurley]

Interesting

 

[SmokeProper]

Hey guys, just registered when I saw this post. Even though I just registered and haven't posted before, this is one of the boards I check often to keep tabs on what you guys are chatting about..

This is definetely a communication error, you can tell the rep who started the rumor, Eddie says he is seriously mistaken.

All EOBrands currently in the market, will continue to be manufactured by Pepin and his family at their Nicaraguan factory in Esteli. The only 2 major changes, will be;

1. The repackaging of the 601 lines, the changes are mainly attributed to requests by retailers in order to better accomodate shelf space. Even though the packaging will change, all blends will remain intact....repeat, the blends will not change.

2. The greatest change will occur at the retail level. We have signifacantly reduced all the prices on the EOBrands (601,Cubao and Murcielago) by a substantial amount of $2 to $3 dollars per stick.

That's it for now, but now that I've registered will try and keep you guys up to date on anything else going on.

-Eddie Ortega / EOBrands

The cigar doesn't change.... But becomes cheaper....if those are the facts I AM cool with that!

 

[musicman]

Im still going to hoard 601's and Cubao's and Murcielago's.

 

[pfm721]

Eddie thanks for clearing that up for us. Love the 601's and welcome to BOTL.