EO 601 - New Packaging

[cucumber.breath]

I got an email from Atlantic Cigar about a special on 601's and it looks like the new packaging is out. Let me just say, these things are ugly and tacky looking. When Rocky got his fingers into the brand, I knew things were going to change, but it looks like they are changing for the worse. I am curious if they still smoke the same? All of the ones in my humidor are the 601's with the old bands, so I am wondering if they also changed the blends along with the packaging.

 

[Psojka RP,601]

i agree, they are less attractive. the smokes are still the same- no change there. but i want the old bands back! there was not a thing wrong with them, and changing them like this i dont believe will raise the sales at all IMO

 

[TheCigarKid]

This is old news, my friend!

 

[cucumber.breath]

This is old news, my friend!

Sorry, I didn't realize it was old, my bad. I just was a little jarred when I opened my email and saw them. I didn't realize they were changing the bands.

 

[Jetexas]

The new bands look like $hit. I picked up a 10 pack of green robusto off of Joe's Jam yesterday and hope they are the old stock...

 

[Giants85]

I don't believe the blends have changed at all, just the bands (for the worse). Love the 601 blues!

I've heard they are actually changing back to the old bands, any truth to this?

 

[Psojka RP,601]

I've heard they are actually changing back to the old bands, any truth to this?

there has been talk of it...everybody hates the new ones so they might...

 

[cucumber.breath]

I heard that one of the reasons for the change was that retailers are trying to move away from boxes that are 10/12 wide and 2 deep in order to save shelf space. I figure since they were redesigning the boxes, they did the bands as well and hired a junior high student to design their new bands.

 

[Pietastervw]

I'm not sure why but every time I see these they remind me of the Patel Bros band.

These are on monster right now on the name your price section on boxes of the reds, Lonsdale size

 

[jsnake]

I really don't mind the bands. What matters is the stick under it and the blends are the same. As long as it comes off without hassle or tearing the wrapper it is all good. I have also heard they are considering changing the bands again. I think one thing to consider is the bands are probably cheaper which helps keep the cost down.

 

[Nickerson]

I did like the older bands and packaging. Rocky Patel took over distribution and decided to cut some costs. Those bands look much cheaper.

 

[andy]

the box looks like a liga privada box.

 

[njstone]

Same sticks, different bands/boxes. This was the deal with Rocky. Rocky handles distribution of the brand now, which means he does his own packaging, shipping, and marketing, etc. I think Pepin ships Rocky the cigars and he does the rest.

That's part of the reason these cigars are able to be cheaper now ... Rocky Patel is so huge now that they can do everything cheaper.

Personally, I think the boxes look just fine, though I liked the old bands better (I'm sure they were more expensive, though). That said, bands are not a big deal at all when you know the cigars are good!

 

[CAJoe]

The blend is still the same as before. From what I have heard from a Rocky Rep is that they are looking at going back to the old packaging.

 

[GoingPostal]

A band is just a band, don't change the blend. that said majority of people will assume new band = new blend, maybe that's why they are thinking of going back to the old bands.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

The blend is still the same as before. From what I have heard from a Rocky Rep is that they are looking at going back to the old packaging.

I think there's still some discussion of changing it to something different altogether, whatever the case is I would be shocked if that's the packaging getting shown off at IPCPR.

In addition, having Pepin not make the cigars is sort of illogical for why Rocky took on the half the company, but I digress.

 

[krulos]

I just received a 5er of the green coronas with the new packaging this morning. I personally don't like the new or the old bands, but we'll see if they still taste the same!

 

[StocktonJohn]

I really liked the reds, but I'm holding off until I hear some reports on how the new ones taste.

 

[CAJoe]

From what I understand, Rocky has been wanting Pepin to make a cigar for him for awhile so this was one of his backdoors into getting a Pepin cigar.

 

[dpricenator]

So Rocky wants to back door Pepin? What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.