Revisiting the Viaje DES 2

[Master Shake]

When I heard that Viaje was re-releasing the DES I was super excited to the point of nearly shitting my pants. Then I saw the price, which hurt a bit. I managed to find some at a discount (albeit not an amazing one) and I was less than thrilled to find that my expectation of the smoke and the finished product hardly matched. I was hugely letdown and it was made worse by the exorbitant price that I paid to get these in the first place.

However, I'm pleased to report that after smoking one from my jar the other day that I have found it to be much improved. My first two smokes were basically the same: promising first third, meh second third, and garbage finale. This, however, was solid all the way through, even though the profile didn't change a bunch (to me at least) but at least it was good. Was it MSRP good? HEEEEEEEELL NO! Was it the $14.50/stick I paid good? Not quite. But if anyone was able to grab these for around $10-12 I'd say its a fine stick for the price and if it continues to improve it may very well be worth the money I dished out. If there are any laying around and you are interested in trying them I would recommend it if the price was less than $15. I know that many people who bought these were as equally let down as I was though there were a few people out there that thought they were OK. Is anyone else out there with me that these have improved? I'm interested to hear some opinions.

 

[heavyd]

Typical viaje experience, in my experience. Sometimes they are great, and sometimes they disappoint. I don't buy Viaje anymore, but I'm quite certain that Andre will release some winners down the line.

 

[The Eleven]

It's encouraging to here you feel they've improved. I'll have to revisit. I'll let you know my thoughts.

 

[The Eleven]

Hear*

 

[Master Shake]

Typical viaje experience, in my experience. Sometimes they are great, and sometimes they disappoint. I don't buy Viaje anymore, but I'm quite certain that Andre will release some winners down the line.

I agree 100% and when I initially smoked my first couple DES 2 and they blew donkey balls I was 100% off Viaje. However, having revisited the stick and finding it to be improved I might still dabble here and there on 5ers if the price is right, which all too often it isn't. I'd love to see the Exclusivo Shortie get re-released but I shudder to think of what the price would be and the chances of me buying any at anything more than $6 a stick is nil. As always, my issue with Viaje is that if you buy a 5er and like it all too often you can't find more of a good release but if you buy any considerable amount and hate it, good luck unloading it for anything other than a deep discount and large loss. He always releases some winners and in the past he's released sticks that are among the finest I've had. Andre has also released plenty of sticks that would be among the worst sticks I've ever had for the price, and some that regardless of price are just downright shitty. I guess much the same could be said about the limited cigar game in general though.

 

[Clint]

I still love the Exclusivos from the OG jar release...Short of that, I don't really hunt down Viajes too much either.

I am glad to read your review, as I have just received a few DES in a trade...Looking forward to trying them

 

[Master Shake]

I still love the Exclusivos from the OG jar release...Short of that, I don't really hunt down Viajes too much either.

I am glad to read your review, as I have just received a few DES in a trade...Looking forward to trying them

OR DES or DES 2? Big, big, big difference. The DES 2 is on its way up, but unless the OR DES was just going through some kind of sick period when I had my last one over the summer then they peaked about 2 years ago and are now a shell of their former selves and I couldn't in good conscience recommend that anybody smoke them, especially at the prices they still command based on reputation and not at all based on how they currently smoke. I'll hope for your sake that they are the DES 2.

 

[Clint]

Since I am out of the Viaje loop, can you tell me what the difference is between the two? Thanks !

 

[heavyd]

Typical viaje experience, in my experience. Sometimes they are great, and sometimes they disappoint. I don't buy Viaje anymore, but I'm quite certain that Andre will release some winners down the line.

I agree 100% and when I initially smoked my first couple DES 2 and they blew donkey balls I was 100% off Viaje. However, having revisited the stick and finding it to be improved I might still dabble here and there on 5ers if the price is right, which all too often it isn't. I'd love to see the Exclusivo Shortie get re-released but I shudder to think of what the price would be and the chances of me buying any at anything more than $6 a stick is nil. As always, my issue with Viaje is that if you buy a 5er and like it all too often you can't find more of a good release but if you buy any considerable amount and hate it, good luck unloading it for anything other than a deep discount and large loss. He always releases some winners and in the past he's released sticks that are among the finest I've had. Andre has also released plenty of sticks that would be among the worst sticks I've ever had for the price, and some that regardless of price are just downright shitty. I guess much the same could be said about the limited cigar game in general though.

You nailed it, Master Shake. If he releases a winner, it is almost immediately sold out. Cigar smokers are the most astute consumers of all

 

[Master Shake]

The OR DES has the standard Viaje Exclusivo band and a secondary band that says Edicion Limitada in Red and Silver. The DES 2 has the standard Viaje Exclusivo band and a secondary band that says Viaje Collectors Edition and that band is located close to the foot and is mostly black with silver accents and all writing in white.