CI "Fake" Cigars?

[Marc L]

I like that. well, the title thing being debatable or changed could be useful? I have had trouble with titling threads before. .. maybe this title could be "What CO should be learning today"?

Do venders just know better to allow the misled to lead the needy?

[Sticky B]

I wish we could be more circumspect when selecting thread titles. I'd really hate for any vendor to come in here and see what appears to be MORE vendor bashing which gave the old forum such a bad name in the community and stopped virtually ALL vendors from going there.

Just a thought.

Apologies, didn't consider it vendor-bashing at all. I've had nothing but positive interactions with CI, although I don't order the types of cigars he seems to be talking about.

Was just curious to see the general consensus on it - and although I don't follow CO, it seems silly to dismiss things one guys says just because you're not fond of all of his practices.


If someone from CI were to scan through this thread, I'd hope that they wouldn't come to the conclusion that anyone was bashing them - as there seems to be an overwhelming amount of support for the company here.

[Billb1960]

This video is an excerpt from one of his "Cigars for Troops" donation videos. Before this video starts he goes on & on about surplus bands being put on these short filler cigars made of "floor sweepings", customer refunds, false advertising, etc. I looked the cigars up on CI and nowhere was I able to find where they were advertised as long filler. They're selling for a $1.60 a stick. Caveat Emptor.

[wabashcr]

Probably a good service to the community to show people what's really in these cheap smokes. Would be nice if he had his ducks in a row before calling out CI, though. I think if you're going to implicate a retailer like that, you should probably be a little more clear about what's going on. Fake cigars is a bit much for me. He's right that they're garbage, though. No issue there.

I do think CI (and others) can be, shall we say, creative with the truth, when it comes to marketing their house/budget brands. They come close without actually crossing the line into deception. Lying about long filler would be well over that line. That's different than saying these are great smokes made with high quality tobacco, which is of course subjective.

[TCBSmokes]

Well, on the one hand, they are not one of his advertisers and I'd be more impressed if he conducted the same experiment on one of their offerings. But on the other, I did see a video where he dismantled a Padron on the rumor some were filled with stems and he did prove it to be the case with that stick.

But I guess in the end, let's face it, we Are smoking leaves and the bottom line is a natural product is going to have some imperfections, or else it wouldn't be natural. It would be an orange. Which really isn't so orange, is it?

[SeaGarr]

Well I am sure I will not be popular for stating this but... when they sell the cigar thusly: "Sink your teeth into this massively discounted blowout on premium Dominican handmades." Would that not imply it's a long filler cigar?

I mean everyone keeps saying that no where does it say it's a long filler... but then, there is no where that it says it isn't either. And by nature, you would expect a "handmade premium" cigar to be a long filler.

Let's take their Padron verbiage: "Get ready to celebrate with the Padron 1964 Series.

This limited production selection serves up a complex flavor profile consisting of coffee bean, cocoa, earth, and hazelnut. Uber-smooth and complex, each cigar is box-pressed in true Cuban tradition and aged four years, resulting in a 95-rated masterpiece. The draw: perfect. The construction: flawless. And it's available in your choice of a sun-grown natural or a dark maduro wrapper. Originally crafted to commemorate Padron's 30th anniversary, this enticing blend is sure to stir up a celebration of your very own."

Nothing there about it being a long filler either. I guess that's because were we are lead to assume that a premium cigar is a long filler.


Buyer beware isn't a model you build business on. That's why no one trusts... well you name the profession. But I will say it killed the sport of boxing. This kind of thing is bad for our hobby period.

I have no axe with CI. And I have no idea if Bryan Glen is full of it or not. But if I found that - even at $2.00, I would be some kind of upset. Moreover, I wouldn't want to lend my name to the person pushing that either.


That's my take. I have no idea if it's true or not. I sure hope not.

[Demuths1770]

Well I am sure I will not be popular for stating this but... when they sell the cigar thusly: "Sink your teeth into this massively discounted blowout on premium Dominican handmades." Would that not imply it's a long filler cigar?

I mean everyone keeps saying that no where does it say it's a long filler... but then, there is no where that it says it isn't either. And by nature, you would expect a "handmade premium" cigar to be a long filler.

Let's take their Padron verbiage: "Get ready to celebrate with the Padron 1964 Series.

This limited production selection serves up a complex flavor profile consisting of coffee bean, cocoa, earth, and hazelnut. Uber-smooth and complex, each cigar is box-pressed in true Cuban tradition and aged four years, resulting in a 95-rated masterpiece. The draw: perfect. The construction: flawless. And it's available in your choice of a sun-grown natural or a dark maduro wrapper. Originally crafted to commemorate Padron's 30th anniversary, this enticing blend is sure to stir up a celebration of your very own."

Nothing there about it being a long filler either. I guess that's because were we are lead to assume that a premium cigar is a long filler.

Buyer beware isn't a model you build business on. That's why no one trusts... well you name the profession. But I will say it killed the sport of boxing. This kind of thing is bad for our hobby period.

I have no axe with CI. And I have no idea if Bryan Glen is full of it or not. But if I found that - even at $2.00, I would be some kind of upset. Moreover, I wouldn't want to lend my name to the person pushing that either.


That's my take. I have no idea if it's true or not. I sure hope not.

The liga papas fritas is not a long filler but is still hand made. Hand made means what it says... A machine did not make it its hand made. Has nothing to do with the filler inside.

[Demuths1770]

I for 1 find it wrong that he is 1. Faulting them for calling it a short filler. 2. Calling it a fake.... When I hear fake cigar I think fake cuban. How can it be fake with the wording the have. 3. Accusing cigars international of this when other sites sell them. 4. The language he uses towards a company that has done nothing wrong

[RogueBallBoy]

He calls them out for being dishonest by omission and he is clearly being dishonest by omission himself In my view. I've seen ateast one other video of him attacking them as well. why isn't he mentioning BCP? They market stuff the exact same way. Makes me think he just has an agenda.

[SeaGarr]

The liga papas fritas is not a long filler but is still hand made. Hand made means what it says... A machine did not make it its hand made. Has nothing to do with the filler inside.

No - I get it and i'll give you that, however there is mention of it in the verbiage at CI:

"Papas Fritas - El Jefe's favorite snack food, french fries! Made from the scraps of the Liga Privada line, these may be the best mixed-filler cigars in town. Big-time flavor comes packed in a 4.5" x 44 frame. And dare I say, these guys are just as good if not better than their larger brethren. Medium to full in body, complex, and downright de-lish, these little firecrackers are super-legit."


It's more about what isn't said than what is said... and implied.


In case you think I am on a CI kick - note Famous smokes verbiage:

"Liga Privada Único Serie cigars are a unique addition to Drew Estate's highly-acclaimed Liga Privada series. All of the cigars in this series are not only different in size and recipe, but they extremely limited and exceptionally delicious. Blended with 3 select Nicaraguan Cuban seed longfillers, a Connecticut River Valley stalk cut & cured Habano binder, and a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper. The smoke is medium to full in body and marvelously complex. Order these stunning new cigars now."


Maybe what I have been led to believe the term longfiller to mean is incorrect?