How does Pinar Del Rio do it?

[megladon8]

I've been looking lately at the lists I've made of some of the best cigars I've ever smoked.

These lists are filled with a lot of the names you'd expect:

Tatuaje
Liga Privada
Don Pepin Garcia
Illusione

But among those greats, there's another company that continues to pop up right alongside them:

Pinar Del Rio

The big difference is, though - PDR regularly produces cigars at a fraction of the price that most (if not all) of these other companies.

I recently purchased a box of PDR Reserva Limitada's for a mere $60.

The flavour profile, construction and overall quality of Pinar Del Rio sticks is consistently on par with any of the other super premium brands, yet I rarely see a box of PDR's exceed the $100 mark.

Why is it that this company is able to produce super premium quality cigars, in the price range of yard-gars?

Why are even their most expensive sticks half or less of the price of a box of regular-production sticks by most other super premium brands?

Is there a reason? Or are we just damn lucky?

 

[GoingPostal]

I have no inside knowledge but perhaps they are able to source thier tobacco at a lower cost. I think the biggest reason is hype/praise around the brand. More Hype = More Demand = ability to charge a higher price. I'm not knocking the other guys they put out a quality product and hey they're a buisness who's primary purpose is to make money.

So if the hype/praise for PDR ever gets to the level of the 4 you mentioned you'll see the prices go up. So stock up on those PDR's, and if you've never tried your missing out.

 

[danthebugman]

I also think PDR makes some great stuff...the BOTL 2010 was and is still awesome, the Capa Madura is fantastic, the Sun Grown is delicious. I could go on. Not sure why they price them so low, but I'm not going to complain :grin:.

Dan

 

[StocktonJohn]

I agree... PDR is an excellent brand. The Capa Oscuro is a favorite.

How are those $60 Reserva Limitada?

 

[megladon8]

I agree... PDR is an excellent brand. The Capa Oscuro is a favorite.

How are those $60 Reserva Limitada?

Well, the SRL (Seleccion Reserva Limitada) is one of my favorites of all time, and it changes every year.

These literally just arrived a few days ago, so I'm going to have them in my humi for a few weeks before I try one (plus it's too bloody cold here right now at -25).

But they look and smell divine.

Gorgeous box, too. Came with a neat little insert telling the history of the PDR company, and how this blend came to be.

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

Couldnt agree with you more and ya, I was shocked each time I tried a new one and it also blew me away. My favorite is the Oscuro.

 

[StocktonJohn]

Well, the SRL (Seleccion Reserva Limitada) is one of my favorites of all time, and it changes every year.

These literally just arrived a few days ago, so I'm going to have them in my humi for a few weeks before I try one (plus it's too bloody cold here right now at -25).

But they look and smell divine.

Gorgeous box, too. Came with a neat little insert telling the history of the PDR company, and how this blend came to be.

I've got a SRL toro in my humi. It's been resting for a couple months. I'll check it out today.

 

[StocktonJohn]

Smoked the SRL... Great stick. The broadleaf wrapper really does it in this blend.

 

[wilfredsimpson]

They can't charge more, because they don't have sexy enough bands.

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

Well inspired me to have the oscuro. Even better now that it has more time on it. Tomorrow ill try my first srl.

 

[megladon8]

Smoked the SRL... Great stick. The broadleaf wrapper really does it in this blend.

Agreed! It's a beautiful stick.


I hate to say it, but hype or no hype, this is the kind of thing that makes me want to know exactly WHY a company would have to charge $200-$300 for a box of cigars.

The claim that that cost is "needed to ensure quality" is obviously moot.

 

[Alwayslit]

definitely an under the radar brand and hope it stays that way.

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

definitely an under the radar brand and hope it stays that way.

What he said...SO LETS STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. :grin:

 

[Docbp87]

definitely an under the radar brand and hope it stays that way.

Wait, under the radar? Doesn't CI hype the hell out of PDR?

 

[njstone]

If you're a good blender, you can make a cigar taste good even using 2nd or 3rd-grade tobaccos (I.e. the cheaper stuff). For example, the Tat Browns use top-grade leaf, the Ambos Mundos use 2nd-grade leaf. Both good cigars, but if you've been smoking long enough, you can tell the quality difference.

Quality of tobaccos aside, you might still prefe the lesser-quality stick ... Nothing wrong with that!! Heck, I'll take an aged Ambos Mundos Sumatra over a number of top-quality cigars, in terms of flavor.

 

[Alwayslit]

Wait, under the radar? Doesn't CI hype the hell out of PDR?

I don't go to CI so I wasn't aware they promote the brand.

 

[Dread]

Good to see plenty of PDR love. Got a call from Abe last week and Im officially the PDR rep in New England. Currently smoking an 1878 capa habana, the 1878 line is definitely in the upper echelon of the food chain in its price point.

 

[StocktonJohn]

" the 1878 line is definitely in the upper echelon of the food chain in its price point."

Congrats Bro! And I agree about the 1878...

 

[Nickerson]

Good to see plenty of PDR love. Got a call from Abe last week and Im officially the PDR rep in New England. Currently smoking an 1878 capa habana, the 1878 line is definitely in the upper echelon of the food chain in its price point.

Any online vendors other than thompsons sell the 1878's? They come in 4 different blends from what I've seen or is it just diff wrappers? connecticut, maduro, oscuro, habano?

 

[sean]

atlantic has some.