How is DE being viewed today?

[Master Shake]

A few years ago, DE was on top of the cigar world. From the average Joe to the forum snob everybody wanted to get their hands on Liga products. But now, that seems like a thousand years ago. Forum guys swore them off overnight but I was wondering how they are doing at your local? Do you still see guys at the lounge buying/smoking them? Do you know if they're still selling well? I ask because I stopped in recently at the largest local in my area and they only had a handful of T52 and an empty box of Ratzilla on the shelves and that was it for high end stuff. They still had some Undercrown and I saw plenty of Acid but I was just wondering why they would stop carrying such a brand? Lack of sales? No demand? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[jasonatjl]

I feel like there’s still a lot of DE fans out there. They’re still floating off their hype from a few years back. And they still produce some pretty decent smokes, albeit a bit too pricy.

It’s like they’re a niche market of their own, if that makes sense - guys probably coming from smoking stuff they won on CBid but before they start finding companies like Warped or Roma Craft, or other “boutique” companies.

I personally have gotten away from DE a bit. Jonathan Drew is a bit of an oddball IMO and although they’ve gotten some good smokes on the market, nothing really blows me away. I feel like it’s all marketing with his “subculture” stuff and the “Drew diplomat” badges.

To each their own, I’ve got a few Ligas and some HEs / Nortenos in the stash, but for the price, there’s better options IMO.

And FWIW, the shop in GR had a full spread of DE products when I was in town visiting, and my local B&Ms here in SD still carry a lot of their stuff in store.

 

[wantacigar]

Very hard to pay Opus and Padron Anny prices for a "decent" cigar.

 

[ChuckMejia]

I have two lounges near me, only one carries it. Don’t see many people reach them then aside from some older gentlemen. But what I’ve noticed is that they are spreading across Europe quick

 

[john41285]

Overpriced trash

 

[Unpossible_1]

With so many better options out there, for less, it's always been hard for me to ever invest much in DE products. I've got a few T52s left from a 5 pack I picked up last August, and just some HE Inktome from SBC, with a single or two of other lines.

I never bought into the hype to start, and honestly don't think their product has changed much one way or another. People assumed the quality died with Swisher, but I think it was just the hype dying. They've never been a bad product, but when I can get two cigars that are just as good or better, for the same price as a Liga, it's a no brainer.

 

[Boudie]

I think the FSG is a standup cigar, MUWAIT needs lots of humi time and the sweetness of the Natural makes it a decent early morning smoke with coffee.
From the beginning they have marketed to, as mentioned earlier, the "Average Joe" and the new smoker. From what I understand Acid is still the #1 selling brand of cigars

 

[cigarMVP]

But what I’ve noticed is that they are spreading across Europe quick

Yup, definitely, and is still popular after have been here for awhile. Especially MUWAT and Undercrown is to be found in locals. No Acids tho'.

 

[marshall9779]

My local carries pretty much the full line of DE. Even had a box of Velvet Rats in there the other day. I’m not nearly as big a fan as I used to be but still enjoy a Dirty Rat from time to time. Loved the HE TAA.
In my early days in cigars the UC was the first cigar I really enjoyed. Not near as much now but have one occasionally on the golf course. But for that reason I’ll always have a spot or 2 for DE stuff in my humi.


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[ChuckMejia]

My local carries pretty much the full line of DE. Even had a box of Velvet Rats in there the other day. I’m not nearly as big a fan as I used to be but still enjoy a Dirty Rat from time to time. Loved the HE TAA.
In my early days in cigars the UC was the first cigar I really enjoyed. Not near as much now but have one occasionally on the golf course. But for that reason I’ll always have a spot or 2 for DE stuff in my humi.


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HE TAA is definitely a great smoke.

Probably the only one id buy from their line

 

[Tom1984]

My local carries most of the Unico series(Dirty Rats, L40's, FFP, UF13) as well as a few vitolas from the T52 and 9 line. They have gone up dramatically, though. I remember when the Dirty Rat was $12(which is a lot for a corona) and now they're $15.10. They're expensive but I like to smoke them when I can because I haven't found a cigar that tastes similar.

 

[ApeSmokes]

Both B&Ms near me carry a bunch of DE. Seems like it sells pretty well. I haven't had too many LPs, because as mentioned by others, there seem to better options at that price point. I do like some of their mid-range offerings, Nica Rustica being a good example. I can usually find them pretty cheap, and they aren't bad for the money.

 

[Happy Idiot]

Is this where I sign up for my 8% off gold swotr?

 

[CVAC085]

My favorites from DE are the undercrown, undercrown sungrown, florida sun grown, herrera esteli (original) and the TAA. Even a Nica Rustica now and then is good too!

At my local, last time I was there, he had ample stock of the Liga line, priced as high as some Padron’s. I for one loved the LP9 and T52, but veering to try new cigars I found others I’ve enjoyed more than these.


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[BenS]

HE TAA is definitely a great smoke.

Probably the only one id buy from their line

HE Lonsdale was/is the best thing DE ever produced. Milk and honey the whole stick. Top 10 NC for sure.

 

[StogieNinja]

I started this hobby loving maduros. Anything dark, chocolately, with sweetness and cedar. To this day, nothing quite hit that mark like a Liga Privada No 9 did back then. I loved the Dirty Rat, the milk chocolate and red pepper flake spice. I still think that LP has some of the best branding of all time.

It is my personal opinion that quality did decrease at some point, either directly pre-Swisher, or after. I don't think Swisher ownership directly requested a decrease in quality, but my theory is that production was ramped up to either make the company more attractive, or else directed by Swisher after, which meant that lower-quality tobacco was being used.

I don't think Drew Estate has fallen off, I think it's the opposite. Drew Estate is a major player, and one that is prevalent in a lot of retailers' humidors. They're mainstream. It feels like they have decreased in stature to some of the forum folks because they're not boutique anymore. LEs are widely available and produced in much higher quantities, so they're not $100/stick on the secondary market. The collectors and resellers aren't going bananas, which in turn makes them seem less "hot." And Saka and JD are not all over social media like they once were. I remember when both were here regularly, chatting it up and answering questions. Good times, those.

 

[Unpossible_1]

HE Lonsdale was/is the best thing DE ever produced. Milk and honey the whole stick. Top 10 NC for sure.

Oh yea, those were titties!

 

[jasonatjl]

I started this hobby loving maduros. Anything dark, chocolately, with sweetness and cedar. To this day, nothing quite hit that mark like a Liga Privada No 9 did back then. I loved the Dirty Rat, the milk chocolate and red pepper flake spice. I still think that LP has some of the best branding of all time.

It is my personal opinion that quality did decrease at some point, either directly pre-Swisher, or after. I don't think Swisher ownership directly requested a decrease in quality, but my theory is that production was ramped up to either make the company more attractive, or else directed by Swisher after, which meant that lower-quality tobacco was being used.

I don't think Drew Estate has fallen off, I think it's the opposite. Drew Estate is a major player, and one that is prevalent in a lot of retailers' humidors. They're mainstream. It feels like they have decreased in stature to some of the forum folks because they're not boutique anymore. LEs are widely available and produced in much higher quantities, so they're not $100/stick on the secondary market. The collectors and resellers aren't going bananas, which in turn makes them seem less "hot." And Saka and JD are not all over social media like they once were. I remember when both were here regularly, chatting it up and answering questions. Good times, those.

I’ve heard JD quit smoking cigars, but not sure how true that is. He seems like a bit of a weirdo, IMO though.

Saka is cranking out some pretty good smokes, interesting how he left DE and starting coming back up on his own.

 

[StogieNinja]

I’ve heard JD quit smoking cigars, but not sure how true that is. He seems like a bit of a weirdo, IMO though.

I hung out with JD and some other BOTLers one time when he came to the area a few years ago, he was eclectic for sure, but a really down to earth guy, and he dropped more cigar industry knowledge that night than I’ll ever know. Hadn’t heard he quit smoking, that’s interesting if true. Would certainly explain his selling off of the company and pursuing liquor instead.

 

[mitetak]

Depends on the shop - most carry at least something - some carry a ton. I'm pretty sure their ACID stuff is still the best selling cigar on the market (purely on quantity). I love a simple undercrown or a shade. But they're definitely not the same. If I really want to scratch my DE itch I'll go pick up some Dunbarton sticks.