Tatuaje - Yea 107 79.85%

Tatuaje - Nay 17 12.69%

Viaje - Yea 74 55.22%

Viaje - Nay 27 20.15%

Illusione - Yea 84 62.69%

Illusione - Nay 26 19.40%

Liga Privada - Yea 81 60.45%

Liga Privada - Nay 27 20.15%

Your taste is your taste but I couldn't disagree more about the marketing (at least in a large scale). 99.9% of the novice, everyday smoker (and they are the largest percentage of buyers while us forum users are the smallest) has no clue about these cigars and will look at you funny if you ask them about these brands. :-)

Seems the marketing on these are for the experienced, informed smoker. A very small market.

As for myself, only within the past year have I tried any of these. I love the Tat red bands and their El Triunfador as well as Illusione's Eperney. I've bought a bunch of Viaje lately as well based on the reviews I've read, but I have yet to smoke one.

I think it would be best if Tatuaje stuck to what made them so sought after in the first place. They're a boutique cigar company... or at least they used to be. Now they put out way too many cigars (Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin? Seriously?) and the quality has suffered. I just think they've lost their identity and need to get back to who they are.

I think Habanos/Cubatabaco/Tabacuba is the hottest brand. Their cigars are sold in almost every country of the world except the USA. Pete, Dion, Drew and whoever the hell owns Viaje cant say that.

His name is Andre......but the same argument could be made for any of the"hot"brands. Macanudo and Cohiba sell way more cigars and have much better brand recognition than these four combined. Doesn't make them better, just better known.

Of the four, I think the Liga Privada has the most interesting story. Of the cigars I'd actually want to smoke....stack ranked would be Illusione, Viaje, Liga Privada, then some Tatuaje. Like many others, I've had some great Tats' and some crappy ones.
Just mho.

So what makes a brand "Hot"? Good sales, cigar board chatter, taste or ones that if you paint them someone will think the subject of the artwork is cool and buy the painting? I think Cuba wins in all categories.

Lol....in this case, it's probably art work. I may not be the best opinion, because my significant other did a Viaje painting that is (in my opinion) pretty cool. Most of us strive to be associated with significant brands. Thats why decent OpusX paintings and posters sell better than an equally artistic painting of a Cremosa label.

Kind of a hostile vibe coming off your post.....does this poll bug you for some reason?

I wasn't trying to be hostile but simply adding another brand for consideration. Tone is hard to convey in text. It takes two seconds to scan posts to see that these four brands are "hot" on the boards. I think it would have been better without a poll, just a question to see what is hot. however if this is just to decide what the OP will paint next then why not just come out and ask. If I had the money I would honestly consider a well done Cuban theme painting to hang in my office. I have nothing against the other brands just Cuban tobacco is what gets me "hot" :-)

Edit: Damn I just realized this thread was 10 months old :-)

Ah, the dreaded Bill86 thread resurrection. I hear ya on the theme though. Because I have an artist- in- residence, I actually do get to choose my cigar artwork. (I picked the Viaje) I think she's gonna do a San Cristobal watercolor next. Both because I like the cigars and she thinks the label is cool.

That is pretty cool, I like the San Cristobal label...both the NC and CC :-)

The parrot would make a great painting.

That is the plan....she has a pencil sketch done of the parrot so far. Should be done in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted, if you'd like.

Definitely!

Actually it was a troll and Bill's post is a response. Obviously the troll's post was deleted.

This.

I don't bring up dead threads.

To me they are all desired brands. I am still at the point in my smoking career where I do not have a signature taste yet and am still trying to figure out what really suits me best. I must say being new to the hobby it is easy to get caught up in the "limited release" chase that seems never ending. Who knows what the future will bring me and how my tastes will change.

You left off Fuente, and they are truly the masters and the creators of the HTF Category!
I never saw guys go crazy over ANY cigars like the 100th Anny's in my life!
(And they're great cigars to boot!)

no need for this to stay open.