Island Cigar Factory: A real hidden gem in Key West

[orslimy]

Last week I spent in Key West, and as usual I checked out the local cigar stores. It became apparent to me right away that the one cigar store chain dominated the island.

it's called Island Cigar Factory, and they have a boutique Dominican brand wrapped in Cuban leaf.

I tried one of their cigars off the shelves, even though it wasn't in a humidor, the standard humidity in Key West did the trick and the cigar itself was amazing. Easy draw, really fresh, and tasted like anything I ever tried before.

Unfortunately, their PR sucks and not enough people are aware of them, but I strongly recommend smoking one, really good, and not expensive at all.

They have a website too: LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN , really easy to navigate and order, I especially liked the customer service, they make you feel like family.

This is what I smoked, the Al Capone Conneticut :

Comment if you ever tried them and had a similar experience like me.
Or.

 

[JHolmes763]

This smells like spam, first post and all. You should read the rules, post an intro and get to know the community.

Island Cigar Factory specializes in hand rolled cuban leaf cigars and Dominican cedar wood boxes.

Cuban tobacco doesn't hold any kind of mistique for me, but I'm curious whether they mean actual tobacco grown in Cuba or something like "cuban seed"...

 

[grateful1]

This smells like spam, first post and all. You should read the rules, post an intro and get to know the community.

Island Cigar Factory specializes in hand rolled cuban leaf cigars and Dominican cedar wood boxes.

Cuban tobacco doesn't hold any kind of mistique for me, but I'm curious whether they mean actual tobacco grown in Cuba or something like "cuban seed"...

The fact that he posts their link as his contact website doesn't work either! *sigh

tsk tsk....

Or Azulay
@orslimy

Co-owner and VP of Marketing in islandcigarfactory.com
Israel · http://islandcigarfactory.com

https://twitter.com/orslimy

Rod...please remove or fix these links to NOT go there...thanks.

 

[Rod]

Or - You really disappoint me. For the record, here is a PM that Or sent me this morning:

Hey Man,
First I like to mention that I love your website, very informative, I fell in love with a few awesome brands thanks to reviews in it.

Second, my brother and I own a very successful boutique cigar store chain in Key West plus a real nice online store (www.islandcigarfactory.com)

My question is, what can I do to spread the word about our cigars? any ideas?

Thanks,
Or.

So, you mis-represent yourself, spam, and lie. I look forward to seeing your response.

 

[tomthirtysix]

Hysterical.

Is Key West no longer part of the US?

 

[BlindedByScience]

Time to take out the trash, Rod......

 

[chiefmd]

He owns it but said "their PR sucks"? Wow. Tell me where I can sign up for the business school that teaches that strategy.

 

[Rod]

Great business model - "very successful chain of cigar shops" who's "PR sucks". LOL

If so successful, why spam? Amazing people still don't think before they post stuff like this.

 

[Asel.mike]

This is lame. Even if he wasn't the owner, this smells of spam like no other.
Why not let your product and reputation speak for themselves.

 

[grateful1]

This is lame. Even if he wasn't the owner, this smells of spam like no other.
Why not let your product and reputation speak for themselves.

Because he's young and brash.

He'll either learn the what and where of the community...or he'll just think 'there are others out there...screw those old guys'! (and by old, I mean MMM)

 

[jfields]

Too funny! He's an owner and affiliate all in one.

 

[grateful1]

He states he's located out of the country.

http://www.meetup.com/IGTSmartGrid/member/63135752/

I wonder is Assaf knows he is out marketing the business?

 

[kona1000]

Has anyone been to Key West in the last few years-- I used to live their and the Israeli T-shirt companies are killing the place. Our credit card was charge 650$ for a 65$ charge. A little shady to say the least. We caught it then but apparently this is a normal practice.

The cigars in Key West are not all that great. There is a nice shop in Key Largo that has some good stuff but the ones in Key West are strictly Tourist destinations.

Just a note: I have never tried this guys stuff.

 

[Tall Paul]

Is this statement strange "Island Cigar Factory is a chain of Cuban Leaf cigar stores located in Key West, Florida." It says "Cuban leaf" and not Cuban seed. Doesn't that make their cigars Cubans? Cuban leaf would mean the plant was grown in Cuba right? Pretty ballsy statement!

 

[Smokin'Sims]

I was in Key West in the last three years, if that counts Kona. We found one decent cigar shop, but I can't remember the name of it. The rest had a few decent common cigars and a ton of their own stuff. I'd be curious to try one, but the prices seemed a bit much. I'm always torn between trying something new and getting something I know I enjoy. I likely am missing some hidden gems, but I hope I'm also avoiding some turds.

 

[4cbln3]

He owns it but said "their PR sucks"? Wow. Tell me where I can sign up for the business school that teaches that strategy.

Since he was trying to shill under the radar, probably he was looking for the "pity" buy.

 

[grateful1]

Is this statement strange "Island Cigar Factory is a chain of Cuban Leaf cigar stores located in Key West, Florida." It says "Cuban leaf" and not Cuban seed. Doesn't that make their cigars Cubans? Cuban leaf would mean the plant was grown in Cuba right? Pretty ballsy statement!

That's cutting the line close. The store sign says Cuban Seed...but this post...well, I'm curious what the RTDA would say.

It seems this guy is part of a 'meet-up' network for Israeli startups. I'm not sure if they are backed or just running the show.

As for the 'why' is this important...again(Gary)...I like to know who I am dealing with - even more so when a marketing tactic like this is pulled.
Maybe it's what is being pushed by the startup groups - probably not - but if it is...I don't want to deal with any of them.

Interesting: http://www.corporati...c/98945425.aspx

Anyhow...it seems they may have started with this fellow (a legit business):
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/clay-greager/a/539/658

 

[broblues]

I've reserved a condo in Key West for next spring. Now some of the comments make me think I might reconsider.

 

[Bayamos]

WTF.......

 

[grateful1]

Hey Rod...was there follow up that got him banned?

You asked a question of him and then boom boom boom...out go the lights!